The Excitement of the Journey! One Recruiter’s Transition to Canada

By Tibisay Bermudez

I always wanted to have an adventure of living in another country along with my two kids. I had high expectations and a romantic view of a better life and better opportunities.

I first came to Canada in 2004 and my dream was to continue my career as a recruiter and work at a prestigious executive search firm in Toronto.

Things turned out differently than I expected, being a newcomer, single mother of two with no extended family close by, especially when I was running out of money. I went to numerous job interviews with agencies and executive search firms, but nothing happened.  During the fall of my first year in Canada, I began working towards my Certified Human Resources Professional designation to gain recognition and further my career in Canada.

After three menial jobs and very little money, I landed an opportunity in a well-known financial institution. I worked successfully there for a year until love knocked on my door and everything turned around. Because of this relationship, I made the decision to move to Guelph, Ontario, and start a new life.

I kept working towards my career in human resources. I landed interesting contracts as a recruiter, including one with a prestigious organization located in Waterloo that specializes in telecommunications. They hired me because of my experience in Latin America and fluency in Spanish. Finally, the perfect opportunity was there in front of me!

Then my personal relationship failed and my contract ended. I had to start over again.

I have a strong driving force, a great sense of confidence about what I am capable of achieving, not to mention the right skills set and great experience. With some savings and willingness to take the risk, I decided to start my own practice as a recruiter, registering my company Bermudez Intelligent Recruitment. I created my own job!!

There was a niche for me as an international recruiter, especially in Latin America, since many Canadian companies are expanding their businesses there. I began successfully recruiting not only in Latin America, but all over the world, working with large organizations in different countries and placing people from a wide variety of nationalities and backgrounds. This is my unique specialty. As well I have built trusting and long-lasting business relationships with my clients. I help them achieve their objectives by hiring great and talented people.

Looking back, it was so worth having taken these risks. Being resilient, determined and resourceful certainly paid off. I’m deeply thankful to have had this incredible adventure. It has significantly enriched my life forever and made me believe that anything is possible. I’ve enjoyed the journey as much as the destination. May the journey never end!

Tibisay Bermudez is a global researcher and recruiting consultant and owner of Bermudez Intelligent Recruitment. She has been involved in all aspects of professional search execution, earned the title of CHRP candidate and is a good standing member of the Human Resources Professional Association of Ontario. For more information on Tibisay Bermudez profile, please isit www.linkedin.com/in/tibisaybermudezrecruitment1 or contact her at 519 843 2263/email: tbermudez@bell.net