Now is a good time to consider moving to Canada and working as a midwife in Canada. There are significant job shortages in the healthcare industry in the country, including midwives. This has created an opportunity for internationally trained midwives who are looking for midwife jobs in Canada. Midwife salaries are good and there are many midwife career opportunities.
A good place to start your research is with the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM). They are a national organization representing midwives and the midwife profession in Canada. It provides leadership and advocacy for midwifery as a regulated, publicly funded, and vital part of the primary maternity care system in all provinces and territories. CAM also promotes the development of the profession in the public interest and contributes the midwifery perspective to the national health policy agenda.
Another helpful resource to conduct research about the profession is the Government of Canada Job Bank. Here you can explore information about regional wages, job prospects, and requirements.
If you’re interested in continuing your midwife career in Canada, explore the job requirements, job search techniques, professional associations, and more.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Midwife
Researching midwife career requirements before you come to Canada can give you a head start once you arrive in the country.
Requirements are different than what you are accustomed to in your home country. It can be time-consuming to become a midwife, so it’s helpful to know what to expect.
There are steps that you can take before you immigrate to improve your chances of practicing your midwifery in Canada.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Midwife Career
Attend the free webinar How to Find a Job in Canada as a Newcomer to learn about the labour market.
Contact the provincial midwife regulatory body in the province where you plan to work to determine:
How your international qualifications will be assessed
How to follow the licensing process, costs, and time required to become registered
What documents to bring for employment purposes, or to continue your education? Verify if documents need to be translated. You may need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Steps that you can take before and after you move to Canada
Check out the Canadian Midwifery Regulators Council (CMRC) website for internationally-educated midwives for information about registering as a midwife in Canada and the required competencies.
Understand how midwifery is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with the procedures, regulations, and legislation that govern your profession in the province where you will settle.
Improve your language skills. To practice midwifery, you require advanced English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency.
Enroll in language classes while in your home country and continue them after you move to Canada.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country.
Explore midwife salary, compensation, and benefits options.
Know example midwife job titles that are used in Canada to help with your job search.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Midwife Career in Canada
The midwife profession is regulated in Canada (except in Newfoundland and Labrador; Prince Edward Island, and Yukon Territory). In regulated provinces, provincial/territorial regulatory bodies set the standards for entry into the profession and issue licenses to practice to those eligible.
Midwives who register with a regulatory body can use the title “Registered Midwife”. This also allows you to perform duties that are restricted to midwives through legislation legally. So, it’s critical to gather information about the registration process before you move to Canada.
Employment Outlook for Midwife Jobs in Canada
If you have international midwife qualifications, it’s essential to research the profession in Canada. What’s required, the type of duties, and example job titles. All the information will help you to prepare for your job search before and after you arrive in Canada.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, prospects for midwife jobs are very good in most provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
It’s projected there will be a shortage of midwives for 2022-2031. This is good news for internationally trained midwives. There will be lots of job opportunities in the coming years. This trend could also see midwife salaries increase in the coming years.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Midwife Jobs in Canada
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a great place to begin your research. The NOC 31303 provides a standard definition of the midwife’s role. You can use the information to clearly understand the role, main duties, job requirements, and example titles. This information can help you conduct your job search more effectively in Canada.
Use the NOC 31303 to understand job requirements and main duties in Canada.
Canadian Midwife CareerRequirements
To work as a midwife in Canada, employers usually require that you have completed an undergraduate degree program in midwifery (or equivalent program) along with supervised practical training. As well, to get a midwife job you must register with a regulatory body in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Below we explain the steps you will need to take to work as a Midwife in Canada:
Credential Recognition to Meet Job Requirements in Canada
Internationally educated midwives must demonstrate that they have the skills, knowledge, and abilities required of a Canadian Registered Midwife. This process known as credentials recognition ensures that your international experience and credentials are assessed fairly and rigorously. Having your credentials recognized will also improve your midwife’s salary.
Credential Assessment Services
The following organization can assess your international credentials:
To find more organizations and agencies that provide credential evaluation, assessment, and qualification recognition services click here.
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Midwife Job Requirements in Canada
Canadian employers put a high emphasis on soft skills, which are personal attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and career prospects. Unlike your technical or hard skills, you can apply your soft skills broadly. If your hard skills get you an interview, often it’s your soft skills that will get you the job and succeed in it.
If you plan to work in private practice, you need to have good business administration skills, such as hiring staff and record-keeping, and have knowledge of medico-legal issues and risk management.
Midwifery is relatively a new profession in Canada, and you must be willing to educate the public about it and deal with the challenges of integrating a new profession into the healthcare system.
If you plan to attend college or university to upgrade your skills, contact the school to find out what steps to take and what assessment agency to use to assess your education credentials.
Be sure to highlight your international education and skills. Build on your existing knowledge, skills, and education before you decide if you need to return to school for more training. You may be able to receive advanced standing, transfer some of your credits and benefit from prior learning assessment options and gain credit or course exemption. Any of these activities will allow you to complete additional education more quickly, save money, and avoid repeating the education you already have.
Language Training in Canada
While you may have strong technical skills, often that’s not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. You may need more training or skills upgrading.
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is extremely important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
If you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you more employment opportunities.
Bridging Programs for Midwife Careers in Canada
Bridging programs are a good way to transition from your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer bridging programs or workshops for newcomers. You may be eligible for one.
The IEMBP program is for midwives who have completed their education at an approved midwifery program outside of Canada. It helps midwives to use their skills in a Canadian context.
The IMPP is a bridging program for qualified midwives educated outside of Canada who wish to practice in Ontario. The program is intended for experienced international midwives, fluent in English, who have practiced midwifery for the past five years. It is not a re-education or re-training program.
Midwife Schools in Canada
Many immigrants take further education after coming to Canada. Some even want to change careers or enhance their careers with a Ph.D. or MBA. Learn more about the benefits of higher education for newcomers.
There are several Canadian universities offering midwifery programs. Each program administers exams recognized by their respective provincial regulatory bodies. The courses and programs will vary to some degree. Here are several schools to consider:
The following associations provide information about licensing, and certification, and offer professional development and networking opportunities. They can help you further your midwife career.
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals.
Activities offered include networking events, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. You can also learn about connections to job opportunities.
Midwife salaries can start at $20 per hour and go up to $65 per hour. The median midwife salary is $54.01 per hour. From an annual salary perspective, midwives can expect to make between $41,600 and $135, 200 per year. The average midwife salary is $112, 340.
The compensation you’ll be offered will depend on your level of experience, education, and where you live in Canada. Quebec and Alberta have the lowest median hourly rate. Ontario and British Columbia have the highest median hourly rate.
Midwife Salary in Canada
Your earning potential can vary based on where you choose to work. A midwife’s salary can vary significantly based on your province and home city. Here are the most recent midwife salary numbers in Canada:
Best Provinces to Work in Canada Based on Midwife Salary & Lifestyle
Job prospects can vary across Canada. Identifying the best locations or cities for midwives can help you decide what location offers the greatest job opportunities. Generally, job prospects in this occupation are very positive and demand is soaring for midwives from different cultures.
Though most Canadian cities offer employment opportunities to practice as a midwife, you may find more opportunities in fast-growing cities such as Edmonton or Calgary, Alberta. When looking for jobs, broaden your geographic area to include smaller cities and towns close to your target city. Some smaller regions may be willing to offer a higher midwife salary to recruit you to work in the area.
Before deciding where you want to settle in Canada, research and find out where there is a high demand for midwives.
Pursuing a Midwife Career in Canada
Job prospects for midwife careers can vary across Canada. It’s important to research the profession before you arrive.
Becoming a midwife in Canada is similar to many other healthcare professions. You’ll need to complete rigorous academic and practical training before you can work in the field. The following information can help you to continue your midwife career in Canada.
Top Employers for Jobs in Canada
In Canada, midwives collaborate with other health professionals and consult with or refer to medical specialists as appropriate. They attend births in hospitals, birth centres, and at home. Midwives can work in hospitals, clinics, birthing centres, or in private practice.
Visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to locate hospitals or healthcare centres that you might be interested in. The Best Diversity Employers receive this special designation for their commitment to workplace diversity, inclusion, and equity.
How to Find Your First Midwife Job in Canada
The demand for midwives is high in most Canadian cities. However, the Canadian job market is very competitive, so you must understand and prepare to gain employment. As well, finding a job in Canada may be very different than in your home country.
There are many ways through which you can search for opportunities to practice as a midwife.
Seek a mentor in the midwifery sector – for example, a retired midwife – who would give you valuable insights and advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Join healthcare-related job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.
Attend industry job fairs and check online job boards regularly.
Some colleges or associations maintain a job bank or can suggest a commercial job site.
Consult Immigrant Settlement Agencies that Work with Midwives
Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations offer help to find job vacancies, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for interviews, understand what Canadian employers are looking for, and educate about self-employment. To find immigrant services in your area, click here.
Resume Writing Tips for Midwife Jobs
As the Canadian job market is competitive, your resume needs to stand out from other midwifery applicants.
Your resume is the most important part of your midwife job search. It’s your marketing tool that shows your credentials and an invitation for employers to learn about your midwifery skills and qualifications.
Submitting a well-written resume along with a strong cover letter is the primary step in your job application process. Your goal is to write an effective resume that highlights your relevant experience and accomplishments to spark interest in that will spark their interest in interviewing you. Your resume must link your experience, education, and skills directly to the midwife job description. As you begin to write your resume, work on the content and composition, then decide on a format that highlights your strengths and career goals. Expect to go through several drafts in this process.
Job Interview Techniques for Midwife Careers
Your application for your midwifery post has been successful and you’ve been invited to interview – well done! Having reached this stage of the selection process, you need to prepare for your interview. The interview is your chance to show potential employers you have the right personality, qualifications, experience, and proven track record for the role.
During the interview, the hiring manager will ask you standard questions that you can easily prepare for. However, they may ask questions that you do not expect. But the more you prepare, the more confident you will be. So, focus your responses around the key competencies and skills of the midwife job.
Tips to Prepare for the Job Interview
Research your prospective employer before the interview. Visit their website for information such as the size of the organization, key priorities, and other details. Ask other midwives about the reputation, strengths, and weaknesses of the practice.
Read the job description and assess how your knowledge and experience match the job requirements.
Identify why you want to work at the organization. Hiring managers commonly ask why you’re interested in working for the organization.
Common Midwife Job Interview Questions
Here are some common questions that you can expect to answer.
What do you consider your strengths to be as a midwife?
What qualities make you an effective member of the maternity team?
Describe how you stay current on midwifery best practices.
The interviewer may ask questions to gain insight into your approach to work situations and people. For example:
If a woman had a post-partum hemorrhage immediately following the delivery of a baby, what would you do? In this case, you might outline a process similar to this:
Assess the situation
Take appropriate action
Follow procedures and guidelines
Communicate appropriately
Keep proper records
Evaluate and learn from the situation.
Prepare to ask questions at the end of your interview to show your genuine interest in the position. For example:
How do you support employee professional development? This question shows your commitment to learning and development and may help you decide if this is the right employer for you.
How would you describe the work culture? This can help you assess if the employer is attentive to issues such as work-life balance, team dynamics, and a positive work environment. This question indicates your interest to work in a positive environment. Hopefully, you will be seen as someone who would contribute in a positive way.
What are the most significant issues that the organization is facing? This shows that you see your role in the context of the bigger picture. You can also find out how your role may be affected by future changes or projects.
Informational Interviews for Midwife Careers
An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a midwife to learn more about the profession in Canada.
You should not try to get a midwifery job during an informational interview but rather find out more about practising midwifery in Canada. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information. In addition to gathering information about the midwife profession in Canada, you’ll benefit from their first-hand experiences and impressions.
Networking Advice to Help Newcomers Find a Midwife Job
It’s helpful to connect with practising midwives to discover jobs in the “hidden job market”.
Meeting new people, building relationships, and sharing information is really what networking is all about. It’s also an essential activity that can help you discover job leads, learn about the profession in Canada, and expand your network. This is particularly important if you’re new to Canada.
As many midwife job vacancies are not advertised, connecting with other midwives can help you find a job in what’s known as the “hidden job market”. Good places to network include conferences and association events.
LinkedIn is another important professional tool for networking. It is great to connect with former colleagues, search for companies and jobs, and get introductions to people currently working in a midwife job.
You can also join related professional groups to learn about midwifery in Canada, make contacts, and access important resources. But remember, that you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight and it’s helpful to be patient. Starting to network before you move to Canada can help you identify opportunities.
With a positive outlook for Midwife jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.
Thousands of people work in human resources jobs in Canada. It’s a popular career choice that can lead you down many paths. All types of businesses need human resource (HR) professionals to assist with operations. With HR job prospects looking good over the next few years, it’s a great career option for newcomers to Canada. Plus, human resource salaries can offer a good quality of life in Canada.
Many human resources jobs require a university degree or college diploma in human resources management or a related field (i.e., business administration, industrial relations, commerce, or psychology). Also, some employers may require you to hold a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation. Prepare to continue your human resources career in Canada by reading this helpful overview.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Human Resources Professional
There are several ways to pursue a human resources career in Canada. Obtaining the CPHR designation can give you an advantage over other job candidates. Established in 1994, CPHR is the national voice of HR associations from across the country. However, since human resources is not a regulated profession in Canada, you may be able to find an HR position when you arrive. The average human resource salary is attractive for many internationally experienced professionals looking to continue their careers.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Human Resources Career
The more research you do before you arrive, the better your chances of finding a job in Canada. There are steps that you can take before you move to Canada to make it easier and faster to secure an HR job in Canada:
Research the Canadian job market to learn what HR qualifications employers look for and how they will view your international qualifications.
Learn more about the CPHR designation, the most sought-after mark for HR professionals in Canada.
Check with provincial or territorial HR associations to find out what documents you need to bring and verify if they need to be translated. You may need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Understand how HR is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with HR legislation in the province where you plan to settle.
Prepare your professional human resources career documents such as official education, reference letters, testimonials, and recommendations while in your home country.
Improve your language skills. Even if you speak fluent English or French, it’s helpful to improve your language skills. Enroll in language classes while you’re in your home country and continue them when you arrive in Canada.
Research human resource salary and benefits information.
Check with the professional association governing your occupation in your home country and find out if they have any links with similar associations in Canada.
Working in Canada | How To Get Your First Job In Canada
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.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Human Resources Career in Canada
Job prospects vary in Canada for human resources professionals, so it’s important to research the national, provincial, and local job markets. Your research will allow you to match your skills and experience with labour market needs and continue your career in Canada.
Employment Outlook for Human Resources Jobs in Canada
The outlook for human resources jobs is balanced. There is about an equal number of openings as people seeking jobs. Companies are always looking for HR managers, specialists, and generalists. According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, HR job prospects are good in most provinces. There are expected to be 48,600 new openings between 2022-2031 and slightly fewer professionals to fill these jobs. This is a good opportunity for newcomers and internationally trained HR professionals.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Human Resources Jobs in Canada
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for Human Resources Professionals is NOC 11200. This NOC provides a standard definition of HR jobs in Canada and is used by various groups, including job seekers. Before searching for an HR job, it’s helpful to read the NOC description to ensure that you perform similar job duties in your home country. You can also find example job titles that HR professionals use in Canada. This will be helpful when you begin your human resources career search.
Use the NOC to research HR job requirements and other HR titles used in Canada.
The requirements for human resources jobs can vary by company. HR is a non-regulated profession in Canada. However, some employers do ask for your credentials to be evaluated. Mostly though, they will give you a project to test you and consider your professional references.
Some companies may request an education evaluation to assess your academic background. However, before you spend money, it’s best to find out if the company you are applying to requires it.
The same rule applies if you plan to attend a college or university program to upgrade your skills. Contact the school you want to attend first to find out if you need an education evaluation and ask if they have a preferred provider.
Make sure to showcase your international education and skills. Try to build on your existing knowledge and skills and explore your options before you decide if you need further education.
For example, your international credentials and experience may allow you to get advanced standing, transfer some of your credits or benefit from prior learning assessment options. This way you may be able to complete your program faster and without spending more money or repeating the education you already have.
Credentials Assessment Services for HR Professionals
Credential recognition is a process to verify and assess a person’s skills, competencies, and credentials in a fair and consistent manner. Several agencies assess international education credentials to help newcomers to Canada access the education and employment they need.
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Human Resources Job Requirements
There are various ways you can upgrade your skills to meet job requirements in Canada. Canadian employers put a high emphasis on soft skills. These are best described as attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and career prospects. Unlike your hard skills, you can apply your soft skills broadly.
Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and collaboration are important for HR professionals. Identifying the soft skills that you may need to improve is crucial. If your hard skills get you an interview, most likely it’s your soft skills that will get you the job and allow you to succeed.
