Looking for chiropractor jobs in Canada? Many people prefer chiropractors in Canada and embrace alternative forms of health care and relief from physical ailments. As the field continues to grow in popularity, there is ample opportunity for internationally trained chiropractors who want to continue their careers in Canada.
Even though there is a labour shortage for chiropractors in Canada, you still need to meet specific chiropractic job requirements. Typically, employers require a minimum of two years of university undergraduate studies in science and licensing by a provincial chiropractic regulatory body, in addition to other requirements.
If you plan to work as a chiropractor in Canada, you need to plan ahead and understand job requirements and licensing requirements. Prepare to continue your chiropractic career in Canada with this helpful overview.
Before You Move to Canada to Continue Your Chiropractor Career
There are steps that you can take before you move to Canada to improve your chances of practicing chiropractic when you arrive. Following these steps can help you to prepare to work in Canada, as well as save time, money, and energy.
Improve your language skills and enroll in language classes while you’re in your home country. You will need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.
Take language classes and continue them after you move to Canada.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. It will be easier to gather them while in your home country.
Understand how chiropractic in Canada is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with the laws and legislation that govern your profession in the province where you will settle.
Know the name of your job in Canada and make a list of potential employers.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Chiropractor Career in Canada
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Researching your profession is a vital first step before you move to Canada. Because chiropractors belong to a regulated profession in Canada they must register as members of a provincial College of Chiropractors in the province where they plan to settle. Internationally trained chiropractors must become familiar with accreditation policies and processes set by the FCC.
Employment Outlook for Chiropractor Jobs in Canada
The job outlook for the chiropractic profession in Canada is positive. There are currently 33,700 professionals working in chiropractic. However, the Canadian Occupational Projections System projects a labour shortage for chiropractors until 2028. Many jobs are expected to open over the next few years because of Canada’s ageing population and increased public awareness of health issues. Job opportunities will also be available as more chiropractors retire. As a result, chiropractors in Canada can expect to see employment growth above the average for all occupations.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Chiropractor Jobs in Canada
To research the profession, you can start by reviewing the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for chiropractors, NOC 31201. Here you will get an overview of the job requirements, main duties, and example titles. This information will help you to understand what Canadian employers seek. You can search for example titles to help you when you conduct your job search.
Refer to the NOC for an overview of main duties, job requirements, and example titles for chiropractors.
In addition to using the NOC, you can also research the chiropractic profession at the Government of Canada Job Bank site. This site provides vital information about working in chiropractic jobs in Canada including wages, job prospects, skills, and general labour market information. The information on the site can help to inform your career and settlement decisions when choosing a city in Canada. Below we explain the steps you will need to take to work as a Chiropractor in Canada.
How to Become a Registered Chiropractor in Canada
There are several ways to begin your journey to becoming a registered chiropractor in Canada. To begin, foreign-trained chiropractors should contact the relevant provincial or territorial regulatory body and get information about assessment and licensing procedures.
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This is essential because employers require a minimum of two years of university undergraduate studies in science and licensing by a provincial chiropractic regulatory body. You must also complete:
A four- or five-year program at an institution accredited by the Accreditation Commission of the Council on Chiropractic
Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board exams
Provincial licensing body exams.
Credential Recognition to Meet Chiropractor Job Requirements in Canada
Some jobs in Canada belong to a regulated occupation. As the chiropractic field is a regulated profession in Canada, you can only call yourself a chiropractor and practice the profession if you are licensed by a regulatory body. As a result, internationally trained chiropractors must have their foreign licenses and certificates recognised. This process is known as credentials recognition.
Regardless of your international education or experience, to practice as a chiropractor you will need a license to practise in Canada. So, it’s important to become familiar with the provincial licensing process and what the chiropractic regulatory body expects of you. The regulatory body can advise you on the documents you require and assessment fees. Once you have all the information you can carefully complete your application.
The Federation of Canadian Chiropractic (FCC) is the national organization that governs the practice and assesses the academic credentials of chiropractic programs in Canada. There are also provincial and territorial regulatory bodies (links provided below). Licensure requirements may vary from one province to the other, but usually, internationally educated chiropractors must follow these registration steps:
Complete the graduation requirements from a chiropractic education program accredited or recognized through reciprocal agreement by the FCC and Council on Chiropractic Education Canada.
Submit official copies of all transcripts from an accredited chiropractic educational institution
Provide proof of Canadian citizenship, Permanent Resident Status, or Employment Authorization
Complete the application and pay the fee
Complete the following exams:
Canadian Chiropractic Examining Board (CCEB) knowledge-based exams
CCEB Clinical Competency Exams, and
CCO Legislation and Ethics Exam.
Credential Assessment Services for Chiropractors
If you plan to attend college or university to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you want to attend to find out how to apply and what credential assessment agency to use. Some schools request that you use a specific assessment service. So be sure to ask if they have a preferred service to avoid paying extra fees.
Here are some credential assessment services that a chiropractic school may recommend:
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Chiropractor Job Requirements
In addition to accreditation, you may need to upgrade your skills through a bridging program or other courses to become become a chiropractor in Canada.
You can benefit from ongoing learning through continuing education courses, attending seminars and training conferences, and reading professional periodicals.
You may have strong practical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job and succeed. If necessary, you may need more training or skills upgrading, especially related to soft skills.
Chiropractors must possess patience, excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to maintain precise and confidential clinical records, good observation skills, and problem-solving and analytical skills. Importantly chiropractors must be able to handle patients and empathize with them and explain things in simple terms. You also require strong business skills. Many chiropractic offices operate as small businesses. If you plan to run your own office, strong business knowledge is necessary.
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to focus on learning or improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.
There are even language courses to teach you professional terminologies, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other one is a good option, as it may offer you more job options.
Chiropractor Schools in Canada
Chiropractic colleges offer programs that allow you to specialize in specific areas.
There are two programs that offer chiropractic degrees in Canada accredited by the FCC:
So, if you plan to continue your studies in Canada, you can research your options at these chiropractic schools.
There are also a select number of specialty chiropractic colleges that offer programs that allow you to specialize in specific areas. Specialties can include pediatric, clinical sciences and diagnostic imaging, spinal stenosis, sports sciences, rehabilitation, and animal chiropractic care.
Here’s a list of the chiropractic colleges in Canada:
The following associations provide information about licensing and certification and offer professional development, education and networking opportunities.
