Finding a Job in Canada as an Immigrant

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Just because you were allowed to immigrate to Canada, it is not guaranteed that you will be able to get a job once you enter the country. There are challenges that you need to overcome to find employment successfully in Canada, and this guide will help you accomplish that.

Research the Canadian Labor Market Before You Leave

It pays to know the labor market in Canada long before you leave your home country, especially regarding the profession you trained for. Researching the Canadian labor market will let you become familiar with the regulations governing it, which differs between provinces and territories in the country.

Another advantage you will get from the research is familiarity with the duties and responsibilities expected from someone in your profession in Canada. After all, the way you practice your profession at your home country may be different from the way things are done in Canada. Aside from this, you get to know the wages and benefits you can expect as a Canadian worker.

To do your research, you should use the Working in Canada Report. This tool will give you an overview of your profession as it is practiced in Canada.

French is an official language in Canada, and there are places in Canada where only French is spoken. If you do not speak French, you should find employment in a province or territory where people speak both English and French.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

You need to get some paperwork done before you can start searching for employment in Canada. Just like any job seeker, you have to be armed with your resume and credentials. You will have to apply for a license first, though, if you practice a regulated profession, like whether you are a teacher, an engineer, a lawyer, a nurse or a doctor.

The regulating body in the province or territory you will live in will have to evaluate your credentials before granting your license. You can browse the regulating body's website or call the organization directly for the licensing requirements. Be prepared to go back to school to earn new credentials in case the organization deems you unqualified to practice your profession in Canada.

Another important document that you need to secure prior to your job search is your Social Insurance Number (SIN). You cannot get a job without one. You can apply for your SIN card at the Service Canada Center in the city you will live in.

Leave No Stone Unturned in Your Job Search

You can begin your job search once you have accomplished the necessary paperwork described above. You can post your resume at headhunter websites, as well as browse job ads and postings both online and offline.

The Canadian government runs a job bank that is updated regularly. You can use this to search for employment.

You should also tap the hidden job market as soon as you land in Canada. Many employers publicize their job openings via word of mouth. So, if you make friends and build a network as soon as you arrive, you will get wind of these hidden job openings. Your contacts in your network can be family members, neighbors, community leaders, people you meet in church or your sports club, among many others.

It can be a special challenge to find work in Canada as an immigrant. But if you do your research, accomplish the required paperwork, and establish your network as soon as you can, you will be able to make your job search easier than it would have been.

Research and preparation are the keys to getting a job in Canada as an immigrant