You may be able to take courses through professional associations and post-secondary institutions. You can also take advantage of bridging programs or other courses and workshops to open up HR job opportunities.
Language Skills for Human Resources Jobs
You may have strong HR skills, but you may need more training or skills upgrading to achieve success in the workplace. This is especially relevant to your language skills.
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, is important to succeed in Canada. Whether you learn or improve English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through local school boards or settlement agencies.
Bridging Programs for Human Resources Careers in Canada
Bridging programs are a helpful way to transition your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. In addition to the colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies that offer Human Resources bridging programs, many also offer HR programs and continuing education courses that you can enroll in to advance your career.
This program assists internationally educated human resource professionals (IEHRPs) to gain employment at a level that matches their skills and experience and in roles appropriate to their career path. The program includes comprehensive skills and experience assessment, access to a specialized curriculum, mentorship, internship, and career coaching opportunities. It also helps IEHRPs earn their CHRP designation.
Accessible Community Counseling and Employment Services (ACCES) – Toronto and Brampton
This seven-week program helps internationally trained HR professionals find employment commensurate with their experience and education. Participants will have access to human resources professional networks, mentoring, guest speakers, as well as post-hire services to support workplace activities.
A no-cost program that helps internationally trained professionals understand and successfully move through the licensure and credential process in Canada. Those who are not part of a regulated profession can get up-to-date information about their profession.
Human Resources Schools in Canada
Many immigrants take further education after coming to Canada. Some even want to change careers or enhance their careers with a Ph.D. or MBA. There are over 80 colleges and universities that offer human resources degree and diploma programs.
Some of the top schools to study human resources include:
University of Manitoba
University of Windsor
Trent University
University of Toronto
York University
University of Calgary
University of Winnipeg
McGill University
University of Regina
Canadore College
University of New Brunswick
University of Lethbridge
Queens University
Western University
Toronto Metropolitan University.
Click here for links to Canadian Universities and Colleges.
Human Resources (HR) Associations in Canada
The associations listed below provide additional information about the CPHR designation, professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
The following HR sector councils are partner organizations comprised of business, labour, and educational stakeholders. They operate at arm’s length from the Government of Canada and are a platform for stakeholders to share ideas, concerns, and perspectives about HR skills and issues. Working collaboratively, they find HR solutions for their specific sector.
HR sector councils enable human resource development by industry.
How to Find Your First Human Resources Job in Canada
The Canadian job market is competitive and sometimes the job search can be difficult. But there are many ways that you can search for jobs in HR:
Broaden your search and include alternative careers.
Seek out a mentor, such as a retired HR professional who could give you valuable advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Join HR job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.
Attend HR job fairs and conferences and regularly check job boards.
Have a strong and active presence on social media channels such as LinkedIn. Join HR LinkedIn groups, where you can contribute content, ask questions, and build connections.
Use Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations offer help to find job vacancies, update your resume, write cover letters, and prepare for interviews. Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities, and
Assist members in finding meaningful employment and achieving their professional goals.
Activities that they offer include networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development, speaker events and training and connections to job opportunities.
The following professional immigrant networks mentioned do not exclusively serve the HR profession, but many HR professionals are members.
An informational interview is a brief (20 – 30 minute) meeting you schedule with someone currently working in HR. The purpose of the interview is to gather information and learn more about the profession in Canada.
Your goal should not be to get an HR job during an informational interview. Also, don’t bait and switch, by asking for an information interview and then requesting your contact to circulate your résumé to hiring managers. Also, be sure to ask meaningful questions. Avoid asking questions where you could easily find answers through a basic internet search (the annual sales of a publicly-held company, for example).
An information interview is also beneficial to get a professional’s first-hand HR experiences and impressions. The information interview typically should last no more than 30 minutes, so plan your time accordingly.
Networking for Human Resources Career Success
Networking is a smart and effective way to build relationships and find a job in Canada.
Good places to network include conferences, association luncheons, and chamber mixers for their convenience in meeting people, building relationships, and sharing information.
Effective networking can help you discover job leads, gather information about a company or the HR profession in Canada, and meet other HR professionals.
LinkedIn is a helpful online tool for networking. It is a great resource to connect with former colleagues and employers, search for jobs, and broaden your network. You can also connect with people who work in HR and join related groups and forums.
Writing Your HR Resume
Ideally, your resume should reflect you as an HR professional with experience in several key areas. It should reflect your role as responsible for hiring good people, acting as a coach, and providing direction to employees, imparting training, creating policies, dealing with employee relations, resolving disputes, etc.
What works best in HR is a functional resume, that clearly shows the years of HR experience and responsibilities. Consider these tips when writing your resume:
Highlight Your Achievements in Human Resources
Examples:
Developed new HR policies and procedures to create a culture of trust, fairness, and inclusion.
Implemented HR strategies to enhance recruitment programs and increase employee retention.
Led the delivery of leadership development initiatives to enhance organizational effectiveness.
Use Power Verbs
Include power verbs like advocated, addressed, demonstrated, hired, assigned, interacted, interfaced, litigated, terminated, recruited, screened, guided, scheduled, etc. These portray your active involvement while describing your job functions.
List Your Key HR Roles
List your titles like HR Assistant, HR Specialist, HR Manager, etc. to show career progression and list any designations.
Make Your Resume Stand Out
Your resume must reflect your understanding of how HR policies impact the company’s overall business mission and goals. To make it stand out, go beyond job functions and state how your services made a difference to the organization. Also mention numbers: hires done, training taken, level of people trained, timelines in closing a hire, etc. Clearly identify how your achievements align with the human resources job description and requirements.
Highlight any awards you may have won. It may feel awkward to show them off if this is not common in your home country. However, in Canada, you need to speak about your awards and achievements.
Interview Techniquesfor Human Resources Jobs
Once you have been invited for an interview, you will need to prepare for the interview. Conduct thorough research on the employer and think about why you are a perfect fit for the job. You need to be confident and calm in the interview, so practicing your answers is very important!
Within the HR sector, behavioural-based interviews are common and are geared to assess skills such as:
Communication
Planning and Organizing
Problem-Solving
Team Work
Functional skills (HR policies and legislation).
For senior HR positions, questions can deal with your:
Skills in managing a large department or team
Ability to create HR strategy and policies
Ability to design and deliver change management programs.
The following are sample questions that you may be asked during job interviews:
It is important that you are up to date with all legislation, what do you know about the provincial Employment Standards?
What is the reason for grievance procedures and tell us about your experience handling grievances?
Describe a time when you had to gather a large amount of data, analyze it objectively and make a decision or a recommendation based on the results.
How Much Do Human Resources Professionals Make in Canada?
Salaries for Human Resources professionals can vary based on where you live in Canada.
Your specific HR certifications, experience, skills, and education all factor into your human resources salary in Canada. However, the median wage for an HR generalist in Canada is $36.22/hour. Annual salaries can go above $100,000 especially if you work for a large company. Hourly human resources salaries can start at as low as $16.70 in Newfoundland and they can reach as high as $68.27 per hour in Alberta.
Average Human Resources Salary in Canada
Human resources salaries can vary based on where you live. Here are the most recent human resources salary numbers in Canada:
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Human Resources Based on Salary & Lifestyle
There are opportunities to work in human resources across Canada. Generally, mid-sized and large companies have HR departments. So HR opportunities may be greater in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary where many large companies are located. These cities also tend to have a higher average human resources salary.
Major Employers for Human Resources Jobs in Canada
HR jobs are found in large corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, agencies, and businesses of all sizes. Some of the top human resources employers in Canada include:
Peninsula
Mercer
Deloitte
EY (Ernst and Young)
Accenture
Bain & Company.
Common Human Resources Job Titles
When looking for HR jobs in Canada, it’s helpful to know the titles that employers use. Some HR jobs may be described differently in Canada.
Here are some of the most common HR titles:
HR Coordinator
HR Generalist
HR Advisor
HR Business Partner
HR Consultant
HR Manager
HR Director
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Recruiter
HRIS Analyst
HR Executive.
To learn about companies that hire recent immigrants, visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website. These employers have received this designation because of their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplace programs.
With a positive outlook for human resources jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.
Optometry jobs are one of the many within healthcare experiencing a shortage now or will soon. The Canadian population is aging and many in the profession are retiring. This has created a great opportunity for internationally trained optometrists to pursue optometry careers in Canada. If you’re currently in or have graduated optometry school abroad, moving to Canada is worth considering.
Becoming an optometrist in Canada requires years of education and training. A Doctor of Optometry requires seven to eight years of post-secondary education to obtain a professional designation.
To start, you’ll need to complete a Bachelor of Science degree or higher from a recognized optometry school. Following this, you need to complete a four-year Doctor of Optometry Degree at a school of optometry from an accredited university. In addition to an optometry degree, graduates must meet provincial licensing requirements in the province or territory where they plan to settle. If you plan to continue your optometry career in Canada, you need to familiarize yourself with the necessary steps to complete. Below is an overview of optometrist job requirements, job search strategies, optometry salaries, and much more.
How to Immigrate to Canada as an Optometrist
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue an Optometry Career
There are steps that you can take before you move to Canada to improve your chances of practicing your profession in Canada. Completing as many steps as possible can help you make a quicker transition in your optometry career once you move:
Attend the webinar How to Find Your First Job as a Newcomer in Canada to learn about labour market conditions.
Confirm that the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) recognizes your international optometric education.
Contact the provincial or territorial optometric regulatory body in the province where you intend to settle and work in Canada to learn about the:
Procedure to follow and eligibility to obtain a license or certificate of registration
Steps you can take before you move to Canada
Documents you need to bring (verify if they need to be translated and if you need to use a professional translation service in Canada)
Cost and time required to obtain a license
Find out how the Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FORAC) assesses your international qualifications.
Improve your language skills, enroll in language classes in your home country, and continue them after moving to Canada.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country
Review optometry school options if you plan to upgrade your education.
Become familiar with how the optometry profession is practiced in Canada and the procedures, governing legislation, and regulations in the province where you plan to settle.
What to Expect When Pursuing an Optometry Career in Canada
Optometrists are independent primary health care providers representing the front line of vision health. They can work in settings such as clinics, hospitals, community health centres, research, teaching, administration, or private practice.
An optometry career can offer routine or flexible working hours, along with a good income, and the option to own your own business. Several factors influence income including provincial healthcare coverage, practice location, optometry school credentials, and the services provided.
To learn more about working as an optometrist, the Government of Canada Job Bank provides information about wages, job prospects, job requirements, and skills. This site is a vital research tool to explore the labour market even before you arrive in Canada.
Employment Outlook for Optometrist Jobs in Canada
The outlook for optometrist jobs is good. Like other healthcare professions, optometry is also facing a critical labour shortage that is forecasted until 2028. This is mainly due to the:
Demand for optometry health services as the Canadian population ages
Prevalence of age-related eye conditions
The number of practicing optometrists who are approaching retirement as well as the field’s growth.
Not enough people in Canada graduating from optometry school.
This bodes well for an optometrist with international qualifications. But, you still need to meet specific optometry job requirements.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Optometrist Jobs in Canada
If you have international qualifications, it’s important to research job requirements before you move to Canada. Careful research will give you an idea of what’s involved to continue your optometry career in Canada, and the length of time and cost to become licensed. The process can be time-consuming and costly, so you need to prepare yourself for this reality.
Using the NOC: 31111
You can start your optometry career research using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 31111 (NOC 2021 Version 1.0) for optometrists. The NOC provides a standard definition of the main duties that optometrists perform. You’ll also learn about the types of job titles and requirements.
Use the NOC 31111 to learn about the main duties and job requirements.
Requirements for Becoming an Optometrist in Canada
Credential Recognition to Meet Optometrist Job Requirements in Canada
Optometry is a regulated profession in Canada. Provincial and territorial regulatory bodies set the standards for entry into the profession and issue licenses to practice to those eligible. Licensing requirements include completing the Optometry Examining Board of Canada’s (OEBC) national exam and licensure by the provincial or territorial governing body.
By law, you can only practice as an optometrist in Canada, or use the title, if you have been authorized by a provincial or territorial regulatory body. Graduating from optometry school and having a degree is not enough.
Credential Assessment Services
Regardless of your education or experience, you must have a license to meet optometry career requirements in Canada. Credential assessment is the first of many steps before you can even apply for registration to practice optometry in any province or territory in Canada. The credential assessment process involves a fair and rigorous review of your international qualifications to ensure that they meet Canadian standards.
International graduates may be eligible to obtain a license or certificate of registration to practice in a province or territory in Canada. Optometrists educated outside of North America and who would like to practice in any Canadian province (except Quebec) must contact the Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada (FORAC) to have academic credentials assessed. Credential assessment results are valid for three years.
Before you can apply to FORAC for credential assessment, you must have your university education evaluated by World Education Services (WES). If your academic credentials are similar to the Doctor of Optometry program at the University of Waterloo, you can register for the Internationally Graduated Evaluating Exam.
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Optometry Job Requirements
If you plan to attend a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the optometry school where you plan to study. Find out what steps to take based on your optometry career goals and what credential assessment agency you should use.
Make sure to highlight your international education and skills. Try to build on your existing knowledge and skills and explore university and college options thoroughly before deciding. There are differences between optometry schools in Canada.
You might be able to get advanced standing, transfer some of your credits, and benefit from prior learning assessment options by using your international credentials and experience to gain credit or course exemptions. This way you will complete your program more quickly, without wasting money and repeating the education you already have.
Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Optometrist Jobs in Canada
Canadian employers place a high value on soft skills. These are skills and personal attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and career prospects. Unlike your technical or hard skills, you can apply your soft skills broadly. While your hard skills will get you an interview, most likely it’s your soft skills that will get you the job and allow you to succeed.
Soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills are important job requirements for optometrists. Patients expect you to listen to them to understand their needs and concerns. If you are working with a team, strong interpersonal skills and teamwork are a necessity. Everyone must work as a unit to effectively assess patient needs and treatment options.
For those who plan to work in private practice, strong business skills are important job requirements for optometry careers. This can include skills such as financial management, budgeting, and knowledge of Canadian insurance plans and regulations. Though not a must, upgrading your education and skills through continuing education can be vital to meet job requirements in Canada.
Language Training for Optometrists in Canada
You may have strong technical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. You may need more training or skills upgrading, especially regarding your communication skills and interpersonal skills.
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
If you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you more job opportunities.
Bridging Programs for Optometrist Careers in Canada
The University of Waterloo also offers an Advanced Standing Optometry Preparatory Program (ASOPP). ASOPP provides an education pathway for individuals who have completed optometry training outside of North America and who want to obtain a license to practice in Canada. It helps internationally trained optometrists get licensed and begin practice in Canada.
Optometry Schools in Canada
The University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science is the only English language school to offer a Doctor of Optometry program in Canada.
Many immigrants pursue more education at optometry schools after arriving in Canada. Some want to continue their education to enhance their career options. For example, if you plan to work in private practice or co-own an optometry practice, additional business skills may be helpful. Learn more about higher education in Canada.
Other optometry schools offer pre-optometry degrees and diploma programs. They are:
Red Deer College
Dalhousie University
University of Regina
Douglas College
University of Alberta
Thompson Rivers University
Stenberg College
University of Winnipeg
Optometry Associations in Canada
The associations listed below provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
National Optometry Associations
Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO): The CAO is a national organization that works with ten provincial optometry associations. It is the national voice of optometry and represents the interests of 85% of s in Canada. CAO membership allows you to connect with colleagues through events, education, conferences, research, and networking.
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for their members to find and keep a job and achieve their professional goals.
These associations provide networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development, and connections to job opportunities. When joining a professional immigrant network, it can help you achieve job search and long-term career success.
Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC): helps newcomers to expand their professional networks and understand the local labour market. For more information about working and living in Canada, visit our Finding a Job in Canada page. We’ll help you to achieve your goals in Canada!
How Much Do Optometrists Make in Canada?
The annual salary for an optometrist in Canada can range from $27,446 up to $167,858 or higher. The average annual salary is about $86,000 per year, according to the Government of Canada Job Bank.
The main factors affecting your earning potential are where you live, your experience, your specializations, and whether you own an optometry business or work for a company.
Optometrist Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent Optometrist salary numbers in Canada. Salary information is not available for all provinces :
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as an Optometrist Based on Salary & Lifestyle
Generally, optometry job prospects are positive in several provinces. Jobs are most commonly found in larger provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec. Good prospects can be found in cities such as Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, and many Ontario cities. When looking for jobs, broaden your geographic area to include smaller cities and towns outside of the large urban cities.
Before you choose a city to live in, research the demand for optometrists. And, once you have identified cities with strong demand, research those cities to see if they meet your personal and practical needs.
Pursuing an Optometrist Career in Canada
In Canada, optometrists may work in private practices or the public healthcare system. New job openings in the sector will come mainly from opportunities that arise when practicing s retire or to a lesser degree, from employment increase.