Internationally trained chiropractors can benefit from joining immigrant networks. Professional immigrant networks are organized, volunteer-run member-based associations or networks created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to:
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for their members to find meaningful employment and achieve their professional goals
Immigrant networks provide activities such as networking events and mentoring. They also host information sessions, provide professional development, and facilitate connections to job opportunities. For example, isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, helps newcomer professionals with economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
How Much Do Chiropractors Make in Canada?
Chiropractor salaries in Canada vary based on many factors. Your location, the number of hours you work, how much you charge patients, and many other factors affect your income. Chiropractors make about $45 per hour. Salaries typically range between $87,750 and $125,438 according to Talent.com.
Chiropractor Job Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent Chiropractor salary numbers from the Government of Canada Job Bank. Data is not available for all provinces.
Best Locations to Find Work in Canada as a Chiropractor
You can find chiropractor jobs in Canada in almost any province or territory. The best locations to find work are in the provinces with the largest population including Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. The same is relevant at the city level. Top locations include cities such as:
Pursuing a career in chiropractic begins with having the right academic credentials based on the province where you plan to work. The following information can help you to continue your chiropractic career in Canada.
Major Employers for Chiropractic Jobs in Canada
Chiropractors in Canada usually work in private practice or clinics with other health practitioners. You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to check for hospitals or healthcare centres that you may be interested in. This special designation recognizes Canada’s best employers for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the workplace.
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!
Many chiropractors have their own private practice in Canada.
How to Find Your First Canadian Chiropractor Job
The Canadian job market is competitive, so it’s necessary to understand the steps to gain employment. As well, finding a chiropractic job in Canada may be different than in your home country.
There are many ways to search for chiropractic jobs.
Broaden your search and include alternative careers.
Seek out a mentor in the chiropractic sector who could give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Join chiropractic or healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.
Attend chiropractic or healthcare job fairs and regularly check online job boards.
Search job banks at chiropractic colleges or associations. Also, hospitals and other health institutions generally post vacancies on their websites.
Connect with Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Finding a chiropractic job in Canada may be different than in your home country. You may need help updating your resume, writing cover letters, and preparing for interviews to work as a chiropractor in Canada. Most settlement agencies offer job-search services that can help you find a job in Canada. To find immigrant services in Canada, click here.
When you apply for a chiropractor job you will have to submit a well-written resume. A Canadian-style resume plays an important role in getting you a job. Consider the following tips to write your resume for chiropractic jobs.
List only relevant job experiences, or which were similar, such as working as a Chiropractor for ABC Healthcare clinic, or Assistant Chiropractor with ABC Hospital.
Describe the nature of the job which you were required to do. Mention only those jobs related to the chiropractic job.
List your license and educational qualifications. Here too, mention only those qualifications, related to chiropractic, such as a Bachelor of Science in Chiropractic Medicine from ABC University.
List specific job duties and outcomes such as maintaining records of the case history of the patient, conducting a physical diagnosis, interpreting medical images like X-rays and scans, making adjustments to the spinal cord of the patient, adjusting the spinal column, conducting sports chiropractic activities, or providing advice on general health.
Prepare for Chiropractic Job Interviews in Canada
To prepare for your chiropractor job interview:
Think of interview questions and answers that are relevant to the field and position that you have applied for.
Visit specialized chiropractic forums or blogs to ask for interview help and advice.
Understand Canadian chiropractic industry trends and how they are affecting the profession.
Identify attributes/traits/abilities for chiropractors that are related to this job and how to get them.
Research the employer profile thoroughly for chiropractor vacancies to identify: the client base, the company’s value proposition, and what sets it apart. Identify how your experience and talent make you an ideal candidate for the role.
Sample Chiropractic Job Interview Questions
Below are sample interview questions that you can prepare to repond to:
Why are you interested in this role? Demonstrate that you have researched the organization and highlight why you are attracted to both the role and the organization.
What do you like the most or least about your role as a chiropractor? Be sure to emphasize the elements that you like most that align with the job description.
What is the most recent skill you have learned and how did you learn it? This is an opportunity to showcase your commitment to professional development. Indicate whether you completed additional training, wrote a research paper, or read about the skill in trade publications.
Request Information Interviews with Practicing Chiropractors
While the job outlook is positive for chiropractors in Canada, landing that next opportunity requires extra effort and outreach.
Informational interviewing can be a way to demonstrate your communication skills, research skills and time management skills.
An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in the field to learn more about the industry in Canada.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather learn more about working as a chiropractor in Canada.
An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information. In addition to basic information about a particular type of industry (such as you might find on a company website), it also offers you the benefit of a professional’s first-hand experiences and impressions.
Make a list of the hospitals, chiropractic practices, public health agencies, and others, as desired, that operate in your area.
Use your resources including professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, health unit coordinators, etc.
Create 5 – 10 open-ended questions that will yield full useful information to help with your job search.
Networking Opportunities for Chiropractors
Networking is an essential tool that may give you job leads, gain information about a particular firm or industry, and meet others to expand your network. As many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with practicing chiropractors and others in your field.
Good places to network are gatherings such as conferences, association luncheons, and industry get-togethers to meet people, build relationships, and share information.
LinkedIn is another important professional tool for networking. It is great to connect with former colleagues and employers, search by company or jobs, and get introductions and recommendations.
You can also connect with people in the healthcare sector and join some related professional groups.
But remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight, and you need to be patient.
With a positive outlook for chiropractor jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options. Interested in learning more about working in Canada? Check out our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. We can help you achieve your career goals in Canada.
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 has created an opportunity for internally 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.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Physiotherapist Career
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.
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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:
Improve your language skills and enroll in language classes while you are in your home country and continue them after you move to Canada. You will need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country. Check with your provincial or territorial regulatory body about what documents you need to bring. Verify if they need to be translated. You may need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Understand how Physiotherapist is practiced in Canada and become familiar with provincial laws that govern your profession where you will settle.
Following these steps will help you to position yourself well to find a physiotherapist job once you arrive in Canada.
What to Expect When Pursuing a Physiotherapist Career in Canada
Employment Outlook for Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada
Physiotherapists are in demand in Canada. This is a shortage of professionals in this field that is expected to last 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.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada
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.
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The NOC also provides a list of example titles for physiotherapists. You can use these titles when searching for jobs in Canada.
The NOC 31202 provides a standard definition for the physiotherapist role in Canada and other basic information.
