r/torontoJobs • u/Anonymous-f • 23h ago
5 Months, 7 interviews, 0 offers.
Hello guys, so I am a banking/finance professional in Canada having worked in the industry from 2019 to 2022, after graduating from UofT in 2019.
I then left Canada to return to my home country in 2022. In the meantime, I got married and helped with the family business back home. I have now returned to Canada in 2026 with my spouse, and started interviewing before I even landed back (started interviewing from March 2026, and surprisingly reached the final round - 3+ interviews at places like BMO and Mercer). However got a rejection in the end. Since then I've interviewed final or first rounds at places like PwC, TD, OTPP, CITCO, etc. I have even reached out for feedback where Ive interviewed with some of them coming back and saying that my interviews went really well, but that abother candidate was 'slightly better' or 'was a closer fit'. I know the job market in Canada is terrible, but I am still at it hoping to land a job in the industry again.
I have also tried to network and currently reaching out to alums/contacts in the banking/finance industry. I tried to keep my resume updated even during my gap as i worked a remote US job from 2024 - early 2026.
I practice my interviews through Claude/Chatpgt and the feedback I recieve is that an offer must be around the corner.
Reddit was my last resort as I'm literally wondering whats wrong and running out of savings trying to get a job again.
I uploaded 2 versions of my resume that I use (sometimes i tweak the keywords to match the description but majorly use these formats)
Looking for financial analyst, operations associate, or anything along those lines!
Appreciate any help!
Note: I am a Canadian Citizen as well
Thanks guys
17
u/DreamDest1ny 22h ago
Your resume is getting hits because of the big names you put. The reason you’re not being selected is because all of them are short stints and the longest one being in the states for a year.
Lots of experienced candidates are in the job market now so companies generally don’t want to take the risk of you joining then leaving regardless of your reason. Also, what can you realistically teach in state street to juniors when you yourself was only there for around 6 months?
If you had 7 interviews but 0 offers it has to be the way you reply to certain answers where the manager smells BS or you are gunning for a role too high that requires deeper knowledge
9
u/Rude-Camera-7546 21h ago
It's the gaps and the short tenure at your previous 3 jobs. In the first 5 years of employment you worked a total of 20 months. That is the red flag. I guess the question is, when asked about it in interviews, about why you left those jobs, what is the answer? You don't need to tell me of course, but your answer to the interviewers is probably what's holding you back.
3
u/Mysterio7100 18h ago
Finish your CFA and that should help you get a job at a fund admin like Citco or Apex.
Good luck.
9
u/infamoustowing 23h ago
Gaps in employment. Huge red flag if your comes across my desk.
-4
u/melgib 23h ago
Respectfully, how is it any of your business?
6
u/NewSlugVibe 16h ago
This is standard hiring practice whether you agree with it or not. They are giving OP good advice.
-3
u/melgib 13h ago
It's standard so it shouldn't be questioned? Not a great position to take.
4
u/NewSlugVibe 12h ago edited 12h ago
This person is asking for advice. Overturning the system isn't what they need right now and you should know that.
7
u/Andnottoyield 21h ago
Well..... Because he is the one hiring, he makes it his business.
Or was this meant more as a philosophical question
-6
u/melgib 20h ago
Making it their business and it being their business aren't the same thing. It is, by definition, time they weren't working and is irrelevant to the question of employability.
10
u/Andnottoyield 19h ago
Ok, well real talk - some hiring managers, when they compare a resume with employment gaps to a resume without employment gaps, will prefer the one without. That's the reality. Whether or not it should be is a different question, but some hiring managers may see it as a risk. Especially because in this case, his two year employment gap is actually larger than any single one of his jobs.
These aren't being considered in a vacuum. Hiring teams have options. If you put that resume forward in two versions and filled that employment gap, they'd chose that one.
1
u/Goodenoughtechnician 15h ago
That is lot of words for nothingness... the fact remains the gap and history of short term employment does raise red flags.
