A Pre-Arrival Success Story

Summary: Stepping into a new job market can be overwhelming, but with the right guidance, success is possible. When Satheeka moved from Sri Lanka to Canada, she faced several challenges in her job search, from tailoring her resume to navigating online job applications. Fortunately, Build ON’s pre-arrival services equipped her with the tools and confidence she needed to secure a job at the YMCA within just a month of arriving. In this blog, Satheeka shares her journey, valuable job search tips, and insights on personal branding and networking. Keep reading to learn how you, too, can set yourself up for success in Canada!

Over the years, the YMCA’s Build ON pre-arrival services had the privilege of guiding many clients toward success in the Canadian job market. Adapting to the Canadian labor market comes with unique challenges, but Build ON was there to support clients every step of the way. Unfortunately, Build ON permanently closed on March 31, 2025. The impact clients had on Employment Consultants—and vice versa—will never be forgotten.

One former client can attest to just how essential this service was to her employment success in Canada. Satheeka is here to share her journey and offer valuable insights to help you in your job search.

Moving from Sri Lanka, Satheeka was entering into a whole new job market. She shared with us some of the biggest difficulties she encountered in her job search process in the Canadian context.  

“The biggest challenge I faced in the job search process here in Canada first, in my view, was tailoring my resume to match the job description – that was a significant hurdle. For many newcomers, especially those for whom English is a second language, it can be difficult to express their experience in a way that aligns with the job description, even if they have many years of relevant experience.

Second, I had to adjust my expectations. Just because I was a Centre Manager at an early childhood centre with over 150 children and 35 staff didn’t mean I would be hired as a Centre Manager in Canada without Canadian entry-level experience.

Lastly, another challenge was navigating the online job market. It can be difficult to distinguish between legitimate job sites and fake ones. There are many scam websites these days, and newcomers can easily fall into the trap of applying to these fraudulent sites”

However, Satheeka was able to sign up for Build ON’s pre-arrival services before she had to land in Canada.

“When I received a link from IRCC for pre-arrival support five months before coming to Ottawa, my entire family was amazed by the level of dedication the BuildOn team showed. Build ON met with me virtually more than three times and followed up regularly with emails, even before I arrived in Ottawa.

Not only did they help me with job search strategies, but my Employment Consultant from Build ON also supported me in many other ways. They helped me identify my strengths and weaknesses, and together we created a Plan A and a Plan B for my arrival in Ottawa, which gave me a clear direction. Thanks to the support of my Build ON Employment Consultant, I landed my first interview at the YMCA just 10 days after arriving in Ottawa.”

Just because Satheeka had never worked in Canada before, does not mean her work experience back home did not benefit her.

 “I believe the experience and qualifications I gained in both Australia and Sri Lanka played a crucial role in helping me secure a job here in Canada.”

It is all about how you market yourself to Canadian employers. Ensuring your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and personal appearance display a cohesive brand that represents your professionalism and readiness for the Canadian Market. Satheeka was able to embody this notion of personal branding and networking, which helped her be successful in her job search.

“Networking and building connections are very important. Many job opportunities in Canada come through personal connections. Attend networking events, join professional groups, and use platforms like LinkedIn to expand your network. Volunteering is also a great way to gain local experience and build relationships in your field. My biggest piece of advice would be to stay patient, persistent, and proactive. The job search process can be overwhelming and often takes longer than expected, but it's important to keep going.”

Through the guidance of Build ON pre-arrival services Satheeka was able to understand key job searching skills, and through utilizing the action plan that was created for her, she was able to successfully find employment at the YMCA,

“BuildOn is the main reason I've been working at the YMCA since the day I arrived. Thanks to the support of my BuildOn Employment Consultant, I landed my first interview at the YMCA just 10 days after arriving in Ottawa. While I wasn’t fully emotionally ready and didn’t perform well in the interview, two weeks later, I was given another opportunity with a different department. My EC met with me virtually again, offering valuable interview tips and guidance on what to do—and what not to do. Thanks to her support, I secured my first job in Canada within less than a month of arriving. Since then, I’ve been steadily climbing the ladder at the YMCA in various roles, all thanks to the BuildOn team.”

Throughout her journey, Satheeka has gathered some valuable information she would like to share to readers as the take away message:

“Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter: One of the most important things I learned is the significance of customizing both your resume and cover letter for each job application. It’s crucial to align your skills and experiences with the specific job description to make your application stand out.

Leverage Networking: Building connections is essential. I found that networking through LinkedIn, professional groups, and local events can often open doors to opportunities that aren’t always posted publicly.

Research Companies: Before applying, I always make sure to research companies thoroughly. Understanding their culture, values, and needs helps me tailor my application and prepares me for interviews.

Stay Organized: Job searching can be overwhelming, so I keep track of all the jobs I’ve applied for, upcoming interviews, and deadlines. This organization ensures I don’t miss any opportunities.

Follow-Up: After applying or after an interview, I make sure to follow up. It shows initiative and can help keep your application top of mind for hiring managers.

Practice Interviewing: Practicing with friends or mentors is important to improve your interview skills. I also review common interview questions to be prepared for anything that might come up.

Stay Positive and Resilient: Finally, I’ve learned the importance of staying positive and persistent, even when the job search gets tough. Rejection is part of the process, but it’s also an opportunity to learn and improve.”

Just as Satheeka was to find direction and guidance from Build ON and her Employment Consultant, you will be able to as well. Utilizing pre-arrival services is key to starting off on the right foot as soon as you land in Canada. If you would like to enroll in pre-arrival services,  visit www.prearrivalcanada.ca to begin your journey!