Back

Every year, several thousand French people decide to try their luck in Quebec. There are as many different reasons for moving to Canada as there are different types of people looking for a new way of life. For Loukman BADIROU (who graduated the Grande École Program in 2019), it was a way of growing up and becoming independent after leaving university. He tried it for two years to see how things worked out. Suffice to say the experience did not disappoint since he is still living in Montreal. He looks back over three exciting years and tells it like it is, so you can make up your own mind about the Canadian way of life…

Did you ever think you would one day live in Montreal?
I’d always dreamed of living abroad, but without focussing on any particular country. My university studies at the Sorbonne followed by my work-study Master’s degree at IÉSEG didn’t leave any time for travel, so I promised myself that’s what I’d do as soon as I finished my studies. My brother already knew what was required for a move to Canada and helped me apply for a P.V.T. (working holiday permit). I couldn’t decide between Toronto and Montreal but chose the latter in the end because it has a more affordable standard of living and is Frenchspeaking. I arrived at the beginning of 2020 wanting to move forward in my career and find out if this region of the world was the one for me…

Three years later, you’re still there. What was it that won you over?
Montreal is a huge city with the feel of a small town. You feel at home as soon as you arrive, even if that’s only because of the language. I’m very sociable and I quickly met new people, helped by the fact that the Canadians are so kind and open-minded. But obviously, I also had to pick up the local lingo and to find my feet, far from my family and friends, and get used to temperatures of minus 20 or even minus 30 degrees in the middle of winter. I was lucky enough to arrive just before Covid hit and to experience the city without any restrictions. It goes without saying that it wasn’t always easy, but I can honestly say that I now feel I really belong.

You are now Assistant Branch Manager at Randstad Canada. What does your job entail?
I am in charge of a team of recruitment consultants for temporary positions in industrial support, i.e. in warehouses. This specialisation by business sector is an advantage because it allows us to offer real expertise to the companies that use us. We operate in three regions in the Montreal area doing everything from prospecting to on-site meetings, handling the interview process and placing candidates with our clients. I also manage my team’s performance, in accordance with the group’s objectives. In many ways, what I do is similar to what I was doing on my workstudy program at IÉSEG, which allowed me to progress quickly to my current position.

You worked in France before you left for Canada. What differences have you noticed between these two worlds of work?
Firstly, you start work earlier in Canada (at around 8 am) but you don’t stay so late at the office. This is never frowned upon as it might be in France, where you sometimes end up succumbing to presenteeism to avoid negative comments. Next, the amount of holiday you get is much shorter: two to three weeks on average, which doesn’t leave much time for travel, for example. In terms of hierarchy, it feels less defined here: managers are accessible and place a lot of importance on inclusion, diversity and mental health. And I should mention the importance of speaking English (many positions are bilingual) and a real feeling of flexibility in many respects.

What do you mean by that?
There’s flexibility, in particular, in how often you are paid: you receive your salary every two weeks, which allows you to manage your finances in a different way. Another thing is, it’s easier and quicker to leave your job, but also to dismiss an employee. In my opinion, this simplifies the recruitment process and makes relations between employers and employees more fluid. Finally, the world of work in Canada is open to the idea of going back to studying while you are working. It’s seen as a way of building skills and it is not uncommon to meet employees who take evening classes to improve their skills. On the other hand, if I had to pinpoint one thing, among many others, that’s similar to France, I would say it’s the importance of networking. In fact, it’s one of the essential elements when you apply for a job since you are always asked for references from your previous position.

What’s different about recruitment in Québec?
One of the most important differences relates to the CV. In France, it fits on one page and you are recommended to add a photo. In Quebec, they suggest not including a photo to avoid any discrimination, they invite candidates to detail their professional experiences and skills over several pages, and also to add a section with job references. It’s a kind of measure of trust. Another important distinction is that in France, people focus on the level of study as a prerequisite for obtaining a position. In Canada, it’s focused more on personality, background, ambition and I personally feel more comfortable with this type of operation. The other side of the coin is that a high level of education can sometimes put off recruiters who fear you will quickly get bored and leave the company. I saw that for myself: getting your first job in Canada, in your field, is sometimes more complicated than you think. You have to be prepared to be patient.

Is Canada an El Dorado for graduates of schools like IÉSEG?
I’ve always had trouble with the notion of El Dorado, as there are so many things to take into account: your experience, the people you’ve met and opportunities you’ve had and your own expectations, but it also has to be said there’s an element of luck. Those who think the grass is greener elsewhere may be disappointed. Although it was incredible on a personal level, my first year here was difficult from a professional point of view: I had to have resilience and patience to find my place, build up a circle of friends and get used to the climate which can be extreme! However, as in many countries, there is now a post-pandemic labour shortage which has led to rising wages and the need for companies to be more and more flexible to attract the best candidates. There are great opportunities for IÉSEG graduates, particularly in the IT, finance and engineering sectors, but also for students (on internships and university exchanges).

This article was written by Luna Créations for IÉSEG Network’s magazine, IÉS #16.