Join the Scotiabank StartRight® Program designed for Newcomers‡ and get up to $2,200* in value in the first year.
Canadian work experience is something that employers look for on your resume. But how do you gain Canadian work experience when you recently arrived in Canada? How can you overcome this barrier?
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 specialize in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to gaining Canadian work experience, Ryan provides specific advice. Prepare for Canada spoke to Ryan and here’s what she had to say to those who have immigrated to Canada and are in the first weeks of living the no ‘Canadian experience’ reality. For example, you are qualified and have credentials but aren’t getting job interviews or offers because you have out-of-country experience.
So, how do you overcome this employment barrier? When you search for your first job in Canada, consider other ways to get Canadian experience that can lead to full-time employment. Employers who state that you have no Canadian experience may be concerned that they are taking a risk on you. Hiring managers may worry that without Canadian experience, you may lack knowledge of the Canadian workplace culture, language proficiency, or important skills and training.
How can you gain Canadian work experience? Ryan offers this solid advice.
Volunteering is one way to overcome the “no Canadian experience” employment barrier. You can improve your chances of finding a job that matches your skills, knowledge, and experience when you volunteer. This is something many immigrants do to get that so-called Canadian experience. By volunteering, newcomers show their interpersonal skills, language skills, and overall professional ability.
As Ryan states, “The trick with volunteering is to be strategic about the not-for-profit organizations and roles related to your career. Invest time looking for roles you are genuinely interested in and that link to your career.”
Volunteering is often part of the high school curriculum in Canada. So many employers look at it positively and consider it a right of passage and civic duty (from a career perspective).
Linda Ryan
Ryan also stresses the importance of being honest with yourself about whether you can meet those expectations.
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Crafting Your Job Search Action Plan to Work in Canada
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In addition to gaining Canadian work experience, volunteer work can be a great career development opportunity. Volunteer work can help you enhance your existing skills, learn and develop new skills, and network with professionals in your field. It’s also a great way to stay involved while you conduct your job search.
Another route Ryan suggests you consider to gain Canadian work experience is to intern. If you don’t want to go the not-for-profit route, you can look for local companies with roles that match your experience. Also, shortlist companies advertising paid roles (in your area of expertise) and opt for more junior roles where you can easily prove your worth and add value.
Approach the company and offer to intern, unpaid for four to six weeks to test you out. Ryan offers, “I’ve seen it done successfully by newcomers. But, success depends on your comfort doing this and the employer’s appetite to invest the time and energy to support a role trial.”
Ryan offers, “The more personal and genuine you make the interaction (showing up, dressing well, being open, friendly, and professional) the more of an impression you’ll make.
If you can, avoid the cost and time of opting for a master’s degree in your technical field unless you want to do one! Instead look for the most relevant, brief, and inexpensive technical course that will add to your skills or expertise. Ryan often advises newcomers to budget to be out of work for six months after arriving in Canada. There are many reasons why I suggest this timeframe and gathering your ‘Canadian experience’ is one of them.
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*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.
Credential recognition for your education and work experience can propel your job search in Canada. But, what is it and why is it important? Credential recognition provides employers, industry professionals, and regulatory bodies a standard measure of your skills and knowledge. Using a standard measure, you show your competence and expertise credibly. Discover how recognition can unlock career opportunities in Canada.
Credential recognition helps employers understand the value of your international experience. Canadian employers may not recognize your education and experience without completing the process. As a result, you may face a lengthy job search that can create financial setbacks.
Regulated professions and certain trades jobs in Canada such as electricians require a license to work. Governing bodies for regulated occupations confirm whether or not you meet Canadian standards.
You may be able to begin the credential recognition process before you arrive in Canada. Doing so reduces the time you spend on the process when you arrive allowing you to continue and advance your career faster.
Credential recognition may reveal you need further education to get a license to work in your profession in Canada. It will be more cost-effective if you take these steps while abroad.
