Newcomers to Canada often ask this burning question \u201chow long will it take to get a job?\u201d However, a better question might be \u201chow can I reach my career goals?\u201d By asking this question, it allows you to focus on what you truly love to do and help you to achieve your long-term career goals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Linda Ryan is the Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services), BCCA. Prepare for Canada (PFC) spoke to Ryan to get her valuable insights about how you can commit to your long-term career goals by not applying for jobs. Sound odd? Find out about a smarter approach to achieving career success and the advice that Ryan provides to newcomers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BCCA-Integrating Newcomers<\/a>, is a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). The BCCA-IN team specialises in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I tell them to forget about applying for the job and instead commit to building their long-term career. And in that one sentence, I manage to dash hopes and yet plant a seed for success. My comment is perplexing until I follow it up with these questions, \u201cwhat\u2019s your dream job?\u201d or \u201cwhat\u2019s the career you\u2019d truly love?\u201d Let\u2019s face it, the last time you\u2019ve been asked those questions was when you were a kid, everything was possible, and money didn\u2019t matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, for immigrants preparing to arrive in a new country, it\u2019s nice to bask in the warm glow of the \u201cI\u2019m in\u201d feeling. This is common, especially after receiving a confirmation letter from the government. However, it can quickly dissipate when the cold reality of \u201coh crap, how can I afford this?\u201d sets in. So, the best advice I give to clients is to prepare yourself (from both a time and money perspective) for it to take up to six months to find the work you truly love to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The worst thing you can do as a newcomer is to accept \u2018survival jobs<\/a>\u2019 too early to earn some cash. Yes, it\u2019s tempting and practical, but it can kill your career. This is because it\u2019s so far from your profession that you\u2019ll never be able to use it as a \u2018Canadian experience\u2019 reference. Or because it pays so little that you\u2019ll have no spare time and energy to devote to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another common mistake is to assume that your out-of-country or in-country experience in a different discipline or industry equates to a role you\u2019re fooling yourself into applying for. I always tell clients to aim for the moon and if you fall, you\u2019ll hit a few stars along the way! What I mean is, hold true to your dream job, but be realistic and take small steps to get there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you want one-on-one coaching to help you continue your construction career in Canada before you arrive?\r\nThe Integrating Newcomers program is for you if you’re a technical professional e.g. tradesperson, engineer (in any discipline), architect, technician, technologist, project manager, estimator, or analyst. This Canada-wide service can help you get started!<\/p>\n REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR <\/div>\n\n\n\nPFC: <\/span>When newcomers ask you how long will it take to get a job, what\u2019s your response?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nLinda Ryan:\u00a0<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPFC:<\/span> What do you think is behind the question \u201chow long will it take to find a job?\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nLinda Ryan:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nPFC:<\/span> When faced with financial concerns, what are the common job-hunting mistakes that newcomers can make?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nLinda Ryan:\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/div>\n\n\n\nJoin Canada’s Construction Workforce | BCCA<\/h3>\n