Join the Scotiabank StartRight® Program designed for Newcomers‡ and get up to $2,200* in value in the first year.
You can get ready to work in Canada well before you even arrive. Researching the job market, and understanding what Canadian employers are searching for is vital. At Prepare for Canada, we provide tools, resources, and information to help you get ready for your job search! Here are four activities that will help you to get ready to work in Canada.
It takes effort to find a great job, so be sure to devote time to important job search activities. You may have to spend time revising your resume to include information that Canadian employers look for.
When you know what employers look for, you can tailor your resume so that employers notice your skills and experience. Preparing a well-written resume takes time, but it’s worth the effort because it may reduce the time it takes you to find a job.
You will also have to apply for many jobs. One application will likely not be enough to get the job that you want in Canada. But, by applying for jobs on a frequent and regular basis, you’ll start to get responses from employers. It takes patience and focus to land a job that you are best suited for.
Join our free webinar to learn helpful strategies to accelerate your job search:
Are you moving to Canada soon or already here? Do you need to find a job? Would you like to find good resources for finding employment in Canada? If so, join us for a free webinar where you can ask an expert your questions. We’ll discuss what you can do to make yourself more marketable to potential employers.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARThis is easier said than done, but many great programs are available to newcomers to help with job search activities to help you stand out. One way to stand out is to get your credentials assessed. This is helpful because it shows Canadian employers you have the skills and knowledge to perform a similar job in Canada. The Government of Canada can provides valuable information that explains how to get your credentials assessed.
By taking this step, you ensure you can work in Canada. You may discover that you require more training to get ready to work in Canada. But when you know what’s required, you’ll be in a better position to get the training you need.
Once you start to hear back from potential employers, make sure to respond to them as quickly as you can. This shows your interest and professionalism. Make sure that you put your best foot forward with each point of contact that you have with an employer. Use formal language and provide any additional information that they may request.
You may have heard this tip often, but it’s always a good idea to stay positive and not get easily discouraged. If you don’t hear back from your first few Canadian job applications, then just keep applying until you succeed.
When you’re positive, you’ll make a great first impression. A positive attitude combined with a strong skill set shows Canadian employers that you’re motivated, talented, and eager to start your first job in Canada.
Opening a bank account before you arrive in Canada offers many benefits including transferring funds before you travel to Canada. Also, when you land in Canada, immigration officials may ask you to show proof of funds. When you open a bank account before you arrive, you can easily prove that you have available funds.
Canadian banks are among the most solid, secure financial institutions. The Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) provides insurance to protect eligible deposits made to CDIC-member banks. And for Canadians, knowing their money is CDIC-protected is reassuring!
It’s necessary to open a bank account in Canada. Most Canadians rely on their bank to:
To select a bank, you can visit the bank’s website to compare services and fees. While many banks have national branches and automatic banking machines (ABM) networks, it’s best to select a bank that has branches in the community where you will live.
Also, when you open a bank account, you will receive a statement that includes your mailing address. You can use your statement as identification when you apply for:
Join us for an eye-opening session on how to build your financial future in Canada with confidence. This free webinar is hosted in partnership with Scotiabank, a trusted leader in newcomer banking. Together, we’ll guide you through how the Canadian banking system works and share free tools and strategies to help you plan, save, and invest wisely as a newcomer.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARBanks offer a wide range of accounts to choose from, and that can be overwhelming. But keep in mind that most newcomers will require a chequing account to deposit funds, write cheques, and pay bills. You will also need a debit card to deposit and withdraw funds from an ABM or branch. You may also want a higher-interest savings account and credit card.
Banks offer banking service packages at low-cost monthly fees. For example, the Scotiabank StartRight™ Program for Newcomers*¹ offers low-cost options to meet your banking needs. To help you make your important banking decisions, Scotiabank can explain your options in the language you prefer and provide personal support at the bank branch.
Feel free to ask for an explanation if there is anything you don’t understand. The role of the bank employee is to provide quality customer service and answer any questions you may have. You don’t have to worry about asking questions or taking up too much of their time.
Most importantly, get answers to your questions and only sign a contract when you’re confident you understand the terms.
To open a bank account in Canada, you will require the following documents:
International students require a letter of acceptance from a Canadian educational institution and a study permit.
If you are a foreign worker, you will require a valid passport and work permit.
To open a bank account, you must go to a local branch in person and have two original pieces of identification. You will have an interview with a bank employee who will:
Millennials are finding franchising success as the franchise ownership demographic is starting to change. The millennial cohort is the generation born between 1980 and 2000 and represents approximately 9.8 million people in Canada.
Millennials are also the most ethnically diverse generation that Canada has ever seen. This diversity contributes to innovative thinking, enhanced creativity, and access to broader networks and relationships. The bulk of immigrants to Canada is millennials because Canada’s immigration point system favours younger applicants.