Requirements for Becoming a Physiotherapist in Canada
Because Physiotherapist is a regulated profession in Canada, you will 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.
Credential Recognition Meeteet Physiotherapist Job Requirements 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.
The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapist Regulators will assess your educational credentials and qualifications if you are immigrating to the Yukon Territory and all the provinces except Quebec.
You must complete the Physiotherapist Competency Exam (PCE), which has a writing component (Qualifying Exam) and a Clinical Component (Physiotherapist National Exam). You can get information on the credentialing process, exam dates, and resources for you to prepare for the exam on The Alliance’s website.
After you complete the PCE exam and the other provincial regulatory requirements, you can apply for full licensure or registration as a physiotherapist. If you’re immigrating to Quebec, you must follow the requirements set out by the l’Ordre professionnel de la physiothérapie du Quebec.
Credential Assessment Services
If you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school that you plan to attend to find out what assessment agency you should use. These are some of the recognized assessment agencies that you can use:
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Physiotherapist Job Requirements
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 that are offered through continuing education courses and seminars.
Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Physiotherapist Jobs in Canada
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.
Language Training for Physiotherapists in Canada
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 most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through school boards or settlement agencies.
Bridging Programs for Physiotherapist Careers in Canada
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.
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.
This program provides educational opportunities for physical therapists educated outside of Canada, who already possess specified qualifications. It helps IEPs, to 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.
Physiotherapist Schools in Canada
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.
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.
National Physiotherapist Associations in Canada
There are two nationally recognized Physiotherapist associations in the country. They are:
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 that seek 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 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!
How Much Do Physiotherapists Make in Canada?
Physiotherapists can be paid a salary or 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.
Physiotherapist Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent physiotherapist salary numbers in Canada:
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Physiotherapist Based on Salary & Lifestyle
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 to identify provinces and cities where you may like to settle based on job opportunities over the next three years.
Once you identify provinces where the job prospects are good, you can also 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 if it meets your personal, professional, and social needs. For example, here are some cities across Canada where the job bank shows a good outlook:
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:
Major Employers for Physiotherapist Jobs 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 as well as because 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.
How to Become a Registered Physiotherapist in Canada
To work as a physiotherapist in Canada, you must complete a bachelor’s degree and then complete a Master’s degree in Physiotherapist. You are then required to complete the Physiotherapist Competency Examination (PCE) before you are eligible to practice. There are two types of licence registration:
Provisional Practice: You’ll work as a PT resident under the supervision of a College-approved supervisor.
Independent Practice: You are fully licensed and no longer must practice under supervision.
How to Find Your First Canadian Physiotherapist Job
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:
Broaden your search and include alternative careers.
Seek out a mentor who currently works in the field who could share valuable insight and probably introduce you to their professional network.
Join Physiotherapist or healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.
Attend Physiotherapist or healthcare job fairs and regularly check the online job boards. Check the job boards at Physiotherapist colleges, associations, hospitals, and other health institutions.
Use Immigrant Settlement Agencies to Find 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.
Networking is an important activity that can help you to 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 to 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.
Informational Interviews for Physiotherapists in Canada
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 that are 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.
Make a list of the hospitals, Physiotherapist clinics, public health agencies, and others, as desired, that operate in your area.
Use your resources including professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, health unit coordinators, etc., that you may want to interview.
Create 15-20 open-ended questions that will yield full and useful information.
Resume Writing for Physiotherapists
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:
Objective
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.”
Experience
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.
Keywords
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 titles of the job, qualifications, professional affiliations, areas of expertise, patient assessment, geriatrics, muscle re-education, and others. If you use acronyms, make sure to spell out the words so your resume can be scanned for those words.
Interview Techniques
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:
Show Interest in Physiotherapist
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.
Get Your Sales Pitch Ready
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.
Communication Style
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.
Highlight Your Success
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.
Interested in learning more about working in Canada? Check out our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. We can help you achieve your career goals in Canada.
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.
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There are steps that you can take before you immigrate to improve your chances of practicing your profession in Canada.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Medical Doctor Career
Confirm that your medical degree is from a recognized medical school at the FAIMER International Medical Education Directory (IMED). Your medical school and qualification must be listed on the directory to be accepted in Canada.
Contact the medical regulatory association in the province where you’ll settle in Canada to learn about:
Procedures you must follow, and the cost and time required to obtain a physician’s permit
Steps you can take to become licensed before and after you immigrate to Canada
Programs for International medical graduates.
Start the licensure process for international medical graduates while still in your home country.
Improve your language skills, and enroll in language classes in your home country and continue them after you move to Canada. You’ll need to prove your English or French (depending on your destination province) language competency or be tested.
Gather and organize your official education, work, and identity documents while still in your home country.
Check with your provincial or territorial regulatory body to find out what documents you need to bring and verify if they need to be translated. You might need to use a professional translation service in Canada.
Understand how the medical profession is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with provincial laws and legislation where you’ll settle.
Know the name of your job in Canada (for example family physician, general practice resident, general practitioner, medical doctor).
What to Expect When Pursuing a Medical Doctor Career in Canada
Medical doctors belong to a regulated profession in Canada, so you must be licensed by the provincial or territorial licensing authority in the province where you plan to settle. With a license, a medical doctor can work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, and clinics.
Employment Outlook for Medical Doctor Jobs in Canada
If you have international medical qualifications, it’s vital to understand what you require to work in Canada as well as the labour market conditions.
According to the Government of Canada’s Job Bank, job prospects for medical doctors are very good in all provinces. There are opportunities for general practitioners and family physicians in all regions of Canada.
By researching the job prospects, you can find labour market conditions for 2019-2028 that show Canada medical doctor shortages. Estimates reveal that Canada will be short about 44,000 doctors by 2028. The country will need to train and hire about 30,000 more by 2028 to have an average number of doctors per capita on par with Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Family doctors are in the highest demand. They account for 72% of the doctor shortage.
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This is good news for medical doctors with international qualifications because there will be ample job opportunities in the coming years.
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for Physician Jobs in Canada – NOC: 31102
A good place to start your research is by using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 31102 (NOC 2021 Version 1.0) for medical doctors. The NOC provides a standard definition of the role of general practitioners and family physicians. Here you can get a sense of the role, job titles, main duties, and job requirements.
Use the NOC 31102 to learn more about the role of medical doctors in Canada.