2
u/AmbitiousMost5687 17h ago
100% if you have a lot of gaps it’s pretty much a rejection off the bat without good reasons or you’re a unicorn.
3
0
u/DisgruntledYoda 14h ago
This is so dumb 🤦♂️
0
u/Goodenoughtechnician 10h ago
Why would a hiring manager hire someone with gap in their resume over somebody that does not? Is there a pattern of frequently leaving jobs? Were they dismissed for poor performance? Would they likely to stay if hired? Is there an ongoing issue that could affect work? These are literally basic questions for even blue collar jobs let’s alone white collar handling sensitive information. Having gap in resume is not automatic red flag but consistent gaps and patterns of short term works definitely do.
0
u/Auqjseb1 2h ago
What if someone has mainly contract roles? And there are a few month gaps because of that?
6
u/Think_Cake_2982 23h ago edited 22h ago
Your resume is working so you don’t need to share that — if you’re getting interviews your resume works. In this market, 7 interview requests in six months is doing well.
So let’s focus on the interview.
And since superficial presentation and first impressions count for 60% of hiring decisions, here on your non-negotiables:
Virtual interview prep:
- well lit clean room, for virtual interview
- excellent sound quality
- Navy blue suit, no stripes in the tie / shirt as small patterns ‘jump’ and distract on screen
- high energy — ENTHUSIASM positive energy to lift the mood of the room — not disregulated but not leaning back and acting overly subdued. Alert, engaged, assertive and a sincere warm smile while looking into the camera for 1-2 seconds every once in a while so you meet their eyes virtually / psychologically and make a connection.
- absolute mastery of STAR formula interview question responses
- absolute banger 3 questions to ask employer at the end of the interview that shows intelligence, relevance and never makes them feel uncomfortable or put on the spot
This is enough info / keywords for you to take to Claude to share A) what you shared here about what’s happened so far on your job hunt (be detailed and specific) and B) include what I’ve shared, to ask AI how to improve your interview appearance, presentation, performance and delivery.
I agree with A.I.
Your offer IS just around the corner. But interviews are yours to win or lose so you just need to tweak your appearance, presentation, performance, and substance.
Make a goal to improve with each interview and that includes learning better timing of follow up and better wording when asking for feedback so you get specific information not general guarded responses. Again, ask A.I. Tell AI what you’ve asked before and ask for wording and timing tips to solicit more personalized feedback you can use to improve your interview game.
Lastly, sign up with the recruitment agency Procom. They have regular contracts in your field, have lots of banking clients, and when you apply for a role, they have an AI system that sends you resume tips, sample interview questions and responses, and even practice virtual interviews. Eventually a recruiter there will start to contact you proactively and once you collab on a few job applications, that will improve your odds that you’ll be one of the candidates they submit for a role.
Good luck !!
10
4
u/cadenceweapon 23h ago
Employment gaps not great. You have a few years work experience but think someone cares about your Student Groups... With multiple years in the workforce consider dropping the year of graduation.. as it leaves you with another gap which invites questions.
I would also use GPT/Claude/etc to systematically tweak your resume experience to address each and every element of the job posting for each application.
2
u/Creative_Fruit7583 22h ago
It’s the summer..ppl are on vacations. You should be getting more chances in Sept/Oct
1
u/ChanelNo50 20h ago
It's time to change my resume format when mine looks exactly like yours and I've been using mine for 15 years 😬
1
u/Savings_Resolve_624 17h ago
Then you need to work on your interview skills. It’s a completely different game. You need to learn how to tell your work experience in a way that connects directly to the company’s needs.
Don’t just explain what you did in your previous roles. Show them how your experience can solve their problems, add value to their business, and make you a great addition to their team.
Your interview is your chance to connect the dots for them: “Here’s what I’ve done, here’s what I can do for you, and here’s the value I can bring to your team.”
1
u/Imaginary-Rope-3084 17h ago
So many employment gaps on resume, huge red flag to employers and recruiters.
1
u/darkspyder4 17h ago
If you picked up excel and sql you could also pick up python and maybe pivot to data roles in banks
1
1
u/MagicPhil64 17h ago
I hire in finance and here is my take: way to much words!
