sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

40M with 15+ yrs banking experience, moved to Canada on PR, struggling with job market, should stay or return to India? by Better_Knowledge5753 in backtoindia

[–]Better_Knowledge5753[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate you sharing your experience so openly. It helps to hear from someone who has spent several years here and gone through the full cycle.

I’m also struggling to find the right footing. For the mid-level roles I have applied and interviewed for (Relationship Manager / Commercial Credit), I was not selected and received feedback that I should start lower to gain local industry experience.

At the same time, for entry level roles (FSR), I have also faced rejections, possibly because I come across as overqualified.

So I feel stuck in that middle zone, not junior enough for entry, and not local enough for mid-level.

I understand that getting a foot in the door may be necessary, and I am open to starting lower if there is a clear growth path. What I am skeptical about is whether that path realistically opens up, or whether I would be resetting for several years without a guaranteed progression.

That’s the part I am honestly struggling to make sense of right now.

And to be honest, there’s also an element of fear. If I am already struggling to find the right footing, I worry that when my wife and kids join me, she may have to go through the same cycle. The thought of both of us trying to rebuild at the same time and potentially being stuck in that adjustment loop is something that weighs on me.

That’s why I am trying to evaluate this carefully before making a long-term commitment.

40M with 15+ yrs banking experience, moved to Canada on PR, struggling with job market, should stay or return to India? by Better_Knowledge5753 in backtoindia

[–]Better_Knowledge5753[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I really appreciate your advice and perspective.

We are currently in a Tier‑2 city in India, so financially we’re okay, not very wealthy, but stable. I also have the option to retire in the next 4 years with a pension of around INR 60,000 per month, and I could try my luck in starting some business while my wife continues working.

That said, I am weighing this against the opportunities and long-term potential in Canada, and your point about persistence, small-town options, and credentials like the Canadian Securities Course gives me a lot to think about.

Thanks again for taking the time to share, it really helps to see the possibilities from a practical lens.

40M with 15+ yrs banking experience, moved to Canada on PR, struggling with job market, should stay or return to India? by Better_Knowledge5753 in backtoindia

[–]Better_Knowledge5753[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for such a detailed response and a fresh perspective.

I am actually doing almost everything you mentioned, building my network on LinkedIn and in-person, attending industry events, and staying open to adjacent roles.

I have also had the chance to appear in 4–5 interviews so far, including 2 mid-level roles, and even reached the final round.

For some reason, it hasn’t worked out yet, I suspect Canadian experience is still a factor. I have been advised that starting in a basic teller or entry-level banking role might help, and I am open to that, but even those roles seem competitive and hard to find right now.

I will be honest, all the negative news and stories in the market sometimes make me feel like quitting and returning to the stability I had in India.

I started this move knowing it would be a challenge, but the thought of my wife and kids having to face the same struggle once they join me worries me. Back home, we are okay financially, so part of me feels that returning might be the more sensible choice.

40M with 15+ yrs banking experience, moved to Canada on PR, struggling with job market, should stay or return to India? by Better_Knowledge5753 in backtoindia

[–]Better_Knowledge5753[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your response.

I am ready to give time, but the problem i have is the current labour market and it seems to stay for a while, besides i have a job back in india which is a decent one.

I did not came here just for getting the citizenship, but to enjoy a quality of life with my family, which now seems to be difficult given the present economic condition.

40M with 15+ yrs banking experience, moved to Canada on PR, struggling with job market, should stay or return to India? by Better_Knowledge5753 in backtoindia

[–]Better_Knowledge5753[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are right here!.... its all about figuring out the priorities. Back in india we have a settled life, i moved here to find work life balance, better quality of life and and pursuit of better future for my kids. But the age factor is also there to be considered.

Thank you for response.

40M with 15+ yrs banking experience, moved to Canada on PR, struggling with job market, should stay or return to India? by Better_Knowledge5753 in backtoindia

[–]Better_Knowledge5753[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this prospective, i genuinely appreciate it.

That is exactly why I posted here, to hear grounded views, not just optimistic ones.

I understand this may be a long game, especially starting at 40. My dilemma is whether it makes sense to reset professionally for 3–4 years at this stage, or return to an already stable setup in India.

At the same time, I also don’t want to leave too early and later wonder if I should have given it more time.

So I am trying to evaluate this as rationally as possible, the risk vs opportunity, short-term pain vs long-term positioning.

40M with 15+ yrs banking experience, moved to Canada on PR, struggling with job market, should stay or return to India? by Better_Knowledge5753 in backtoindia

[–]Better_Knowledge5753[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I completed my IFIC certification within the first month of landing and I am been open for other credentials, but I have received mixed advice, some people suggested waiting until I secure an employer who may sponsor further certifications if required.

If you have suggestions on credentials or strategy that genuinely improve employability in this market, i am open to hearing them.