Requirements to Become a Medical Doctor in Canada
Internationally trained medical doctors must meet the licensing requirements in Canada to practice. International graduates must enroll in NAPRA’s Medical doctors’ Gateway Canada program. Below we explain the steps you must follow to work as a Medical doctor in Canada.
Credential Recognition to Meet Medical Doctor Job Requirements in Canada
Regardless of your education or experience, you need to have a license to practice as a medical doctor in Canada. One of the first things to do is learn about the specific requirements to work as a doctor in Canada. To do this, you can contact the provincial or territorial regulatory body where you plan to settle. They can advise you about the documents that you require, licensing fees, and more. It’s a good idea to take this step before you arrive in Canada and accordingly decide your departure date to Canada.
Depending on the province you intend to settle in, your licensing process may include completing:
Exams (eligibility, program selection, qualifying, certification)
Language proficiency tests
Credentials assessment
Postgraduate training/assessment
Return-of-service agreements (commitment to practice in an underserved community for an agreed period).
The licensing process has many stages and may seem complicated. But, once you know what the regulatory body expects and the licensing procedure, you can carefully complete your application. The process can also be expensive. So, you’ll also require a large financial and personal commitment to pursue the process.
Some immigrant-serving organizations offer study groups for the Medical Council of Canada (MCC) Evaluating Exam (MCC EE), Qualifying Examination Part I, and Qualifying Examination Part II. These study groups aim to facilitate focused learning and provide a learning environment to explore, discuss, and model Canadian medical content with practicing Canadian physician educators and senior residents.
If you plan to enroll in a college or university program to upgrade your skills, contact the school to find out the steps you should take and the credential assessment agency you should use. Be sure to check if the school requires you to use a specific credential agency before you proceed. This will help you to avoid paying extra fees and save money.
To find more organizations and agencies providing credential evaluation, assessment, and qualification recognition services click here.
Skills Upgrading to Qualify for Medical Doctor Jobs in Canada
In addition to becoming accredited, another activity to become a medical doctor in Canada is to upgrade your skills through a bridging program or other courses and workshops.
As a physician, you must continually update your knowledge and skills on new medical procedures and practices. You can benefit from ongoing learning and professional growth through continuing education courses and seminars.
You may have strong technical and practical skills, but often that is not enough to get a job or maintain it afterward. As a medical doctor, you are expected to know how to handle patients with strong listening, interpersonal, and communication skills, and empathize with them to understand their illness clearly. You must also know how to deal with the patient’s relatives with patience.
If you intend to be self-employed you may require advanced business skills as well as financial resources to establish and maintain the medical practice.
Language Training for Medical doctors in Canada
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for your future in Canada. Whether you choose to learn or improve your English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you intend to live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Otherwise, you can find other free or affordable English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes offered through school boards or settlement agencies.
There are language courses to teach you professional terms, such as job-specific language training and Occupation Specific Language Training (OSLT) in Ontario. And, if you already speak one of Canada’s two official languages at a high level, learning the other may be helpful, as it may offer you better employment options.
Bridging Programs for Medical Doctor Careers in Canada
International Medical Graduates can take advantage of programs that help them to practice as medical doctors in Canada.
Bridging programs are a good way for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) to transition their international experience and training to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer bridging programs or workshops that you may be eligible for. Explore the following medical bridging programs to see if any may be suitable for you.
This program is designed to assess IMG applicants, and prepare them for application to UBC Faculty of Medicine Residency Training programs, which are available to IMGs in the first iteration of the Canadian Residency Matching Service (CaRMS).
This program offers informational, learning, and other types of support, services, and resources to support entry into the Canadian healthcare system for IMGs.
The IMG Clerkship Program will prepare IMGs for residency training. Upon completion of the program, participants will be eligible to enter the first round of the CaRMS match as Dalhousie graduates.
This program helps internationally educated health professionals connect with employers and community partners. The program includes workshops on transferable skills and healthcare sector orientation. It also provides occupation-specific language education, workplace culture and communications training, and employment opportunities.
This program provides training in medical communication, healthcare culture, familiarity with Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and exposure to Canadian medical practice through observership. This focused training broadens knowledge of Canadian medical practice and improves the success rate of IMDs as they pursue medical exams and residency.
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO)
This project is developing a website that illustrates the Considerations of Legal, Ethical and Organization (CLEO) aspects of the practice of medicine, which are a component of the Medical Council of Canada’s (MCC) evaluating exam. The project provides web-based medical literacy and educational tools to address the communication needs of IMGs who apply to one of Ontario’s programs for entry to medical practice.
How to Become a Doctor in Canada
If you’re an international student interested in attending medical school in Canada, it requires years of education and training. And, not all medical schools accept international and U.S. students. So, it’s important to do your research. Here are the most common steps to becoming a doctor in Canada:
Complete a university degree: Get a bachelor’s degree in a science-based subject.
2. Apply to medical school and get accepted: Getting into medical school is extremely competitive. It’s estimated that one-quarter of applicants get accepted. Medical school takes about four years to complete. Two years of in-class learning and two years of practical training.
3. Pass the MCCQE1 Exams: You need to pass the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination to practice medicine in Canada.
4. Apply for and complete your medical residency: Apply for positions through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS). The length of your residency depends on your area of specialization. It’s two years for family doctors.
5. You’re a doctor! Once you complete your residency, you have completed all the steps to practice medicine in Canada.
Medical Schools in Canada
There are 17 medical schools in Canada with over 11,500 students. Each year they produce 2,700 new graduates. Ontario has the most schools with six, followed by 4 in Quebec. Here’s a list of medical schools in Canada:
Province
Medical School
Alberta
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary
British Columbia
University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine
Manitoba
University of Manitoba Max Rady College of Medicine
Newfoundland & Labrador
Memorial University Medical School
Ontario
Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine (McMaster University)
Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM)University of Ottawa Medical SchoolQueen’s University Medical SchoolUniversity of Toronto Medical SchoolSchulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (Western University)
Québec
Université de Sherbrooke Medical School
McGill Medical SchoolUniversité de Montreal Faculty of MedicineUniversité Laval Medical School
Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) maintains a list of medical schools in Canada.
Medical Doctor Associations in Canada
The following associations provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
Professional immigrant networks are organized volunteer-run member-based associations or networks. They are created by and for immigrant professionals that seek to
Create a forum to contribute to and enrich their respective communities
Provide opportunities for members to find employment and achieve their professional goals.