Credential recognition validates qualifications, skills, and expertise you have gained through education, training, or professional experience. While you may be approved to immigrate to Canada, you have to ensure that Canadian employers recognize and value your:
Credential recognition involves two separate processes: education evaluation and credential recognition.
An ECA reviews your academic background. This helps employers see how your education compares to the Canadian system and its value.
An approved credential agency will review your international education to confirm the following:
Employers may want an evaluation from a specific organization such as World Education Services (WES) or another designated educational credential assessment agency. They may request that you submit an education evaluation when applying for a role.
About 20% of jobs in Canada belong to regulated professions. Credential recognition verifies that your international education, training, job experience, and skills meet Canadian standards for regulated professions.
Provincial and territorial (P/T) occupational regulatory bodies set the standards to obtain a license to work in professions like:
| OCCUPATION Click on the occupation to find regulatory bodies in all provinces | PROVINCIAL REGULATORY BODY (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario) |
|---|---|
| Nursing | College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta British Columbia College of Nurses & Midwives College of Nurses of Ontario |
| Medical Doctors | College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario |
| Pharmacists | Alberta College of Pharmacists College of Pharmacists of British Columbia Ontario College of Pharmacists |
| Engineering | Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia Professional Engineers of Ontario |
| Accounting | Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Alberta CPA British Columbia CPA Ontario |
You can check if your profession requires a license to work in Canada using the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). Here are NOC codes for some in-demand professions in Canada:
About 80% of jobs in Canada are non-regulated and do not require a license or certificate.
If you do not require a license, it’s up to the employer to decide if you can perform the job based on your:
For example, some fields such as marketing are not regulated. However, Canadian employers expect a business degree or certificate and relevant experience. While the employer may not ask for an education evaluation, it can be helpful when applying for jobs in a competitive job market.
With credential recognition, you gain a competitive edge in Canada’s job market because it signals you have the expertise to excel in the role. Potential employers will find you attractive because you show:
With credential recognition by industry professionals and regulatory bodies. you instill confidence in employers, colleagues, and clients.
The right credentials can open doors to higher-level positions, and leadership roles, and allow you to progress in your chosen career path. Check out Career Pathways to learn about regulatory bodies for your profession.
Credential recognition can help you negotiate a higher salary and better compensation package because of your expertise.
Are you moving to Canada soon or already here? Do you need to find a job? Would you like to find good resources for finding employment in Canada? If so, join us for a free webinar where you can ask an expert your questions. We’ll discuss what you can do to make yourself more marketable to potential employers.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARNavigating the process can seem challenging, but you can follow these steps to guide your approach:
Research credential requirements for Canada, your industry, and your profession, including communication skills. Learn what documents you require, evaluation procedures, and fees.
Collect relevant documents including academic transcripts, certificates, or portfolios. Gathering documents before you arrive in Canada will be easier and more cost-effective.
Seek guidance and support from relevant credential organizations, professional associations, or regulatory bodies to understand the process and timeline.
Learn about assessment methods such as exams, interviews, supervised work, evaluation of communication skills, and further study.
The credential recognition process can be complex and involve multiple steps. Be patient and respond to any requests or feedback from the credentialing bodies.
Taking the right steps to get your foreign credentials recognized can unlock career opportunities and propel your job search in Canada. While the process can be time-consuming, you can start the process in your home country. Gather supporting documents for each process before you arrive in Canada to save time and money. Beginning the process before you arrive can even help you to secure a job faster.
Researching what you require to work is key to your success in Canada.
If you plan to work in a regulated profession in Canada, check out Career Pathways to learn about regulatory bodies for your profession.
Recognition of your professional credentials can be the cornerstone of your career success in Canada.
Common credentials include:
Academic degrees: Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from accredited educational institutions attest to specialized knowledge.
Professional certifications: Industry-specific certifications validate proficiency in a specific field.
