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Administrative assistance jobs are a popular choice among newcomers to Canada. Most companies have administrative assistants to help run the business. Since administrative assistant careers can take many paths, it’s a great opportunity for immigrants with a variety of skill sets. Plus, administrative assistant salaries can increase to higher levels once you gain experience.
The job requirements for administrative assistants usually require completion of secondary school and a one- or two-year college program. In addition to completing a program for administrative assistants (or another related program) previous clerical experience is also helpful. This role is a non-regulated profession in Canada, so you do not need a license. Learn about job requirements, job search strategies, interview techniques, and more!
Preparing before you move to Canada, can speed up your job search. These are some steps you can take before you move to Canada to help you work in an administrative assistant career and even find a job faster when you arrive.
To help you prepare for your job search, it’s helpful to understand the nature of the job and the specific skills that Canadian employers seek. This will involve some basic research. Administrative assistant careers are unique because jobs are diverse. Your role will be shaped by the industry and company. Some positions may be more advanced than others even though they share the same job title. This will also be reflected in the administrative assistant salary for the job.
Are you moving to Canada soon or already here? Do you need to find a job? Would you like to find good resources for finding employment in Canada? If so, join us for a free webinar where you can ask an expert your questions. We’ll discuss what you can do to make yourself more marketable to potential employers.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARJob prospects for administrative assistants vary across Canada. So it’s best to explore provincial job prospects to assess where there the outlook is good.
The labour market conditions over the next 10 years are expected to be balanced for administrative assistant careers. There are expected to be 68, 200 job openings from 2022-2031, many of which will be filled by newcomers, according to the Government of Canada.
You can even explore future job prospects in local regions when you click on the provincial job prospects links.
This detailed information is provided by the Government of Canada Job Bank site and it is a great location to research job prospects, wages, skill requirements, and even search for administrative assistant jobs.
As part of your research, you can view the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. The NOC provides a standard definition of jobs in Canada. This five-digit code is used by various groups, including job seekers such as you.
The NOC for administrative assistants is NOC 13110. You can use this information to learn about the nature of the job duties and get job titles and employment requirements. While the job title for NOC 13110 is Administrative Assistant, when searching for jobs in Canada, you will find other titles for the same role. You can use these other titles when you search for jobs in Canada and expand your search efforts.
If you have specialized experience, you may also want to refer to these NOCs:
Administrative assistant careers are non-regulated in Canada which means you do not need a license to work in this field. But, most jobs will require you to have certain credentials and education to qualify for the positions. Requirements will vary based on the employer and the job title. Below are steps to take to work as an administrative assistant in Canada:
Credential recognition is a process to verify and assess your skills, competencies, and credentials fairly and consistently. While administrative assistants belong to a non-regulated profession in Canada, some employers may ask for an educational assessment. Mostly though, employers will assess your skills, knowledge, and experience and contact your professional references. So, before you spend money to get your credentials evaluated, find out if the company that you are applying to requires an assessment.
Administrative assistants can become a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals. The association helps its members with skill development and growth to enhance job opportunities and contributions to both the workplace and the community.
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What is Credential Recognition?
You may also require an educational assessment if you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills or continue your education in Canada. However, before you pay for an assessment, contact the school that you plan to attend to find out what they require and the credential assessment service that you should use. Some schools may have a preferred service provider.
When you get an educational assessment be sure to highlight your international education and skills. You may be able to receive advanced standing, transfer some of your credits, and benefit from prior learning assessment options. If you can gain credit or course exemptions, you can avoid repeating the education you already have, or you may shorten the amount of time required to complete courses. It’s important to build on your existing knowledge and skills and explore your options carefully before you decide that you need to return to school.
Several agencies assess international education credentials to help newcomers to Canada access the education and employment they need including:
To find more credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
Canadian employers place a high value on soft skills, such as 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 communication, coordination, and sociability, are even more important for administrative assistants. That’s why identifying areas in your soft skills that need improvement is crucial. If your hard skills will get you an interview, most probably it is your soft skills that will get you the job and enable you to succeed.
Though not a must, upgrading your education and skills through a bridging program or other courses and workshops may be an important part of your journey to becoming a successful administrative assistant in Canada.
Administrative assistants require strong communication skills, document management, note-taking, presentation, proofreading, report compilation and writing, organizational ability, time management, and software expertise. Having strong communication skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, is also important for your career success.
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 English as a Second Language or French as Second Language classes through local 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. If you are in Toronto, the Toronto District Board of School offers a fourteen-week Enhanced Language Training program focusing on Customer Service & Administration for immigrant women.
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.
More than 60 schools offer administration courses and programs in Canada. There are several education streams you can choose from:
Courses are offered by most community colleges. Some programs are available online. Some schools to consider are:
Read more about the benefits of higher education for newcomers.
The main administrative assistant association in Canada is the Association of Administrative Professionals. This association has branches in Ontario, Alberta, and Atlantic Canada.
Professional Immigrant Networks (PINS) are organized associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
PINS can provide networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development, and connections to job opportunities.
isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia: helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
Professional Immigrant Networks (TRIEC)
For information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!
According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, administrative assistant salaries can range from $14.50 to $43 per hour depending on where you live in Canada. Some of the common factors affecting administrative assistant salaries include your job title, industry, experience, education, and location. The median hourly administrative assistant salary is $24.
Here are the most recent administrative assistant salary numbers in Canada:
| Province | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 18.27 | 26.10 | 34.64 |
| British Columbia | 17.00 | 24.85 | 36.00 |
| Manitoba | 14.63 | 22.12 | 30.84 |
| New Brunswick | 15.00 | 22.00 | 29.76 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 16.48 | 24.04 | 30.00 |
| Northwest Territories | 20.00 | 26.00 | 35.12 |
| Nova Scotia | 14.50 | 22.00 | 29.55 |
| Nunavut | 27.00 | 30.00 | 43.00 |
| Ontario | 17.00 | 24.54 | 35.90 |
| Prince Edward Island | 16.00 | 24.00 | 29.40 |
| Quebec | 16.67 | 23.00 | 31.79 |
| Saskatchewan | 16.35 | 23.32 | 32.00 |
| Yukon | 19.00 | 28.80 | 34.03 |
Most provinces and Canadian cities offer employment opportunities in the administrative sector. However, when looking for jobs, broaden your geographic area to include smaller cities and towns close to the city where you plan to live. For example, you may want to consider cities that are within close proximity to larger cities. For example, the city of Hamilton is less than a one-hour drive to Toronto and can offer a more affordable cost of living.