Activities of these networks include networking events, mentoring, information sessions, professional development opportunities such as workshops, speaker events, and training and connections to employment opportunities.
Here are some immigrant networks to research across Canada:
Alberta
This non-profit organization consists of doctors trained or educated in countries other than Canada. It also includes individuals and organizations interested in the challenges facing International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Canada.
Alberta International Medical Graduates Association (AIMGA)
Nova Scotia
isans: Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia:
isans helps newcomer professionals with their full economic and social integration in the province of Nova Scotia.
Ontario
Association of International Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (AIPSO)
This association is an independent professional non-profit that represents physicians and surgeons trained and licensed in jurisdictions outside Canada.
This network is a support group for immigrant Filipino doctors. It provides support to prepare for medical licensure and job search assistance.
How Much Do Medical Doctors Make in Canada?
Medical doctors in Canada can earn between $76,759 and $451,997 per year depending on their level of experience and location. The average salary in Canada is $216,833.
The province with the highest average salary is Manitoba at $252,974. The province with the lowest average salary is British Columbia at $164,939.
Medical Doctor Salary in Canada
Here are the most recent medical doctor salary numbers in Canada (as of November, 2022):
Best Provinces to Work in Canada as a Medical doctor Based on Salary & Lifestyle
Medical doctors have different job prospects depending on where they work in Canada. So, it’s helpful to research job prospects across Canada. According to the Canadian Occupation Projections Systems, labour shortage conditions will persist from 2019 – 2028. And as Canada’s population ages, there will be greater demand for health services. In fact, employment growth for medical doctors is projected to be the second highest of all occupation groups.
To research job prospects by province, click here. From here, you can also search for job prospects by region within the province. Once you identify which locations offer job prospects, you can begin to research cities and determine what cities would meet your personal, professional, and practical needs. For example, cities in the province of Alberta that have a good outlook for medical doctors include Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge. Cities across Canada with a good outlook include Fredericton, New Brunswick, Windsor, Ottawa, and Hamilton in Ontario.
Pursuing a Medical Doctor Career in Canada
Becoming a Medical doctor in Canada follows a similar path as many other healthcare careers. You need to have the right academic credentials, relevant work experience, and a plan for where you want to work within the country. Below is valuable information to help you pursue a medical doctor career in Canada:
Major Employers for Doctor Jobs in Canada
Medical doctors usually work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, and clinics. Look for opportunities with your local medical community.
You can visit Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website to locate hospitals and healthcare centres that you might be interested in. Employers receive this special designation for their commitment to workplace diversity, inclusion, and equity.
How to Find Your First Canadian Medical Doctor Job
Searching for a medical doctor job in Canada can be different than in your home country. For example, the job market can be quite competitive, and employers may have different job application requirements. So you need to prepare and understand how to gain employment.
Job Search Techniques for Medical Doctors
Once you have completed the licensing process, you can look for jobs in the province or territory where you are licensed. Therefore, take your time to research job requirements in that region and develop a plan to find work.
There are many ways to search for jobs including:
Broadening your search and including alternative careers.
Seeking a mentor in the medical field who would give you valuable insight and advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Joining healthcare job-finding or networking clubs through immigrant-serving agencies.Attending medical or healthcare job fairs and regularly checking online job boards.
Immigrant Settlement Agencies
Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations can provide help with your job search including:
Finding job vacancies
Updating your resume
Writing cover letters
Preparing for interviews, and
Understanding what Canadian employers are looking for.
To find immigrant services in your area click here.
A medical resume is a unique document. It’s important you understand what Canadian employers expect and you follow up-to-date medical resume formats. A strong resume familiarizes a prospective employer with your expertise and achievements in the medical field, as well as your language skills.
Like many medical professionals, you may decide to use a professional resume writer to stand out from the crowd. Regardless, it pays to understand what makes a quality resume no matter who writes it.
Here are tips to make your resume cleaner, easier to read, and more likely to get you interviews.
List your medical degree following your name as in – NAME SURNAME, M.D.
Give details about your medical license and certification status. Specify the date (month, year) you received your license. List your certifications in your specialty; use bullet points.
List any academic scholarships, honours bestowed by prestigious medical associations or any academic accomplishments.
Identify the institutions where you completed your fellowships, residencies, and internship.
Highlight, don’t elaborate. For example, if you are a physician with an extensive research background in your respective field, naturally you’d like to explain each study. Remember, a resume is designed to highlight professional experience, not to explain it in detail.
Provide any private practice experience, along with the location and duration of the practice. Include details about any academic positions you held.
List your memberships or affiliations to any medical boards or societies.
Working as a doctor requires you to have great intelligence, integrity, competence, social skills, and so much more. Be prepared for a thorough and exhaustive interview that will test you on many levels.
Here are a some common questions that you can prepare to answer in an interview:
Why did you choose this career? Why did you choose this specialty?
Your professional experience: Tell us about your background as a doctor: education and experience. What are your specialties/ expertise?
Why are you interested in this hospital/department?
How do you handle workload stress and emergency situations?
Describe your day-to-day activities, priorities and tasks.
Describe your most successful accomplishments.
What are the key challenges of this (field of medicine)? What are your personal challenges?
You can prepare for an interview by consulting with colleagues and friends. Rehearse an interview situation with them and consider the feedback that you receive to succeed in interviews. Do not memorize your responses but be very familiar with them. Be succinct in your replies, and emphasize your strengths.
Informational Interviews
While there’s a shortage of physicians in Canada, landing that next opportunity, especially for newcomers, requires extra effort and outreach. Informational interviews are a great way to demonstrate your empathetic and professional communication abilities, research skills and time management talents.
An informational interview is a brief (20–30-minute) meeting that you schedule with a person who is currently working in an industry to learn more about that industry.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather find out whether a particular position or industry might be a good fit for your interests and your personality. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent source of career information because, in addition to basic information about a particular type of industry (such as you might find on a company website), it also offers you the benefit of a professional’s first-hand experiences and impressions.
Make a list of the hospitals, clinics, public health agencies, and others, as desired, that operate in your area.
Use your resources including professional organizations, LinkedIn, and other networking tools to identify organization insiders, such as pharmaceutical recruiters, health unit coordinators, etc.
Create 5-10 open-ended questions that will yield useful information to help your job search.
For more information on informational interviews, click here.
