Nestled among the rolling hills of Shiraz, I grew up surrounded by the scent of roses and the echoes of poets like Hafez and Saadi. My childhood was a mosaic of gardens and ancient tales. The allure of a new chapter called out to me, and with a hopeful heart, I embarked on a journey to Canada.
The towering skyscrapers and the ever-busy streets of Toronto were a far cry from the serene landscapes of Shiraz. I arrived with a background in IT, but in the vastness of this new city, my credentials seemed to lose their glow. Adjusting to the rhythm of Toronto was challenging, and the cold winters often made me question my decision.
After three months of relentless job hunting, cycling through three distinct resumes, and encountering blocks from platforms like Indeed due to perceived robotic behaviour, I was in a bind. Every day, I sent out nearly 200 applications using three different profiles. A surprising lifeline appeared as my bank balance dwindled to a point where covering rent and food seemed impossible. An offer came to my table to try a door-to-door sales position with Bell Canada emerged. “Sales? Door-to-door?” The very thought was daunting. The idea of facing strangers, making cold calls at unfamiliar thresholds, and pitching services stood in stark contrast to my expertise in Cybersecurity and IT.
With mounting bills and an increasing urge to carve out my space in this foreign land, I clung to a saying from back home: “The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.” Taking a deep breath, I ventured into the world of door-to-door sales. It was time to prove once again who I was, showcasing my unwavering commitment. No matter the challenge, I was determined to execute my role in such an unparalleled manner that no one, absolutely no one, could even come close to replicating it.
The initial days were tough. The chilly weather, closed doors, and polite (sometimes not-so-polite) rejections tested my patience and resilience. But every time I felt the weight of despair, I thought of the vibrant streets of Shiraz and forged ahead.
As the days turned into weeks, I began to find my rhythm. I learned to read people’s body language, to adapt my pitch based on their needs, and most importantly, to connect on a human level. The tales and experiences from Shiraz became my secret weapon, offering a unique touch to my sales approach.
To my surprise, the door-to-door sales journey became more than just a job. It became a learning experience. Each door opened a new story, a new perspective. With Bell Canada’s offerings as my tools, I bridged the gap between the technological demands of Toronto residents and the warmth of genuine human connection.
My perseverance paid off. Not only did I start hitting my sales targets, but I also forged lasting relationships with many clients, some of whom became dear friends. The once-dreaded streets of Toronto began to feel like home.
In hindsight, the magic I sought in Canada was not in a plush office or a prestigious engineering role, but in the very streets and doorsteps I had once been hesitant to approach. My journey from the gardens of Shiraz to the doorsteps of Toronto taught me that often, magic lies not in the comfortable and familiar but in the challenges we dare to embrace.