Optometrists usually begin practice as an associate at one or more existing practices. New optometrists may even split their time between a few optometry clinics. Once established, many optometrists will purchase a practice on their own, with a partner, or with a group of partners. Some practices may even run an optical dispensary.
Major Employers for Optometry Jobs in Canada
There are a variety of potential employers in the optometry field. Many are in the private sector. Some of the biggest optical companies in Canada are:
Hakim Optical
Fyidoctors
LensCrafters
Pearl Vision,
How to Find Your First Canadian Optometrist Job
Job prospects for optometrists in Canada are good. So, there will be opportunities to pursue. It’s important to look for jobs in the region where you will settle. Therefore, take your time to research job requirements in that region and develop a plan for finding work.
Job Search Techniques for Optometrists
When looking for optometry jobs, you need to understand the specific requirements of the province where you will live. Use this information to establish a job search process that works for you. There are many ways to search for optometry jobs:
Broaden your search and include alternative careers and sectors.
Seek out a mentor in the optometry sector who would give you valuable insights and advice and probably introduce you to their professional network.
Join healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through settlement agencies.
Attend industry job fairs and regularly check online job boards.
Check university or optometry association job banks.
Consult Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Settlement agencies offer free services to help you find job vacancies, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for interviews, and understand what Canadian employers are looking for. This can be very helpful since searching for an optometry job in Canada may be different than in your home country.
To find immigrant services in your area, click here.
Informational Interviews for Optometrists
An informational interview can help optometrist candidates learn specifics about working in the industry. An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in the optometry field.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather use the opportunity to learn more about the profession in Canada. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be a great source of career information. In addition to gathering information about optometry in Canada, you’ll gain the added benefit of hearing first-hand about their professional experiences.
Networking to Build Your Optometry Career in Canada
Networking is an effective way to discover optometrist jobs in Canada.
A vital activity that can help you build your optometry career in Canada is networking. And effective networking is all about connecting with other professionals, building relationships, and sharing information. It offers many benefits that can help you to discover job leads, better understand the industry in Canada, and expand your optometry network.
In Canada, many job vacancies are found in the “hidden job market”. These are jobs that are filled even before they are advertised. Networking with practicing optometrists is a great way to learn about these jobs and give you a job search advantage.
Great places to network included optometry conferences and associations. In these settings, you’ll be surrounded by other optometrists who are likely eager to collaborate and connect with others who share a similar career path.
LinkedIn is another important networking tool. It’s helpful to connect with former colleagues and employers, search for jobs and learn about recent optometry research and industry news.
You can also join some related professional groups where you can learn more about the profession in Canada, make new contacts, and access important resources and job listings.
But remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight. True networking is about adding value to both parties and building and maintaining the relationship over time.
Writing Your Resume for Optometry Jobs in Canada
You need to have a polished resume to help you stand out from other applicants. Potential employers highly value clinical, or hands-on, experience, as well as research.
Here are some key elements that you can include on your resume:
Contact Information: Indicate how the hiring manager can contact you and include your name, city, telephone number, and email address.
Summary: Write three or four sentences that summarize your skills, and experience, and highlight what makes you an excellent candidate for the job. Customize the summary section based on the specific job requirements.
Professional Experience: List your relevant employment history and include bullet points to highlight your major accomplishments in each role. Stating accomplishments rather than listing your job responsibilities will help you to stand out among other candidates.
Where possible, quantify achievements such as the number of clients you had, treatment success rates, or patient satisfaction scores. List any volunteer work, internships, work placements or residencies that directly relate to the job that you are applying for. This important experience can illustrate your skills, experience, and knowledge.
Place any research experience such as glaucoma analysis on your resume. Research details will show employers that you have inquiry skills that can contribute to new processes and improved patient care.
Education and Professional Development: List the school(s) that you attended and include the major, and years attended. Include voluntary workshops or supplemental classes that are directly related to optometry.
Optometry Skills: List your technical skills (i.e., diagnostic testing, using specialized instruments and equipment) as well as your soft skills (i.e., patient counselling, strategic thinking, leadership). Review the optometry job requirements and skills found in the job posting and list the skills that you have.
Professional Licenses and Certifications: Identify current licenses and certifications.
Interview Techniques for Optometry Jobs in Canada
When you reach the interview stage of the selection process, you need to prepare well for your optometry job interview. Your interview is your chance to show your potential employer that you have the right personality, qualifications, experience and proven track record for the role.
The hiring manager will ask you many questions. Some will be standard questions that you can expect to answer. But other questions may be unexpected. However, the more you prepare, the more confidence you will convey. So, prepare to answer questions related to the core competencies, skills, and job requirements.
Research your prospective employer before the interview. Go to their website to get general information about the size of the practice, the technical sophistication of the practice, specializations, and other details. Ask other optometrists in the community about the reputation, strengths, and weaknesses of the practice.
Some common interview questions that you can prepare to answer:
What made you interested in applying for this optometry job?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
How would your colleagues describe you?
Describe a new optometry skill that you recently learned. How did you go about learning and practicing the skill?
Thinking about your last job, what did you most enjoy doing? What type of work would you rather avoid?
Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unreasonable patient. How did you handle the situation?
Pharmacist jobs in Canada are popular among those who desire to work in the healthcare field. One of the attractive things about this profession is the demand and competitive salary. The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CphA) reports a national shortage of pharmacists in Canada. It’s a stable and growing field. And, as the Canadian population ages and healthcare demand evolve, pharmacists are taking on new roles and duties.
To become employed as a pharmacist in Canada, you require a university degree in pharmacy and a period of supervised practical training. Since community and hospital pharmacists belong to a regulated profession, you will need a license from the province or territory where you plan to reside. You can only call yourself a pharmacist or practice the profession if you are licensed as a full member in one of the provincial/territorial bodies. These bodies are represented by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA).
If you plan to continue your pharmacist career in Canada, it’s wise to research the profession before you move to Canada. This will ensure that you meet job requirements. Get yourself prepared for a pharmacist job in Canada by reading this helpful article.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Pharmacist
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Pharmacist Career
When you take the time to research the field of pharmacy in Canada, you can pave the way to your career success. Below are steps that you can take before you move to Canada to improve your chances of working as a pharmacist when you arrive:
Improve your language skills and enroll in language classes in your home country and continue them after you move to Canada. You’ll need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.
Gather and arrange your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. Check with your provincial or territorial regulatory body to find out what documents you will need and verify if they need to be translated. You may need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Pharmacist Career in Canada
Working as a pharmacist in Canada can take you down many career paths. And, there are many specializations. Most pharmacists work in the retail sector and the healthcare sector. You mostly see them working in pharmacies (local, regional, or national companies). This accounts for about 70% of licensed pharmacists. You can also work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care and assisted living facilities, and for pharmaceutical companies, government agencies or educational institutions. If you desire, you can also explore options to own a pharmacy.
Employment Outlook for Pharmacist Jobs in Canada
Understanding the job market and employment outlook will help you set realistic goals for your job search. There are about 45,000 pharmacist jobs across the country.
The Government of Canada lists pharmacists as an in-demand role with opportunities in every province. There will be close to 13,000 job openings in the field from 2019 to 2028. The expansion to 24-hour retail services and the recently expanded role pharmacists play in administering vaccinations and health consultation, add to the need. In Ontario pharmacists can now prescribe treatments for many ailments.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Pharmacist Jobs in Canada
It’s important to research how pharmacy in Canada is practiced and to become familiar with provincial laws and legislation where you’ll settle. As well, Understanding the broader requirements of job market trends and trends specific to the pharmacy profession will place you in a strong position to achieve your career goals.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a good place to start. Using the 5-digit pharmacist NOC code 31120, you can begin to understand the main duties, example job titles, and employment requirements. Another tip is to know the name of your job in Canada. This information will help you when you begin your job search.
Combined with using the NOC 31120, you can do further research to gather information about working as a pharmacist in Canada. Vital information provided by the Government of Canada’s Job Bank outlines factors such as pharmacist wages, job prospects, requirements, and more. Since job prospects can vary across Canada, you need to identify where the prospects are good and use the information to inform you of important settlement decisions.
Use the 5-digit NOC code 31120 to gain a general understanding of a pharmacist’s role and titles in Canada.
Requirements for Becoming a Pharmacist in Canada
Internally trained pharmacists must meet the licensing requirements in Canada to practice. International pharmacy graduates must enroll in NAPRA’s Pharmacists’ Gateway Canada program. Below we explain the steps you will need to take to work as a pharmacist in Canada:
Credential Recognition to Meet Pharmacist Job Requirements in Canada
One of the first things to do before you arrive is to find out the specific requirements to work as a pharmacist in Canada. You can start by contacting the regulatory body for pharmacists in the province or territory where you intend to settle in Canada. They will advise you about the process, the documents you require, and the assessment fees.
Alternatively, you may contact the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA). NAPRA serves as the national voice for the province and territory regulatory bodies.
It’s also important to become fully aware of the licensing procedure and what the regulatory body will expect of you. For example, regardless of your education or experience, you need to have a license in Canada to practice as a pharmacist.
You will have to complete the PEPC evaluating exam, in addition to a two-part qualifying exam. Information on the evaluating and qualifying examinations can be obtained from PEBC.
You need to gain practical experience in a Canadian pharmacy workplace to get your pharmacist license. The provincial/territorial regulatory body will determine the period for the structured practical training under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist that you require. If you’re immigrating to Quebec, you must follow the requirements set by the Ordre des pharmaciens du Quebec.
Credential Assessment Services
If you plan to attend college or university to upgrade your skills, contact the school to find out what steps to take and what credential assessment agency you should use. Here are some resources to consult:
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Pharmacy Job Requirements
In addition to accreditation, another part of your journey to becoming a pharmacist in Canada is to upgrade your skills. You can upgrade your skills through bridging programs or other courses.
As a pharmacist, you must continue to update your knowledge and skills on new pharmaceutical procedures and practices. You can benefit from ongoing learning and professional growth through continuing education courses and seminars.
Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Pharmacist Jobs in Canada
You may have strong technical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. As a pharmacist, you are expected to have an interest in helping people. Other vital skills include strong communication and critical thinking skills, and you must understand:
Biochemical mechanisms of action of drugs
Drug uses and therapeutic roles
Side effects and potential interactions.
As a pharmacist, you must have an interest in helping people.
Language Training for Pharmacists in Canada
You may need more training or skills upgrading, especially regarding your soft skills. Pharmacy requires advanced reading, writing, and speaking language abilities. Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is extremely important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.
If you intend to be self-employed you may require advanced business skills as well as financial resources to establish and maintain the practice.
Bridging Programs for Pharmacist Careers in Canada
Bridging programs are an effective way to transition from your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer pharmacy-related bridging programs or workshops. You may be eligible for one. Do some research to find a program that’s suitable for you. Here are a few to consider:
Bridging programs are an effective way to transition from your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer pharmacy-related bridging programs or workshops. You may be eligible for one. Do some research to find a program that’s suitable for you. Here are a few to consider:
This bridging program is designed for internationally trained pharmacists to achieve the competencies for practice in Canada, and for Canadian-trained pharmacists to re-enter pharmacy practice in Alberta after a prolonged absence or provide updates on core competencies for practicing pharmacists.
This program helps internationally trained pharmacists meet Canadian practice standards. The program includes practical courses, opportunities for mentoring, and licensing exam preparation.
Pharmacist Schools in Canada
There are 10 schools of pharmacy in provinces across Canada:
The following associations provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals.
Activities include networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development and connections to employment opportunities.
Canada has one of the highest average salaries for pharmacists in the world. The average annual salary for a pharmacist in Canada varies based on your experience, where you work, specializations, and other considerations. You can make from $54,112 to $144,300 per year, with the median salary being $104,646, according to Job Bank Canada.
Quebec, Alberta, and Manitoba have the highest median salary, which is just over $110, 000 annually. Manitoba also has the highest average starting salary, $75,699. Quebec has the highest earning potential, with a cap of $161,891.
Pharmacist Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent pharmacist salary numbers in Canada (as of November, 2022):
Province
Low ($/year)
Median ($/year
High ($/year)
Alberta
60,529
111,536
138,040
British Columbia
68,708
98,725
127,387
Manitoba
75,699
110,436
141,059
New Brunswick
75,256
98,894
135,958
Newfoundland and Labrador
72,744
97,557
130,905
Northwest Territories
N/A
N/A
N/A
Nova Scotia
64,830
93,743
123,079
Nunavut
N/A
N/A
N/A
Ontario
40,188
101,646
143,978
Prince Edward Island
N/A
N/A
N/A
Quebec
63,924
112,199
161,891
Saskatchewan
72,847
109,108
145,484
Yukon
N/A
N/A
N/A
Average Pharmacist Salary by Province: Source Jobbank Canada
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Pharmacist Based on Salary & Lifestyle
It’s vital to gather as much information as possible about job prospects, especially since labour market conditions for 2019-2028 reveal that pharmacists are expected to face labour surplus conditions. However, you will discover provinces and regions where the demand for pharmacists is good such as Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, and Hamilton, Ottawa, and Windsor in Ontario.
Pursuing a Pharmacist Career in Canada
Becoming a pharmacist in Canada follows a similar path as many other healthcare careers. You need to have the right academic credentials, relevant work experience, and a plan for where you want to work in Canada. Below is valuable information to help you pursue a pharmacist career in Canada:
Major Employers for Pharmacy Jobs in Canada
The number of pharmacist employers across Canada has risen over the years as the population ages. There is a whole new range of career opportunities in homecare operations as well as in grocery stores, big-box retail stores, health management organizations, and government and third-party insurance payers. Pharmacists also find employment in the biotech, insurance, and pharmaceutical industries (such as in research, marketing or sales).
Some of the top employers of pharmacists in Canada include
Shoppers Drug Mart
Guardian and IDA
Pharmasave
PharmaChoice
Remedy’s RX
The Medicine Shoppe
Rubicon Pharmacies
London Drugs.
You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for pharmaceutical or healthcare firms that you might be interested in. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for diversity, inclusion, and equity.
There is a whole new range of career opportunities in homecare operations as well as in grocery stores and big-box retail stores.
How to Become a Registered Pharmacist in Canada
If you are a new immigrant to Canada and have an interest in becoming a pharmacist, you will need to complete the same steps as other native Canadians. You must meet the following requirements and:
Have a bachelor’s or Doctor of Pharmacy degree from a Canadian university
Complete the national board examination through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (except Québec)
Complete an apprenticeship or intern program to gain practical experience
Be fluent in English or French.
Meet provincial/territorial regulations in the region you reside.
How to Find Your First Canadian Pharmacist Job
Searching for a pharmacist job in Canada can be different than in your home country. The job market can in Canada is competitive. Employers may also have different job application requirements. Use these tips to help you with your job search:
Job Search Techniques for Pharmacists in Canada
You must register to work as a pharmacist in the province or territory where you intend to settle. And, you must look for jobs in the region where you register. Therefore, take your time to research job requirements in that region and develop a plan to find work.
There are many ways to search for jobs in the pharmacy sector.
Broaden your search and include alternative careers.
Seek a mentor in the pharmacy sector who could share their insights and introduce you to their professional network.
Join pharmacy or healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.
Attend pharmacy or healthcare job fairs and regularly check online job boards.
Some pharmacy colleges or associations may maintain a job bank or suggest a commercial job site. Also, hospitals and other health institutions post vacancies on their websites.
Use Immigrant Settlement Agencies
You may need help to find jobs, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for interviews, and understand what Canadian employers look for. Most settlement agencies offer free job search services that can reduce the stress and anxiety of navigating your job search.
You need a resume that helps you stand out from other applicants. With the right resume, you’ll be able to continue your pharmacist career in Canada and improve your chances of getting job interviews.
Use these resume writing tips:
Objective
Write a solid objective on your resume to help your prospective employer know what kind of career you’re looking for. If you’re licensed, state that in your objective. For example, write, “Licensed pharmacist with three years of professional study.”
Experience
Include any internships and volunteer placements you had or currently have in Canada. Also mention the name and city of the pharmacy college you attended, along with your degree and courses, such as compounding or ambulatory care. Also, mention the Canadian province where you got your license.
Accomplishments
Step away from just describing what you did and where. Start by thinking about what value you add to your current or previous organization. How did you help them reduce medication errors, or potentially save money? Did you develop any innovative programs or projects that changed the way your department did things? Don’t be afraid to give specifics.
Action Words
Action words best describe your work experience. For example, write, “Dispense and compound prescriptions, inform patients of dosing information and directions for use, and interact with XYZ and other insurance providers regarding billing or reimbursement issues.”
