Returning home after working abroad can be an emotional and exciting experience. For many, it is a chance to come back to a place where they feel they belong. But for some, the reality can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding a proper job.
A recent social media post on Reddit tells us the struggles of professionals who have returned to India. The writer, who moved back from Canada, shared their difficulties in finding job opportunities in Mumbai.
Facing job hunt challenges
The post explains the harsh reality the writer is facing, “I recently moved back from Canada a month ago and I’m struggling with getting interviews. I’ve applied to over 350 jobs and only 2 interviews, both ghosted me after the final stage.”
Regardless of their efforts, landing even a single interview has been extremely difficult, explaining the competitive nature of the job market in India.
Experience vs opportunity
The writer has 5 years of experience in Marketing & Communications and is ideally looking for Senior Specialist or Manager-level roles.
However, the opportunities available have not matched their expectations, “However, for my YOE, someone asked me to apply to coordinator-level roles, which are 2 levels below and severely underpaid.”
This gap between experience and available positions is a common challenge for returning professionals. Many end up considering roles below their skill level, which can affect career growth and salary.
Another major worry for the writer is being underpaid in a competitive field. They are looking for advice on how to navigate this problem: “How do I go about this and ensure my pay isn’t as low as 60k per month in this field? I live in Mumbai. Will appreciate any advice.”
‘You gotta start somewhere’
Netizens on Reddit also reacted to the post. A user noted, “You gotta start somewhere …if you have financial backing then keep looking otherwise take that job and keep looking …easy to get a job if you have a job.”
“Apologies for being a little direct. For your field, the pays are not high, and open roles are shrinking due to AI pressure. I think you have a competitive offer on hand You could consider remote opportunities, living in LCOL areas. Or you could you could consider moving back to Canada,” added another user.
“Your expectation is wrong. 5 years you can’t be a manager. Try for Analyst or senior analyst roles,” stated a user.
“Unless you are coming from the U.S. with an Ivy League degree and 10+ years of F500 experience, expect a huge pay cut. It may be that your expectations and reality are out of sync,” added another.
(This story is based on a post shared by a social media user. The details, opinions, and statements quoted herein belong solely to the original poster and do not reflect the views of Financialexpress.com. We have not independently verified the claims.)