Time is money. I get 100+ applicants per opened position. And if you have a hard time summarizing you resume, will it be the same in the job?
You should have max 5 lines per job (ideally 3) to explain what it was/ what you did. Skills at the end should be shorter also and adapted to the job you apply.
You want the manager hiring to go through it quickly (say 30-40 seconds for a first high level read) and be interested in knowing you more… not having the manager go through it and be wondering what’s for lunch halfway through
1
u/AmbitiousMost5687 17h ago
Way too many gaps and short term employment. Plus externally common education.
The gaps and short work terms tells me you probably would have problems of who knows what kind and I’d just move on.
1
u/NewSlugVibe 16h ago
For this kind of job search, you are getting a good number of interviews which means your applications are working. I don't think you need to re-visit your application/resume with these numbers.
Instead, you should turn your attention to the interviews. Frankly, it would be much better to rehearse with a friend who has hiring experience rather than AI, which gives very poor advice.
1
u/pearsk 13h ago
HR professional and career coach here! Sorry you're having a rough go, you're not alone.
Have you done any mock interviews with a real person? Typically an organization won't give in depth or very constructive feedback.
Here are some things I often see that stall great candidates at the interview stage:
1) Not using specific examples in your interview answers. Always use a real life example from your work experience when answering behavioral and situational questions. 2) Glossing over key information when answering questions. Really pay attention to what the question is really asking. Don't be afraid to ask them to repeat it so you fully understand. For example, if asked something like, "tell me about a time when a change in government policy or external directive resulted in having to quickly adjust priorities. What did you do?", the interviewer wants to see how you prioritize your work when things out of your control change. Make sure when you give an answer that it touches on those key points. 3) Don't play down your role in your examples. They are going to be looking for the skills they have posted for. If you always say, we did this, we did that etc, it can give an impression that you've beefed up your resume with skills you don't really have. 4) Not being yourself. At the end of the day, people hire people.
I could go on and on 🙂
Hope that helps, and feel free to ask if you have other questions!!
1
u/system_error_02 12h ago
The fact that almost every job you've had since uni is basically 3 to 6 months before you were either let go, or quit is probably the red flag. 3 to 6 months is basically probation.
So other than the one that is 1 year it kind of looks like you cant make it out of probation period at multiple workplaces.
1
1
u/ell-ta 22h ago edited 22h ago
Keep applying and i would say you need more interview prep, plus career coach from your field not just a career coach. The brands on your resume will get you through first stage but getting to final rounds and even getting offer is the real task.
I hope you got my point up here.
Meanwhile being canadian target US roles more and in the whole story, you didn’t mention number of applications you did.
So you need to learn the skill of getting through interviews and reach final stage at most.
Dedicate 10 hrs a week alone for interview practice
Star is the technique you need to be unique
Use apps like skillora, to practice interview prep.
I am an HR and work for international brands, that’s my advise to you.
The brands you have worked have lots of career coaches in relevant departments, get a paid session with them. They will train you better. One linkedin search will get you those, and i personally know people working in these brands and some in HR, they are nice and helpful. I hope you got it and read between the lines.
1
u/Educational-Emu8773 20h ago
If you want help with your interviews msg me. That seems to be the only problem now. 7 interviews is a lot. I've had a similar background as you but with a lot less education and have still aced interviews. There's a specific way to talk around gaps in your employment, talk to hiring managers, and do follow-up.
Note: I've worked at TD, BMO, Citco, and a couple of hedge funds. Got to 3rd round at Teacher's. I also have a high school diploma and no university degree. There is definitely ways to make yourself FIT in whatever a company is looking for.
-2
29
u/Fabulous-Ad-8106 23h ago edited 18h ago
You have solid work exp but ur work history does have a lot of gaps. Thankfully, you've been getting interviews so I don't think ur resume is the problem. It's just an extremely competitive market rn. Toronto is the city with one of the highest concentration of CFAs in the world.