Key Skills
Make a list of skills that are relevant to your pharmacy career. List your most relevant skills at the top. You may include skills such as distributing prescription drugs, compounding, and counselling patients. If you have any pharmaceutical specialties, add them (i.e., acute/critical care, ICU, retail, nuclear pharmaceuticals). For an online resume, you should include keywords relative to your pharmacist career. This can help employers find you on the Internet.
Techniques for Pharmacist Job Interviews
Pharmacy is one of the most unique job types available. As the job market is competitive, you need to practice answering common pharmacy interview questions.
The interviewer may ask technical questions. But, they may assume that you meet the technical requirements of the job, otherwise you wouldn’t have completed your pharmacy degree. Brushing up on your technical knowledge before your interview may be a good idea. However, you should practice responding to common interview questions.
Here are some sample pharmacist job interview questions to help you prepare for your next interview.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in pharmacy?
Here is a case describing a common drug interaction. How would you resolve the problem?
How do you spot drug-seeking behaviour?
How do you combine business requirements with the pharmacy profession?
Informational Interviews
While the job outlook looks positive for pharmacists, landing that next opportunity – especially for newcomers – requires extra effort and outreach. Informational interviewing can put your communication skills, research skills, and time management talents to work for your benefit.
An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with someone currently employed as a pharmacist to learn more about the industry in Canada.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but find out more about the field. Doing so can help you to assess what skills, knowledge, or experience you may need, and which ones are highly valued and in demand. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information. In addition to basic information about the industry, someone who works in the industry can provide first-hand experience.
Make a list of the pharmacies, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and public health agencies that operate in your area.
Use resources such as professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, pharmaceutical recruiters, and other professionals to connect with.
Create 5 – 10 open-ended questions that you would like to know more about.
Networking
Networking can provide job leads and information about a specific firm or industry. It can also help you meet other people to expand your network. As many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with practicing pharmacists and others in your field.
Good places to network include pharmaceutical conferences, associations, or places where people meet to share information and build professional relationships.
LinkedIn is another tool for networking. It is great to connect with former colleagues and employers, search for companies and jobs, and get introductions. You can also connect with people in the pharmaceutical sector and join related professional groups.
But remember, that it takes time to grow the ties you establish through networking.
With a positive outlook for pharmacist jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.
The healthcare field in Canada is experiencing significant job shortages, including medical doctors. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, and many other medical organizations need doctors and healthcare practitioners. This has created a great opportunity for internationally trained doctors. To work as a medical doctor in Canada, you require a bachelor’s degree and a graduate from an approved medical school. This includes completing two to three years of family medicine residency training. You must also complete the Medical Council of Canada qualifying exams.
Healthcare organizations in Canada refer to physicians who have received their medical education outside of Canada and the United States, as international medical graduates (IMGs). Because Canada is facing a labour shortage of medical doctors, continuing your career in Canada may hold great interest to you.
If you’re an IMG, learn about job requirements for doctors in Canada, credentials assessment, job search techniques, and more.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Medical Doctor
It’s vital to research the medical profession and its requirements before you come to Canada. These requirements are different than what you are accustomed to in your home country. It can be time-consuming, and expensive to become a licensed medical doctor, so it’s helpful to know what to expect.
There are steps that you can take before you immigrate to improve your chances of practicing your profession in Canada.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Medical Doctor Career
Attend the webinar How to Find Your First Job as a Newcomer in Canada.
Confirm that your medical degree is from a recognized medical school at the FAIMER International Medical Education Directory (IMED). Your medical school and qualification must be listed on the directory to be accepted in Canada.
Contact the medical regulatory association in the province where you’ll settle in Canada to learn about:
Procedures you must follow, and the cost and time required to obtain a physician’s permit
Steps you can take to become licensed before and after you immigrate to Canada
Programs for International medical graduates.
Start the licensure process for international medical graduates while still in your home country.
Improve your language skills, and enroll in language classes in your home country and continue them after you move to Canada. You’ll need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country.
Check with your provincial or territorial regulatory body to find out what documents you need to bring and verify if they need to be translated. You might need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Understand how the medical profession is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with provincial laws and legislation where you’ll settle.
Know the name of your job in Canada (for example family physician, general practice resident, general practitioner, medical doctor).
What to Expect When Pursuing a Medical Doctor Career in Canada
Medical doctors belong to a regulated profession in Canada, so you must be licensed by the provincial or territorial licensing authority in the province where you plan to settle. With a license, a medical doctor can work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, and clinics.
Employment Outlook for Medical Doctor Jobs in Canada
If you have international medical qualifications, it’s vital to understand what you require to work in Canada as well as the labour market conditions.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, job prospects for medical doctors are very good in all provinces. There are opportunities for general practitioners and family physicians in all regions of Canada.
By researching the job prospects, you can find labour market conditions for 2019-2028 that show Canada medical doctor shortages. Estimates reveal that Canada will be short about 44,000 doctors by 2028. The country will need to train and hire about 30,000 more by 2028 to have an average number of doctors per capita on par with Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Family doctors are in the highest demand. They account for 72% of the doctor shortage.
This is good news for medical doctors with international qualifications because there will be ample job opportunities in the coming years.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Physician Jobs in Canada – NOC: 31102
A good place to start your research is by using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 31102 (NOC 2021 Version 1.0) for medical doctors. The NOC provides a standard definition of the role of general practitioners and family physicians. Here you can get a sense of the role, job titles, main duties, and job requirements.
Use the NOC 31102 to learn more about the role of medical doctors in Canada.
Requirements to Become a Medical Doctor in Canada
Internationally trained medical doctors must meet the licensing requirements in Canada to practice. International graduates must enroll in NAPRA’s Medical doctors’ Gateway Canada program. Below we explain the steps you must follow to work as a Medical doctor in Canada.
Credential Recognition to Meet Medical Doctor Job Requirements in Canada
Regardless of your education or experience, you need to have a license to practice as a medical doctor in Canada. One of the first things to do is learn about the specific requirements to work as a doctor in Canada. To do this, you can contact the provincial or territorial regulatory body where you plan to settle. They can advise you about the documents that you require, licensing fees, and more. It’s a good idea to take this step before you arrive in Canada and accordingly decide your departure date to Canada.
Depending on the province you intend to settle in, your licensing process may include completing:
Exams (eligibility, program selection, qualifying, certification)
Language proficiency tests
Credentials assessment
Postgraduate training/assessment
Return-of-service agreements (commitment to practice in an underserved community for an agreed period).
The licensing process has many stages and may seem complicated. But, once you know what the regulatory body expects and the licensing procedure, you can carefully complete your application. The process can also be expensive. So, you’ll also require a large financial and personal commitment to pursue the process.
Some immigrant-serving organizations offer study groups for the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Evaluating Exam (MCC EE), Qualifying Examination Part I, and Qualifying Examination Part II. These study groups aim to facilitate focused learning and provide a learning environment to explore, discuss, and model Canadian medical content with practicing Canadian physician educators and senior residents.
If you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school to find out the steps you should take and the credential assessment agency you should use. Be sure to check if the school requires you to use a specific credential agency before you proceed. This will help you to avoid paying extra fees and save money.
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment, and qualification recognition services click here.
Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Medical Doctor Jobs in Canada
In addition to becoming accredited, another activity to become a medical doctor in Canada is to upgrade your skills through a bridging program or other courses and workshops.
As a physician, you must continually update your knowledge and skills on new medical procedures and practices. You can benefit from ongoing learning and professional growth through continuing education courses and seminars.
You may have strong technical and practical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. As a medical doctor, you are expected to know how to handle patients with strong listening, interpersonal, and communication skills, and empathize with them to understand their illness clearly. You must also know how to deal with the patient’s relatives with patience.
If you intend to be self-employed you may require advanced business skills as well as financial resources to establish and maintain the medical practice.
Language Training for Medical Doctors in Canada
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to learn or improve your English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes offered through school boards or settlement agencies.
There are language courses to teach you professional terms, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other may be helpful, as it may offer you better employment options.
Bridging Programs for Medical Doctor Careers in Canada
International Medical Graduates can take advantage of programs that help them to practice as medical doctors in Canada.
Bridging programs are a good way for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to transition their international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer bridging programs or workshops that you may be eligible for. Explore the following medical bridging programs to see if any may be suitable for you.
This program is designed to assess IMG applicants, and prepare them for application to UBC Faculty of Medicine Residency Training programs, which are available to IMGs in the first iteration of the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS).
This program offers informational, learning, and other types of support, services, and resources to support entry into the Canadian healthcare system for IMGs.
The IMG Clerkship Program will prepare IMGs for residency training. Upon completion of the program, participants will be eligible to enter the first round of the CaRMS match as Dalhousie graduates.
This program helps internationally educated health professionals connect with employers and community partners. The program includes workshops on transferable skills and healthcare sector orientation. It also provides occupation-specific language education, workplace culture and communications training, and employment opportunities.
This program provides training in medical communication, healthcare culture, familiarity with Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and exposure to Canadian medical practice through observership. This focused training broadens knowledge of Canadian medical practice and improves the success rate of IMDs as they pursue medical exams and residency.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
This project is developing a website that illustrates the Considerations of Legal, Ethical and Organization (CLEO) aspects of the practice of medicine, which are a component of the Medical Council of Canada’s (MCC) evaluating exam. The project provides web-based medical literacy and educational tools to address the communication needs of IMGs who apply to one of Ontario’s programs for entry to medical practice.
How to Become a Doctor in Canada
If you’re an international student interested in attending medical school in Canada, it requires years of education and training. And, not all medical schools accept international and U.S. students. So, it’s important to do your research. Here are the most common steps to becoming a doctor in Canada:
Complete a university degree: Get a bachelor’s degree in a science-based subject.
2. Apply to medical school and get accepted: Getting into medical school is extremely competitive. It’s estimated that one-quarter of applicants get accepted. Medical school takes about four years to complete. Two years of in-class learning and two years of practical training.
3. Pass the MCCQE1 Exams: You need to pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination to practice medicine in Canada.
4. Apply for and complete your medical residency: Apply for positions through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). The length of your residency depends on your area of specialization. It’s two years for family doctors.
5. You’re a doctor! Once you complete your residency, you have completed all the steps to practice medicine in Canada.
Medical Schools in Canada
There are 17 medical schools in Canada with over 11,500 students. Each year they produce 2,700 new graduates. Ontario has the most schools with six, followed by 4 in Quebec. Here’s a list of medical schools in Canada:
Province
Medical School
Alberta
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary
British Columbia
University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine
Manitoba
University of Manitoba Max Rady College of Medicine
Newfoundland & Labrador
Memorial University Medical School
Ontario
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University)
Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)University of Ottawa Medical SchoolQueen’s University Medical SchoolUniversity of Toronto Medical SchoolSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Western University)
Québec
Université de Sherbrooke Medical School
McGill Medical SchoolUniversité de Montreal Faculty of MedicineUniversité Laval Medical School
Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) maintains a list of medical schools in Canada.
Medical Doctor Associations in Canada
The following associations provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
Professional immigrant networks are organized volunteer-run member-based associations or networks. They are created by and for immigrant professionals who seek to
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for members to find employment and achieve their professional goals.
Activities of these networks include networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development opportunities such as workshops, speaker events, and training and connections to employment opportunities.
Here are some immigrant networks to research across Canada:
Alberta
This non-profit organization consists of doctors trained or educated in countries other than Canada. It also includes individuals and organizations interested in the challenges facing International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Canada.
Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA)
Nova Scotia
isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia:
isans helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
Ontario
Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (AIPSO)
This association is an independent professional non-profit that represents physicians and surgeons trained and licensed in jurisdictions outside Canada.
This network is a support group for immigrant Filipino doctors. It provides support to prepare for medical licensure and job search assistance.
How Much Do Medical Doctors Make in Canada?
Medical doctors in Canada can earn between $76,759 and $451,997 per year depending on their level of experience and location. The average salary in Canada is $216,833.
The province with the highest average salary is Manitoba at $252,974. The province with the lowest average salary is British Columbia at $164,939.
Medical Doctor Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent medical doctor salary numbers in Canada (as of November, 2022):
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Medical Doctor Based on Salary & Lifestyle
Medical doctors have different job prospects depending on where they work in Canada. So, it’s helpful to research job prospects across Canada. According to the Canadian Occupation Projections Systems, labour shortage conditions will persist from 2019 – 2028. And as Canada’s population ages, there will be greater demand for health services. In fact, employment growth for medical doctors is projected to be the second highest of all occupation groups.
To research job prospects by province, click here. From here, you can also search for job prospects by region within the province. Once you identify which locations offer job prospects, you can begin to research cities and determine what cities would meet your personal, professional, and practical needs. For example, cities in the province of Alberta that have a good outlook for medical doctors include Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge. Cities across Canada with a good outlook include Fredericton, New Brunswick, Windsor, Ottawa, and Hamilton in Ontario.
Pursuing a Medical Doctor Career in Canada
Becoming a Medical doctor in Canada follows a similar path as many other healthcare careers. You need to have the right academic credentials, relevant work experience, and a plan for where you want to work within the country. Below is valuable information to help you pursue a medical doctor career in Canada:
Major Employers for Doctor Jobs in Canada
Medical doctors usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, and clinics. Look for opportunities with your local medical community.
You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to locate hospitals and healthcare centres that you might be interested in. Employers receive this special designation for their commitment to workplace diversity, inclusion, and equity.
How to Find Your First Canadian Medical Doctor Job
Searching for a medical doctor job in Canada can be different than in your home country. For example, the job market can be quite competitive, and employers may have different job application requirements. So you need to prepare and understand how to gain employment.
Job Search Techniques for Medical Doctors
Once you have completed the licensing process, you can look for jobs in the province or territory where you are licensed. Therefore, take your time to research job requirements in that region and develop a plan to find work.
There are many ways to search for jobs including:
Broadening your search and including alternative careers.
Seeking a mentor in the medical field who would give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Joining healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.Attending medical or healthcare job fairs and regularly checking online job boards.
Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations can provide help with your job search including:
Finding job vacancies
Updating your resume
Writing cover letters
Preparing for interviews, and
Understanding what Canadian employers are looking for.
To find immigrant services in your area click here.
Resume Writing for Medical Doctors
A medical resume is a unique document. It’s important you understand what Canadian employers expect and you follow up-to-date medical resume formats. A strong resume familiarizes a prospective employer with your expertise and achievements in the medical field, as well as your language skills.
Like many medical professionals, you may decide to use a professional resume writer to stand out from the crowd. Regardless, it pays to understand what makes a quality resume no matter who writes it.
Here are tips to make your resume cleaner, easier to read, and more likely to get you interviews.
List your medical degree following your name as in – NAME SURNAME, M.D.
Give details about your medical license and certification status. Specify the date (month, year) you received your license. List your certifications in your specialty; use bullet points.
List any academic scholarships, honours bestowed by prestigious medical associations or any academic accomplishments.
Identify the institutions where you completed your fellowships, residencies, and internship.
Highlight, don’t elaborate. For example, if you are a physician with an extensive research background in your respective field, naturally you’d like to explain each study. Remember, a resume is designed to highlight professional experience, not to explain it in detail.
Provide any private practice experience, along with the location and duration of the practice. Include details about any academic positions you held.
List your memberships or affiliations to any medical boards or societies.
Interview Techniques for Medical Doctors
Working as a doctor requires you to have great intelligence, integrity, competence, social skills, and so much more. Be prepared for a thorough interview that will test you on many levels.
Here are some common questions that you can prepare to answer in an interview:
Why did you choose this career? Why did you choose this specialty?
Your professional experience: Tell us about your background as a doctor: education and experience. What are your specialties/ expertise?
Why are you interested in this hospital/department?
How do you handle workload stress and emergencies?
Describe your day-to-day activities, priorities, and tasks.
Describe your most successful accomplishments.
What are the key challenges of this (field of medicine)?
You can prepare for an interview by consulting with colleagues and friends. Rehearse an interview situation with them and consider the feedback that you receive to succeed in interviews. Do not memorize your responses but be very familiar with them. Be succinct in your replies, and emphasize your strengths.
Informational Interviews
While there’s a shortage of physicians in Canada, landing that next opportunity, especially for newcomers, requires extra effort and outreach. Informational interviews are a great way to demonstrate your empathetic and professional communication abilities, research skills, and time management talents.
An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in an industry to learn more about that industry.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather find out whether a particular position or industry might be a good fit for your interests and your personality. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information because, in addition to basic information about a particular type of industry (such as you might find on a company website), it also offers you the benefit of a professional’s first-hand experiences and impressions.
Make a list of the hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and others, as desired, that operate in your area.
Use your resources including professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, such as pharmaceutical recruiters, health unit coordinators, etc.
Create 5-10 open-ended questions that will yield useful information to help your job search.
For more information on informational interviews, click here.
Networking is Important for Medical Doctors
It’s helpful to connect with practicing medical doctors to discover jobs in the “hidden” job market.