Research cities in Canada and determine where there is a demand for your profession and where you would like to settle.
Pursuing an administrative assistant career begins with education, and experience, and then selecting a province to work in. Once you decide where to live, you’ll want to identify the best employers in the area. Below is valuable information to help you pursue an administrative assistant career in Canada:
Administrative assistants can work in any province and for a variety of organizations. It’s common to find jobs in government, the private sector, small businesses, and industries such as health care, education, and many others.
You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for immigrant-friendly corporations and organizations that you might be interested in. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for their commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
The Canadian job market can be competitive, so you need to prepare and understand the job search process. You must 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 to find a job. There are many ways that you can search for jobs. These helpful tips are important actions that you can take to propel your job search:
Finding administrative assistant jobs in Canada may be different than in your home country and you may need help to find jobs, update your resume, write a cover letter, and prepare for interviews.
Most settlement agencies offer free job search services before and after you arrive in Canada.
Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.
Networking is an essential relationship-building activity that can help you discover job leads, gain information about a company or industry, and meet others who can help you to expand your network. As many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with others in your field. The “hidden job market” accounts for roughly 70- 80% of available jobs in Canada. Tapping into the “hidden job market” through networking can greatly help your job search efforts.
Good places to network are industry conferences and functions where people meet, build relationships and share information.
LinkedIn is another helpful networking tool that’s great for connecting with former colleagues and employers, searching for jobs, and getting introductions and recommendations. You can also join some related professional groups.
An informational interview with a contact from your network can be a great source of career information. The purpose of this brief 20 – 30-minute meeting is to speak with someone who currently works in the position or industry that you would like to learn more about.
An informational interview can help you to gather valuable and professional insights. And, you gain benefits by speaking with someone who can share their thoughts and first-hand experience. You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather research and learn more about a position, company, or industry.
When you write your resume it’s important to tailor it for the specific job that you are applying for. When you can show how your skills and experience match the job requirements, it will be much easier for employers and human resource recruiters to discover your resume. Here are some essential tips to write a winning administrative assistance resume:
Using a generic resume for all administrative jobs is not effective. It’s more effective to carefully review the job description and emphasize how your skills match the job requirements. Use bullet points to describe your related responsibilities and successful outcomes.
Employers want to know immediately which technical skills you possess. To do this, you can include a line that says, “Experienced with” and then list all applicable software programs and skills that you possess.
It’s important to showcase the skills that employers are searching for. One way to do that is to review administrative assistant job postings. Identify the skills that employers value and require.
You can use your network to find the names of current administrative assistants. You may want to view their LinkedIn profile or other presence they may have on professional websites to learn about their skills and previous experience. This way you can compare your skills with those of current employees.
As a newcomer, you bring your international experience to the table. This is especially valuable when you apply to companies that have global operations. So be sure to highlight your international experience.
When interviewing for an administrative assistant job in Canada, be sure to ask specifically what the job entails. Admin jobs range from answering phones, scheduling appointments, and setting up virtual meeting rooms to charting budgets, purchasing merchandise, and troubleshooting software problems. Your pay as an administrative assistant can vary depending on your role and duties, the industry, and even the city where you are employed.
Communication is your primary role as an administrative assistant. Be it on the phone, in person, or through e-mail, you must be well-mannered and articulate. Be sure to present yourself professionally before, during, and after the interview.
While some companies have receptionists, others rely on administrative assistants to answer phones and greet clients. Because the company’s administrative assistant may be the first point of contact, it’s crucial to dress professionally to show respect to the company and its clients.
Talk about your spreadsheet, data management, and electronic filing system expertise. Or, if you are interviewing with an advertising company, talk about how your social media skills can help with the company’s online presence. If you are interviewing for a school administrative job, discuss the role of email communication with parents, posting online grades and notices, and electronic bill payment.
Here are some sample questions that a human resources manager or hiring manager may ask you during an interview:
Remember that a job interview is a two-way street. Research the company before the interview and prepare questions. You can ask your questions at the end of the interview.
With a positive outlook for administrative assistant jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.
Working as a dentist in Canada is a good career choice and a profession that will face labour shortages in the coming years. Dentist salaries can be lucrative, but you must undergo extensive training to earn an attractive dentist salary. Dentist job requirements in Canada typically require one to four years of pre-dentistry university studies and a university degree from a recognized dental program. Also, you must obtain a license from a provincial or territorial regulatory body to practice in Canada. To continue your successful dentistry career in Canada, you must research the profession to understand the job requirements. Get the information you need to navigate job requirements for dentists with international experience.
It’s vital to research the dentistry profession in Canada before you arrive. Your thorough research will help you to understand what you require to continue to work as a dentist in Canada. Dentists belong to a regulated profession in Canada. And, it can take a great deal of time, money, and effort to obtain a license to d to practice dentistry in Canada. However, when you know the licensing process, you can prepare in advance.
Each province and territory has its own regulatory body to grant a license to practice dentistry within its jurisdiction. These regulatory bodies recognize the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB) certificate.
These are some steps you can take before you move to 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.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARDentistry is a regulated profession in Canada, so you must be a licensed member of a provincial or territorial regulatory body to practice or use the title of dentist or dental surgeon. With this license, you can work in private practice, hospitals, clinics, public health facilities, or universities. It’s also important to understand how dentistry is practiced in Canada and to become familiar with the legislation that governs dentistry in the province where you’ll settle.
Understanding the demand for dentists in Canada can help you determine what the job prospects will be like. To find out more about job prospects, wages, jobs, requirements, and skills, you can visit the Canada job bank. With this information, you can research the national, provincial, and regional job forecasts for dentists.
According to current data for the period of 2022-2031, employment growth for dentists is above the average for all occupations. There are expected to be about 13,500 new opportunities. This is due to industry expansion as well as many existing dentists retiring in the coming years. However, there is a shortage of dentists to fill these roles, creating an opportunity for internationally trained dentists.
If you have international qualifications, it’s important to know what you require to work in Canada and understand the Canadian labour market. The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a great place to start your research. Here, you’ll find general information about the job profile, example dentistry titles, duties, and job requirements. Using the 5-digit NOC code 31110 for Dentists you can use this information to help with your job search.