Statistic: Number of immigrants in Canada in 2017, by age | Statista
Find more statistics at Statista
You may think the typical franchise owner is someone established looking to leave a corporate gig, or a baby boomer with a high net worth, but that’s changing. Millennials are finding franchising success and it may just be a perfect fit.
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For franchisors, the millennial cohort can provide:
Millennials value mentorship, expertise, and teamwork. This is invaluable since franchisees succeed when they can tap into training, support, and business know-how.
For millennials, the franchise model provides benefits that include:
These combined benefits can reduce the burden of building a new business from scratch, yet still appeal to the entrepreneurial goals of millennials. Millennials could well be the future of the franchise industry.
The franchise industry in Canada has seen double-digit growth in recent years and the number of new franchise brands and outlets continues to grow. There are over 78,000 franchise units in Canada, and 4,300 new franchise outlets open each year. With such a broad expanse of franchise brands to select from, here are some things millennials can consider to increase their franchising success:
Millennials are highly educated so take advantage of your academic background to increase your franchising success. For example, educators may want to pursue franchise categories related to educational products and services.
Millennials are resourceful so put that skill to use and explore franchise categories and potential franchisors. The Franchise Disclosure Document provides extensive information about the franchisor.
The Franchise Disclosure Document provides a list of current franchisees. Arrange to speak with franchisees to find out more information about the franchisor, industry trends, and their franchising experience (both positive and negative) to avoid any surprises.
While franchise fees can be expensive and even prohibitive for millennials, franchisors offer a range of investment levels and some may be as low as $10,000. Determine what available cash you may have and look to other financing options that may include:
Millennials are finding franchising success and the mutual benefits that franchisors and millenials offer each other could be a perfect partnership.
Visit the Franchise Consulting Company for information to help you make an informed franchising decision. Whatever your decision, we can help you decide if franchising is right for you!
There are many activities to prepare to move, and here are the top 8 things you need to know before you go to Canada.
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Many newcomers land in cities in Canada where jobs are abundant. But, job opportunities are not only in Toronto and Vancouver.
To decide where to immigrate and to prepare for the Canadian job market, Maziar Taheri, an Iranian electrical engineer, made two short trips to Toronto before he moved to Canada with his family. During these trips, Taheri met with friends in Ontario to:
He says the trips gave him a realistic view of the job market and saved him a lot of time, money, and struggle when he finally immigrated to Canada.
“Some people decide to move to Canada without knowledge of the job market here,” he says, “and when they come, they have to spend a lot more energy – and they also risk spending more money than necessary. It can be a great pain for some of them and it can also reflect on their families. In fact, they could have done something in their countries to better prepare and save time and money. To me, these two short trips helped me get a better start in Canada.”
It took seven months for Taheri to find a professional job he likes. In the first two and a half months in Canada, he attended two courses for internationally trained professionals through ACCES Employment Services. The first one was Sales and Marketing Connection at Humber College, Toronto. In addition to sales and marketing in Canada, the program included resume writing and interview skills.
The other course Taheri attended was Leadership in Project Management at Toronto Metropolitan University. This program provided useful information about:
Immediately after he finished the two programs, Taheri started working for a small company in Toronto. Unfortunately, the company was not in good financial standing and couldn’t pay him the salary he deserved. So, two and a half months later Taheri was unemployed, looking for another job.
That was his most difficult time in Canada. “I heard from my friends that looking for a job was a full-time job and I realized that it was true,” he says. “Sometimes I was working 12 hours a day – writing resumes, reading job postings and companies’ websites, going to job fairs and to interviews. But, I had made the decision to come to Canada and start my life here. I was determined to get a good job and I am happy that I found it.”
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Working in Canada | A Guide to Land Your Dream Job!
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“I tried to socialize with immigrants, who had started years ago and have succeeded. I tried to learn about their experiences, to hear how they solved their problems, what their approach was and this helped me a lot.”
To cheer up and stay motivated during his job search, Taheri avoided talking to negative people and instead socialized with successful friends and acquaintances with a positive attitude. ”Everywhere we can find people with low spirit and pessimistic views,” he says, “but it doesn’t help to communicate with them – focusing only on problems and difficulties doesn’t help. So I tried to socialize with immigrants, some of them already Canadian citizens, who had started years ago and have succeeded.
I learned about their experiences, how they solved their problems, what their approach was and this helped me a lot. I realized that all of them started with challenges, but they tried to keep a balance, and to make realistic plans to solve things step-by-step. It took them time and energy but, they succeeded and I enjoyed listening to their stories.”
As an electrical engineer with experience in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) projects, oil and gas, and industrial equipment sales and marketing, Taheri found his current job in Calgary. He now works for one of Canada’s leading engineering companies.
