My Journey as a Social Media Marketing Manager from India to Canada
Why Marketing
What drew me to marketing? Maybe it was my restlessness. Or maybe it was my constant search for a career where hard work could bring good money in a much shorter time. I wanted to grow fast. I wanted results. If you know what I mean, I wanted to get there quickly.
My journey – Madhav, from Mumbai in India to Milton in Canada
This is my story. A story that began in Mumbai, India, and eventually led me to fulfill my overseas dream of building a meaningful career that could literally take me places. My name is Madhav, and this is how I made my journey from Mumbai to Milton, Ontario.
In my early days as a marketing professional, one word dominated my thoughts. I still remember being told that if I focused on profits, everything else would fall into place. With a basic understanding of marketing, I began my professional journey, not fully realizing where it would eventually take me.
Education and Early Career
As I spent more time in the marketing field, I gradually found myself moving toward Social Media Marketing. When I started my career, marketing through online channels was still new. Social media was not the powerful business tool it is today.
I remember how strange it felt when we were told to shift our focus to “growing online.” At first, I honestly felt it was a waste of effort. How could anyone truly understand how people across the world used the internet? It seemed confusing and unpredictable.
But over time, new tools emerged. Analytics platforms, advertising dashboards, and audience insights began making things clearer. Slowly, the role of a Social Media Marketing Manager started making sense to me.
Building Experience in Social Media Marketing
While creating effective marketing strategies was important, my primary goal soon became leveraging every available social media channel to drive maximum traffic to our website. We worked across organic and inorganic methods, both paid and unpaid campaigns.
Developing media campaigns was what I enjoyed the most. Working with my team under tight deadlines, discussing strategies with the highest chances of success, and refining every detail gave me real satisfaction. The best feeling came when our hard work translated into users clicking through to our website. That was when marketing truly felt rewarding.
Decision to Immigrate to Canada
Despite professional growth in India, I always dreamed of settling in Canada with my family. However, I knew my chances would improve only with strong work experience. As a creative professional, I was confident about scoring well in IELTS. What I really needed was solid experience.
After completing four years as a Marketing Manager and one year as a Social Media Marketing Manager, I finally began seriously thinking about Canada immigration. I reached out to people who had already immigrated and learned from their experiences.
Some had applied on their own. Many of them faced rejections during their first attempt and had to apply again. Others advised me to seek professional help, especially given the complexity of paperwork.
Research and Choosing the Right Guidance
I was cautious. I had read many stories about people being cheated by flashy newspaper ads and online promotions promising “guaranteed visas.” So I spent a lot of time researching.
I explored the official Canadian Job Bank website, which provided detailed information about job trends, salaries, and provinces with high demand for specific roles. At that point, I didn’t target any specific province because I barely knew anyone settled in Canada.
All I knew was that I wanted to make it to Canada.
*Willing to migrate to Canada on a PR visa? Get in touch with our experts to get FREE counselling.
How Y-Axis Supported My Canada PR Journey as Social Media Marketing Manager
Resume Writing Service
I did not want to take any risks with my application. Through the Y-Axis Resume Writing Service, my resume was prepared carefully after discussing my skills, preferences, and career goals. The final resume clearly showed my experience and strengths.
After that, I started applying for jobs online. Even during the global pandemic, international hiring did not stop. Many employers, especially in Canada, used this time to plan and build their future workforce.
I applied for around eight jobs using the Y-Axis Jobs portal, which was offering free overseas job applications at that time. I did not choose a premium plan, as I only wanted to try the platform. The job listings were genuine and available across different regions of Canada.
Finding a Job and Express Entry
Once I received a valid job offer from a verified Canadian employer, I moved on to the next step, creating my Express Entry profile. By then, COVID-19 had affected services like ECA and language testing. Luckily, I had already completed my IELTS and ECA in January 2020, just before the restrictions began.
I also submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) to several Canadian provinces under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A provincial nomination gives a guaranteed invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Understanding Express Entry Programs
Like many applicants from India, I applied under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Express Entry includes three programs, but FSWP was the only one that matched my profile.
Later, I understood that applicants cannot apply directly for Canada PR. First, an Express Entry profile must be created, and then applicants must wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Only candidates with the highest CRS scores receive invitations during Express Entry draws.
Waiting Through the Pandemic
I created my Express Entry profile around April. At that time, Canada was not inviting FSWP candidates and was mainly selecting applicants under the PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Even during lockdowns, Express Entry processing continued. Although services like biometrics were delayed, IRCC did not stop processing applications.
ITA, Application, and Challenges
When all-program draws started again, I submitted my PR application as soon as possible. Even with careful preparation, IRCC asked for additional documents, which I provided without delay.
The biggest challenge was giving biometrics because many centers were closed. However, the Canadian government announced that applications would not be rejected due to biometric delays caused by COVID-19, which was a huge relief.
PR Approval and Moving to Canada
A few months later, I received my Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). That moment made all the effort worthwhile.
Today, I am living in Milton, Ontario, and working as a Social Media Marketing Manager for a publishing company. The salary is good, and the work environment is supportive, making my journey to Canada truly successful.
Life in Canada and Future Plans
Many people worry that there are not enough jobs for immigrants in Canada, but my experience has been very positive. I found good job opportunities, and Canada truly values skilled professionals who are willing to work hard.
At a time when many countries have strict immigration rules, Canada stands out as one of the best places to settle. The Express Entry system is still one of the fastest ways to get permanent residence, with many applications processed within six months. Learning French can also help, as it improves your profile and job chances.
Final Thoughts
For anyone planning to immigrate, Canada and Australia are great choices because of their strong healthcare systems, good education, and high quality of life. What I love most about Canada is the clean air and very low pollution.
Follow my journey from Mumbai to Milton. Trust me, choosing Canada is a decision you will not regret.