To practice as a dentist, you need to have a license in Canada regardless of your education or experience in another country. So, it’s important to contact the provincial or territorial regulatory body (links provided below) that governs the dental profession in Canada before you arrive in Canada. They can tell you what documents you will require as well as the cost of assessment fees. The licensing process can be lengthy and expensive. So you need to prepare for this reality and ensure that you afford both the time and cost. Take your time to learn about the licensing process and what the dental regulatory body will expect of you.
All regulatory bodies recognize the certificate of the National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB). However, to write the exam, you must be a graduate from an accredited program in Canada or the USA – and with some conditions, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
If you have graduated from a dental program outside of the mentioned countries, you will be considered an internationally educated dentist and have to take a two-year qualifying program to sit for the exam. In addition to the application and document verification processes, the NDEB assessment process includes three assessments:
You need to successfully complete all three steps before you can write the NDEB exams. Once you pass these exams you may apply to the dental regulator in your province to get licensed.
If you’re immigrating to Quebec, you have three years to meet the mandatory requirement for French language proficiency. If you wish to work in a dental specialty, you will need additional training.
Related Post: How Do Education Evaluation and Credential Recognition Differ? (Infographic)
If you plan to enroll in a university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you plan to attend to learn what credential assessment agency you should use. You can use these credential assessment services for more information:
World Education Services (WES) – Ontario
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia
To find other credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
In addition to accreditation, upgrading your skills through a bridging program or other courses and workshops is an important part of your journey to becoming a dentist in Canada. As a dentist, you must continually update your knowledge and skills on new dental procedures and practices. You can benefit from ongoing learning and professional growth offered through continuing education courses and seminars.
You may have strong technical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. As a dentist, you must have skills that include:
You may need more training or skills upgrading, especially your soft skills.
If you would like to be a self-employed dentist, you may require advanced business skills as well as financial resources to establish and maintain the dental practice.
Dentistry requires advanced language abilities in reading, writing, and speaking. 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. Read more about the importance of communication skills.
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 through school boards or settlement agencies.
There are even language courses to teach you professional terminology, such as job-specific language training and if you are located in Ontario, Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT). You may already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, and learning the other one is a good option for better job opportunities.
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. You may be eligible for one. Learn more about bridging programs to find one that’s suitable for you:
This centre provides internationally educated health professionals with the necessary tools to become successfully licensed in their Health Care Profession in Alberta/Canada. Participants will be assigned a dentist Career Coach who will guide them through the licensing and employment process.
University of British Columbia
International Dental Degree Completion Program
This program is offered to graduates of international dental programs that are not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. This two-year program will lead to the awarding of the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
University of Manitoba
International Dentist Degree Program
This program is offered to graduates of international dental programs not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
University of Toronto
International Dentist Advanced Placement Program
This program is for graduates of non-accredited dental programs that have not been recognized by The Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. It prepares them to take the NDEB examinations. After successful completion of this 5-month program, students are fully integrated into the third year of U of T’s four-year Doctor of Dental Surgery Program (DDS), leading to the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Western University
ITD – Internationally Trained Dentists Program
Held over two academic years beginning in May/June, the Program leads to a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS). Upon successful completion of the ITD Program and the NDEB Written and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, candidates will be eligible for licensure/registration as a dentist in all Canadian provinces (a French proficiency exam is required for licensure in Quebec).
If you plan to continue your education, there are 10 dental schools in Canada. Each one has specific programs and specializations. You can research different schools to determine which one is best for you based on your career goals:
The following associations can provide more information about licensing, certification, professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
Canadian Dental Association (CDA)
National Dental Examining Board of Canada (NDEB)
Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC)
Royal College of Dentists of Canada (RCDC)
Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD)
Alberta
Alberta Dental Association and College (ADAC)
British Columbia
College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia (CDSBC)
Manitoba
Manitoba Dental Association (MDA)
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Dental Society (NBDS)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association (NLDA)
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia (PDBNS)
Nunavut
Professional Licensing, Department of Health and Social Services, Government of Nunavut
Ontario
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO)
Quebec
Ordre des dentistes du Québec (ODQ)
Saskatchewan
College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS)
Yukon
Professional Licensing, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon
Professional immigrant networks (PINS): These volunteer associations or networks are created by and for immigrant professionals and seek to create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities. They also provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals.
PINS offers activities that include networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development opportunities, and connections to job opportunities.
For example, in Nova Scotia there is isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia: isans helps newcomer professionals to integrate economically and socially in the province of Nova Scotia.
Dentist salaries can span a wide range depending on your experience and level of specialization. According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, dentist salaries can range from approximately $30,000 to about $350,000 annually. The province with the highest average dentist salary is Alberta ($127, 890). The province with the lowest average dentist salary is British Columbia ($104,055).
Here are the most recent dentist salary (November 2022) numbers in Canada. At this time, data is not available for all provinces and territories.
| Province | Low ($/year) | Median ($/year) | High ($/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 31,688 | 127,890 | 344,374 |
| British Columbia | 35,592 | 104,055 | 214,633 |
| Nova Scotia | 30,870 | 115,050 | 166,709 |
| Ontario | 32,274 | 114,966 | 248,306 |
| Quebec | 29,862 | 121,027 | 243,253 |
There is an increasing demand for dentists in Canada because of population growth, an aging population, and technological advancement in diagnosis and treatment. Though the demand for dentists is throughout Canada, you may want to consider the fast-growing provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and rural areas throughout the country. Large cities such as Toronto, are also a good option. A dentist’s salary will vary based on your location and the job prospects.
Also, it is important to consider the availability of bridging or other educational qualifying programs in dentistry when researching and choosing your destination city. Visit Choosing a City to discover cities across Canada and learn about the local employment market, the housing market, newcomer support, and more.
Dentists in Canada work in private practices or may be employed in hospitals, clinics, public health facilities, or universities. Some are employed by local, provincial, and federal health authorities or choose to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.
If you want to explore possible dental career opportunities outside the dental practice, you may consider working as a dental educator, researcher, administrator, or sales representative. These options also offer competitive dental salaries. You can also visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for diversity and inclusion.