“When I was planning to move to Canada,” he says, “most of my friends were landing in Toronto, and we also had relatives in Vancouver. So in my mind, I only had two alternatives –Toronto and Vancouver. I decided to land in Toronto because I had close friends there. At that time, I didn’t know much about Calgary.
Little by little, I understood that something interesting was going on there – related to my experience and my education. And, I decided to move to Calgary. Now I am happy to live here. If I knew about Calgary before coming to Canada, I would have moved here directly, but unfortunately, I didn’t have enough information.” I realized after moving to Canada that job opportunities are not only in Toronto and Vancouver!
Taheri thinks Calgary has a more relaxed and harmonious society. There is a reason for that. “The weather is not very nice,” he explains. “Winters are very cold and very long. For that reason, non-professional people won’t come to Calgary. Very few newcomers would land here – most of the immigrants go to Toronto and Vancouver, which has resulted in the existence of many different societies, appearances, and behaviours there.
As for Calgary, mainly professionals who have jobs move here. Those who come have very clear ideas about their career goals. They also earn enough income to meet their financial needs. This makes the society more balanced and steady. Also, there are fewer crimes here. I like Vancouver– it is very beautiful and has good weather, it is nice to visit, but I prefer to live in Calgary.”
Although he found a professional job and stability in less than a year, Taheri thinks skilled immigrants should be patient. They should be prepared for it to take the first two to three years in Canada to gain the same life standards they had back home. Also, he advises newcomers’ spouses to be understanding and all family members to remember why they have left their own countries, relatives, and friends. Taheri also recommends new immigrants carefully spend their savings and avoid taking financial risks in their first years in Canada.
Successful franchisees demonstrate common personality traits that make them a great fit for franchising. As many new Canadians achieve success in franchising, it’s interesting to look at how personality traits may contribute to their success.
And a 2016 Statistics Canada study revealed that immigrants to Canada are more likely to own businesses than Canadian-born citizens. As well, there is growing research that shows immigrant entrepreneurial success is greater than that of Canadian-born entrepreneurs. And franchise businesses are fueling small business growth in Canada.
One of the reasons that new Canadians decide to buy a franchise is because of the type of franchisor support that they can expect to help achieve success. So, this is often a key point when deciding between becoming a franchisee or starting a new independent business. Many people will conclude that their chances of success will increase with the systems and support that a franchisor provides.
If you think that franchising makes sense, you may have decided it makes sense to pay for the right to use the franchisor’s brand, standards, and knowledge. In addition, a strong franchisor can often provide expertise in specific business functions, such as marketing or finance, that you may not have. However, it’s important to recognize that:
1. The level of franchisor support can vary.
2. Franchisor support will be clearly defined in the Franchise Disclosure Document and Franchise Agreement.
3. You need to do your own research to understand what support you’ll receive.
To learn more about franchising in Canada, download our free e-book today, and visit our Franchise Learning Center:
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Now, let’s explore four common types of franchisor support:
You can expect to perform well when you select a franchisor to help you master the basics. And, training that is provided in your initial stages will help you achieve franchise success.
Your initial training will provide you with a broad overview of operations, marketing, sales, service, and general management. And, this may include:
Your training begins after you sign your Franchise Agreement, and continues for as long as you own the franchise. And, your franchisor wants you to succeed! So, that means providing you with tools, resources, and knowledge right from the start.
All franchisees are required to pay an Advertising Fee (usually 1 – 4% of gross sales). So, paying an advertising fee means that you do not have to create an advertising plan or marketing materials all on your own. In return for this fee, you can expect to receive:
Not all franchisors will assist with site selection and site location is critical to your business success. But, if your franchisor doesn’t provide site selection support, you can usually get guidance related to:
So, be sure to read what site selection support you can expect in the Franchise Agreement. And, discuss how you can work with the franchisor to select a great site.
After you have completed your initial training, the ongoing support that you receive is essential. This support is generally provided by the franchisor to:
Other ongoing support can be related to supply chain; management training; and new products and services. This support can be a huge benefit. Your franchise team is likely working with other franchisees who have dealt with similar issues that you will face so, this knowledge may help you to reduce, if not avoid mistakes.
So, franchisor support can be a large benefit and critical to your success. You may even make your franchise selection decision based on the support you’ll receive to start your business on the right foot. The ultimate goal is your franchise success and ability to benefit from the franchisor’s proven systems and support.
Visit our Franchising for New Canadians Learner Center to view tools, resources, and information to help you make an informed franchising decision.
Canada is a mosaic of languages and cultures. Half the residents in Toronto alone cited a mother tongue other than English or French, according to a 2011 census. In fact, Statistics Canada identified 160 different mother tongues among Greater Toronto Area (GTA) inhabitants and 200 home languages across the country. (more…)