Searching for a job and having enough money to live on are likely the biggest pain points for newcomers when they arrive in Canada. And even with years of experience in your field, you may face challenges when interviewing, including dealing with job search rejection. However, it’s important to know how to stay positive, learn from your interview experience, and move forward with confidence.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to how to deal with job search rejection, Ryan provides four simple, proven steps to deal with the self-doubt that can follow. As a successful career coach for newcomers to Canada, Ryan has helped many along the path to success. Ryan states, “We’ve all been there and done that…the dreaded job search. A joyous journey to rejection, silence, and self-doubt. Until the time when your job application, contacts, or chance meeting shines bright like a diamond and you’re in.”
Four Steps to Stay Positive and Achieve Job Search Success
Once a newcomer herself, Ryan has had first-hand experience with the challenges and realities of a Canadian job search. She knows that job search rejection can create difficult feelings. So here are four steps that she followed and recommends to others to stay positive and achieve success.
Step One: Shoot for the Stars
“I encourage clients to shoot for the stars, dream big and give themselves the luxury of feeling successful.” Specifically, Ryan advises clients to ask these vital questions: “What does success look like, feel like and sound like?” You can read more about visualizing success in Newcomers Need Two Career Plans.
Step Two: Get Realistic About the Job Search Process
This step relates to your job search goals. Once you have established your lofty goals, it’s time to set realistic, measurable, and time-sensitive objectives. “Breaking lofty goals into teeny, weeny baby steps and actions towards those goals makes your job search less daunting.”
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Step Three: Get Philosophical About Job Search Rejection and Stay Positive
Ryan reminds clients to avoid taking job search rejection personally. She says, “We are infinite beings in finite bodies. And even if we were always told that we were special, when it comes to the job search, we are one of many.” And as a result, our efforts are constrained by factors we can’t control or even influence. Ryan states “there are many factors that determine who will get selected for an interview. For example, these factors include the:
- number of applicants we’re competing with
- database parameters that sort and reject our resumes
- people who review and shortlist our beautifully formatted work histories.”
As for the people who are reviewing the resumes, think about what may be influencing their decision-making. For example, Ryan says, “Are they having a good day or bad day? Are they energized or exhausted? Are they happy with their company or looking to jump ship themselves? There are many reasons why it may not go your way, so why give those things your attention and energy!” Stay positive and don’t let disappointment derail your job search efforts.
Step Four: Read The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
“Written by Don Miguel Ruiz (1997, Amber-Allen Publishing), the book reminds us of four things we all should have been taught when we were seven years old!” Ryan says.
First Agreement: Be Impeccable with Your Word
“When you are impeccable, you take responsibility for your actions, but you do not judge or blame yourself (or others!)”
Second Agreement: Don’t Take Anything Personally
“Whatever happens around you, don’t take it personally because the issue can be about the other person (or process), not you.”
Third Agreement: Don’t Make Assumptions
“We have the tendency to make assumptions about everything. The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth…We assume, we misunderstand, we take it personally, and we end up creating a whole big drama that works against us.”
Fourth Agreement: Always Do Your Best
“Under any circumstance, always do your best, no more and no less. But keep in mind that your best is never going to be the same from one moment to the next.”
Learn More about BCCA-IN
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
Online learning, also known as e-learning, is a practical and convenient way for people from around the world to develop and enhance their professional skills. Taking online learning courses is also a great way to learn new skills and get certified from the comfort of your home. People from all over the world are upgrading their skills and learning new ones for the workplace. It is now easier than ever to learn something new, whether you want a live instructor, or want to work at your own pace.
Completing an online certification course and adding it to your resume can greatly increase your chances of getting hired. Canadian employers highly value job candidates that have an online certification (a certified online course). A certification indicates that you have the skills required to work in Canada and to succeed at the job. And, if you plan to work in a regulated occupation in Canada, getting the required training will be essential.
Online learning has been seeing a lot of growth over the past decade. Now, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning has become the new normal. And, it’s safe to say that online learning isn’t going away anytime soon. Even after the pandemic online learning is expected to keep growing.
Within the category of online learning, there are different types of online learning methods. The most common methods include:
- synchronous learning,
- synchronous learning
- hybrid online learning.
