Serge's Story

When Serge moved his family from Montreal to Calgary, he knew there would be an adjustment period, but he did not anticipate just how difficult his job search might be. With English as a second language, Serge struggled to communicate his range of skills and work experience to potential employers, both in his resume writing and during interviews.

“As each day passed, the stress of being unemployed was mounting,” says Serge. “My primary concern was providing for my family.”

Serge visited the Calgary Career Hub and explained the challenges he was facing. The team assisted Serge in creating a plan to address his concerns, get him working quickly, and also help him move towards his long-term career goals. As a first step, Serge worked with a Career Advisor to create a strong resume in English that was tailored to the job he was applying for, highlighting his relevant skills and achievements. Next, Serge went through practice interviews with his Career Advisor to ensure that he would feel confident meeting with recruiters and answering questions in English.

Once his resume was ready, Serge worked with a Job Developer to send out job applications. Soon after, he was called in for an interview for a warehouse position with FedEx. During the interview, Serge demonstrated a newfound confidence. He implemented the new skills he had learned to clearly communicate his excellence and expertise. It paid off—he got the job! By the next day he was outfitted with safety shoes that he bought with financial support received from Calgary Career Hub, and he was ready to work.

“The interview preparation that I did with my career advisor really helped me get a job quickly,” says Serge. “I am proud to be able to leave my house every morning knowing that I will earn money and support my family financially.”

Throughout the whole process, Serge was highly motivated and ready to take action. He faced his challenges head on, approaching each step with a positive attitude.

“Thanks to Calgary Career Hub, I was able to complete the first step of my career plan. I am confident and hopeful that once my level of English is good enough, I will be able to get a job in insurance as an underwriter.”

Congratulations Serge!