Networking is Important for Medical Doctors
It’s helpful to connect with practicing medical doctors to discover jobs in the “hidden” job market.
Networking is a vital activity to help you find job leads, gain professional advice and guidance, and meet others to expand your network. In Canada, many job vacancies are not advertised. Also known as the “hidden” job market, you can discover these jobs through networking with other medical professionals. So, it’s helpful to make connections and build relationships with others in your field who can help you discover these jobs. Good places to network include conferences, associations, and other settings.
LinkedIn is another vital tool for networking. Using LinkedIn, you can connect with former colleagues and employers, search for jobs, and get introductions to others in the medical community. You can also join some relevant groups to learn more about the medical profession in Canada.
But remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Nothing will happen overnight, and you need to be patient.
Get more great tips for successful networking: Build Your Professional Network Before You Arrive. With a positive outlook for medical doctor jobs in Canada, now is the time to check out your options.
Interested in learning more about working in Canada? Check out our Finding a Job in Canada resource page. We can help you achieve your career goals in Canada.
If you are interested in IT jobs in Canada, you are in luck. The information technology industry in Canada is strong and continues to grow. Canada is regarded as a leader in technology and its one of the best countries in the world to pursue an IT career. There are many opportunities for different types of IT jobs and IT professionals are paid well in Canada.
The job requirements for many IT occupations usually require a university degree or college diploma along with related employment experience in a specific area of IT expertise. Most information and communications technology occupations are non-regulated in Canada. However, many employers require a professional IT certification. This depends on the type of IT job. For example, to practice as a software engineer (NOC code 21231) or computer engineer (NOC code 21311), you require a provincial or territorial license from a professional engineering association.
The great thing about working in IT is that Canadian companies are very open to hiring immigrants and newcomers. You just have to follow the proper steps to ensure you’re qualified. Prepare yourself for an IT job in Canada with this helpful overview.
The steps you need to complete to work in an IT job in Canada will depend on your career path. It’s important to research the specific requirements for the job you want. For example, if you want to work as an app developer, research the career requirements for software app developers in Canada.
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To improve your chances of finding an IT job in Canada, there are general steps that you can take even before you arrive:
Improve your English or French language skills (depending on your destination province). You will need to prove your language competency or be tested.
Take language classes while you’re in your home country and continue them when you arrive in Canada.
Understand how your IT occupation is practiced in Canada and familiarize yourself with the laws and legislation that govern it in the province where you will settle.
Know the name of your job in Canada and learn about the specific IT job requirements in Canada for your job title.
Look into certification requirements and skill development options if you need to upgrade.
Check our resources available from the Information and Communications Technology Council to develop your job search plan.
Research Canadian companies and join IT groups on LinkedIn to learn about the industry in Canada.
What to Expect When Pursuing an IT Career in Canada
There are dozens of IT career paths to pursue in Canada. Each one has different qualifications and requirements. You need to have a general overview of how your international qualifications may be viewed in Canada. As well, it’s important to have a general sense of the Canadian labour market and workplace culture. Understanding the current job market and employment outlook will help you set realistic expectations for your job search.
Employment Outlook for IT Jobs in Canada
There is a positive outlook for the information technology industry in Canada. The information and technology (IT) sector is a major employer in Canada and contributes about $150 billion a year to Canada’s economy. There are more than 41,000 IT firms across the country, with 86% having 10 or fewer employees.
According to the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), forecasts show the tech industry is in a growth phase. It’s predicted to grow by a total of 22.4% in the 2021-24 period.
BDC has a positive outlook for employment in IT. “Forecasts show that employment growth in the digital economy will continue to outpace that in the general economy. By the end of 2025, employment in the digital economy will reach 2.26 million people, reflecting the addition of 250,000 jobs since 2020.”
Start Your Research with the NOC Code for IT Jobs in Canada
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals work in a variety of occupations. Some of these occupations are regulated. However, others may require certification or licensing, or a combination of education and work experience, but no certification or licensing.
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada’s reference for occupations. The NOC code provides standard definitions of the occupation. For job seekers, you can also learn about other titles that are commonly used for your NOC code. This can be helpful when applying for jobs in Canada. The NOC code also outlines the IT job requirements in Canada for specific IT occupations.
The Canadian IT sector includes the following NOC groups:
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, business administration, commerce, or engineering is usually required. Employers usually require several years of experience in systems analysis, data administration, software engineering, network design, or computer programming, including supervisory experience.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer security, computer systems engineering, or information systems or completion of a college program in information technology, network administration, or other related computer science program. Some employers may require certification or training that is provided by software vendors.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, business administration, information systems, or a related discipline or completion of a college program in computer science. Some employers may require certification or training from software vendors.
Information Systems Quality Assurance (QA) Analyst
Systems Auditor.
Information System Specialist Job Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, business administration or a related discipline, or computer science at the college level. Employers usually require computer science experience to meet IT job requirements in Canada. Some employers may require certification such as Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or another IT designation.
A bachelor’s degree or college program in computer science, computer engineering, or mathematics. Employers usually require computer programming and related experience to meet IT job requirements in Canada.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer systems engineering, software engineering, or mathematics, or completion of a college program in computer science. Some employers may require a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field.
In addition, software engineers belong to a regulated profession in Canada. Therefore, they require a license from a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers to practice as a Professional Engineer (P. Eng.). Engineers are to register upon graduating from an accredited engineering program, completing three to four years of supervised work experience in engineering, and passing a professional practice exam.
A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical or electronics engineering, engineering physics, or computer science. A master’s or doctoral degree in a related engineering discipline may be required.
Computer engineers must have a license from a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as Professional Engineers (P. Eng.). Engineers are eligible for registration upon graduating from an accredited engineering program, completing three to four years of supervised work experience in engineering, and passing a professional practice exam.
Completion of a college program in computer science, computer programming, or network administration. College or other courses in computer programming or network administration. Some employers may require certificates or training provided by software vendors to meet IT job requirements in Canada.
Requirements to Become an IT Professional in Canada
In Canada, the requirements to work in information technology will depend on your job type. Companies can request different education, skills, certifications, and experience based on the role. Therefore, you need to research the IT jobs you want to pursue.
Credential Recognition to Meet IT Job Requirements in Canada
Several agencies assess international education credentials to help newcomers to Canada access the education and employment they need. Most IT occupations are non-regulated in Canada. However, if you intend to practice as an engineer, it is important to know that it is provincially regulated. You will need to have proof of your credentials assessed for Canadian equivalency. To avoid wasting valuable time and money, make sure you first contact the relevant regulatory organization to find out which credential assessment agency you should use.