Any other online learning methods usually fall under these three categories or somewhere in between.
What are Online Certification Courses?
Online certification courses give you a certificate upon completion. This certificate indicates that you have finished the course and have all the skills taught in that course. These are the types of courses that you can include in your resume and show employers.
Certification courses generally cost more than regular courses and have assessments as you progress through the course. In the end, however, certification courses are worth your money because they can mean the difference between getting hired and not getting the job. And, even if you have not yet completed the course, you can always indicate that you are in the process of completing the training and provide the date that you expect to complete it.
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Synchronous Online Learning
Synchronous online learning is online learning that happens in real-time with a live instructor. This method allows the instructor and the learners to gather at a virtual place at the same time. This online gathering is usually conducted through online video call apps such as:
- Zoom
- Skype
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet.
The reason most people prefer synchronous online learning methods is that it is an interactive learning experience. You will participate in active discussions, interact with instructors and other students, and get immediate feedback. It is the closest you can get to a traditional classroom when you are learning online.
Some people might even prefer synchronous online learning over traditional classroom learning. This is because synchronous learning is flexible. Even though it takes place in a live setting, synchronous learning offers flexibility. This does not mean that there will be no due dates, but you will get to decide how to divide your work and get things done on time.
Many organizations offer online synchronous courses, including many professional associations. And if your work-from-home job requires training, online synchronous lessons will probably be the learning method used. If you want to sign up for a certain type of synchronous course, your best bet is to browse the internet and check out different courses offered by universities. You can also check with professional or trade associations that represent your occupation.
Asynchronous Online Learning
Asynchronous online learning is the opposite of synchronous online learning. This type of online learning is based on learning at your own schedule. This means that you will not get to talk to your instructor or interact with peers. You will most probably follow along with a video series and do the task accordingly. This is the most common type of asynchronous learning and it goes by the name Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).
Understanding MOOCs
The objective of MOOCs is to attract people in the thousands and get them to sign up. Because of this, you can usually get MOOCs for very reasonable prices. You can even find MOOCs are free. However, if you want to get a certification you will have to pay a fee. The cost for courses can vary depending on the certificate that you receive.
MOOCs have both advantages and disadvantages. A MOOC offers a very flexible style of learning, maybe a bit too flexible. MOOCs have a completion rate of under 10%. This means that only 10% of the people that enroll for a MOOC actually complete it. This is directly related to the fact that MOOCs are designed for people that want to learn at their own pace. Now, let’s take a look at some of the most common MOOCs and how they work.
1. Linear Autoplay MOOCs
Linear autoplay courses are the most basic online courses and they are also the most common MOOCs. However, linear autoplay courses are not very engaging. All have to do is watch a couple of videos to finish them. This type of MOOC consists of a series of video modules that, when put together, teach you a new skill or subject. Because there are no assessments, these MOOCs usually don’t offer a certificate.
2. Linear Autoplay MOOCs + Assessment
This type of MOOC is the same as linear autoplay MOOCs except that it also offers assessments. Typically, after watching a few video modules, you will have to pass an assessment before you can move on. This ensures that you are learning what the instructor is teaching. Some of these MOOCs may offer a certificate because of the learning assessments. In general, these courses offer a good mix of flexibility to keep learners on track.
3. Random Access MOOCs
This type of MOOC is one of the most flexible and open-ended courses you can take. It has no linear order to watch the videos, no assessments, and no certification at the end. Rather, students get to choose in which order they watch the videos. This can be both positive and negative. Random access MOOCs are made for students that only want to learn a specific part of a course. Rather than taking the whole course to learn only a part of it, random access MOOCs allow you to watch any part of the course, in whichever order.
MOOCs are a great option if you feel like you are committed to learning something online. MOOCs are a cheaper and more flexible alternative to synchronous online learning. Some even offer certifications!
Some of the best places to sign up for MOOCs are Coursera, and EdX. Coursera and EdX have partnered with the University of Toronto to provide free MOOCs. They are a great way to get started with online courses.
Another great way to get free MOOCs is through your public library in Canada. If you have a library card from your public library, you will also have free access to Lynda, also known as LinkedIn Learning. To access Lynda, you can log in to your library’s website and find the Digital Content section, or something similar. Each library has its own website so this will vary from library to library. However, almost every public library in Canada offers free access to Lynda.
