Newcomer students: 2026 ISSofBC Education Bursary Awards applications close July 8.

He built a successful business. Then he had to learn how to apply for his first job.

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When Sahil Chopra landed in Canada in March 2025, he wasn’t an inexperienced newcomer. He was a successful business owner.

Back in India, Sahil had spent years building Crop Care Centre, a thriving wholesale pesticide and fertilizer company. He managed operations, made business decisions, and served customers every day.

But moving to Canada as a permanent resident changed everything.

Almost overnight, the businessman became the job seeker.

For the first time in his life, Sahil needed a resume.

For the first time, he had to sit in a job interview.

Years of experience suddenly felt difficult to explain in a hiring system he didn’t understand.

“It was overwhelming.”

Like many newcomers, Sahil wasn’t lacking skills or motivation. He simply needed to learn how the Canadian job market worked.

That’s when he joined B-Hired. Together with the employment team, he learned how to turn his business experience into a Canadian-style resume, prepare for interviews, and confidently tell employers what he could bring to the workplace.

The result? Sahil was hired as a Batching Technician at Cargill, only months after arriving in Canada.

B-Hired alumnus happy to have found a job with the support from ISSofBC

Today, he enjoys his workplace and is building a new chapter of his career.

Looking back, he says the biggest lesson wasn’t just learning interview techniques. It was learning to believe in himself.

“Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The team is there to support you—you just have to reach out.”

His advice to other newcomers is simple.

“One resume at a time. One interview at a time. Treat every interview as practice. Don’t stop. Eventually, you’ll find your dream job.”

Your story could be next

Starting over isn’t easy. But you don’t have to do it alone.

The next B-Hired cohort begins July 20.

Whether you’re looking for your first job in Canada or trying to reconnect with your professional experience, B-Hired can help you build the confidence, skills, and connections to move forward.

Ed Lima

Ed Lima is the Marketing Project Manager at ISSofBC, where he oversees outreach and engagement efforts to link newcomers with essential programs and services. With a background in marketing and community engagement, Ed is passionate about creating inclusive and accessible content that supports immigrants and refugees in thriving in British Columbia.

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