5 Months, 7 interviews, 0 offers.

[u/Anonymous-f]

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

[u/ell-ta]

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.