The Canadian job market is competitive, so you must prepare and understand the steps to gain employment. You must register to practice as a dentist in the province or territory where you intend to work and look for jobs in that region. Take your time to research job requirements in the region and develop a plan to find work.
There are many ways to search for a job in dentistry for example:
For more information on job search techniques, click here.
Finding a job in Canada may be different than in your home country. Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations offer help to find job vacancies, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for interviews and understand what Canadian employers are looking for.
Click here to find immigrant services in your area.
Networking is a critical activity that involves building relationships with other professionals to expand your connections. When done effectively, you can find job leads, gain advice and information about the dental profession, and expand your network. Networking can also help you discover unadvertised jobs in what is known as the “hidden” job market. Making connections with other dentists and others in your field can help you discover jobs.
Good places to meet new people and network with others include conferences, associations, and schools.
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 dental field and join related professional groups.
While the job outlook is good for dentists, landing that next opportunity, requires effort and outreach. Informational interviewing is an effective way to practice your communication abilities, research skills, and networking talents to work for your own benefit.
An informational interview is a brief, 20–30-minute meeting you schedule with a person currently working in dentistry in Canada. The purpose of the interview is to learn more about the profession in Canada and gain insights.
Your goal should not be to get a job but rather to learn more about dentistry in Canada and industry trends and issues. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of dentist career information because, in addition to basic information about the dental field, you’ll also gain from hearing directly about your contact’s first-hand experience and impressions.
To identify possible people to meet with, use your existing network to identify people to speak to. Create 15-20 open-ended questions that will yield useful information about dentistry in Canada.
All dentists have degrees, but where they separate themselves is in their experience, expertise, and special training. You can stand out and create an effective resume by highlighting your special skills and experience. Consider these tips when preparing your resume:
Practice is key before you attend an interview and it can make the difference between a job offer or a job decline. To prepare for an interview for a role in dentistry, here are some questions that an interviewer may ask you:
Avoid asking questions about dentist’s salary and benefits until the time is right or the subject is brought up by the interviewer. It’s helpful if you have a portfolio of your work. Obviously, respect the anonymity and privacy of your patients, but you can impress a prospective employer when you can show the quality of your work (before and after photos, case histories, etc.).
Regardless of the type of dental practice you work for, make sure that you convey value to your next boss. How much did you produce? Yes, you are highly trained, qualified, and skilled, but at the end of the day, this is about operating a profitable small business. A dental practice wants to know that you are going to contribute as least as much and hopefully more to your next practice than you have to your current employer.
The need for physiotherapists in Canada is on the rise. As Canada’s population is aging, there is an increasing need for professionals in this field. Like other professions in healthcare, there is a shortage of physiotherapists. This is an opportunity for licensed physiotherapists to move to Canada and help fill the void. Learn more about physiotherapist jobs in Canada and what you require to work.
To work as a physiotherapist in Canada, employers require a university degree in physiotherapy and a period of supervised practical training. You also require a licence or registration with a physiotherapist regulatory body in the province or territory where you plan to settle. Because physiotherapists belong to a regulated profession, you can only practice as a physiotherapist or physical therapist if you are licensed as a full member of a provincial or territorial regulatory body. These bodies are represented by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators (The Alliance).
This overview of the Physiotherapist field in Canada will give you insights into employment requirements, credentials recognition, job search techniques, and more.
Now is an exciting time to move to Canada to continue your career as a physiotherapist because there are many opportunities. But you need to follow specific steps to gain employment.
To help you take charge and continue your career in Canada, there are steps that you can take before you move. Careful research of job requirements will improve your chances of practicing Physiotherapist in Canada:
Attend the How to Find a Job in Canada as a Newcomer webinar to learn about the labour market, trends, and employment forecasts.
Following these steps will help you to position yourself well to find a physiotherapist job once you arrive 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.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARPhysiotherapists are in demand in Canada. A shortage of professionals in this field is expected until 2028. There are expected to be 13,600 job openings between 2019-2028 according to the Government of Canada. However, only 11,300 new therapists will be seeking jobs during this time. This creates a great opportunity for international professionals to fill these Physiotherapist jobs.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a standard definition of the physiotherapist’s role, main duties, job requirements, and example titles. You can use the five-digit NOC code 31202 to conduct basic research about the role in Canada.
The NOC also provides a list of example titles for physiotherapists. You can use these titles when searching for jobs in Canada.
You can also conduct further research at the Canadian government Job Bank site. Here you will find key facts about working in the field, including information about wages, job prospects, required skills, and more.
Because physiotherapy is a regulated profession in Canada, you need to get certified by a regulatory authority in the province where you plan to settle. This will require a credentials assessment to support your job search, apply for professional licensure, or apply for post-secondary education in Canada.
The provincial or territorial regulatory body can advise you about the documents you require, assessment fees, and the specific process to follow. It’s vital to contact the regulatory body in the province where you plan to settle before you arrive in Canada to learn what you require to work.
It’s also important to take your time and fully understand the licensure process and what the regulatory body will expect of you. Regardless of your education or experience, you need to have a licence to practice as a physiotherapist in Canada.
If you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you plan to attend to find out what assessment agency you should use. These are some of the recognized assessment agencies that you can use:
World Education Services (WES) – Ontario
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment, and qualification recognition services, click here.
In addition to accreditation, upgrading your skills through a bridging program or other courses is an important part of your journey to becoming a physiotherapist in Canada.
You can benefit from learning and professional growth opportunities offered through continuing education courses and seminars.
In addition to having strong technical skills, it’s vital to have effective communication and professional skills (or soft skills). Demonstrating both technical skills and soft skills will help you to find the job that you desire and succeed in the role. As a physiotherapist, you must be interested in helping people. You may need more training or skills upgrading, especially regarding your soft skills. Those working in healthcare are expected to have strong bedside manners and excellent interpersonal skills.
Physiotherapists require effective communication skills, patience, adaptability, and the ability to give directives to patients. Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, is important for your future in Canada. Whether you focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages is most spoken in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for the 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 better job opportunities.
In Canada, you may be eligible to attend a bridging program to continue working in your Physiotherapist career. Bridging programs help “bridge” your international experience and training with what Canadian employers require. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer Physiotherapist bridging programs or workshops. You may be eligible for one.
Here are some Physiotherapist bridging programs for internationally educated professionals (IEPs) that you can explore to support your academic options.