Vocational and technical qualifications: Diplomas, certificates, or licenses show specialized skills and competencies.
Continuing education and professional development: Ongoing learning and training show commitment to lifelong learning and growth.
Language proficiency: Proficiency in multiple languages is valuable in today’s global economy.
IRCC approves:
Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
World Education Services
International Qualification Assessment Service (IQAS)
International Credential Evaluation Service – British Columbia Institute of Technology
Contact the regulatory body for your profession in the province where you plan to settle to see what steps you can take before you arrive. Getting a licence or certificate to practice in “regulated” occupations varies by province and job.
You can also contact the professional or trade association that governs your occupation in your country to see if it works with similar associations in Canada.
Yes, you can. Contact the professional or trade association that governs your occupation in your home country to see if it is affiliated with similar associations in Canada. You can also use the Canada Job Bank to learn about licensing and certification.
It can take months or years to obtain more training, pass exams, and get a licence to work in Canada. So, it’s vital to know what you require and prepare.
Communication skills are important for two primary reasons. Firstly, if you apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada you must have strong language skills. You need to show that you can communicate in either of Canada’s official languages: English or French. And you have to provide proof of your language results from an organization that the Canadian government approves. For example, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a common tool to show your language skills.
Secondly, one of the most important skills that Canadian employers look for is the ability to communicate effectively. Regardless of your title, profession, or industry, strong communication skills will help you to achieve success. Employability skills include managing information, thinking and solving problems, using numbers, using digital tools, and communicating.
Employability skills are the skills you need to enter, go through, and grow in the world of work. Understanding and applying these skills will help you create a set of tools to improve your ability to grow and do well in the workplace and beyond.
Conference Board of Canada, 2022
In 2022, the Conference Board of Canada, in partnership with FutureSkills Centre, defined communication skills as a fundamental skill. Other employability skills include:
The goal was to identify the top skills that Canadian employers seek. The research showed that employers seek these top three skills:
While language and communication skills are essential for most jobs, what exactly does that mean? And, how do you show that you have proficient language skills?
To succeed in the workplace, it’s essential to communicate with managers, co-workers, clients, suppliers, and customers. Strong communication skills include:
In the workplace, you require:
Strong writing skills are vital for many jobs. Writing skills include your ability to write clearly and concisely. This can include:
Reading skills include your ability to read and understand:
The level and type of reading requirements will vary based on the type of work that you do.
Listening skills include verbal and non-verbal responses to show the speaker that you are engaged in what they are saying. Active listening allows you to hear, understand, and respond in a meaningful way to the speaker.
This is an important skill to help you build relationships and trust with managers, co-workers, and others you work with.
Active listening includes:
Non-verbal feedback such as nodding your head shows that you understand what the speaker is saying without interrupting them. It’s a helpful cue you give to the speaker. Other non-verbal cues include:
Active listening allows you to focus on the speaker, listen, and understand another point of view. All skills that will help you to succeed in the workplace.
Strong speaking skills allow you to influence others such as managers, co-workers, and customers. Whether you manage a team or are a team member, speaking skills allow you to convey ideas effectively and persuade others. Speaking skills are helpful for most positions and important for any customer-facing role.
Many newcomers misread their struggle to acquire employment and look to add to their already long list of educational credentials. This is good, but you also need your soft skills to succeed.
Soft skills are a critical factor for success in Canada because when employers ask about “Canadian experience”, they are looking for candidates who can easily adapt to the workplace. They want assurance that you are a match for the job and the workplace culture. When looking for work in the Canadian job market, it’s vital to put your best foot forward.
Soft skills remain out of the grasp of many people because Canadians have difficulty articulating what “soft skills” actually include, beyond interpersonal skills. Hard skills are related to your technical ability, credentials, and relevant experience that you already have in abundance. On the other hand, soft skills, or people skills describe how you connect with others, build relationships, solve problems, and interact with others.