Many newcomers are interested in free online resources to help them improve their language skills in English and French. If that sounds like you, the government of Canada has some great resources for you. Resources of the Language Portal of Canada can provide great tools to help you improve your language skills in Canada.
Hybrid Online Learning
Hybrid online learning is a common e-learning style. It is a mix of asynchronous and synchronous online learning to give students flexibility and to interact with peers and instructors.
You can think of hybrid learning as asynchronous learning with a few online meetings. You will mostly work on your own time. But there will be deadlines and you will also have the option to talk to your instructors and peers. Most of the instructors teaching these classes will also provide an email or some sort of messaging tool to contact them. This will give you access to feedback, even if you might not get an immediate response.
Keep in mind that hybrid online learning is different from hybrid classes. These terms can easily be mixed if you do not know the meaning of each. Hybrid classes are a mix of synchronous online learning and traditional classroom learning. This style of learning is also used by schools, universities, and any teaching institutions that are otherwise, taught in person. Because students must go to a school, It is not considered online learning.
Online learning has many uses and it can be useful to a wide range of people. Whether you are looking to upgrade your skills for the workplace or want to learn a new skill for yourself, online learning is probably the way to go. Online courses will not only help you with getting the job, but they will also help you excel at it. And the best thing is that learning these skills is now easier than ever.
To learn more about working in Canada, visit our Finding a Job in Canada resource page for free resources, information, and upcoming webinars.
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Wondering how to work as an extra in Canada? Well, Canada’s film industry is booming! Many famous movies and TV shows have been filmed in Canada. And, when you work as an extra, it’s a great way to earn extra money.
Toronto is one of the largest film production centres in North America. And, Vancouver has been dubbed Hollywood North. In both cities, there are many film projects taking place for Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros, ABC, and others in the industry. And you can be part of a famous (or not so famous) production when you work as an extra on a set.
What is an “Extra” in the Film Industry?
“Extra” is another name for a background performer. These are usually non-speaking roles. So typically you would be part of a crowd or background for scenes.
Who Can Work as an Extra?
Anyone! No matter how old you are, what skills you have, or how you look. No training is needed.
You must be able to legally work in Canada. And, the agents or agencies can provide you with the list of documents that you will require to work as an extra.
Children up to 15 years old have to be accompanied on a set by an adult.
What Does a Day on a Production Set Look Like?
The working day can be anything from 2-3 hours to 12 hours in a row, any time during day or night. You may not get the exact schedule in advance.
You will have to arrange your own transportation to the location (usually it is a parking lot where you can leave your car if needed). And, you’ll be transported from the parking lot by bus to the actual film location.
It can be an outside or inside location so dress accordingly. The agency will let you know in advance if you can wear your own clothes, or if they will provide you with special clothes.
Also, you can spend most of the time waiting for the filming set to be ready for action or maybe for the rain to stop. So, you can bring a book or a tablet to help you to pass the time. You may not be able to meet leading actors, but there is plenty of time to talk to fellow “extras” and make new friends too.
How Much Will I Earn When I Work as an Extra?
You will be paid for all the hours you spend on the set. The rate per hour differs based on the production.
There are food and drinks offered at no cost.
The agency will let you know these details in advance and they will mail you a cheque.
Thinking of updating your resume? Use our free templates:
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How Can I Apply to Work as an Extra?
The easiest way is to apply is to create an online profile in a Background performers database.
Check out these databases for more details:
BCF casting in Vancouver
Astra online Background performers in Toronto
Usually, there is no registration fee and you can update your information on a regular basis. You will be asked to provide your:
- photos
- weight
- height, and
- other descriptions.
In addition, you can list any specific skills you and have, and most importantly, provide your availability.
Once there is an opportunity the agency may contact you with more information and specific details about the production.
Alternatively, you may choose to work with an agent who represents background actors. In this case, there may be additional fees or commissions involved.
Working on a movie set can be an exciting experience. You get to see the insides of the film production process, earning extra money, and meeting new people! These are among some of the biggest perks. And, there’s a chance to see yourself on the big screen too!
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