Hi

I could really do with some advice.

I’m a Brit with PR living in Nova Scotia. I’ve been here for two years and knew it would take time to adjust but didn’t think I would still be struggling now. I suspect I’ve been unlucky with some of my experiences but even off-setting for that, it’s hard to see much hope here.

My challenges are:
- The bias against those from away (Canada and overseas)
- The importance of connections for career opportunities (I am networking like crazy but can’t compete with school/uni alumni/family/right surname)
- I am middle management career wise but the advertised jobs here are entry or senior
- I am struggling with the pace and lack of fulfilment of working below my abilities but am not able to access anything higher
- I’m a shy introvert and I’m getting trampled by those more comfortable with pushing themselves forward (at others’ expense if necessary)

At this point I’m thinking Nova Scotia just isn’t open to someone like me. It’s hard to face but if that’s what it is then the sooner I face it the sooner I can try and recover somewhere else.

Does anyone have any perspective that could help with this? Have you experience of NS and other provinces? How do they compare? I’m at the stage where I am trying to decide between giving a different province a go or returning to the UK. Alternatively, if someone has ​​​​​managed to break through this in NS then I would welcome any tips.

I am not anti NS, it is a beautiful place with much going for it. I think it would be great for families but I am single with no kids so tend to find that keeps doors closed too. It’s just about fit and so far I can’t find something that works here.

Is there a place in Canada which is genuinely welcoming to people from away, is more nature than concrete yet has career opportunities?

Thanks to everyone who took the time to read this. I appreciate any thoughts you may have.



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Thanks for the responses Bristol, Shelley and Woodworm.

Toronto seems to be the most recommended place for multi-culturism and job opportunities. The downsides are reported as concrete, commute and housing costs. Perhaps these things are inevitable with one leading to the other? The comment about opinions on drive and ambition is useful as I don’t have work context for Canada beyond NS at this point.

Shelley, the need to prove myself is understandable. Your feedback of sixteen years is helpful ​​​​​​as I had not realised it could be that long. I was lucky enough to get a job quickly here because knowing that I had to prove myself, I took a near entry level job about ten years behind where I was on leaving the UK. It was supposed to be strategic in that it was for a good company with career prospects thinking that I could prove myself and work my way back up. I didn’t realise that I would alienate my manager by doing my best. I wasn’t intending to be a threat but I think that’s how it landed with her and she orchestrated my departure. I’m currently in my next job but it’s still lower and this time has no scope for growth. It’s also fixed term. I do look on job boards beyond NS but my skill set and experience is broad (business management) so I am overwhelmed with possibilities. This is part of the reason for seeking input on trying to narrow down the geographical part based on fit.

Good to hear about your success here, Woodworm. I think the self-confidence could be an issue. Historically I work somewhere and then get promoted quite rapidly rather than selling myself well at the higher level to begin with. I prefer to show what I can do than sell myself but I suspect that is a mismatch for me with the culture here. Unfortunately my confidence took quite a hit with the bullying boss in my first job here. I’m also concerned that she is well connected and during my time there I saw her relish the opportunity to give a bad reference to someone she didn’t like. If a potential employer goes to her rather than the HR department then I don’t think that would go well. Anyway, I’m late thirties, young enough to make another fresh start but wary of starting from scratch again if the new place isn’t any better.

You called? HOWEfamily found me 😊

We moved for the kind of reason you mentioned. We were in Yarmouth, NS and although I was doing fine my hubby lost his job and couldn’t get a new one. We definitely were “come from always” although in some cases we were loved. I was on the radio three times during our 2 years there.
So we moved to Halifax. Better lifestyle except that hubby still couldn’t get a job.

Hubby found a job in ON in 2014 so we packed up once again and moved to New Tecumseth, about an hour or so north of Toronto. I liked the town and people but couldn’t see myself living there forever and we moved to Brampton. That didnt work either!
18 months ago we moved to Hamilton and we love it. I’m building a business in real estate as well as expanding my other business and life is looking good!!

Just be careful you don’t suffer from wanderlust. I truly believe that we’re in Hamilton forever but the thrill of wanting to discover somewhere new is always there.

Thanks for the friendly reply, it’s very welcome. I am in HRM and definitely luckier than others I know. My background is in business management so my skill set is pretty varied - finance, strategy, marketing, data analysis, performance management, HR, reporting, etc. I do both operational roles and consultancy.

Thanks for coming to help! I’m glad to hear you have found a place where you’re happy.

What ways do you find Hamilton different to Yarmouth? Has your husband had better luck with the job market?

The designation could certainly be an issue as I don’t have one, just my degee in Business Management. Historically I’ve been a generalist, running start ups and small businesses in a venture capital environment and more recently delivering business consultancy as well as training and coaching entrepreneurs. The broad skill set means I am flexible and can bring a lot to the table but it does also mean I haven’t specialised in just one discipline. This makes it harder to market myself to employers who pigeonhole.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Are there any talent acquisition managers you could recommend?

Yes, reading this feedback is making it look like NS may need me to specialise if I want to open up more opportunities. I enjoy a multi-disciplinary working environment and have been leery of closing the door on skills and experience that I worked hard for. That said, the doors aren’t exactly open to begin with.