University of Alberta
Physical Therapy Bridging Certificate Program (PTBC)
This program supports internationally educated physical therapists (IEPTs), who already possess qualifications verified by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators, to work toward licensing requirements to practice as a physiotherapist in Alberta.
Academic coursework is designed to support the development of the additional knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning required to meet Canadian entry-to-practice standards. Cultural and workplace orientation is provided to help integrate into the workplace.
University of British Columbia
The Physio Refresh program assists IEPs to prepare for and complete the written and practical components of the Physiotherapist Competency Exams.
Ontario Internationally Educated Physical Therapy Bridging Program
This program provides educational opportunities for physical therapists educated outside of Canada, who already possess specified qualifications. It helps IEPs develop the knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning required to meet Canadian entry-to-practice standards. The program also provides cultural and workplace orientation to facilitate success in the workplace.
If you plan to continue your education in Canada, here are some of the physiotherapist schools in Canada. Continuing your education is a vital part of career development that contributes to your professional success.
| University | Province |
|---|---|
| McMaster University | Ontario |
| Queen’s University | Ontario |
| University of Ottawa | Ontario |
| University of Toronto | Ontario |
| Western University | Ontario |
| University of British Columbia | British Columbia |
| University of Alberta | Alberta |
| University of Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan |
| University of Manitoba | Manitoba |
| Dalhousie University | Nova Scotia |
There are a variety of Physiotherapist associations across Canada. The associations listed below provide additional information about licensing and certification and offer a variety of professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
There are two nationally recognized Physiotherapist associations in the country. They are:
Canadian Physiotherapist Association (CPA)
Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators (The Alliance)
Here’s a list of Physiotherapist associations by province:
Alberta
British Columbia
College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC)
Manitoba
College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba (CPTMB)
New Brunswick
College of Physiotherapists of New Brunswick (CPNB)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador College of Physiotherapists
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists (NSCP)
Ontario
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island College of Physiotherapists (PEICP)
Quebec
Ordre professionnel des physiothérapeutes du Québec (OPQ)
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan College of Physical Therapists (SCPT)
Yukon
Professional Licensing, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon
Internationally trained therapists can use immigrant networks in Canada to get assistance with making the transition to working in Canada.
Professional immigrant networks are volunteer-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals to create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities. They also provide opportunities for their members to achieve their professional goals.
These networks offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development, and connections to employment opportunities.
For example, isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, helps newcomers integrate economically and socially into the province of Nova Scotia.
Physiotherapists can be paid a salary or on a per-hour basis. Roles can be part-time or full-time depending on where you work. Some people work part-time hours at multiple facilities. The hourly rate is $25 to $50 per hour based on the Canadian average. The median hourly rate is $41.03. In a full-time role, you could make $48,100 to $96,200.
Salary can vary based on your experience, specialization, location, and other considerations.
Here are the most recent physiotherapist salary numbers in Canada:
| Province | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 19.45 | 41.54 | 52.70 |
| British Columbia | 40.00 | 43.00 | 56.04 |
| Manitoba | 23.08 | 38.00 | 42.00 |
| New Brunswick | 27.40 | 37.00 | 42.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 31.25 | 42.83 | 50.00 |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nova Scotia | 23.65 | 39.00 | 44.00 |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ontario | 18.00 | 42.00 | 49.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | 27.03 | 39.00 | 45.13 |
| Quebec | 32.05 | 38.50 | 49.04 |
| Saskatchewan | 23.08 | 44.00 | 49.00 |
| Yukon | N/A | N/A | N/A |
The labour market conditions for 2019-2028 show a labour shortage at the national level. And, job opportunities for physiotherapists are expected to be good for the next few years. While there is a shortage of physiotherapists across all of Canada, the shortage is higher in smaller cities. Hospital and Physiotherapist clinics often have trouble finding qualified workers. Your chances of finding employment may be better in these areas.
Using labour market research from the Government of Canada Job Bank, you can assess the health of the provincial and regional labour market. This can help you identify provinces and cities where you may like to settle based on job opportunities over the next three years.
Once you identify provinces with good job prospects, research cities within the province that have the same outlook. For example, in the Province of Alberta, job prospects remain good in cities like Calgary and Edmonton. And, to get a flavour of the city, you can further explore whether it meets your personal, professional, and social needs. For example, here are some cities across Canada where the job bank shows a good outlook:
Calgary, Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Hamilton, Ontario
London, Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario.
Becoming a physiotherapist in Canada follows a similar path to many other healthcare careers. You need to get 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 physiotherapist career in Canada:
The job outlook for the Physiotherapist profession in Canada is positive. Many jobs are expected to open over the next few years due to both newly created positions and older workers retiring.
Physiotherapists in Canada are normally employed at hospitals, health care centers, industry and sports organizations, and rehabilitation centres, but opportunities also exist for those wishing to set up private clinics.
You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for hospitals or healthcare centres where you may be interested in working. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for diversity, inclusion, and equity.
To work as a physiotherapist in Canada, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and then complete a Master’s degree in physiotherapy. You are then required to complete the Physiotherapist Competency Examination (PCE) before you are eligible to practice. There are two types of licence registration:
The Canadian job market is competitive, so you need to prepare and understand the job search steps needed to gain employment.
To work as a physiotherapist, you must register with the province or territory where you intend to settle. And you must look for jobs in the region where you will register. Therefore, take your time researching job requirements in that region and develop a plan for finding work.
There are many ways to search for Physiotherapist jobs:
You may discover that finding a job in Canada is different than in your home country. Fortunately, most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations offer help to find jobs, update your resume, write cover letters, prepare for job interviews, and understand what Canadian employers value.
Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.
Networking is an important activity that can help you grow your connections and discover job leads. Your professional network can also offer you advice and information about working in Physiotherapy in Canada. As many job vacancies are often “hidden,” for example, they are not widely advertised, your network can help you discover these job openings. Your contacts can help connect you to practicing physiotherapists and others in your field so that you can expand your network.
Good places to network include conferences, associations, and schools. Networking is all about meeting people, building relationships, and sharing information.
LinkedIn is another place to network. It’s a great space to connect with former colleagues and employers, search for companies and jobs, and get introductions and recommendations. You can also invite other physiotherapists to join your network or join related professional groups.
But remember that you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking.