Certainly, communication skills are a part of the soft skills package, but it’s only a part. Within communication skills, is the capacity to network with others (which includes the art of small talk), effectively communicate (verbally and non-verbally), work in teams, collaborate with others, and demonstrate empathy. While your hard skills and resume will get you an interview, it is your ability to present yourself in the interview that will make you stand out. This is an important piece of the puzzle and without developing these skills, you may find it difficult to get past the initial interview.
Mastering your language and communication skills will help you when you apply to work in Canada. Employers will see your strong communication skills as a strength and help you to stand out among other applicants.
Many settlement services also provide free language instruction. Settlement agencies exist across Canada and can help you with many services such as job-specific language training to help you excel in the workplace.
Are you moving to Canada soon or already here? Do you need to find a job? Would you like to find good resources for finding employment in Canada? If so, join us for a free webinar where you can ask an expert your questions. We’ll discuss what you can do to make yourself more marketable to potential employers.
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARWhen you’re comfortable with your communication skills, you will be more confident in job interviews. As well, strong communication skills will help you to excel in the workplace.
The Canadian government funds many language programs. These programs are available through settlement services, or you can improve your language through the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.
The LINC program provides free instruction to improve basic language skills such as speaking and writing in English or French. To find a LINC program, click on the links below for the province where you plan to settle:
Language classes that the government of Canada funds are:
You can take language classes at community organizations, schools, and colleges. Other benefits are meeting other newcomers and boosting your confidence when you take your language skills to the next level!
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a popular English language test commonly used by schools and organizations to assess and measure language skills. The IELTS test is also one of the language tests that Canada will accept for people who want to immigrate to Canada.
Some professions in Canada including, engineering, law, medicine, and teaching require a minimum IELTS score. For example, to work as a teacher in Ontario, you require a minimum IELTS score of:
Organizations like British Council IELTS can help you improve your communication skills with webinars, practice materials, tests, and free online courses.
Research your profession in Canada to see if you must meet an IELTS requirement.
Communication skills are important because they will ensure your success in the workplace. You can develop your communication skills at home, school, work, and in your community. And many people can help you to build these skills such as your family, friends, neighbours, and co-workers.
If you’re new to business or a seasoned entrepreneur, you can start a successful business in Canada. In 2024, Canada is booming with innovation and sustainability. With the Canadian economy undergoing a major shift, there are countless opportunities you can take advantage of. The changing economy makes certain business models more profitable than others. In this article, we look at the top five best businesses to start in Canada in 2024.
Due to its welcoming environment, diverse culture, and abundant opportunities, Canada is a great place to start a business. It also offers government support, a stable economy, and a skilled workforce, making it an ideal destination for entrepreneurs. It’s not just about making money; it’s about making your dreams a reality. So get ready to carve out your place in Canada’s dynamic business scene.
Immigrant entrepreneurs and international students add much value to Canada’s economy. Immigrant entrepreneurs bring fresh ideas, diverse skills, and global connections to Canada’s business scene. Their innovative thinking drives new products and services, while their international networks open doors to global markets.
By starting businesses, immigrant entrepreneurs create jobs and boost economic growth. Their presence enriches Canadian culture and promotes inclusivity, making the business environment more dynamic. Overall, immigrant entrepreneurs play a crucial role in Canada’s economic success.
Here are five Canadian business opportunities to explore:
Starting a restaurant or buying a franchise in Canada can be a rewarding path for food lovers looking to grow their businesses. Franchises, in particular, offer established brands, support, and a ready customer base. This greatly reduces the risk compared to an independent venture.
To start a restaurant you need to find a suitable location, develop a menu, hire staff, and obtain any necessary permits or licenses. You also need to create an inviting space that reflects your culinary vision and attracts customers.
Whether starting a restaurant or buying a franchise, careful planning and attention to detail are essential for success in Canada’s competitive food industry.