Networking is a vital activity to help you find job leads, gain professional advice and guidance, and meet others to expand your network. In Canada, many job vacancies are not advertised. Also known as the “hidden” job market, you can discover these jobs through networking with other medical professionals. So, it’s helpful to make connections and build relationships with others in your field who can help you discover these jobs. Good places to network include conferences, associations, and other settings.
LinkedIn is another vital tool for networking. Using LinkedIn, you can connect with former colleagues and employers, search for jobs, and get introductions to others in the medical community. You can also join some relevant groups to learn more about the medical profession in Canada.
But remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight, and you need to be patient.
Are you thinking about continuing your career as a dental hygienist in Canada? It’s a popular career choice that pays well within the dental field. Job prospects are good in most provinces and there is the opportunity to specialize in other areas within the dental field as you acquire more experience.
The employment requirements for a dental hygienist in Canada include completion of a two to three-year dental hygiene program. The program must be approved by the provincial or territorial governing board where you intend to settle. Also, you must have a license from the provincial or territorial regulatory body. Dental hygienists belong to a regulated profession in Canada, so you must also register with the appropriate regulatory body to use the title of dental hygienist.
If you are interested in continuing your dental hygiene career in Canada, learn more about the licensing process, dental hygienist job search techniques, and more! Prepare to work in a dental hygienist job in Canada by reading this helpful overview.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Dental Hygienist
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Dental Hygienist Career
It’s important to take the time to research dental hygiene careers in Canada before moving to the country. These steps can help you to research your profession and improve your chances of continuing your career in Canada.
Attend the webinar How to Find Your First Job in Canada as a Newcomer to learn more about job search strategies.
Contact the regulatory body for dental hygienists in the province or territory where you plan to settle to learn about the:
Improve your language skills and enroll in language classes while you are in your home country and continue them after moving to Canada.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. Find out what documents you need to bring for employment purposes or to continue your education. Verify if any documents need to be translated. You may need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Understand how the dental hygienist profession is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with the procedures, laws, and legislation that govern your profession in the province where you’ll settle.
Know the name of your job in Canada and example titles to assist with your job search.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Dental Hygienist Career in Canada
It’s important to research your profession before you arrive in Canada. Ideally, you want to have a general overview of what you require to work in Canada and how your international qualifications will be assessed. It’s also helpful to understand the Canadian labour market and what the demand is for dental hygienists.
Employment Outlook for Dental Hygienist Jobs in Canada
There are more than 30,000 registered dental hygienists in Canada. Close to half work in Ontario. About half of all job posts for this job are in Ontario, followed by other heavily populated provinces such as British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta.
Even though the job market is competitive, dental hygienists are always in demand. With more immigrants moving to Canada and with a growing population, the demand for dental care continues to increase. The demand for dental care is also increasing because of the aging population and companies and government programs offering more dental insurance coverage. The aging population is also creating job opportunities as a portion of existing hygienists are retiring. Since about one-third of hygienist jobs are part-time, there is flexibility to work full or part-time.
The overall employment outlook for dental hygienists is good, with the most opportunities in Ontario.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Dental Hygienist Jobs in Canada
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a general overview and standard definition of the dental hygienist’s role in Canada. The five-digit NOC code 32111 applies to dental hygienists and dental therapists. Review this information to understand the main duties and employment requirements.
Review example titles that are used in job descriptions for dental hygienists. This will aid your job search efforts.
Requirements for Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Canada
Dental hygiene job requirements vary depending on where you live in the country. Licensing and requirements are set at the provincial level.
To explore future job prospects by province and territory, you can check out prospects for the next three years. You can even get local information for each province. This information can help you choose a city based on the expected job prospects. Below we explain the steps you will need to take to work as a Dental Hygienist in Canada:
Credential Recognition in Canada to Meet Dental Hygienist Employment Requirements
All foreign-trained dental hygiene graduates should contact the Federation of Dental Hygiene Regulators of Canada (NDHCB) for credential assessment. You can contact the appropriate regulatory body directly to find out about assessment procedures but note that most are not set up to assess foreign credentials before you arrive in Canada. The standards for entry into the profession and registration of qualified practitioners are set by the regulatory bodies of dental hygienists.
Some regulatory bodies have arrangements with evaluation services that offer expert advice on how qualifications obtained abroad compare to Canadian credentials.
Credentials Assessment Services
If you are planning to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the institution in which you plan to study and find out the steps you should take and the credential assessment agency you should use.
Be sure to highlight your international education and skills. Build on existing knowledge and skills and explore university and college options thoroughly before you decide if it’s necessary to return to school. You might be able to get advanced standing, transfer some of your credits, and benefit from prior learning assessment options by using your international credentials and experience. If you can get course credits or exemptions, you can complete your program faster and save money if you don’t have to repeat the education you already have.
The NDHCB uses the following foreign credential assessments, which are advisory only and do not guarantee recognition of your qualifications for employment or licensure in Canada.
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Dental Hygiene Job Requirements
Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Dental Hygienist Jobs in Canada
Canadian employers place emphasis on soft skills, which are personal attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and career prospects. Unlike your hard skills, you can apply your soft skills broadly.
Soft skills, such as oral communication, decision-making, and critical thinking are important for dental hygienists. In addition, Canadian employers expect you to have the following skills and attributes:
Strong English language and communication skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to assess patient needs, explain procedures and make patients comfortable
Excellent organization skills
Detail-oriented
Ability to solve problems and make decisions
Enjoy working with people and working as part of a team.
Though not necessary, upgrading your education and skills through a bridging program or more education may be an important part of your journey to becoming a successful medical radiation technologist in Canada. Therefore, you need to participate in lifelong learning and demonstrate your professional growth.
You may have strong technical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. Other equally important skills are language, communication, and interpersonal skills. This may require additional skills upgrading.
Language Training for Dental Hygienists in Canada
You need to have strong English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency and you may be tested. Even if you speak fluent English or French, it’s helpful to improve your language skills. Having strong communication skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
Find out about language requirements if you have completed your dental hygienist education in a language other than English and French. Contact the dental hygienist regulatory body in the province where you will settle to find out about specific language requirements to work. If your professional training was in English or French, they may require you to send confirmation from your training institution that the language of instruction and assessment in your program was English or French.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies. There are even language courses to teach you professional terminologies, such as job-specific language training and Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer better job opportunities.
Bridging Programs for Dental Hygienist Careers in Canada
Bridging programs are an effective way to transition from your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer bridging programs or workshops. You may be eligible for one. Do some research to find a program that’s suitable for you.
The Canadian Dental Hygiene Association provides a list of schools that offer credit and transfer agreements between Canadian dental hygiene programs and international universities. See the list for more information.
Dental Hygienist Schools in Canada
There are 35 accredited dental hygiene programs in Canada. Ontario has the most with 12 schools. We’ve included links to some of the dental hygiene programs across Canada.
The associations listed below provide additional information about licensure and certification and offer a variety of professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals
These groups offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development, and connections to job opportunities.
The salary of a dental hygienist in Canada is based on your experience, specialization, job title, and even the city where you work. Dental hygienists are typically paid on an hourly basis. This is because many roles are part-time. The median wage is $39 per hour. The national hourly range is from $27 to $55 per hour. In a full-time role. Based on the national average, the salary of a dental hygienist in Canada would be between $51,948 and $105,820 per year (if working a 40-hour work week).
Dental Hygienist Salary in Canada
Using wage information from the Government of Canada, you can research the salary of a dental hygienist in Canada. Here are recent Dental Hygienist wages/hour in Canada (as of Nov, 2022) :
PROVINCE
LOW ($/HOUR)
MEDIAN ($/HOUR)
HIGH ($/HOUR)
Canada
27.00
37.00
55.00
Alberta
21.00
55.00
60.00
British Columbia
37.50
45.18
55.00
Manitoba
37.00
42.00
49.45
New Brunswick
24.73
35.00
40.00
Newfoundland and Labrador
35.00
45.09
64.58
Northwest Territories
N/A
N/A
N/A
Nova Scotia
32.27
35.00
39.00
Nunavut
N/A
N/A
N/A
Ontario
30.00
37.50
44.00
Prince Edward Island
29.00
35.00
40.00
Quebec
25.00
32.00
40.00
Saskatchewan
39.00
46.50
60.00
Yukon
N/A
N/A
N/A
Average Dental Hygienist Salary by Province: Source, Government of Canada Job Bank
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Dental Hygienist Based on Salary & Lifestyle
There is currently a growing need for dental hygienists and dental therapists in Canada mainly because of the increased public awareness about oral health and dentists’ preference for dental hygienists over dental assistants. This trend is expected to continue, with the number of hygienists and dental therapists continuing the sharp rise over the next few years.
Ontario has the highest population, most schools, and most jobs, making it one of the best locations in all of Canada to work in dental hygiene.
Most Canadian cities have job opportunities for dental hygienists. However, when looking for jobs, broaden your geographic area to include smaller cities and towns close to your target city. For example, if you intend to live in Toronto, you might find a job opportunity in nearby Markham, Richmond Hill, or Hamilton. All these cities are within an hour’s drive from Toronto. Research and find out where there is a good demand for dental hygienists in Canada to help you decide where you would like to settle in Canada.
Pursuing a Dental Hygienist Career in Canada
Becoming a Dental Hygienist in Canada follows a similar path as many other careers in healthcare. You need to get the right academic credentials, relevant work experience, and a plan for where you want to work within the country.
In Canada, there is an opportunity to work in a variety of roles within the dental hygiene field. Consider this when looking for a job. Here are some of the job titles and specializations to research:
Community dental hygienist
Dental hygiene technician
Dental hygienist technician
Dental nurse
Dental Therapist
Expanded-duty dental hygienist
Expanded-duty dental nurse
Licensed dental therapist
Orthodontic hygienist
Periodontal hygienist
Registered dental hygienist
Registered dental therapist
Restorative dental hygienist.
Major Employers for Dental Hygiene Jobs in Canada
In Canada, dental hygienists are employed in dentists’ offices, hospitals, clinics, educational institutions, government agencies, and private industry. Most employers are from local offices or regional franchises.
You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for immigrant-friendly corporations and organizations you might be interested in. This special designation recognizes Canadian organizations committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
How to Become a Registered Dental Hygienist in Canada
If you are a newcomer to Canada and don’t have formal dental hygienist training, you will need to follow the same steps as Canadians. You will need to complete the following steps:
Research dental hygiene careers to make sure it’s what you want to pursue
Get accepted to an accredited dental hygiene program in the province you reside
Complete the 2 or 3-year dental hygiene program
Write and pass the dental hygiene certification examination process
Start your job search.
How to Find Your First Canadian Dental Hygienist Job
Searching for a dental hygienist job in Canada can be different than in your home country. The job market can in Canada is competitive and you may be up against other experienced dental hygienists.
Job Search Techniques for Dental Hygienists in Canada
You must look for dental jobs in the region where you will settle. Therefore, take your time to research job requirements in that region and develop a plan to find work.
Here are some tips to help you search for a dental hygienist job:
Broaden your search and include alternative careers and sectors.
Seek out a mentor in the dental sector who would give you valuable insight and advice and probably introduce you to their professional network.
Join dental-related job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies. Attend industry job fairs and regularly check online job boards. Some colleges or associations may maintain a job bank or suggest a commercial job site.
Work with Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Because finding a job in Canada may be different than in your home country and you may need help with your job search. Most settlement agencies provide job search services that include helping you to find job vacancies, updating your resume, writing a Canadian-style resume, and preparing for interviews. Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.
Writing Your Resume for a Dental Hygienist Job
Writing a strong resume is important because it’s the first impression that you give to potential employers. This is your first chance to market yourself and shine. Having said that, it is important to include in your resume only the details that are important to the position you are applying for. Here are a few tips to get your resume noticed by employers:
Objective
Briefly explain what you are looking for and what you have to offer. The position you are applying for is for a dental hygienist so be brief and specific.
For example, rather than stating that you are seeking full-time employment at a great dental office, you could state “I am looking forward to being part of a dynamic pediatric dental team.” You need to be specific and tailor each resume that you send.
Experience
List your work experience and emphasize your experience and the results that you achieved. This section should immediately follow your objective.
Education
List the name of the dental hygienist program you have completed, the year of graduation, and the license obtained. If you have completed specific courses that fit some of the requirements of the dental practice, list them as well.
Qualifications
Use bullet points to describe your proficiency to make your dental hygienist qualification stand out. You don’t need to use a lengthy paragraph to describe everything that you know how to do, and bullet points are easy to read.
If you have unique skills that you gained while attending your dental hygienist program, list them in this section. Again, gear these skills to those that the dental practice will value.
List specific technology that you have worked with such as digital X-ray equipment, as well as any awards or honours you have received to show that you are hardworking and want to excel.
Research the Dental Practice
Although most dental hygienists work in dental practices, the job duties and work requirements may not necessarily be the same.
Take time to investigate the dental practices in which you want to work. This way you will increase your chances of being hired by one of them. And, you’ll be able to target your resume to the exact job requirements of a specific practice.
Use the internet or conduct informational interviews to get information about the practice, such as the location and size of the practice, the specialty of the dentist, and even specific dental techniques that the practice offers the patients. Some of the questions you can ask include:
What are some of the main duties of dental hygienists in this dental office?
What are their specific hiring requirements for their dental hygienists (i.e., education, training, experience level)?
How many patients does the dental practice have?
What is the ratio of patient groups (i.e., children, adults, people older than 65, etc.) in this dental practice?
The answers to these questions will help you to decide if you would like to work there — and how you should write your resume to fit that dental office. Naturally, some practices may not want to give this information over the phone — in that case, wait until your job interview to ask your questions.
Techniques for Dental Hygienists Job Interviews
Though it is impossible to prepare for every single question that you may be asked during the job interview, it is helpful to review and prepare for some of the frequent questions:
Why should we hire you (what makes you right for the position)?
What would you say are some of your strengths and weaknesses? Avoid saying that you don’t have any weaknesses!
What did you like most about working in your previous dental hygienist role?
What are your salary expectations? Do some research so that you know the average wages for your level and area in Canada.
What questions do you have? Always prepare at least two or three questions.
During your first interview, avoid asking immediately about salary and benefits. It’s also important that you speak positively about your previous employers.
Informational Interviews
An informational interview is a 20 or 30-minute meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in the dental hygiene field. The purpose of the meeting is to learn more about the profession in Canada, and some of the issues affecting the profession.
You should not try to get a dental job during an informational interview but gain insights about the profession in Canada. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information because, in addition to gathering information about the dental field in Canada, you’ll gain your contact’s first-hand experience and impressions of the field.
Networking within the Dental Hygiene Profession
Networking is an essential tool that may give you job leads, gain information about a particular dental job or practice, and expand your network. As many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with practicing dental hygienists and others in your field.
Good places to network include conferences, associations, and schools. These are ideal settings to meet other people, build professional relationships, and share information.
LinkedIn is another important professional tool for networking. It is great to connect with former colleagues and employers. You can also research companies and dental jobs and get introductions and recommendations. You can also join some related professional dental groups.
But remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight, and you need to be patient.
With a growing demand for dental hygienists, now might be the time to explore your options to continue your career in Canada. From the job requirements to the salary of a dental hygienist in Canada, researching the profession before you arrive, can help you to make the right decision.
Canada is a great country to look for biotechnology jobs. Why? Canada is a world leader in biotechnology (bio-economy) with a large network of research hospitals, universities, laboratories, and companies. BioTalent Canada is the national sector council for the biotechnology industry. If you are a newcomer or plan to move to Canada and have experience in this industry, you will have opportunities. Biotechnology careers in Canada for technologists and technicians are available in both laboratory and field settings. Biotechnology salaries offer a good living. Learn more about biotechnology job requirements in Canada with this helpful overview.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Biotechnology Professional
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Biotechnology Career
Taking steps to prepare yourself before you move can give you a head start on your biotechnology career when you arrive in Canada. To improve your chances of successfully finding a biotechnology job, here are some steps you can take before you move:
Research the Canadian labour market to learn what skills, experience, and qualifications you require.
Attend the free webinar What to Know About the Canadian Job Market to learn about labour market conditions.
Check out BioTalent Canada resources to learn how to showcase your experience to employers and determine how ready you are to work in Canada’s biotechnology sector.
Improve your language skills. To practice the profession, you must have advanced English language skills, as it’s the working language in the bio-economy sector.
Enroll in language classes while in your home country and continue them when you arrive in Canada. Even if you speak fluent English or French, it’s helpful to improve your language skills.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. You may need to use a translation service if your documents are not available in English or French. Contact BioTalent Canada to identify what they require.
Familiarize yourself with the procedures, laws, and legislation that govern the biotechnology profession in the province where you’ll settle.
Know the name of your job in Canada (see example titles in the NOC 22110 (description below) and make a list of potential employers.