While the job outlook looks good for physiotherapists, landing your first job in Canada requires effort and outreach. Informational interviewing can help you to learn more about how Physiotherapist is practiced in Canada, or issues affecting the field. Requesting to conduct an informational interview is a terrific way to learn more about the industry.
Informational interviews are typically no longer than 30 minutes. Your goal is to gather information about the field, not to get a job. This will help you to gain insight into what skills and experience are required, or what skills you may need to develop. In addition to basic information about the Physiotherapist field in Canada, you’ll learn from their first-hand experiences and impressions.
The Canadian job market is competitive. So, you need to stand out from other physical therapy applicants to continue your career in Canada. As a physiotherapist, you need a specific set of skills to be successful in your field. Your resume should emphasize your education and experience, and a chronological resume is the most effective format. An effective physiotherapist resume must also highlight the following: Proficiencies, licenses and certifications, and achievements.
Here are some tips to help your resume stand out:
Be specific about your area of expertise and the environment you’d like to work in, such as “To obtain a physiotherapist position at a private clinic that focuses on osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.”
List your employment dates and highlight your most relevant skills, such as working with a certain population, or expertise with specialized techniques, injuries, or afflictions.
Use relevant Physiotherapist keywords on your resume. The keywords are often used to scan the resume through applicant tracking systems and help your resume get discovered. database. You can use keywords such as job titles, qualifications, professional affiliations, areas of expertise, patient assessment, geriatrics, muscle re-education, and others. If you use acronyms, spell out the words so your resume can be scanned for those words.
With competition in the Physiotherapist job market, it’s important to be professional. Your behaviour will indicate to the interviewer how you will perform should they offer you a job.
When you interview for a job, the hiring manager will ask questions about your education and experience, but they will also ask about how you work with patients. Because physical therapy requires effective communication skills, patience, and adaptability, the employer wants to confirm your ability to connect with patients in a professional and caring manner.
Here are some tips to help you succeed in your interview:
As with other medical professions, an employer wants assurance that you’re passionate and committed to the rehabilitation process. Share with the interviewer how you became interested in physical therapy and the path you took to certification.
During the job interview, your job is to persuade the interviewer that you are the best physiotherapist for the role. So, to do that, discuss your background, education, experience, achievements, and why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Prepare to answer questions about your ability to communicate and interact with patients. Because physical therapy requires giving friendly, understandable directives to patients, hiring managers want to know that you communicate positively. This communication style is vital to gaining the trust and confidence of patients. Explain how you get patients to perform exercises willingly. Discuss ways that you praise and encourage patients’ rehabilitation efforts. A confident and affirming communication style can help you get the job.
Discuss specific situations in which previous patients achieved positive results or a complete recovery because of your treatment. The interviewer might ask you to discuss a memorable experience with a patient, a time you effectively treated a difficult patient, or a situation where you helped a patient overcome overwhelming odds. Even though some patients never recover completely, a hiring manager wants assurance that your skills, education, and experience produce positive results.
Get more great tips for successful networking: Build Your Professional Network Before You Arrive.
With a positive outlook for physiotherapist jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.
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 research 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.
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.
Writing an effective Canadian-style resume can be challenging. That’s why we are here to help. Our free Canadian-style resume template will give you all the information you need to create a resume tailored to the Canadian job market. This template takes all the guess work out of creating your resume, so you can focus on what matters the most- getting the job.
GET FREE GUIDEThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The following organization can assess your international credentials:
World Education Services (WES)
Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
International Qualifications Assessment Service – Alberta (IQAS)
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES).
To find more organizations and agencies that provide credential evaluation, assessment, and qualification recognition services, click here.
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 a relatively 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.
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 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 is most spoken in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for the 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) 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.
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 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.
There are two bridging programs in Canada:
Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program (IEMBP)
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.
International Midwifery Pre-registration Program (IMPP)
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.
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.
Canadian Association of Midwives
British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives
Alberta
College of Midwives of Alberta
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan College of Midwives
Manitoba
College of Midwives of Manitoba
Ontario
College of Midwives of Ontario
Quebec
Ordre des sages-femmes du Québec
Nova Scotia
Midwifery Regulatory Council of Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Midwifery Council of New Brunswick
Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories Health Professional Licensing (Midwifery)
Nunavut
Government of Nunavut Professional Practice – Health & Social Services
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Activities offered include networking events, mentoring, and professional development opportunities. You can also learn about connections to job opportunities.
For example, isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia. In Ontario, you can access Professional Immigrant Networks (TRIEC).
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 $112, 340.
The compensation you’ll be offered will depend on your level of experience, education, and where you live in Canada. Quebec and Alberta have the lowest median hourly rate. Ontario and British Columbia have the highest median hourly rate.
Your earning potential can vary based on where you choose to work. A midwife’s salary can vary significantly based on your province and home city. Here are the most recent midwife salary numbers in Canada:
| Province | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 20.00 | 48.27 | 57.31 |
| British Columbia | 43.40 | 57.95 | 63.00 |
| Manitoba | 35.00 | 49.69 | 55.71 |
| New Brunswick | 48.00 | 52.00 | 56.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 48.00 | 52.00 | 53.00 |
| Nova Scotia | 39.00 | 53.00 | 59.07 |
| Ontario | 25.00 | 56.92 | 65.00 |
| Quebec | 34.71 | 46.00 | 55.00 |
Job prospects can vary across Canada. Identifying the best locations or cities for midwives can help you decide which 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.
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 continue your midwife career 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here are some common questions that you can expect to answer.
The interviewer may ask questions to gain insight into your approach to work situations and people. For example:
Prepare questions to ask at the end of your interview to show genuine interest in the position. For example:
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.
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 with this helpful overview.
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.
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:
Are you moving to Canada soon or already here? Do you need to find a job? Would you like to find good resources for finding employment in Canada? If so, join us for a free webinar where you can ask an expert your questions. We’ll discuss what you can do to make yourself more marketable to potential employers.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARJob 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.
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.
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.
Other Human Resources job titles include:
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.
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.
World Education Services (WES) – Ontario
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
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.
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.
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 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.
York University – Toronto
Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Professionals
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.
Bredin Centre for Learning
Centre for Skilled and Internationally Trained Professionals
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.
