Canada ranks #1 in international measurements of quality of life, gender equality, healthcare, thriving economy, environmental sustainability, public security, workers right, public services, to mention a few. Canada is also one of the top countries for immigration. Whether you were born here or chose to immigrate, Canada is an awesome country to work in.
Finding a job in Canada as a new immigrant can be challenging, but certainly achievable with the right approach and strategy, one can increase chances of landing a new job. If you are looking to build a career in one of the most desirable countries in the world as a new immigrant, here are some tips to help:
Research and Prepare: Before arriving, understand the demand for your skills and where opportunities are located. Familiarize yourself with the Canadian job market. Understand the industries, major employers, and regional job demands.
Prepare a Canadian-style Resume: Canadian employers might not be familiar with your home country’s companies or educational institutions. Tailor your resume to the Canadian style, emphasizing on your relevant work experience, technical skills, accomplishments, and transferable skills. Make sure to follow the Canadian resume format in this order:
• Contact information
• Professional summary
• Work experience
• Educational development
While writing a Canadian Style resume make sure to follow the rules according to the Canadian Human Rights Code not disclosing confidential information like your photo, personal information, and your past salary.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn is a one-stop shop where you can generate new leads and land a new job. Tweaking your LinkedIn profile can enhance you professional image and make you more discoverable to recruiters, employers and other professional.
• Use a high quality headshot, dress professionally and ensure that the background is neutral. Write out a compelling headline that
conveys your professional identity.
• Make your profile link easy to share my customizing it with your name.
• Write out a detailed professional summary about your skills, achievements, and aspirations.
• List out all relevant positions you have held including responsibilities and accomplishments.
• Ask for recommendations from colleagues, supervisors or clients you may have worked it.
• List the skills that are most relevant to your profession and get them endorsed.
• Include your academic background and any professional certifications you have completed.
• Post and share contents that are relevant to your industry
• Make sure to stay active, regularly update your profile, comment on other posts and engage in discussions. This keeps your profile
in circulation and in front of your connections.
Join an Immigrant Network: A significant number of jobs are not advertised, joining an immigrant network, attending job fairs and reaching out to people in your industry is an excellent way to communicate with recruiters, hiring managers and other professionals. This will aid you in getting first-hand information about vacant positions.
Gain Canadian Work Experience: Some employers value Canadian work experience. So consider volunteering, internships, or doing temporary jobs to build a local track record and get references.
Verify Your Credentials: Visit the Canadian Information Center to determine if your credentials from your home country are acceptable in Canada. Perform a thorough research about any additional accreditation you may need to transition to your desired career in Canada. It might mean taking up some additional courses to validate your credentials. There are many organizations, like World Education Services (WES), which evaluate foreign credentials.
Utilize Canada Job Banks: Explore vacancies posted by employers nationwide by using job search websites like Job Bank, Indeed, Workopolis, and Monster. Also, consider provincial or territory specific job sites.
Write a Canadian Cover Letter: A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It is an opportunity to introduce yourself, express your interest in the position and explain why you’re a suitable candidate for the job.
• A typical Canadian cover letter should not be longer than one page.
• Address the cover letter to a specific person. If you can’t find a name use “Dear Hiring Manager”.
• Start by stating the position you’re applying for and where you found the job listing.
• In the body of the cover letter highlight your relevant experiences, skills and accomplishments that make you the right candidate
for the job.
• Make sure your cover letter is free from grammatical and spelling errors.
• In concluding your cover letter, reiterate your interest in the position, thank the employer for considering your application, and
express hope for further discussion.
Be Patient: Finding a job in Canada can be challenging but don’t get discouraged. The job market is competitive, and it might take time before you land the right opportunity.