Starting a transportation business in Canada in 2024 is a great idea. Canada offers various transportation options you can explore. You could start a taxi or ride-sharing service, helping people get around cities conveniently.
If you prefer larger vehicles, consider starting a bus or shuttle service, providing transportation for groups or communities. Starting a delivery or courier service can be profitable for those interested in logistics, especially with the rise of online shopping. You can even start a bike rental service if you want to start on a smaller scale. Whatever option you choose, research regulations, plan your routes, and provide excellent customer service to succeed in the transportation industry in Canada!
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Working in Canada | A Guide to Find Your Dream Job!
Crafting Your Job Search Action Plan to Work in Canada
More people are regularly buying things online. According to Euromonitor International’s predictions, consumers worldwide are expected to spend approximately $11 trillion on goods and services purchased through online platforms in 2024. This indicates a significant trend towards online shopping and reflects the increasing influence of e-commerce on global consumer spending habits. This significant shift towards online commerce makes E-commerce one of the best businesses to start in Canada in 2024.
To start in e-commerce, pick what you want to sell online and research your market. Then, create your store using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce and market it through social media and SEO to attract customers. Be responsive to inquiries, address customer concerns promptly, and strive to exceed their expectations. Continuously monitor your e-commerce performance and metrics to identify areas for improvement. Building a successful e-commerce business takes time, effort, and perseverance. Stay committed to your goals, stay patient through challenges, and continuously seek opportunities for growth and innovation. With good planning and the right mentors, you can start an online store with less investment in Canada.
In 2024, the Canadian real estate market continues to present opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Despite challenges, the market is thriving, offering many creative avenues for growth. With Canada’s population increasing, there’s a high demand for housing and commercial spaces, making real estate lucrative. This makes real estate one of the best businesses to start in Canada
To get into the Real Estate business, and to become a realtor you need to be at least 18, have some education, and be a citizen or resident of Canada. To get the realtor license, you have to take courses, join a brokerage, and pass the exam.
It’s important to know your local area well and make connections in the community. This helps you understand the market and gain the trust of potential clients. Being a realtor requires good communication, negotiation, patience, and time management skills. With adaptability and customer focus, the real estate sector in Canada promises a bright future for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Starting a farming business is one of the best businesses to start in Canada. It is good for anyone whether they are new immigrants to Canada or existing residents of Canada. Here are some great ideas to consider!
You could grow microgreens, start an organic farm, or join a CSA program. Herb farming and lavender farming are also profitable options. If you have space, grow fruit trees or Christmas trees. Hemp farming is becoming popular too. You could also specialize in building greenhouses or doing landscaping work. For livestock, think about raising goats, sheep, rabbits, or poultry.
Regulations: Understand the rules you need to follow, including permits and licenses. Complying with laws keeps you out of trouble.
Market Research: Figure out what people want to buy and who your competition is. This helps you find your niche and make smart decisions.
Financial Planning: Plan your money carefully – what you’ll spend, earn, and where to get more if needed. Get advice from financial experts.
Networking: Connect with other entrepreneurs for advice and support. Join groups and talk to people in your industry.
Understanding the top businesses to start in Canada can help you decide if it’s the right path for you. By exploring these industries, you can minimize risks and capitalize on growth opportunities, setting up a profitable venture.
For resources, helpful tools, free webinars, and more check out our guide on Finding a Job in Canada. We’re here to support you in achieving your career aspirations in Canada!”
Once you arrive in Canada, you have a decision to make: should I get a “survival job” to earn money or look for a job in my profession? A survival job is not the best first job you can get. But, since they are easy to obtain, survival jobs can be a helpful way of earning money to pay the bills. However, once you get a survival job, do not give up on your job search. The choice you make will greatly affect how you live in Canada for the next few years. This article will help you decide which path to choose when you arrive in Canada.