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. More than 80 colleges and universities offer human resources degree and diploma programs. Some of the top schools include:
University of Toronto
Click here for links to Canadian Universities and Colleges.
The associations listed below provide additional information about the CPHR designation, professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada
British Columbia
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources British Columbia and Yukon
Alberta
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Alberta
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Association of Human Resource Professionals (SAHRP)
Manitoba
Chartered Professionals in Human Resource Management Manitoba (CPHR Manitoba)
Ontario
Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA)
New Brunswick
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Nova Scotia
Newfoundland and Labrador
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Newfoundland & Labrador
Quebec
Ordre des CRHA et CRIA du Québec (ORHRI)
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.
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
Child Care Human Resources Sector Council (CCHRSC)
Cultural Human Resources Council
Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC)
Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)Petroleum Labour Market Information (PetroLMI).
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:
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.
Professional immigrant networks are associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
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.
There is one main resource to consult: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (isans)
Chinese Professionals Association of Canada
Javeriana University Professional Alumni Association in Canada
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 you can easily find answers to 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.
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.
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:
Examples:
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 titles like HR Assistant, HR Specialist, HR Manager, etc. to show career progression and list any designations.
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.
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:
For senior HR positions, questions can deal with your:
The following are sample questions that you may be asked during job interviews:
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 $68.27 per hour in Alberta.
Human resources salaries can vary based on where you live. Here are the most recent human resources salary numbers in Canada:
| Province | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 26.92 | 39.82 | 68.27 |
| British Columbia | 25.00 | 38.00 | 57.95 |
| Manitoba | 21.63 | 34.62 | 55.13 |
| New Brunswick | 27.48 | 33.68 | 49.45 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 16.70 | 35.85 | 60.28 |
| Northwest Territories | 30.05 | 47.81 | 66.93 |
| Nova Scotia | 18.03 | 32.97 | 49.45 |
| Nunavut | 30.55 | 48.19 | 63.26 |
| Ontario | 23.08 | 36.06 | 55.94 |
| Prince Edward Island | 20.00 | 32.00 | 56.41 |
| Quebec | 23.00 | 35.53 | 54.95 |
| Saskatchewan | 23.00 | 41.80 | 57.69 |
| Yukon | 29.67 | 44.00 | 51.79 |
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.
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:
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:
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 from 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.
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:
Are you moving to Canada soon or already here? Do you need to find a job? Would you like to find good resources for finding employment in Canada? If so, join us for a free webinar where you can ask an expert your questions. We’ll discuss what you can do to make yourself more marketable to potential employers.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAROptometrists 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.
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:
This bodes well for an optometrist with international qualifications. But, you still need to meet specific optometry job requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 vital 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.
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 is most spoken in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for the 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) 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.
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.
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.
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.
A French language Doctor of Optometry is offered at the Université de Montréal.
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 the benefits of higher education in Canada.
Other optometry schools that offer pre-optometry degrees and diploma programs include:
The associations listed below provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
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 optometrists in Canada. CAO membership allows you to connect with colleagues through events, education, conferences, research, and networking.
Optometry Examining Board of Canada
Federation of Optometric Regulatory Authorities of Canada
Alberta
Alberta College of Optometrists
British Columbia
College of Optometrists of British Columbia
Manitoba
Manitoba Association of Optometrists
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Association of Optometrists (NBAO) – Board of Examiners of New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador College of Optometrists
Northwest Territories
Professional Licensing, Department of Health, and Social Services, Government of the Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia College of Optometrists
Nunavut
Professional Licensing, Department of Health, and Social Services, Government of Nunavut
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island College of Optometrists
Quebec
Ordre des optométristes du Québec
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists
Yukon
Professional Licensing, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
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.
isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia: isans helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC): helps newcomers to expand their professional networks and understand the local labour market.
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 $86,000 per year, according to the Government of Canada Job Bank.
The main factors affecting your earning potential are where you live, your experience, your specializations, and whether you own an optometry business or work for a company.
Here are the most recent Optometrist salary numbers in Canada. Salary information is not available for all provinces :
| Province | Low ($/year) | Median ($/year) | High ($/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 32,959 | 73,717 | 135,876 |
| Ontario | 32,724 | 86,806 | 179,461 |
| Quebec | 31,923 | 101,485 | 175,448 |
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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DownloadWorking as a pharmacist in Canada can take you down many career paths. And, there are many specializations. Most pharmacists work in the retail and 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.
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.
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.
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:
The first thing 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.
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:
World Education Services (WES) – Ontario
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
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.
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:
You may need more training or skills upgrading, especially regarding your soft skills. Pharmacists require advanced reading, writing, and speaking abilities. 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 is most spoken in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for the 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 terminology, 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 employment opportunities.
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 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:
University of Alberta
Certificate to Canadian Pharmacy Practice
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.
University of Toronto
International Pharmacy Graduate Program
This program helps internationally trained pharmacists meet Canadian practice standards. The program includes practical courses, opportunities for mentoring, and licensing exam preparation.
There are 10 schools of pharmacy in provinces across Canada:
| Dalhousie University College of Pharmacy |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland School of Pharmacy |
| Université de Montréal Faculté de pharmacie |
| Université Laval Faculté de pharmacie |
| University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| University of Manitoba Faculty of Pharmacy |
| University of Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy and Nutrition |
| University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy |
| University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy |
The following associations provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada
Alberta
Alberta College of Pharmacists (ACP)
British Columbia
College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
Manitoba
College of Pharmacists of Manitoba
New Brunswick
New Brunswick College of Pharmacists
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists
Nunavut
Professional Licensing, Department of Health and Social Services, Government of Nunavut
Ontario
Ontario College of Pharmacists
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island College of Pharmacy
Quebec
Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan College of Pharmacists
Yukon
Professional Licensing, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Activities include networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development and connections to employment opportunities.
For example, Nova Scotia has the isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia. isans helps newcomer professionals with their economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
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 $161,891.
Here are the most recent pharmacist salary numbers in Canada (as of November, 2022):
| Province | Low ($/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 |
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.
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:
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:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.
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:
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.”
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.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Related Post: How Do Education Evaluation and Credential Recognition Differ? (Infographic)
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.
World Education Services (WES) – Ontario
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – Alberta
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) – British Columbia
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment, and qualification recognition services click here.
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.
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 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.
International Medical Graduates Program
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).
