For nearly two decades Newcomers Canada has been supporting immigrants, permanent residents, and foreign professionals as they explore new opportunities for employment in Canada. Newcomers Canada works to connect skilled workers and professionals with Canadian employers as they seek out information about living, working, and thriving in their new surroundings. We believe that newcomers are the future of Canada, and we want to help ensure that reliable and relevant information is available to newcomers as they explore their future occupation in Canada. This guide is intended to help you learn more about the potential opportunities for newcomers in Canada and to provide insights regarding writing a resume, occupations in demand, starting your own business, preparing for interviews, workers rights, workplace culture and more.
Keep reading to learn more about the essential things to know about working in Canada and check back often for additional and recently updated information.
Fine-Tune your resume for Canadian employers
Writing a resume in Canada is likely not all that different than preparing a resume in your home country. In Canada the CV, or resume, is an opportunity to share your employment history, outline your skills, and highlight your educational accomplishments for a prospective employer. Your Canadian resume should include contact information, a professional or career overview, work experience, educational accomplishments, and professional development activities. Research has shown hiring managers often only spend between 10-30 seconds reviewing a resume, so be sure to grab the readers attention and leave the details for the interview process. Avoid long paragraphs, photos, first person writing styles, and never waste space – your resume should be a maximum of two pages.
Canada’s top 10 Occupations in Demand
The employment landscape in Canada is changing rapidly and in 2021 there are employment opportunities across the country from Vancouver to New Brunswick and everywhere in between! Are you considering a move to Canada? If you are a professional in technology, healthcare, engineering, finance, sales and marketing, general business, or have training as a driver or in a skilled trade, there is a job waiting for you. The COVID19 pandemic has impacted the Canadian economy, resulting in an increase of remote working opportunities and online collaboration technologies.
Canada is a vast and differing landscape, and as a result, every province has different needs and occupational demands will differ from province to province. The Provincial Nominee Program was designed to address this issue. By applying to the Provincial Nominee Program your specific skillset may accelerate the pace at which you can apply for permanent residency. It will be important to know what region you are considering moving to and how that specific region will value your educational and professional background.
A Guide to buying or starting a business in Canada
Understanding the process of how to open or buy an existing business in Canada can be overwhelming. If you are purchasing a business as a foreign national, you will be placed in the category of being a business immigrant. If you are an entrepreneur looking to relocate to Canada, you may choose to purchase an already established business and go through the process of applying for a work visa. When you apply for the work visa you will need to ensure it is for a management level employee and is recognized under the Federal Temporary Worker Program. Once you hold this status you can then apply for permanent residency through the express entry program. Remember when you are starting a business in Canada or purchasing an existing business, you will need to make an argument for how that business will support Canadians and create jobs.
When considering buying or starting a business in Canada you should do your research and understand the province or city you are looking to purchase in. The vast landscape of Canada results in varying market values and opportunities. The value of a company in Toronto will differ from that in rural community, meaning your expectations should differ. You should also understand the individual provincial and municipal laws and regulations before purchasing or starting a new business. The regulations in Calgary will differ from those in Regina or London.
How to prepare for your interview in Canada
Newcomers Canada knows that a job interview in a new country can be both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. But there are a number of things you can do to prepare, allowing yourself to be as comfortable as possible. Before the interview you should prepare by reviewing the job description, researching the company and understanding their offerings. The more you know about the company the better of you will be. You also need to be prepared to speak about yourself. Prepare a short pitch, or an elevator pitch, that includes why you are the right fit for the position and the company. You should be prepared to speak to your previous experiences and how they have prepared you for this new role in Canada. It may seem strange, but you should also be prepared with your own questions for the interviewers. By preparing questions for your interviewers, you will appear prepared and engaged, and will also have an opportunity to learn more about the company and details of the job that will impact you, including salary expectations. Finally, be prepared in advance! For in-person interviews, know how you are getting to the interview, how long it will take, and what you will wear. Arriving on time and in a appropriate attire will make the right first impression. Prepare for a virtual interview by checking your internet connectivity, camera, mic, minimize noise and distractions and dress as though it is an in-person interview.
Workers rights in Canada
Depending on the country you are moving from, Canada’s workplace laws and employee rights may be similar to what you have previously experienced, or entirely different. In Canada there are a number of laws and programs that have been put in place mandating specific rights, ensuring protections for employees and employers. The Canadian Human Rights Act is one of the most prominent set of laws in Canada that are designed to protect workers rights, ensuring employees are protected against discrimination on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity and other grounds. While there are specific details and rights that differ from province to province in Canada, the Canadian Human Rights Act protects employees across the country. The Federal Contractors Program, The Employment Equity Program, the Workplace Equity Information Management System, and the Canadian Labour Code, have also been developed to ensure the rights of employees are respected across the country. Before you accept a job in Canada be sure to understand the labour laws in your specific region and ensure you are being treated in accordance with those laws.
A guide for Newcomers to Canadian work culture
When you enter the Canadian workforce for the first time you may experience some cultural expectations or practices you are unaware of or unprepared for. The first thing you should know about working in a Canadian workplace is that personal body language plays a big role. Everything from personal space, eye contact, hand shaking, and appearance, will be important for sending the right message to colleagues and customers. There will also be very specific communications basics that you will need to be aware of including greetings, names and forms of addressing others, how and when to speak up and ask questions, and small talk. Beyond the physical and verbal communications, you will also need to understand the dynamics of teamwork, punctuality, hierarchy, and certain ways of showing respect. Ultimately what employers are looking for is an employee who has a good attitude, who is motivated, who is willing to work and learn, and who is honest. If you keep these characteristics in mind, the workplace culture will soon fall into place.
Tips and Advice about working in Canada
Finally, when it comes to taking on a new employment opportunity in Canada, there are a few tips and pieces of advice we would encourage all newcomers to heed. Firstly, ensure that your employer is legitimate. You should expect that you will receive a contract to sign in advance of beginning work, be sure to review this document. Once you have begun work, you should expect a paystub with the appropriate taxes deducted and a clear outline of your earnings, never accept a job that pays only cash. As mentioned above, a newcomer should always be aware of their rights in the workplace and the laws that protect them. Finally, like anywhere else in the world, a good attitude and hard work are the key to success in any job!
Newcomers Canada is here to support you
Newcomers Canada is committed to supporting you and your family as you transition towards a new life in Canada. It is our goal to provide all immigrants, and those who are considering a move to Canada, with reliable and recent news regarding working in Canada. Not only do we provide information for newcomers, but we have strong and lasting partnerships with major employers across Canada from numerous industries. Our partners trust that Newcomers Canada will support their mission of finding and hiring newcomers and immigrants to Canada. We encourage you to attend one of our Global Talent Expos. Amid the pandemic we have shifted these events online, making it even easier for newcomers to attend from anywhere. We encourage you to consider attending one of our Global Talent Expos hosted across Canada, in the United Kingdom, or by attending one of our online events. At these events prospective employers are connected with qualified individuals from across industries including healthcare, finance, technology, transportation and others. If you are considering a move to Canada, Learn more about our Global Talent Expos on the event page.
