Starting Over: My Journey with My First Job Back in Canada
My Take on the Job Experience
Navigating My First Job Back in Canada: Challenges, Lessons, and Insights
A few months after moving back and settling into a Toronto suburb, I started looking for work. My previous job required me to work during the company’s local hours and didn't provide extended healthcare coverage. Before moving back, I attempted to interview with Canadian employers and recruiters, but most of those interviews were unsuccessful due to timezone differences and concerns about my availability since I was not physically in Canada. Additionally, many hiring managers seemed uninformed about global events, even before the C-11 and C-18 bills were passed, which restricted media access on the internet and major social media platforms.
My local professional network advised that the Canadian job market was quite challenging. Most initial screening interviews led to being ghosted, or recruiters conducting fake interviews to justify their preferred internal candidates. In other cases, I lost out to candidates asking for lower salaries and offering more work experience, only to learn later that those hires often left the company within a year. Some professionals suggested that I might have been passed over for so-called “DEIJ” hires, but there was no proof of this. Overall, the job search was fraught with challenges, from competing with more experienced candidates willing to accept lower pay to companies running fake interviews and recruiters ghosting after initial calls.
After numerous interviews that led nowhere, I eventually received an offer from a local crypto company in Toronto. On paper, the company appeared environmentally friendly due to its use of renewable energy for crypto-mining operations and its low overhead costs. The offer package was basic, with a relatively low annual salary, stock options, and no extended healthcare until the final fiscal quarter. Knowing that stock options in a startup might not be valuable, I negotiated a higher base salary and a remote work arrangement. It was also reassuring that my line manager shared a similar background and interest in responsible crypto.
Once onboarded, my main objective was to work with the existing team to grow the business. This involved developing a robust lead generation funnel to convert leads into paying customers for the company’s crypto mining services and driving awareness to attract potential partners and investors. We worked closely with vendors to overhaul the website with SEO-optimized content, develop a landing page with consistent search marketing, and maintain engagement through regular email marketing. The team also included a social media specialist to create engaging visuals and assist with public relations efforts.
Despite having a stable core business and growth opportunities, the company leadership decided to pursue the metaverse trend. This decision was met with skepticism, as the metaverse was viewed as “Second Life with blockchain” and lacked a proven business case. The closed alpha version of the metaverse resembled a generic open-world game with no compelling reason for people to invest in its services and associated cryptocurrency. The head of the metaverse department was overly optimistic, producing a white paper that claimed it would revolutionize humanity, despite doubts from the team. The funds spent on metaverse development would have been better invested in expanding crypto mining facilities and securing more business partners.
As we struggled to develop meaningful messaging for the company’s metaverse, my line manager informed me that the company was experiencing cash flow problems due to overspending on the metaverse. He advised us to start looking for other jobs. Soon after, my line manager found a more stable position, the social media specialist left due to uncertainty about her contract renewal, and the intern resigned abruptly. I also began interviewing for new roles but faced challenges due to interest rate hikes and companies' preference for candidates willing to accept lower salaries. Meanwhile, I continued working on lead generation, updating marketing collateral, and seeking updates from upper management. I also secured part-time work with my previous non-Canadian employer as a backup.
Eventually, I received a call informing me that I was being laid off as the company neared the fourth quarter. They did this to avoid providing the extended healthcare promised in my employment contract. It was frustrating to work full-time without healthcare coverage, and it felt insulting to handle medical needs without it. The layoff was communicated via a phone call, without a face-to-face meeting, and my final salary did not include my unused vacation days. The CEO, who claimed to know local labor laws, made empty promises. My former manager expressed regret for bringing me into the company and disappointment in how things turned out.
Lessons Learned from My Job Experience in Canada
Negotiate Your Offer: Always negotiate your offer, especially with small companies, and ensure it includes extended insurance coverage.
Keep Applying: Continue applying for other jobs while working, given the instability of the local job market.
Avoid Volatile Industries: Avoid working for companies associated with blockchain, metaverse, or crypto, due to the industry's volatile and unreliable nature.