Crafting Your Job Search Action Plan to Work in Canada

To land the best job that matches your skills and international experience requires crafting an effective action plan to work in Canada.  Your job search begins with researching your profession in Canada, using pre-arrival employment services, and developing an action plan. Without a sound plan, your job search can easily derail making it longer and more difficult to work in Canada. However, with the right elements you’ll craft a strategic action plan so you can continue your successful career in Canada. Discover how to create your winning plan to land your dream job!

Researching Canada’s Job Market

A sound action plan is based on how well you have researched Canada’s job market, your profession, the demand for your occupation in Canada, and licensing requirements. For example, you may have discovered that you’re eligible to work in Canada, and you understand the job market and trends affecting your industry. You may even know how much you can expect to earn in cities across Canada. Your occupation may even fall into one of the sectors experiencing growth including:

Construction (i.e. skilled trades including electricians, mechanics, and plumbers)

Healthcare (i.e. Medical Doctor, Nurse, Pharmacist, Medical Radiation Technologist)

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (i.e. Software Developer)

Transportation (i.e. Transport Driver)

Agriculture and Agri-food.

Researching your profession is the vital foundation upon which you can now build your action plan. Creating a solid plan and working toward your action plan can help you achieve your goals with knowledge, clarity, and confidence.

Elements of an Effective Job Search Action Plan

If you have already researched Canada’s job market and determined the licensing requirements for your profession, it’s now time to create a job search action plan. Your effective plan can include all of the following activities:

Connect with Post-Arrival Service Providers

Just like free pre-arrival employment services can help you prepare to work before you arrive in Canada, post-arrival services can help you create or enhance your job search action plan. They can help you create an action plan that is specific to your individual needs and occupation. From helping you with costs to cover licensing requirements, improving or enhancing occupation-specific communication skills, and connecting you with associations and employers.

Education Evaluation and Credential Recognition | Next Steps

If you belong to a regulated (or licensed) profession, you may have started the process to get your international education and skills assessed. In some cases, you can begin the process while still in your home country. Pre-arrival employment service providers can guide you through the credential recognition process and this can save you valuable time, effort, and money. If you are not working with pre-arrival service providers, be sure to check out how pre-arrival employment services can help newcomers work in Canada.

After you complete the credential recognition process, you may discover that your academic degree, training, or experience doesn’t meet Canadian standards. What do you do now? This is a common barrier that some newcomers face. In this case, you may need to upgrade your international credentials.

With unrecognized credentials, it can be frustrating. Further, it can be expensive if you have to write exams, pay tuition, or cover other expenses to get recognition for your international experience. However, you may be eligible for post-arrival government-funded programs and low-interest microloans loans that can reduce credential recognition costs. Your job search plan of action can include exploring financial assistance to help you meet licensing requirements and achieve your career goals in Canada.

Microloans can help with credential recognition activities such as:

Fees for assessments

Training

Licensing, and more.

Learning new skills, or upgrading existing skills will make you an attractive job candidate to Canadian employers. Whether you are developing new technical skills or transferable soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and collaboration, these skills will help you succeed.

In your job search plan of action, explore the specific steps you need to take to ensure Canadian employers recognize your international credentials. Ensure you understand how much time, money, and resources you will require to complete the licensing process.

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Include Finding a Mentor in Your Job Search Action Plan

A successful mentoring relationship can make a big difference to your career in Canada. With the right mentor, you’ll develop and build essential skills, become more confident, and achieve your career goals. Mentors who are established in their careers want to share their knowledge and guide newcomers who have recently arrived in Canada.

For newcomers, finding a mentor from your profession or trade is a vital part of your action plan to work in Canada. A mentor can help you understand and navigate the Canadian workplace culture. This could include learning about the hiring process and effective interview tips to help you find a job more quickly. Once in your job, a mentor can help you succeed in your new role, especially when it comes to workplace expectations.

Many professional associations offer mentoring programs that are specific to your occupation. To learn more about associations, check out our Career Pathways articles for more than 25 occupations in Canada. You’ll discover associations and immigrant networks that can help you find a mentor in Canada.

A  mentor can also help you to expand your professional network and introduce you to people in their network. Building a strong network will help you to find a job that matches your skills and experiences faster.

A mentor can guide your job search activities and help you understand the Canadian workplace culture.

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Build Your Professional Network

Networking and building relationships play a large role in finding a job in Canada. Some networking activities that you can include in your plan of action include finding a mentor, connecting with others on LinkedIn, and joining professional associations. Building your network before you arrive in Canada can help you obtain advice, information, and support. When you arrive in Canada, you can use those same contacts to discuss your job search and get job leads and referrals.

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Join a Professional Association as Part of Your Job Search Action Plan

Regulated professions such as engineering, medical doctors, nurses, lawyers, etc, have associations that oversee the licensing process. In addition, associations can help you research and understand the Canadian job market, industry, labour, and salary trends for your profession.

You may belong to an occupation that does not require a license to work in Canada. Approximately 80% of occupations do not require a license. In this case, you’ll discover that many professions, such as human resources or marketing, also have associations that you can join.

When you join a professional association as part of your action plan to work in Canada, you’ll also discover volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is a great way to gain “Canadian work experience”, make new connections, and practice your skills. Volunteering might even lead you to a job at the organization where you’re volunteering.

Prepare for Your Job Search

Your job search will require effort. Whether it’s modifying your resume to create a Canadian-style resume, connecting with recruiters, or preparing for a job interview. An important first step is to take stock of your professional strengths.

The Drake P3® psychometric assessment is a tool that you can use whether you’re looking for your first job in Canada or you want to advance your career. The tool can be used to generate accurate and reliable reports about your behavioural traits in the workplace.

These reports can assist you in your job search and career by providing insights about your work style to:

Write a Canadian-style resume

Write cover letters for job applications

Create succinct elevator pitches for networking and mentoring sessions, and

Showcase your strengths.

Completing the Drake P3®, will help you harness your strengths to achieve job search and career success in Canada. It’s an essential first step to unleashing a world of opportunity for your professional growth and development.

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When you include elements such as mentoring, networking, and job search preparation, you’ll craft an effective job search action plan. And in time, you’ll be continuing your successful career in Canada!