Medical Licensure Program for International Medical Graduates
This one-year training program helps foreign-trained physicians obtain medical licensure to practice as primary care physicians in Manitoba.
International Medical Graduates (IMG) Bridging Program
This program offers informational, learning, and other types of support, services, and resources to support entry into the Canadian healthcare system for IMGs.
Med 3 Clerkship Opportunities for International Medical Graduates
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.
Career Transitions for Health Professionals
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.
Communication and Cultural Competence (CCC) Project
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.
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:
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.
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 School Queen’s University Medical School University of Toronto Medical School Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Western University) |
| Québec | Université de Sherbrooke Medical School McGill Medical School Université de Montreal Faculty of Medicine Université Laval Medical School |
| Saskatchewan | University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine |
The following associations provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
Canadian Medical Association
Alberta
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA)
British Columbia
College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC)
Manitoba
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba (CPSM)
New Brunswick
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick (CPSNB)
Newfoundland and Labrador
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland & Labrador (CPSNL)
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS)
Nunavut
Professional Licensing (Physicians), Department of Health and Social Services, Government of Nunavut
Ontario
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
Prince Edward Island
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Prince Edward Island (CPSPEI)
Quebec
Collège des médecins du Québec (CMQ)
Saskatchewan
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS)
Yukon
Professional immigrant networks are organized volunteer-run member-based associations or networks. They are created by and for immigrant professionals who seek to
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:
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)
isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia:
isans helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
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.
International Doctors Network (IDN)
This network allows IMGs to project a high level of professional support and connect colleagues to the various aspects of Canadian society.
Philippine International Doctors United (PIDrU)
This network is a support group for immigrant Filipino doctors. It provides support to prepare for medical licensure and job search assistance.
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 $164,939.
Here are the most recent medical doctor salary numbers in Canada (as of November, 2022):
| Province | Low ($/year) | Median ($/year) | High ($/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| British Columbia | 66,056 | 164,939 | 306,582 |
| Manitoba | 104,891 | 252,974 | 472,549 |
| New Brunswick | 87,405 | 197,900 | 356,739 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 95,274 | 200,990 | 359,467 |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nova Scotia | 78,147 | 197,386 | 362,764 |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ontario | 70,903 | 234,109 | 479,212 |
| Prince Edward Island | 83,739 | 223,348 | 369,558 |
| Quebec | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Saskatchewan | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Yukon | N/A | N/A | N/A |
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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations can provide help with your job search including:
To find immigrant services in your area click here.
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.
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:
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.
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.
For more information on informational interviews, click here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
World Education Services (WES)
International Qualifications Assessment Service – Alberta (IQAS)
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
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:
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.
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 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.
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.
Vancouver Community College (City: Vancouver)
University of Manitoba (City: Winnipeg)
Dalhousie University (City: Halifax)
Algonquin College of Applied Arts & Technology (City: Ottawa)
Cambrian College of Applied Arts & Technology (City: Sudbury)
Confederation College (City: Thunder Bay)
Fanshawe College (City: London)
George Brown College (City: Toronto)
St. Clair College (City: Windsor)
Saskatchewan Polytechnic (City: Regina)
The associations listed below provide additional information about licensure and certification and offer a variety of professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB)
Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA)
Alberta
College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta
British Columbia
College of Dental Hygienists of British Columbia
Manitoba
College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland & Labrador Dental Board
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Professional Licensing, Department of Health and Social Services, Government of Nunavut
OntarioOrdre des hygiénistes dentaires du Québec
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association
Yukon
Professional Licensing, Department of Community Services, Government of Yukon
Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
These groups offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development, and connections to job opportunities.
For example, Nova Scotia has the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia. Ontario has the Professional Immigrant Networks.
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 $105,820 per year (if working a 40-hour work week).
Using wage information from the Government of Canada, you can research the salary of a dental hygienist in Canada. Here are recent Dental Hygienist wages/hour in Canada (as of Nov, 2022) :
| PROVINCE | LOW ($/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 |
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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 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:
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.
List your work experience and emphasize your experience and the results that you achieved. This section should immediately follow your objective.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
During your first interview, avoid asking immediately about salary and benefits. It’s also important that you speak positively about your previous employers.
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 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.
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:
To work in biotechnology jobs in Canada, there are certain requirements you will need to meet that include:
For more advanced biotechnology jobs, you may require a university degree or master’s degree. Certification with provincial associations is voluntary.
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:
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.
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 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.
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.
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:
World Education Services (WES)
Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
International Qualifications Assessment Service – Alberta (IQAS)
The International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
To find more organizations that provide credential evaluation, assessment and qualification recognition services click here.
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.
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.
There are even language courses to teach you professional terminologies, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT). And, if you already speak English at a high level, learning French is a good option, as it may offer you better opportunities.
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.
University of Toronto (Mississauga)
Certificate in Life Science Enterprise Management
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.
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:
Here are some colleges to consider:
Click here for a list of Canadian Universities and Colleges.
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 are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
These associations offer networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development opportunities, and connections to jobs. Here are some you can use:
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (isans)
Professional Immigrant Networks (Toronto)
Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC)
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 – $78,936/year.
Biotechnology salaries are affected by many factors such as your job title, credentials, education, experience, and where you live. The lowest median biotechnology salary is in British Columbia. The highest is found in Yukon and Saskatchewan.
Here are the most recent Biotechnology salary numbers in Canada. Biotechnology salary information is not available for all provinces:
| Province | Low ($/hour) | Median ($/hour) | High ($/hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 17.28 | 25.12 | 37.95 |
| Alberta | 22.00 | 23.00 | 42.31 |
| British Columbia | 17.00 | 19.23 | 40.66 |
| Manitoba | 15.38 | 21.58 | 32.69 |
| New Brunswick | 20.00 | 25.64 | 37.66 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Northwest Territories | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Nova Scotia | 17.36 | 27.00 | 39.61 |
| Nunavut | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ontario | 17.28 | 23.48 | 43.62 |
| Prince Edward Island | 15.84 | 27.00 | 34.36 |
| Quebec | 18.00 | 26.83 | 37.00 |
| Saskatchewan | 23.30 | 29.64 | 36.54 |
| Yukon | 21.99 | 31.17 | 40.37 |
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.
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.
Some of the top biotechnology employers in Canada include:
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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