The same rule applies if you are applying to college or university to upgrade your skills. First, contact the school to find out what steps to take, and the credential assessment agency you should use.
Make sure to highlight your international education and skills. Build on your existing knowledge and skills and explore university and college options thoroughly before deciding if you need to pursue further education. Use your international credentials and experience to gain credit or course exemptions. You may be able to get advanced standing, transfer some of your credits and benefit from prior learning assessment options. This will allow you to complete your program more quickly, without wasting money and repeating the education you already have.
Credentials Assessment Services
There are several places where you can inquire about the steps to take to have your IT credentials assessed in Canada:
Upgrading Your Skills to Meet Information Technology Job Requirements
You may need to upgrade your skills, especially your soft skills, to meet IT job requirements in Canada. Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages – English or French – is important for career success. Whether you choose to focus on improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages most people speak in the area where you live.
You may be eligible for Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Or you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through local school boards or settlement agencies.
Canadian employers look for friendly and assertive professionals with strong communication skills. They also look for people who will fit into their workplace culture and will become leaders over time. In the IT field, they expect employees to have a strong understanding of the business in addition to the technical aspects of the job. They encourage employees to upgrade their existing skills and acquire new skills.
Bridging Programs to Help IT Professionals Meet Job Requirements in Canada
Bridging programs are a good way to transition your international experience to the Canadian workplace. Many colleges, universities, and immigrant-serving agencies offer IT bridging programs, and you may be eligible. Here are some programs to consider:
The GO Talent program helps IEPs immigrating to Canada as permanent residents and are still in their country of origin. IEPs receive assistance to ensure they are job ready when they arrive.
This IT bridging program allows you to complete three university-level courses to ensure your soft skills and IT program skills are top-notch. It also helps IEPs to transition into jobs that match their education, credentials, and experience.
This successful program with 98% of graduates securing jobs in their field within six months of graduating. It is a bridging program for internationally trained computer programmers. This program provides participants with the advanced concepts, skills and knowledge required to work as .NET Solution Developers.
This bridging program is for internationally trained immigrants with education and experience in information technology, computer science, or engineering (computer, electronics, or electrical). You’ll learn advanced concepts and gain skills in computer networking, information security, installation, and configuration of servers in a virtual environment with an emphasis on operating systems. Graduates from this program work as Systems Analysts, IT/Network Administrators, Network Analysts, and more.
This free technology training course provides immigrants with the workplace culture and language skills to communicate effectively on the job. All Humber OSLT graduates earn a certificate.
A no-cost program that helps internationally educated professionals (IEPs) understand and move through the licensure and credential process in Canada. Those who are not part of a regulated profession will be provided with up-to-date information about their career. Bredin staff will support IEPs through the process and help them find jobs that directly relate to their education.
Continuing Your IT Education in Canada
Some companies provide financial support to employees for professional development. Because IT technology changes so rapidly, you need to upgrade your skills regularly to stay relevant and competitive in your field.
Colleges and universities offer many IT continuing education courses. Taking these courses is a good way to upgrade your skills. And often these courses are offered after business hours which makes them easy to attend after your workday. If you want to make a career change or enhance your career options, you may be interested in pursuing further education in Canada. Click here for links to Canadian Universities and Colleges.
IT Schools in Canada
There are over 50 schools in Canada offering IT courses, programs, and degrees. They are available at the college, university, and graduate levels.
World University Ranking for Computer Science 2023
World University Ranking 2023
University
City
27
18
University of Toronto
Toronto
51 (tie)
191
University of Waterloo
Waterloo
56
35
University of British Columbia
Vancouver
74
156 (tie)
University of Montreal
Montreal
100 (tie)
136 (tie)
University of Alberta
Edmonton
111 (tie)
54
McGill University
Montreal
166 (tie)
317 (tie)
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby
285 (tie)
526 (tie)
Carleton University
Ottawa
298 (tie)
215 (tie)
University of Ottawa
Ottawa
309 (tie)
1,338 (tie)
Ecole de Technologie Superieure – Canada
Montreal
Best universities in Canada for computer science degrees 2023
Information Technology Associations in Canada
The following associations provide information about licensure and certification and offer professional development, education, and networking opportunities.
CIPS – Canadian Information Processing Society: a non-profit professional association for IT practitioners. It offers networking opportunities, certification (I.S.P. and ITCP), accreditation of IT post-secondary programs, a niche IT job board, and represents Canadian IT professionals in international forums.
Hispanotech.ca brings Hispanics in Canada’s technology markets together, to help them enter the workforce and recognize their contributions to the technology field.
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!
How Much Do IT Professionals Make in Canada?
IT professionals are well paid. How much you can make depends on your job title, experience, skills, and your location. IT jobs are mainly full-time positions, but they can also be part-time jobs, contract jobs, or project-based jobs.
The average annual salary for an IT professional is just over $70,000 annually. This is about $36 per hour. Salary can range from about $50,000 to over $100,000 per year.
Best Provinces to Work in IT in Canada Based on Salary & Lifestyle
You can find IT jobs in most Canadian cities, however, the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa offer the highest concentration of IT jobs. Other cities to consider for IT jobs include, Markham, Kitchener-Waterloo, Montreal, and Vancouver. Montreal is the heart of the gaming industry in Canada and Vancouver has many companies in the commercial/entertainment development sector. Markham is the second-largest tech cluster in Canada.
Pursuing an IT Career in Canada
There are many ways to start an IT career in Canada with the right academic credentials, relevant work experience, and a plan for where you want to work. Below is valuable information to help you pursue an IT career in Canada:
Major Employers for Information technology Jobs in Canada
According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, about 45,000 companies operate in the Canadian IT sector. 91% of these companies are in the software and computer services industries, 4% are in the IT wholesaling industries, and 2% are in manufacturing.
Canadian IT companies employ around 555,978 employees and generate about 168 billion dollars. As well, many people work in the information technology departments of Canadian companies that use technology such as banking, insurance, healthcare, and retail.
You can also learn about Canadian companies by visiting Canada’s Best Diversity Employers website. These employers have been recognized for exceptional diversity and inclusiveness programs in the workplace.
