How WorkBC Vernon helped find the perfect job for Hanna’s design skills

After leaving Ukraine, as Hanna Ivanova and her family began to explore downtown Vernon, she remembers walking past The Room Collection, a furniture and décor store. As a former furniture designer and interior designer, Hanna always stopped to admire the artful displays of chairs, plants and art.

“I loved looking through the window, it was always decorated so beautifully,” she says. Hanna grew up in Kharkiv, a city with 25 universities and academies, including the Academy of Art and Design, where Hanna studied to become a product designer.

“I was excited about all the ways I could design for function and beauty, and all the time have different subjects.”

She went on to an exciting career with a furniture company, an interior design firm and even taught at the university where she’d studied. Then, war broke out. When it was clear the war would go on, and on, and she and her husband would need to move abroad with their two young children.

“I remembered from my childhood that Canada had beautiful nature and a big Ukrainian community,” she says. “We had friends who’d moved to Vernon, so we started the process. The long, arduous process of applying for visas. Eventually, on Sept. 15, 2023, Hanna, her husband and their children landed in Vancouver.

 “It was so exciting to fly here. It felt like we were so welcome,” she says. “Here, everyone is from somewhere, if it’s not you, your parents or your grandparents came here. I am happy to be here, but at the same time, my heart breaks.”

The war in Ukraine still goes on.

But her children were here and they were safe. Her next big step was to try to find work. For months, she tried applying for work on her own, sending out resumés and even leaving out credentials so she wouldn’t appear over-qualified.

“It was hard. When you’re a newcomer and you don’t have savings, you just need a job.”

After a few months, an acquaintance in the Ukrainian community mentioned she could access job search supports at WorkBC Vernon. Hanna was there the next day.

“They were very helpful,” she says. “They really tried to find ways to help me find a job.”

One of the first ways she accessed supports through WorkBC was six months of English language instruction that helped Hanna build on what she’d learned in school growing up. Then, she participated in as many workshops as she could, including resumé-building and job interviews. While she was fortunate to get a temporary job in a kitchen, she remained hopeful about the chance of a full-time, permanent position that might somehow make use of her background.

Nearly a year and a half after landing in Canada, and just a few days into the new year, Hanna went to a regular check-in at WorkBC with her Career Advisor, Kate, who had just noticed a job posting for The Room Collection.

“I think it would be perfect for you,” Kate told her.

Within minutes, Hanna was walking down the block with a freshly printed copy of her resumé.

“I remember the frost on the windows and the display they’d styled so well,” says Hanna, who stepped inside, heart beating with hope. “They were so friendly.”

The first meeting led to an interview that day, which was a Friday, and a phone call on Monday that Hanna had the job. That was eight months ago.

“It’s so great. I love it. I love welcoming the customers and I love the owners. It’s just a pleasure to work with them.”

Hanna feels fortunate to have not just found a job, but a place to where her skills and passion for design can blossom. She recently had the chance to recommend and help implement a 3D design tool to help with sketching rooms and ideas during at-home client style consultations.

“I am happy I can bring something to them. I like this idea, to grow together.”

Getting here was a long, trying journey—but Hanna can’t imagine doing it alone, and she can’t imagine where she would be without the WorkBC Vernon team, and that fateful morning check-in.

“I do not hesitate to tell people to go to WorkBC. It’s easier to have another pair of eyes looking at jobs for you and with the suggestions they give you. I’m very grateful.”

Are you a newcomer who could benefit from job search supports? Visit us to learn all the ways we can help you on your career journey!