Check out biotechnology salary and benefits information. Biotechnology salary and compensation plans can vary greatly by location, company, and other considerations.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Biotechnology Career in Canada
To work in biotechnology jobs in Canada, there are certain requirements you will need to meet that include:
Completion of a two- to three-year college program related to agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife, or resource management is usually required to work as a biological technologist
Completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field to work as a biological technician.
For more advanced biotechnology jobs, you may require a university degree or master’s degree. Certification with provincial associations is voluntary.
Employment Outlook for Biotechnology Jobs in Canada
According to a national study, Close-up on the bio-economy, the demand for talent in all sectors of Canada’s bio-economy will exceed supply by 2024. And the study predicts that by 2029, 65,000 additional employees will be needed. Given the skills shortage, internationally educated professionals will be an invaluable source of talent. This could be a great opportunity for future and recent immigrants to Canada with the right skills and background.
The bio-economy workforce in Canada covers many occupations, and research and development account for nearly half of all jobs. While Canada expects to see labour shortages for all bio-economy jobs, three areas will experience severe shortages until 2029:
Manufacturing and production jobs
Distribution and logistics
Management, finance, and administration jobs.
However, you must research the national, regional, and local biotechnology job markets before you move to Canada. Make sure that you understand the job requirements and licensing requirements. You may need a certification before you can work in Canada if your job title belongs to a regulated occupation.
You can find out if your biotechnology job is regulated, and the name of the professional certification and licensing body here.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Biotechnology Jobs in Canada
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for biological technologists and technicians is NOC 22110. Check out the NOC description for an overview of the role in Canada. It’s also helpful to know the various titles that biotechnologists use in Canada. This is helpful information to know when you begin your job search.
Biotechnology job titles in Canada
Requirements to Become a Biotechnology Professional in Canada
Biotechnology career requirements can vary based on your career goals. You may need to go through credential recognition, skills upgrading, or complete a bridging program. Below are steps you will need to take to work in the biotechnology field in Canada.
Credential Recognition to Meet Biotechnology Job Requirements in Canada
It’s vital to research, develop a plan to find work and understand the specific skill requirements for your occupation. BioTalent Canada’s website is a smart starting point.
The BioSkills Recognition Program helps internationally trained professionals bridge any gaps and meet Canadian standards. The program will recognize your competencies and connect you with employers within the sector.
You can participate in this program if you can legally work in Canada and know English fluently. While still in your home country, you can start the process by listing a summary of your competencies, credentials, and skills, and once you arrive in Canada, you may be asked to do a practical test observation.
Once your skills are recognized, you will be informed that you are BioReadyTM: that means you have demonstrated the required skills for a specific job function and have the competencies to work in the Canadian biotech industry. If for some reason, your skills are not recognized, you will be informed on how to upgrade your skills and join the program afterward.
You can also take an online BioSynergy Program that helps you integrate into the workplace. The program includes modules on effective communication, building interpersonal relationships, lifelong learning, and leadership skills. If you want a mentor, you can access a coaching module.
Credentials Assessment Services
If you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you plan to attend. The school can guide you through the application process and identify the credential assessment agency you should use.
Make sure you highlight your international education and skills. Try to build on your existing knowledge and skills and explore university and college options thoroughly before you decide to continue your education. You might be able to get advanced standing, transfer some of your credits and benefit from prior learning assessment options.
Your international credentials and experience may allow you to gain credit or course exemptions. This way you will complete your program more quickly, without spending more money or repeating the education you already have.
Here are some credentials assessment services that you can consider:
To find more organizations that provide credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Biotechnology Job Requirements
Soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and collaboration are important for biotechnology jobs in Canada.
Upgrading your education and skills through a bridging program or other courses and workshops may be an important part of your journey to get into the bio-economy sector in Canada.
Canadian employers put a high emphasis on soft skills, which are personal attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and biotechnology career prospects. Unlike your hard skills, you can apply your soft skills broadly.
Soft skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and communication are important for biotech professionals. As an individual working in biotechnology, you are expected to work well with others in a team, have strong verbal and written skills, and collaborate with others from many different groups.
In addition to your technical knowledge, you’ll be judged on your listening, writing, and basic communication skills. If your hard skills will get you an interview, most probably it is your soft skills that will get you the job and help you to succeed in the job.
Language Training for Biotechnology Careers in Canada
You may have strong technical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. You may need more training or skills upgrading, especially with regard to your communication skills and team dynamics.
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English, which is the working language in the sector, or French, which is the country’s other official language, will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.
Bridging programs can help you “bridge” your international experience to the Canadian work setting and help you to obtain a job and advance your biotechnology career.
These programs can help you to “bridge” your international experience and training to Canadian workplaces. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer bridging programs. You may be eligible for one. Do some research to find a program that’s suitable for you.
This program offers an intensive certificate in Canadian Biotechnology Enterprise. Courses include Canadian biotechnology and bio-policy, occupation-specific language training, and workplace culture and communications training. The program also offers employment services, mentoring, and personal coaching.
Biotechnology Schools in Canada
As a world leader in biotechnology, Canada has some of the top schools in the world. Many immigrants take further education after coming to Canada. Some even want to change careers or enhance their biotechnology careers with a Ph.D. or MBA.
There are over 30 schools that offer biotechnology courses and programs in Canada. Many of these schools offer multiple biotechnology programs and areas of specialization. You can enroll in programs and courses at the diploma, degree, master’s, and Ph.D. level.
Here are some of the top universities to consider:
University of Toronto
University of British Columbia (UBC)
McMaster University
University of Waterloo
University of Calgary
Queen’s University
Simon Fraser University
University of Manitoba.
Here are some colleges to consider:
Fanshawe College
Durham College
Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology
Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology
Fleming College
Algonquin College
Seneca College.
Click here for a list of Canadian Universities and Colleges.
Biotechnology Associations in Canada
BioTalent Canada is a national sector council that provides information about licensing and certification. It also offers professional development, education, networking opportunities, and resources.
You’ll find resources related to understanding the Canadian workplace, occupation-specific language skills, understanding of document use, and critical thinking skills. The website also includes labour market studies and news to help you understand the industry in Canada, opportunities, and challenges.
Professional Immigrant Networks
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals.
These associations offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development opportunities, and connections to jobs. Here are some you can use:
The salary for biotechnology jobs in Canada can vary based on your location, knowledge, skills, experience.
The national biotechnology salary per hour ranges from a low of $17.28 to a high of $37.95/hour (based on 2022 figures) according to the Government of Canada Job Bank. Based on a 40-hour workweek, this means that a yearly salary could range from $35,942 – $78,936/year.
Biotechnology salaries are affected by many factors such as your job title, credentials, education, experience, and where you live. The lowest median biotechnology salary is in British Columbia. The highest is found in Yukon and Saskatchewan.
Biotechnology Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent Biotechnology salary numbers in Canada. Biotechnology salary information is not available for all provinces:
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Professional Based on BiotechnologySalary & Lifestyle
Biotechnology is an exciting growing field combining biology with technology and engineering. Canada’s bio-economy is likely to require 65,000 additional workers by 2029. Its applications in medicine, agriculture, and other fields put biotechnologists in high demand. Before deciding where you want to settle in Canada, research and find out where there is a higher demand for your specific biotech expertise.
While jobs may be available across Canada, you may find specific regions or cities where the demand is greater. Typically, there will be more job opportunities in larger cities. Vancouver is a top option because it has over 70 local biotech companies. Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa are also good options.
You can find biotechnology labour market information on Bio-talent Canada’s website. It will help you target your job search by identifying the best locations for biotechnology jobs and where you can offer your skills.
Pursuing a Biotechnology Career in Canada
With a skills shortage in Canada, you can find biotechnology career opportunities in biosciences, health, genomics, and other areas.
In Canada, most biotechnology companies are small or medium-sized businesses. They are cross-sectoral and may be involved in various stages of product development, like research, clinical and regulatory trials, production, and marketing.
With a skills shortage in Canada, you can find biotechnology career opportunities in agriculture, biosciences, environment, health, industrial applications, natural resources, nanotechnology, and genomics.
Major Employers for Biotechnology Jobs in Canada
Some of the top biotechnology employers in Canada include:
BELLUS Health
Amgen
Fusion Pharmaceuticals
Zymewire
Altis Labs
Nplex biosciences
Deep Genomics
AstraZeneca
NervGen Pharm
ESSA Pharma
Visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers to look for employers hiring in your field. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
How to Find Your First Biotechnology Job in Canada
The outlook for biotechnology jobs in Canada is positive, with more than a third of companies currently experiencing a labour shortage. However, the Canadian job market is competitive, so you need to prepare for your job search. As well, finding biotechnology jobs in Canada may be different than in your home country. The following tips can help prepare you for a successful job search:
Biotechnology Career and Job Search Strategies
It’s best to search for jobs in the province and city when you plan to settle. And it’s important to carefully research biotechnology job prospects in the region and develop a plan to find work. When searching for biotechnology jobs, consider these tips:
Broaden your search and include alternative biotechnology careers and sectors.
Seek a mentor in the biotechnology sector, such as a retired biotechnology professional, who would give you valuable insights and advice, and probably introduce you to their professional network.
Join business-related job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.
Attend industry job fairs and regularly check job boards.
Ask your contacts in the industry for help. Let them know you are job searching and would like to make industry connections. If someone well-established in biotech can forward your resume to a potential employer (instead of you forwarding it yourself), that gives you a leg up.
Check out BioTalent Canada’s job bank called The PetriDish. Here you can post your resume, view job postings and subscribe to job alerts.
Some colleges or associations may maintain a job bank or suggest a commercial job site.
Check company websites for job openings. Depending on the size of the company, it may be helpful to connect with someone you know who works in the company (or someone who knows someone) to help you get your resume fast-tracked to the hiring manager.
Work with Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Most settlement agencies offer free help to find job openings, update your resume, write a Canadian-style resume, and prepare for interviews. Learn more about Services in Canada to Help Newcomers Settle.
To find immigrant services in your area, click here.
Tips for Writing a Biotechnology Resume
There are different ways to write a resume for the biotech sector. However, most professionals working in the industry will agree on a few guidelines to write the ideal resume. This can affect your career opportunities, how many interview calls you receive, and even your biotechnology salary.
Accomplishments
Like most scientists, you may be very modest and not see your accomplishments as highly as the rest of the world. When you write your resume, list your most relevant accomplishments and strengths related to biotech.
Make sure to list your accomplishments early on in your resume: the top-tier school, or your education; any articles you may have published in any top-tier biotechnology journals; your patented work and awards received.
Experience
Biotech industry resumes are ordered chronologically, with your most recent experience first. Mention your job experience, including your internships, consulting jobs, and volunteer work.
Generally, with science industry jobs, hiring managers look for people who have achieved unique things. Therefore, it is important for you to list not only things you’ve done but also things you have achieved.
Consult with Different People
When meeting biotechnology career counsellors, or people who work at a biotech company, ask them for their best advice regarding resume requirements for the industry.
Informational Interviews
While job prospects look positive for biotechnologists, landing that next opportunity, especially for newcomers, may require extra effort and outreach. One way to do this is by requesting an “informational interview.” This is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in the biotechnology industry to learn more about the field in Canada.
Informational interviewing can be a great way to put your communication, research, and interpersonal skills into practice for your job search.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather find out whether a particular position or employer might be a good fit for you. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be a great source of career information. In addition to basic information about a particular type of industry (such as you might find on a company website), it also offers you the benefit of a professional’s first-hand experiences and impressions.
Make a list of the biotechnology companies that operate in your area. Then, use professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking resource tools to identify people that you can connect with to request an informational interview.
Biotechnology Career Networking Tips
Networking is a vital activity that can help you discover job leads, gain industry insights, and meet others in your field in Canada. And because many job vacancies are not advertised, people in your network can help you discover jobs in this “hidden job market.” This also applies to biotechnology careers.
You’ll benefit by meeting other professionals, building relationships, and sharing information, you might even hear about job opportunities you wouldn’t have found online. It could even lead to a higher biotechnology salary.
Good places to network include conferences, professional associations, and online spaces such as LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a great site to reconnect with former colleagues and employers, search for companies and jobs that you have an interest in and make connections with others in your field. You can also join related professional groups. But remember, you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking.
Interview Techniques for Biotechnology Jobs in Canada
The outlook for the biotech industry looks good and whether you’re interested in agriculture, pharmacy, medicine, or bioengineering, you will find opportunities. However, before you land the job, you’ll need to ace the interview. Here are helpful tips to prepare for an interview in biotechnology.
Look for Job Opportunities
To be invited to an interview, you must first find a job opening. Regularly check online classified ads and other specialized sites, such as The PetriDish, which only list biotech job openings. Also, check the websites of medium to large pharmaceutical companies. Once you find an opening, check if you know someone at the company – your application will likely be given more attention if you reach out.
Stay Current with Industry News
Staying current about the industry in Canada will allow you to showcase your knowledge in interviews comfortably. Subscribe to the biotech newsletters or blogs to stay informed.
Highlight Your Technical Knowledge
As your potential employer has never seen you at work in the lab, they’ll ask you questions to figure out how you’d perform on the job. You may be asked to solve a hypothetical question so they can assess your depth and technical knowledge.
Hone Your Interdisciplinary Skills
Biotech intersects with many disciplines, so it’s important to know about the other related disciplines as well. So, when you’re studying or working, make sure to talk to people in other disciplines and with different backgrounds.
With a positive outlook for biotechnology jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.
Interested in learning more about working in Canada?
Working in Canada | How To Get Your First Job In Canada
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.
Are you interested in a truck driving career in Canada? With a current shortage of about 20,000 truck drivers, it’s a high-demand occupation in Canada. Truck driving is an exciting career within a $67 billion industry and is essential to the country’s economy. To respond to the truck driver shortage, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) created a new transportation category and process for Canada’s Express Entry program. This focus on candidates with transport experience, including commercial truck drivers, will make it easier for you to immigrate to Canada. The new selection process also helps Canada to invite newcomers with driving experience to fill labour gaps and ensure the success of the transport sector. This overview provides information to research job requirements, learn about a truck driver salary in Canada, and much more!
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Transport Truck Driver
It’s vital to know and understand the steps you will have to take before you can work as a truck driver in Canada.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Truck Driving Career
These are some general steps to take before you arrive in Canada:
Improve your English or French language skills (depending on your destination province). You will need to prove your language competency or be tested.
Take language classes while you’re in your home country and continue them when you arrive in Canada.
Research wage and compensation information to learn how much you can expect to make.
Research Canadian trucking companies and learn about the industry in Canada.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Transport Truck Driver Job in Canada
It’s vital to know what you need to work as a truck driver. In Canada, you’ll need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). And employers usually require:
High school completion
Driver training from an accredited vocational school or community college.
A Class 3 or D license to drive straight-body trucks
A Class 1 or A license to drive long combination vehicles
Air brake endorsement (Z) to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes.
Canadian employers will also provide on-the-job training.
How to Obtain a Commercial Driving License in Canada
To get your CDL, you have to take driver training and meet the minimum age requirement in the province where you want to live. Generally, the minimum age to obtain a CDL in Canada is 18. However, in some provinces such as Ontario and Quebec, you must be 21. You will also have to pass a:
Medical exam to ensure you are physically fit to operate a commercial vehicle
Knowledge test that covers driving laws, traffic signs, and safe driving practices
Practical driving test that assesses your ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
Employment Outlook for Truck Drivers in Canada
According to Transport Canada, over 350,000 people work in the country’s trucking and logistics sectors and most are truck drivers. Even so, the Government of Canada Job Bank, predicts a labour shortage from 2022-2031. This means there will be job opportunities for newcomers with the right skills, experience, and qualifications.
Start Your Research with the Transport Truck Driver NOC Code 73300
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a general overview and standard definition of truck driver jobs in Canada. The five-digit NOC code 73300 applies to drivers such as:
Bulk goods truck driver
Flatbed truck driver
Heavy truck driver
Long haul truck driver, and more.
You can review this information to understand the main duties and transport driver job requirements.
Communication Skills Required for Trucking Jobs in Canada
Truck drivers need to be excellent drivers, but they also have to have strong communication skills. Foreign truck drivers require a minimum of Level 7 Canadian Language Benchmark score (CLB 7) in a language proficiency exam. Canadian employers look for friendly and assertive drivers who can communicate with customers and clients, dispatchers, and others.
You may need to upgrade your skills, including your soft skills for trucking jobs in Canada.
Language Training in Canada
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, is important for your success. Whether you choose to focus on improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you live.
You may be eligible for the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Or you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through local school boards or settlement agencies.