Here are some of the top IT companies in Canada:
Snapcommerce
Google
Microsoft
Intuit
Infosys
Apple
Sage
SAP
Salesforce
Ericsson
Computan
Cisco
Intel
Oracle.
How to Become an IT Professional in Canada
If you are a new immigrant to Canada and have an interest in working in IT, these are important steps to follow:
Choose an area of interest: What type of IT job would you like to pursue? Do you have an interest in web development, coding, database management, or software development?
Get an undergraduate degree/diploma: Choose a college or university program to help you get the educational background you need for your chosen IT career.
Complete post-graduate education: Some professions will require you to complete a post-graduate diploma. Complete this if required.
Get certified: Complete any certification courses and complete all requirements. This may be ongoing. You can add additional certifications as you progress in your career.
Search for IT jobs: Start your search for your first job in IT.
How to Find Your First Canadian IT Job
Searching for an IT job in Canada is unique based on your chosen career. The job market can in Canada is competitive for IT careers.
Job Search Techniques for IT Professionals
You may need some help, especially since finding a job in Canada may be very different than in your home country. Fortunately, there are many settlement services to help you search for jobs, update your resume, write cover letters, and prepare for job interviews. Click here to find immigrant services in your area.
There are many that you can search for IT jobs in Canada:
Broaden your search and include other geographical areas, alternative careers, and companies outside the sector, as a lot of them have IT departments or positions.
Join job-finding or networking groups in the IT sector through settlement agencies.
Attend career/job fairs, info sessions, and conferences related to the IT sector.
It’s best if you write your resume with prospective employers and hiring managers in mind. Your resume should show that you can participate in project planning activities with your team and as a group and be able to peer review your team members to help each other reach the end goal.
Suppose you are a Software Developer, for example. In that case, your resume should show your ability to contribute to the design, development, and release of software updates to a product that’s used by thousands of customers.
Resume Tips:
Have a portfolio and include samples of your work.
Highlight your technical skills and your teamwork, leadership, communications, and business experience.
List specific skills such as database design, Linux, software development, HTML, JavaScript, technical support, etc.
Ask someone to review your resume and provide feedback.
Below are some examples of common phrases that your resume should include:
Develop and analyze technical designs and requirements to meet functional specifications.
Review programming code to ensure development standards are compatible with the software.
Adapt to changing technology by learning and applying new methods to achieve organizational goals.
Provide technical support to ensure the stability of networks and applications; diligently respond to user issues.
Interview Techniquesfor IT Jobsin Canada
IT professionals work in dozens of fields. Therefore, how you prepare for an IT job interview will depend in part on what type of position you are pursuing.
One way you can separate yourself from the pack is by creating a work portfolio. It expresses what you may not be able to put into words. In addition to taking your portfolio to the interview, you can send a link to the interviewer ahead of time. This way, they can review the portfolio and you can discuss it during the interview.
Informational Interviews Can Help You Learn More About IT Job Requirements in Canada
An informational interview is a helpful way to learn more about the IT industry or a specific employer in Canada.
Reach out to people you might know who work in IT companies or other organizations that you’re interested in working for. Ask them if they will be willing to connect you with someone in the company who works in your related field of expertise. Contact the individual and ask to meet with them at their convenience.
Connecting with people will expand your professional network, give you an insight into their company and help you understand IT job requirements in Canada.
You should not try to get a job during an informational interview but rather find out whether a particular position or employer fits your skills, experience, and interests.
An information interview with a contact from your network can be a great source of career information. In addition to gaining information about the IT industry, you’ll also benefit from learning about their first-hand work experience.
Networking
Networking is a key activity that can help you to find job leads, and gain insights into specific companies and the IT industry n Canada. Often, many job vacancies are not advertised, so, connecting with other IT professionals is a great way to discover jobs in what’s known as the “hidden job market”.
Networking with other professionals is a great way to discover IT jobs in Canada in the “hidden job market”
Ideal places to network include conferences, association events, and social mixers where you can meet people, build relationships, and share information.
LinkedIn is another important tool for networking and it’s a great way to reconnect with former colleagues and employers, search for companies and jobs, and get helpful introductions to others in the field. Also, you can join related IT groups and engage in group discussions.
Note that it’s not appropriate to ask a networking contact for a job, but if they know of any job leads, they’ll likely share that information with you. Your network can be a great source to learn about IT jobs in Canada.
Remember, that you must allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through networking. Be patient because these relationships take time.
Bullying can happen to anyone. For me, it happened at school when I first moved to Canada. It was verbal bullying – name-calling, sarcastic remarks, and taunting, mostly. I never told anyone because I didn’t know the term ‘bullying’, or how to recognize it.
According to Bullying Canada, bullying is when someone hurts or scares someone else on purpose. It is one-sided and pointed; it can be verbal, social, or physical; it can happen face-to-face, in cyberspace, or both; and it can be a one-time incident or recurring.
Types of bullying:
Verbal: includes name-calling, negative cultural or racial references, threats, taunting, and inappropriate sexual comments.
Social: includes leaving someone out on purpose, telling people not to be friends with someone, humiliating them in public, and telling rumours about them.
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Physical: includes hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, shoving, chasing, poking, and stealing someone’s belongings.
Cyber Bullying includes using various online platforms (text, email, social media, the Internet) to tease someone, spread rumours about them, intimidate them, or put them down.
Steps new Canadian parents can take to identify, prevent, and stop bullying:
Talk to your kids about bullying and how to identify it.
Teach them to tell someone if it happens to them, or if they see it happen to someone else.
Guide them on what to do if they bully someone and make it clear that it’s not ok.
Encourage your kids to deal with conflict without violence and talk things out.
Signs to recognize if your child is bullied:
Your child:
Is experiencing anxiety or withdrawal
Doesn’t want to go to school
Isn’t sleeping or eating well
Acts out aggressively
Gets upset or irritated easily
Gets frightened or intimidated by certain kids.
Effects on children can include:
Loneliness
Unhappiness
Insecurity
Fear.
Bullying can happen to children as young as five years old and should be taken seriously. It is a major power issue that can escalate. So, both children and parents must make an effort to stop it before it begins. For more information, visit www.bullyingcanada.ca.
Help your children to identify bullying and communicate openly. Encourage your child to speak up if they are being bullied or if they know someone who is. Anyone can be a target.
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For more information, tools, and free webinars about living in Canada visit our Settling in Canada resource page. We’ll help you to settle in Canada successfully!
