Turning the Page and Balancing the Books

After the birth of my child, I was unemployed for over three years while I focused on caregiving responsibilities. When I felt ready to return to work, I began actively searching for employment.

However, finding a job was not easy. It took me more than a year to secure employment, and the process was very challenging. Being away from the workforce for a long time made it harder to re-enter the job market.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was not having local Canadian work experience in finance and accounting. I also did not yet have Canadian certifications in this field, which made it difficult to meet many employer requirements.

Many job postings, even for entry-level positions, asked for previous Canadian accounting experience and knowledge of specific accounting software. These requirements created barriers for me as I tried to rebuild my career and establish myself in the Canadian job market.

After months of applying for jobs and receiving little or no response, I started to feel discouraged and hopeless. I was unsure how to overcome these challenges on my own. That is when I decided to visit WorkBC Centre Newton for guidance and support.

I am very grateful to have met my Employment Counsellor, who supported me throughout my journey. They helped me rebuild my employment skills, regain confidence, and improve my job readiness after a long career gap.

My Employment Counsellor recommended that I take the Essential Work Skills Training course, which was extremely helpful. Through this training, I refreshed my Microsoft Office skills and gained a better understanding of workplace expectations in Canada.

I was also referred to the WEE-R Project, where I continued developing important employment skills, especially in communication and networking. I also had the opportunity to take courses related to finance, accounting, and computer skills. These supports helped strengthen my qualifications and prepared me for new opportunities.

With the guidance and support I received; I was able to secure employment as a Bookkeeper at a real estate company! This was an important milestone for me, and I am very thankful for the role WorkBC Centre Newton played in helping me reach this goal.

WorkBC Centre Newton has a dedicated and supportive team of professionals who truly care about helping people find employment. My experience was very positive, and I felt encouraged throughout my job search journey. 

I would strongly recommend WorkBC to anyone facing challenges in their job search. The guidance, resources, and support they provide can make a meaningful difference in helping people achieve their employment goals. To me, success means not giving up, even when things are difficult. With perseverance, continuous effort, and hope, I believe it is possible to overcome challenges and reach your goals. 

Life can be difficult at times, but resilience and determination can help you move forward. I strongly believe that staying positive and committed will eventually lead to success.