Truck Driver Training Programs in Canada
Some colleges in Canada offer truck driving program, or you can attend a program that private companies offer. However, be sure to verify that the program is government-approved to that you’re eligible to apply for your truck driving license once you graduate. Here are some accredited truck driving schools:
Trucking associations can be a valuable resource to help you advance your truck driving career. The following associations provide information, education programs, training materials, and webinars to help truck drivers stay informed about the ever-changing trucking industry in Canada.
The truck driver salary in Canada is based on your experience, qualifications, and the province where you work. On average, truck drivers make about $24.00 per hour (national average., according to Government of Canada Job Bank information. The average base salary is about $61,468. But, the yearly truck driver salary varies based on where you live in Canada. In addition to yearly salary, truck drivers can also earn additional cash compensation and bonuses.
Long-haul truck driving typically pays the highest rates because of the extended hours on the road to cover large distances.
Transport Driver Salary in Canada
The provincial median wages are higher in Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory. Here are the most recent wages for transport drivers across Canada (click on the links in the table to see wage information by provincial regions.)
Best Provinces to Work as a Transport Driver in Canada
You can find transport driver jobs in most provinces and Canadian cities. However, the truck driver shortage is the greatest in Saskatchewan and it has the highest number of trucking jobs per capita of any province. Canada’s biggest provinces including Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia also have many trucking jobs available. You can explore job prospects by province or territory to determine where to find the greatest demand for drivers.
Pursuing a Transport Driver Career in Canada
Canada offers different jobs to licensed truck drivers within two broad categories:
Long-haul drivers
Regional drivers.
Long-haul drivers transport goods between provinces and across the Canada-U.S. border. They usually drive across Canada and further distances than regional drivers. For those with international truck driving experience, long-haul driving is a great opportunity to explore Canada’s different regions and cultural differences.
Regional drivers transport goods from one city to another within the province. A benefit for regional truck drivers is that they usually are not away from their families for long periods. In fact, most regional drivers can return home each day, allowing for more time to spend with family and a greater work-life balance.
Truck drivers are the backbone of the global supply chain and driver
Trucking Companies in Canada
According to the Canada Trucking Alliance, There are about 4,500 carriers, owner-operators, and industry suppliers.
Some of the top trucking companies in Canada include:
Bison Transport (based out of Winnipeg with terminals in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Alberta.
Mullen Trucking Corp (based out of Adrie, Alberta)
Maritime Ontario (based out of Brampton, Ontario with terminals in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec.)
In addition to transportation companies, truck driver jobs are also available in manufacturing, distribution and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies. Truck drivers can also be self-employed.
How to Find Your First Transport Driver Job in Canada
Searching for a job in Canada may be different than how you would search in your home country. So, you may need help with your job search. Fortunately, there are settlement services to help you search for jobs, update your resume, write cover letters, and prepare for job interviews.
Here are additional tips to search for trucking jobs in Canada:
Broaden your search and include cities across Canada
Join job-finding or networking groups through settlement agencies.
Attend career/job fairs, info sessions, and related conferences.
Browse online job boards to understand job requirements and current skills that employers are seeking.
Volunteer to gain Canadian work experience.
Seek out a mentor who could give you valuable advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Networking and building relationships with others will play an important role when searching for a job in Canada. So, take advantage of opportunities to network with others in the trucking industry. For example, when taking driving training, participate in class discussions and build relationships with classmates and instructors.
Networking plays a crucial role in learning about the trucking industry in Canada and tapping into job opportunities. Often, many companies do not advertise job vacancies, so networking is an effective way to tap into this ‘hidden job market.’ Connecting with others in the trucking industry will help discover jobs in the hidden job market.
Conferences, association events, and job fairs are great places to network and meet others in the trucking industry.
LinkedIn is another valuable tool for networking. It allows you to reconnect with former colleagues and employers, search for companies and job openings, and receive introductions to others in the field.
When networking, it’s better if you avoid asking directly for a job. However, if your contacts are aware of any job leads, they will likely share that information with you. Your network can serve as a valuable resource to learn about job vacancies.
Resume Writing Tips for Transport Driver Jobs
When crafting your resume, it’s helpful to keep the needs of hiring managers in mind. Your resume should demonstrate your strong driving track record, time management skills, customer service skills, and technical skills and licenses.
Consider these resume writing tips to showcase your qualifications and stand out as a strong candidate:
Highlight both your technical skills and soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
List relevant skills such as technical repair knowledge, and relevant licenses
Ask someone to review your resume and provide constructive input.
Here are some examples of phrases that you might include in your resume:
Completed regular truck maintenance, and created and updated a daily mileage schedule to improve vehicle reliability by 45%
Operated commercial vehicles for long-haul deliveries, maintaining an accident-free record across 100k+ km
Ensured all pick-up, delivery, and vehicle condition reports were completed accurately and timely.
Recorded routine truck and equipment maintenance, to reduce the risk of injury or malfunction.
Organized deliveries with manufacturers and supervisors to ensure cost-effective and efficient delivery.
Interview Techniques for Transport Driver Jobs
Driving a truck is a demanding job and can be stressful. Employers will want to assess your work history and safe driving skills. In addition, employers look for drivers with strong customer service skills and value the importance of road safety. You can expect to answer some of the following questions:
Describe your experience as a commercial truck driver. Your response can include any special licenses you have, the number of years that you have been driving, the distances you travelled, and any incidents that you had.
How do you maintain a safe driving environment? Your response can include driving practices that you follow to ensure that you drive safely. You can also talk about how you keep up with safe driving procedures.
How would you handle a major problem with a shipment? Your response can include how you responded to a shipment problem that you had in the past, and what actions you took to resolve it. This is also an opportunity to highlight your customer service skills, and your ability to deal with stressful situations.
Transport driver jobs are key to manufacturing, agriculture, and mining industries and linking Canadian businesses with the world. With a current shortage of about 20,000 drivers, trucking in Canada is a high-demand occupation. And, with an understanding of job requirements, career options, and a truck driver salary in Canada, this could be a great opportunity for you!
Looking for chiropractor jobs in Canada? Many people prefer chiropractors in Canada and embrace alternative forms of health care and relief from physical ailments. As the field continues to grow in popularity, there is ample opportunity for internationally trained chiropractors who want to continue their careers in Canada.
Even though there is a labour shortage for chiropractors in Canada, you still need to meet specific chiropractic job requirements. Typically, employers require a minimum of two years of university undergraduate studies in science and licensing by a provincial chiropractic regulatory body, in addition to other requirements.
If you plan to work as a chiropractor in Canada, you need to plan ahead and understand job requirements and licensing requirements. Prepare to continue your chiropractic career in Canada with this helpful overview.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Chiropractor
Before You Move to Canada to Continue Your Chiropractor Career
There are steps that you can take before you move to Canada to improve your chances of practicing chiropractic when you arrive. Following these steps can help you prepare to work in Canada, and save time, money, and energy.
Attend the webinar How to Find Your First Job as a Newcomer in Canada to learn about labour market and job trends.
Contact the chiropractic regulatory body in the province where you will settle in Canada and inquire about:
Specific procedures to follow
Steps involved in the licensing process before and after you move to Canada
Documents you need to bring to Canada and verify if they need to be translated
Potential costs and time required to obtain a license.
Improve your language skills and enroll in language classes while you’re in your home country. You will need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.
Take language classes and continue them after you move to Canada.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. It will be easier to gather them while in your home country.
Understand how chiropractic in Canada is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with the laws and legislation that govern your profession in the province where you will settle.
Know the name of your job in Canada and make a list of potential employers.
Working in Canada | How To Get Your First Job In Canada
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.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Chiropractor Career in Canada
Researching your profession is a vital first step before you move to Canada. Because chiropractors belong to a regulated profession in Canada they must register as members of a provincial College of Chiropractors in the province where they plan to settle. Internationally trained chiropractors must become familiar with accreditation policies and processes set by the FCC.
Employment Outlook for Chiropractor Jobs in Canada
The job outlook for the chiropractic profession in Canada is positive. There are currently 33,700 professionals working in chiropractic. However, the Canadian Occupational Projections System projects a labour shortage for chiropractors until 2028. Many jobs are expected to open over the next few years because of Canada’s ageing population and increased public awareness of health issues. Job opportunities will also be available as more chiropractors retire. As a result, chiropractors in Canada can expect to see employment growth above the average for all occupations.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Chiropractor Jobs in Canada
To research the profession, you can start by reviewing the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for chiropractors, NOC 31201. Here you will get an overview of the job requirements, main duties, and example titles. This information will help you to understand what Canadian employers seek. You can search for example titles to help you when you conduct your job search.
Refer to the NOC for an overview of main duties, job requirements, and example titles for chiropractors.
In addition to using the NOC, you can also research the chiropractic profession at the Government of Canada Job Bank site. This site provides vital information about working in chiropractic jobs in Canada including wages, job prospects, skills, and general labour market information. The information on the site can help to inform your career and settlement decisions when choosing a city in Canada. Below we explain the steps you will need to take to work as a Chiropractor in Canada.
How to Become a Registered Chiropractor in Canada
There are several ways to begin your journey to becoming a registered chiropractor in Canada. To begin, foreign-trained chiropractors should contact the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory body and get information about assessment and licensing procedures.
This is essential because employers require a minimum of two years of university undergraduate studies in science and licensing by a provincial chiropractic regulatory body. You must also complete:
A four- or five-year program at an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission of the Council on Chiropractic
Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board exams
Provincial licensing body exams.
Credential Recognition to Meet Chiropractor Job Requirements in Canada
Some jobs in Canada, including chiropractors belong to a regulated occupation. You can only call yourself a chiropractor and practice the profession if you have a license from a regulatory body. As a result, internationally trained chiropractors must have their foreign licenses and certificates recognised. This process is known as credentials recognition.
Regardless of your international education or experience, to practice as a chiropractor you will need a license to practise in Canada. So, it’s important to become familiar with the provincial licensing process and what the chiropractic regulatory body expects of you. The regulatory body can advise you on the documents you require and assessment fees. Once you have all the information you can carefully complete your application.
The Federation of Canadian Chiropractic (FCC) is the national organization that governs the practice and assesses the academic credentials of chiropractic programs in Canada. There are also provincial and territorial regulatory bodies (links provided below). Licensure requirements may vary from one province to the other, but usually, internationally educated chiropractors must follow these registration steps:
Complete the graduation requirements from a chiropractic education program accredited or recognized through reciprocal agreement by the FCC and Council on Chiropractic Education Canada.
Submit official copies of all transcripts from an accredited chiropractic educational institution
Provide proof of Canadian citizenship, Permanent Resident Status, or Employment Authorization
Complete the application and pay the fee
Complete the following exams:
Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) knowledge-based exams
CCEB Clinical Competency Exams, and
CCO Legislation and Ethics Exam.
Credential Assessment Services for Chiropractors
If you plan to attend college or university to upgrade your skills, contact the school you want to attend to find out how to apply and what credential assessment agency to use. Some schools request that you use a specific assessment service. So be sure to ask if they have a preferred service to avoid paying extra fees.
Here are some credential assessment services that a chiropractic school may recommend:
To find more organizations and agencies that provide credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Chiropractor Job Requirements
In addition to accreditation, you may need to upgrade your skills through a bridging program or other courses to become a chiropractor in Canada.
You can benefit from ongoing learning through continuing education courses, attending seminars and training conferences, and reading professional periodicals.
You may have strong practical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job and succeed. If necessary, you may need more training or skills upgrading, especially related to soft skills.
Chiropractors must possess patience, excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to maintain precise and confidential clinical records, good observation skills, and problem-solving and analytical skills. Importantly chiropractors must be able to handle patients and empathize with them and explain things in simple terms. You also require strong business skills. Many chiropractic offices operate as small businesses. Strong business knowledge is necessary if you plan to run a private practice.
Language Training for Chiropractors in Canada
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.
There are even language courses to teach you professional terminologies, such as job-specific language training and Occupation-Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you more job options.
Chiropractor Schools in Canada
Chiropractic colleges offer programs that allow you to specialize in specific areas.
There are two programs that offer chiropractic degrees in Canada accredited by the FCC:
So, if you plan to continue your studies in Canada, you can research your options at these chiropractic schools.
There are also a select number of specialty chiropractic colleges that offer programs that allow you to specialize in specific areas. Specialties can include pediatric, clinical sciences and diagnostic imaging, spinal stenosis, sports sciences, rehabilitation, and animal chiropractic care.
Here’s a list of the chiropractic colleges in Canada:
The following associations provide information about licensing and certification and offer professional development, education and networking opportunities.
Internationally trained chiropractors can benefit from joining immigrant networks. Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals
Immigrant networks provide activities such as networking events and mentoring. They also host information sessions, provide professional development, and facilitate connections to job opportunities. For example, isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, helps newcomer professionals with economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
How Much Do Chiropractors Make in Canada?
Chiropractor salaries in Canada vary based on many factors. Your location, the number of hours you work, how much you charge patients, and many other factors affect your income. Chiropractors make about $45 per hour. Salaries typically range between $87,750 and $125,438 according to Talent.com.
Chiropractor Job Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent Chiropractor salary numbers from the Government of Canada Job Bank. Data is not available for all provinces.
Best Locations to Find Work in Canada as a Chiropractor
You can find chiropractor jobs in Canada in almost any province or territory. The best locations to find work are in the provinces with the largest population including Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The same is relevant at the city level. Top locations include cities such as:
Pursuing a career in chiropractic begins with having the right academic credentials based on the province where you plan to work. The following information can help you to continue your chiropractic career in Canada.
Major Employers for Chiropractic Jobs in Canada
Chiropractors in Canada usually work in private practice or clinics with other health practitioners. You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for hospitals or healthcare centres that you may be interested in. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace.
Many chiropractors have a private practice in Canada.
How to Find Your First Canadian Chiropractor Job
The Canadian job market is competitive, so it’s necessary to understand the steps to gain employment. As well, finding a chiropractic job in Canada may be different from in your home country.
There are many ways to search for chiropractic jobs.
Broaden your search and include alternative careers.
Seek out a mentor in the chiropractic sector who could give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Join chiropractic or healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.
Attend chiropractic or healthcare job fairs and regularly check online job boards.
Search job banks at chiropractic colleges or associations. Also, hospitals and other health institutions generally post vacancies on their websites.
Connect with Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Finding a chiropractic job in Canada may be different than in your home country. You may need help updating your resume, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews to work as a chiropractor in Canada. Most settlement agencies offer job-search services that can help you find a job in Canada. To find immigrant services in Canada, click here.
Write a Resume
When you apply for a chiropractor job you will have to submit a well-written resume. A Canadian-style resume plays an important role in getting you a job. Consider the following tips to write your resume for chiropractic jobs.
List only relevant job experiences, or that were similar, such as working as a Chiropractor for ABC Healthcare clinic, or Assistant Chiropractor with ABC Hospital.
Describe the nature of the job which you were required to do. Mention only those jobs related to the chiropractic job.
List your license and educational qualifications. Here too, mention only those qualifications, related to chiropractic, such as a Bachelor of Science in Chiropractic Medicine from ABC University.
List specific job duties and outcomes such as maintaining records of the case history of the patient, conducting a physical diagnosis, interpreting medical images like X-rays and scans, making adjustments to the spinal cord of the patient, adjusting the spinal column, conducting sports chiropractic activities, or providing advice on general health.
Prepare for Chiropractic Job Interviews in Canada
To prepare for your chiropractor job interview:
Think of interview questions and answers that are relevant to the field and position that you have applied for.
Visit specialized chiropractic forums or blogs to ask for interview help and advice.
Understand Canadian chiropractic industry trends and how they are affecting the profession.
Identify attributes/traits/abilities for chiropractors that are related to this job and how to get them.
Research the employer profile thoroughly for chiropractor vacancies to identify: the client base, the company’s value proposition, and what sets it apart. Identify how your experience and talent make you an ideal candidate for the role.
Sample Chiropractic Job Interview Questions
Below are sample interview questions that you can prepare to respond to:
Why are you interested in this role? Demonstrate that you have researched the organization and highlight why you are attracted to both the role and the organization.
What do you like the most or least about your role as a chiropractor? Be sure to emphasize the elements that you like most that align with the job description.
What is the most recent skill you have learned and how did you learn it? This is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to professional development. Indicate whether you completed additional training, wrote a research paper, or read about the skill in trade publications.
Request Information Interviews with Practicing Chiropractors
While the job outlook is positive for chiropractors in Canada, landing that next opportunity requires extra effort and outreach.
Informational interviewing can be a way to demonstrate your communication skills, research skills and time management skills.
An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in the field to learn more about the industry in Canada.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather learn more about working as a chiropractor in Canada.
An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information. In addition to basic information about a particular type of industry (such as you might find on a company website), it also offers you the benefit of a professional’s first-hand experiences and impressions.
Make a list of the hospitals, chiropractic practices, public health agencies, and others, as desired, that operate in your area.
