I feel very lucky to have come to live in Canada. After I arrived, many employment programs told me that the work culture in Canada is very different from what I experienced back home. I could feel this difference in my first job, which was as an office administrator and graphic designer with a non profit organization. My coworkers were very friendly and greeted each other like close friends. The culture of the companies I used to work for, and my new job at a non-profit in Canada was so different.
The New Year Threw a Curveball
I had a job, and I thought I could live a similar life as native Canadians, working happily during office hours and enjoying nature afterwards. Then life hit me hard: right after the New Year’s holiday, I was laid off. Although the employer said it was not my fault, my position had been cancelled, I couldn’t stop thinking about every detail to figure out what I had done wrong that led to this result. I doubted myself, thinking “I don’t have enough work skills” and even “I’m not good enough to deserve to live in such a beautiful city as Vancouver.”
As time went by, I started to feel better, and I started to look for a new job. After a lot of applications and no results, one of my friends referred me to a seasonal job as a Pier Agent at the cruise port that she used to do. This job is very different from what I did before as a web designer, and requires formal clothing during both the interview process and everyday work. I didn’t have these because I used to wear casual clothes to work.
Typical Work Attire Never Felt Like it Fit
As a non binary person, I never liked the feeling of formal clothes such as suits and trousers. They felt restrictive, I couldn’t even lift my arms in that type of clothing! I love freedom and I want to feel comfortable in my clothing and I don’t want to be restricted by clothes. When I received the invitation to interview and it included a dress code, I didn’t know what to do or where to get affordable formal wear.
I was referred to Dress for Success Vancouver through the I Belong program at Mosaic, and I made an appointment for an Interview Suiting. I felt a little nervous – partly because, as an introvert, meeting someone for the first time is always a bit anxiety-inducing, and partly because I wasn’t sure if the clothes would be comfortable.
Dress For Success Gave Me The Chance to be The Real Me
As soon as I entered the boutique, the receptionist greeted me with a smile on her face. The stylist was very professional and welcoming. She helped me choose an outfit that was both formal and colourful, and she suggested that I roll up the sleeves of my suit jacket to reveal my shirt cuffs underneath – I looked so amazing! The person I saw in the mirror looked unfamiliar, but the clothes matched me perfectly. I loved myself in this outfit. But what is more important is that the outfit allowed me to lift my arms easily – it was formal, but also felt like freedom, and that was so important to me. I didn’t know clothes like this existed before! And the shoes – the stylist chose comfortable flat shoes based on what we had talked about, these were also much more comfortable than I expected. What I really loved about this outfit is that it’s gender neutral – which makes it very non-binary friendly. I left that first appointment with confidence, gratitude, and a desire to give back to the community in the future.
Dress For Success Interview Suiting Gave Me Back My Confidence
I wore this outfit to the interview – I followed the dress code and showed respect to the interviewer, and I got the job! While it’s only a seasonal job, which means I’ll need to search for jobs in six months, this opportunity has helped me find value in my work again and get my confidence back after being laid off and feeling so defeated. After I got the job, I went back to Dress for Success Vancouver and this time the stylist helped me choose two more outfits for everyday work. All the clothes and services that I received are free, which saved me a lot of money in the wardrobe transition for this new job.
Now my life is gradually going back to normal. I’m working as a Pier Agent and putting my formal clothing to good use, but I’m also looking for other full-time, permanent opportunities in the digital design field. In my free time, I go out and enjoy the nature of beautiful Vancouver – I finally feel like I am good enough to live in this incredible city.
I’m very grateful to Dress for Success Vancouver for the support and encouragement I was given during my lowest time. Their smiling faces that greet me at each appointment, their professional advice, and the encouraging words helped me get out of my lowest point and face any challenges in the future with confidence.
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