Canadian Employers Favor Local Candidates Over Indian Applicants, Ex-Google Employee Shares His Frustration

A recent social media video has ignited a conversation around the challenges Indian professionals face when seeking jobs in Canada, specifically regarding how their international experience is perceived. Piyush Monga, a popular digital creator, interviewed a former Google India employee who has been working in Canada for a year, despite his prestigious background.

The professional, now employed as a Process Inventory Associate, shared his dissatisfaction with his current salary of CAD 17,500 per year. Despite having worked at Google India as a digital marketing expert for over three years, he feels his qualifications are underappreciated in the Canadian job market.

 

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International Experience Discounted in Canada?

The video, which has garnered over 2,000 likes on Instagram, shines a spotlight on a recurring issue faced by many Indian professionals transitioning to Canadian work environments—the perceived undervaluation of their Indian work experience. The ex-Google employee candidly expressed his frustration, saying that Canadian employers seem to prioritize local candidates over those with international experience, particularly from India.

“They (Canadian employers) are preferably looking for Canadian candidates only and not Indian candidates,” he explained during the interview. “I’ve been working as a process inventory associate for the past year, earning just CAD 17,500. Obviously, no one is happy with that sort of money—it’s barely enough to survive,” he added.

Reducing Indian Experience on Résumés

In a revelation that has resonated with many Indian professionals, the interviewee shared that he has been forced to downplay his experience at Google India on his résumé in hopes of increasing his job prospects in Canada. He noted that employers often view Indian experience as irrelevant or less valuable, which has led him to reduce his years of work in India to avoid being labeled “overqualified.”

“It doesn’t make sense to me,” he continued. “I’ve spent years honing my skills and gaining experience in a reputable company like Google. But here, they don’t count it. They even say I’m overqualified for certain roles.”

This video comes at a time when many Indian professionals and international students are already feeling the strain from recent policy changes by the Canadian government. Earlier this month, the Justin Trudeau administration introduced tighter regulations regarding work permits for international students. These new policies include higher financial requirements, reduced work hours, and a cap on the number of international students admitted to Canadian universities. As a result, protests have erupted among Indian students in Canada, calling on the government to reconsider these changes.

These policy shifts are seen as additional hurdles for Indian professionals who are already navigating a job market that undervalues their international experience. Many students and professionals have raised concerns about whether these regulations will further restrict opportunities for international talent.

The growing conversation surrounding this issue underscores the importance of re-evaluating how Canadian employers view international work experience, especially from highly reputable companies. For many Indian professionals, like the ex-Google employee in the video, the struggle to have their qualifications recognized in Canada remains a significant barrier to success.

While Canada continues to attract skilled workers from around the world, it’s crucial that employers and policymakers recognize the value these professionals bring to the table. As the professional in the video emphasized, it’s not just about local experience—it’s about talent and expertise, regardless of where it was earned.

With rising protests and increasing discontent among international professionals, this debate is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.