Use your resources including professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, health unit coordinators, etc.
Create 5 – 10 open-ended questions that will yield useful information to help with your job search.
Networking Opportunities for Chiropractors
Networking is an essential tool that may give you job leads, gain information about a particular firm or industry, and meet others to expand your network. As many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with practicing chiropractors and others in your field.
Good places to network are gatherings such as conferences, association luncheons, and industry get-togethers to meet people, build relationships, and share information.
LinkedIn is another important professional tool for networking. It is great to connect with former colleagues and employers, search by company or jobs, and get introductions and recommendations.
You can also connect with people in the healthcare sector and join some related professional groups.
But remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight, and you need to be patient.
With a positive outlook for chiropractor jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options. Interested in learning more about working in Canada?
Thinking about searching for a medical radiation technologist (MRT) job in Canada? Like many other healthcare professionals, MRTs are in demand because the healthcare industry is experiencing shortages. So, if you want to continue your career in Canada, continue reading! You’ll learn about medical radiation technologist job requirements, salaries, career options, job search techniques, and more!
To work as a medical radiation technologist, employers usually require that you have completed a two- to three-year college or other approved program in diagnostic or magnetic resonance imaging (for radiological technologists and magnetic resonance technologists), nuclear medicine technology, or radiation therapy. Or, you must have completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences in radiography, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy along with a period of supervised practical training.
In addition, licensing is required by a regulatory body in some provinces. However, membership with a provincial association is required by other provinces. Medical radiation technologists must be certified by the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists in all provinces except Quebec and British Columbia.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Medical Radiation Technologist
It’s important to research medical radiation technologist job requirements before you move to Canada. This will make it easier to continue your career when you arrive. In fact, there are some steps that you can take before you arrive that will help you to find a job faster. There are steps that you can take before you immigrate to improve your chances of practicing your profession in Canada.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Medical Radiation Technologist Career
Attend the free webinar How to Find Your First Job as a Newcomer in Canada to learn about the labour market.
Contact the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists to learn about the:
Process to follow
Cost and time required to obtain a license
Steps in the licensing process before and after you move to Canada.
Contact the provincial regulatory body in the province where you plan to settle to determine:
International qualifications that they recognize
Language requirements
Documents required for employment or to continue your education in Canada. Verify if the documents need to be translated and if you have to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Improve your language skills, enroll in language classes while you are in your home country, and continue when you arrive in Canada. You need to have strong English or French (depending on your destination province) language skills and you may be tested.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country.
Research medical radiation technologist salaries in different cities (wages may vary across Canada).
Understand how the medical radiation technology profession is practiced in Canada. Familiarize yourself with the procedures, laws, and legislation that govern the profession in the province where you will settle.
Know example job titles that are used in Canada for medical radiation technologists.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Medical Radiation Technologist Career in Canada
Medical radiation technologists require a license to work in the provinces of Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. So, you need to register with the relevant provincial authority to practice and use the professional designation.
Membership with a provincial association is required in the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Northwest Territories.
The Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) is the national professional association and certifying body. CAMRT represents four disciplines:
Employment Outlook for Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs in Canada
Job prospects for medical radiation technologists are good for the next few years. With the healthcare system experiencing a significant shortage of workers, there is a great opportunity for internationally trained professionals to continue their MRT careers in Canada. Depending on your location and qualifications, both full-time and part-time opportunities are available.
Researching Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs in Canada
It’s smart to research your profession before you arrive in Canada. And, a good place to start researching job requirements is with the National Occupational Code (NOC) 32121 (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). The NOC provides a standard definition of the role of medical radiation technologists, along with example titles, main duties, and job requirements. This information will also help you when you begin your job search in Canada.
Use the NOC 32121 to learn about the role of medical radiation technologists in Canada.
Requirements to Become a Medical Radiation Technologist in Canada
Internationally trained medical radiation technologists must meet the licensing requirements in Canada to practice. International graduates must take part in a credential recognition process. Some can benefit from bridging programs offered by local colleges and universities.
Below we explain the steps you will need to take to work as a Medical Radiation Technologist in Canada.
Credential Recognition to Meet MRT Job Requirements in Canada
Credential recognition is the process of verifying and assessing your skills, competencies, and international credentials fairly and rigorously. The best way to learn about the credential recognition process is to contact the provincial or territorial regulatory body where you plan to settle. They can advise you about the documents that you require, licensing fees, and more. It’s a good idea to take this step before you arrive in Canada and then decide the date that you will depart for Canada.
Depending on the province you intend to settle in, your licensing process may include:
Exams (eligibility, program selection, qualifying, certification)
Language proficiency tests
Credentialing
Postgraduate training/assessment
Return-of-service agreements (commitment to practice in an underserved community for an agreed period of time).
When you know the licensure procedure and understand what the MRT regulatory body expects, you can carefully complete your application. The licensure process has many stages and can seem complicated. And you’ll also require a significant financial and personal commitment to pursue the process. Preparing financially for this reality is important.
Credential Assessment Services
If you plan to enrol in a college or university program in Canada, you may require an education evaluation. Contact the school that you plan to attend to find out what’s required and if there is a specific credential assessment agency that you should use to verify your international education.
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet MRT Job Requirements
Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs in Canada
Canadian employers put a high emphasis on soft skills. These are the personal attributes that enhance your interactions, job performance, and medical radiation technologist career prospects. Unlike your hard skills such as technical, analysis, and science skills, you can apply your soft skills broadly.
Soft skills like communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills are important for medical radiation technologists. As a medical radiation technologist, you must be sensitive to the patient’s physical and psychological needs and have the necessary technical skills. If your hard skills get you an interview, most likely it’s your soft skills that will help you get the job and succeed in the role.
Though not a must, upgrading your education and skills through a bridging program or other educational courses can be an important part of your journey to work as an MRT in Canada. You will constantly face changing technology and varied demands from patients, employers, the government, and the general public. Therefore, it’s vital to commit to lifelong learning to demonstrate professional growth.
Language Training for Medical Radiation Technologists in Canada
You may have strong technical skills but need to upgrade your communication skills. Strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French – are important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.
There are even language courses to teach you professional terminologies, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you better job opportunities.
Bridging Programs for Medical Radiation Technologist Careers in Canada
Internationall educated professionals can take advantage of bridging programs to get ready to work in the Canadian workplace.
Bridging programs can help you to transition more quickly into the Canadian labour market. They help to “bridge” your international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer bridging programs you may be eligible for. The following programs may be suitable for you:
The program assists foreign-trained qualified health professionals in certification and registration within Canada. An individualized program will be developed to prepare internationally trained medical radiation technologists to write the CAMRT certification examination.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) – Edmonton
The program provides tools to assess and enhance the practical readiness of internationally educated medical radiological (x-ray) technologists for the Alberta workplace.
Medical Radiation Technologist Schools in Canada
Continuing your education after you arrive in Canada can also boost your career options. Medical radiation technology programs are offered at the college and university level in schools across Canada. There are over 20 colleges and universities that offer medical radiation technology programs including:
Alberta
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
British Columbia
Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Camosun College
College of New Caledonia
Manitoba
Red River College Polytechnic
New Brunswick
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick
Horizon Health Network (University of New Brunswick Saint John)
Newfoundland
College of the North Atlantic
Nova Scotia
Dalhousie University
Ontario
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
Cambrian College
Collège Boréal
Confederation College
Fanshawe College of Applied Arts & Technology
Mohawk College-McMaster University
The Michener Institute of Education at UHN
Prince Edward Island
UPEI School of Radiography
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
For a complete list of accredited and registered health education programs, visit Accreditation Canada.
Medical Radiation Technology Associations in Canada
The following associations provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
National Medical Radiation Technology Associations
Immigrant Networks For Medical Radiation Technologists
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals
The groups offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, and professional development opportunities to help increase your employment opportunities. Here are a couple of resources to consider:
For more information about working in Canada, visit our Finding a Job in Canada page. We’ll help you to achieve your goals in Canada!
How Much Do Medical Radiation Technologists Make in Canada?
Researching MRT salaries in Canada will help you to understand what is a fair market value for your skills and experience.
According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, Medical radiation technologist salaries fall between $25 to $50 per hour. The national average hourly medical radiation technology salary is $36.22 per hour.
To give you an example, if you worked a full-time role and worked 40 hours per week you could make between $52,000 and $104,000 per year. How much you make depends on where you live, your skills, experience, areas of specialization, and if you work full-time or part-time.
Medical Radiation Technologist Salary in Canada
Medical radiation technologist salaries differ based on where you live. Here are the most recent Medical Radiation Technologist salary numbers in Canada as of 2022:
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Medical Radiation Technologist Based on Salary & Lifestyle
Job prospects for MRTs depend on where they work in Canada. So, it’s helpful to research job prospects across Canada. Labour shortage conditions in healthcare are expected to persist from 2019 – 2028. And as Canada’s population ages, there will be greater demand for health services.
Job prospects are considered good in almost all provinces. To research job prospects by province, click here. Within each province, larger cities typically offer the best opportunities because there are larger healthcare networks, more hospitals, and a greater demand for MRTs.
Pursuing a Medical Radiation Technologist Career in Canada
To work as a medical radiation technologist in Canada you will follow a similar path as many other healthcare careers. You need the right academic credentials, relevant work experience, and a plan for where you want to work within the country. Below is valuable information to help you pursue a medical radiation technologist career in Canada:
Major Employers for MRT Jobs in Canada
In Canada, medical radiation technologists are employed in hospitals, private clinics, cancer centres, research laboratories, industry, education, and administration. Hospitals and clinics employ MRTs in the specialties of magnetic resonance and radiography. Major clinics, cancer centres, and hospitals in large urban centres employ medical radiation technologists in the specialties of radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Very few medical radiation technologists are self-employed.
Many medical radiation technology professionals work full time, with a forty-hour work week including weekend, evening, and standby work. However, some do work part-time, as there is a growing number of part-time, casual, and contract employment positions available.
For information on jobs for medical radiation technologists in Canada, see the CAMRT, where you will find a “job bank.” You may find information about available jobs on provincial organizations’ websites.
You can also visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to search for hospitals and other healthcare settings where you may be interested in working. This designation recognizes employers with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusion programs.
How to Find Your First Medical Radiation Technologist Job in Canada
Becoming familiar with the Canadian workplace through volunteering, paid internships, and mentoring can help you to continue your medical radiation technologist career in Canada.
Canadian employers may not know how to assess your international education and work experience or prefer you to have experience working in Canada. Lack of local market experience can pose a challenge for newcomers, but there are ways to overcome some of these challenges.
When an employer tells you that you have no “Canadian experience” often they mean that they’re not sure if you will fit into their workplace. They are not sure that you are familiar with Canadian codes and standards of practice or that you have the communication skills or interpersonal savvy to be an asset to their organization. Employers want professionals who possess the skills that will allow them to fit right in and over time become leaders.
You can overcome this barrier and acquire an understanding of Canadian workplaces by volunteering, networking, finding a mentor, and even job shadowing. This experience may even help you to get a higher medical radiation technologist salary.
Volunteering
Volunteering is an important part of Canadian society and lifestyle. It can help you settle in faster, make friends, practice communication skills, or learn new technical skills. In some cases, it may even lead to a job at the organization where you are volunteering. You can find volunteer opportunities in non-profit organizations and community centres where you can use your knowledge and expertise. Look for opportunities in the health sector, technical work, lab work, or other jobs involving contact with people. You can even use your volunteer work to help you gain “Canadian experience” and add it to your medical radiation technologist resume.
To learn about opportunities, you can contact Volunteer Canada or other community organizations in your area. As well, you can ask your relatives, friends, or colleagues about volunteer opportunities that match your skills and interests.
MRT Internships
Another good way to acquire Canadian experience is with an internship. Career Edge is an innovative internship program that allows you to apply for paid internships at Canada’s leading private, public, or non-profit sector employers. The program regularly posts internship opportunities and offers paid internships of four, six, nine, or 12 months for recent immigrants who:
Are fluent in English
Have a Bachelor’s level education (at least)
Have a minimum of three years of international work experience.
Career Edge is a not-for-profit social enterprise that has managed over 9,200 paid internships across Canada since 1996.
Mentoring
A mentor can help you to advance your medical radiation technologist career and help you to understand the Canadian workplace.
A mentor is someone who can coach or mentor you and share information about working in your profession in Canada. It’s helpful to find someone such as a practicing medical radiation technologist or with a background in healthcare, who can help you navigate the Canadian work environment.
Many professional associations or firms offer this type of “buddy” program, where a seasoned member guides a junior one. Contact the relevant associations in your area to learn about mentorship opportunities.
As well, many bridging programs and immigrant-serving agencies have mentorship programs where they match a newcomer with someone in their professional field. The Mentoring Partnership brings together recent skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation-specific mentoring relationships. Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council manages this program.
Informational Interviews for Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs
An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in your field.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather find out more about the profession in Canada. For example, you may want to learn more about industry trends, and regulatory, or technological changes that are affecting the field.
An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of medical radiation technologist career information. In addition to getting information about the industry, you can benefit from their first-hand experiences working in the field in Canada.
Networking Can Help Your Job Search and MRTCareer
Networking is about meeting people, building relationships, and sharing information.
An essential activity to help you discover job leads, gain information about a particular firm or industry, and meet others in your field is networking. As many job vacancies are not advertised, networking with others can help you to discover available jobs in this “hidden job market”. These jobs also offer very competitive medical radiation technologist salaries and benefits.
Networking is really about meeting people, building relationships, and sharing information. Ideal places to network include conferences and professional associations.
LinkedIn is also helpful for networking.is another important professional tool for networking. It is great for reconnecting with your ex-colleagues and employers, searching by company or jobs, and getting introductions and recommendations. You can also join some related professional groups. But remember, you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking.
MRT Job Shadowing
Not exactly a mentorship or a volunteer opportunity, job shadowing is an interesting way to learn about the industry in Canada and make professional contacts. Job shadowing can last anywhere from an hour to an entire day, and it’s a great way to learn and understand the Canadian workplace.
As in volunteering, identify 5-10 companies or organizations you wish to work for and try to use your network to approach medical radiation technologists – or other employees in a healthcare role – who work there. Contact them, explain that you are a newcomer, and ask if it’s possible to job shadow them for some time to get familiar with the work culture.
Job Search Techniques for Medical Radiation Technologists in Canada
While there is a demand for medical radiation technologists in Canada, the job market is competitive. So, you need to prepare yourself to succeed in the job search. You must look for jobs in the region where you will settle and take time to develop a plan to find work. There are many ways to search for jobs within the healthcare field. Consider these tips to gain employment:
Broaden your search and include alternative medical radiation technologist careers and sectors.
Seek out a mentor in the healthcare profession that could give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Join job-finding or networking groups through settlement agencies.
Attend industry job fairs and regularly online job boards.
Check the CAMRT job bank for available jobs and the provincial regulatory bodies.
Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Finding a job in Canada may be very different than in your home country. Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations can help you to find job vacancies, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for interviews, and understand what Canadian employers are looking for.
To find immigrant services in your area,click here.
Resume Writing for Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs
Your resume must showcase your technical excellence, proficiency, and accomplishments as a medical radiation technologist.
To show you’re the best candidate for the job, your resume should highlight how your abilities and skills contributed to your accomplishments.
Here are some additional tips to consider when writing your medical radiation technologist resume:
Create a professional resume format using medical resume templates available online.
Identify your experience working with specialized radiation therapy equipment and performing diagnostic procedures and your related accomplishments
Highlight your understanding of the required safety measures to provide effective services, and specify your knowledge of advanced technological developments in the field.
List skills, qualifications, and specialized training that you have received.
Interview Techniques for Medical Radiation Technologist Jobs
While the future looks bright for medical radiation technologists in Canada, you need to prepare well for your job interview.
Prior to your job interview, review your qualifications for the medical radiation technologist position so you can speak to your qualifications with confidence. Assess your experience to determine how you can contribute high value to the position. And, finally, prepare responses to some questions that a hiring manager may ask you.
Here are some questions to consider:
What are your strengths?
Don’t be shy. Identify three to five key strengths that directly relate to the position such as your organizational skills, collaboration skills, and leadership skills.
Describe a time when you had to manage multiple priorities. How did you manage your time?
This is the time to demonstrate your organizational and time management skills.
Describe how you keep your MRT skills and knowledge up to date.
The hiring manager wants to know that you actively pursue continuous learning. You can discuss a recent conference you attended, professional journals you regularly read, or specific training you have or will receive.
During the interview, you will also have to respond to standard technical questions as well.
While you can never know exactly what to expect in an interview, research and being well-prepared can make all the difference.
With a positive outlook for Medical Radiation Technologist jobs in Canada, and an understanding of job requirements, careers, salaries, and job search techniques, now is the time to start building your plan!