We spoke to Linda Ryan, Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services) with BCCA. When it comes to survival jobs, Linda Ryan shares her advice:
“My advice is to fasten your proverbial seat belt, hunker down and budget to be out of work for up to six months. Then before you opt for that survival job (a job that pays the bills but doesn’t relate to your career dreams and/or existing education, qualifications and industry experience) take a deep breath and consider all your options and the associated positive and negative consequences of each. Only when you have given yourself the gift of considering all impacts of a decision, should you take action.
Linda Ryan, Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services), BCCA
A survival job can pay the bills. But, it doesn’t relate to your career dreams or professional background. Often, it’s a low-paying job that requires little to no skills. These jobs are easy to obtain and earn just enough to pay the bills. Generally, survival jobs earn you under $20 per hour.
Survival jobs usually have long, tiring shifts with only one or two days off each week. These jobs also offer very few benefits from the employer such as medical or dental benefits. It’s good to ask the employer if they do provide any benefits.
Some examples of survival jobs include:
Since a survival job requires little skill, it doesn’t have to be related to your profession. The employer will provide training for the skills you may need for a survival job.
Getting a survival job is not always the best option after you arrive in Canada. Survival jobs can leave you little time and energy to continue your job search. At the same time, survival jobs often give you a feeling of self-satisfaction or ease. This is because they don’t require much thinking and the tasks are generally easy. When both of these factors are combined, newcomers often give up on their job search after a few years of doing survival jobs. The longer you keep a survival job, the harder it will become for you to find a job in your profession.
Another disadvantage of survival jobs in the long term is experience. It may not sound logical, but a long-term survival job can hurt your Canadian experience. Earning money with a survival job for a short time is good for building Canadian experience. However, employers may be hesitant to hire you if you have only had a survival job for the past few years. Any experience you might have had in your profession will count as older work experience and they may not consider it.
“As a skilled newcomer to Canada often the biggest shock to your career trajectory is realizing that it takes time to secure work in your field of expertise.”
Linda Ryan, Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services), BCCA
Then, of course, there is the matter of income. Survival jobs earn you an annual income of around $30,000 to $50,000. Depending on where you live in Canada, this income probably won’t be enough to save for a down payment and buy a house.
In Toronto or Vancouver, this salary will barely pay the rent. Overall, a survival job allows you to earn income to help you get by until you find a job in your field. It is not meant as a permanent job, and you should not think it’s your permanent job.
Many survival jobs are in the service sector such as restaurants or tourist attractions. As Ryan explained, based on the experience of her clients: “survival jobs pay lower and create a negative cycle of ‘no time and no energy’. This is because you work longer hours to earn enough money. Or, you can’t take time off to attend interviews for your dream job. As a result, you have little energy to go home after a shift and invest in your career, pastimes, or family. This negative cycle leaves newcomers asking “why did I come to Canada?”
Another client of Ryan’s stated, “survival jobs can be more of a hindrance than a help for your career because they cannibalize the energy you have for networking, job hunting, professional development, and interviewing.”
Do you want one-on-one coaching to help you continue your construction career in Canada before you arrive? The 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, pre-arrival service can help you get started!
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARSince they are easier to obtain than regular jobs, survival jobs are usually the first job newcomers get in Canada. Canada is an expensive country that is hard to live in for a long time without earning stable money. A survival job will earn you enough money to get by and maybe acquire some savings if you spend carefully.
Looking at the disadvantages of survival jobs, it is obvious that they may hurt your chances of getting a job in your profession. However, survival jobs are important in some situations.
When you arrive in Canada it’s wise to have up to six months of savings while you conduct your job search. If you don’t have enough savings to last a few months, it will be hard to continue your job search without earning additional money. In this scenario, get a survival job as soon as you arrive in Canada to earn money.
If you have enough savings to last a few months, you should look for a job in your profession without any distractions. If you still cannot find a preferred job after that time, and your savings are running out, it’s time to find a survival job. As the name suggests, survival jobs are there just so you can pay the bills, nothing more.
The answer to that question varies depending on your situation. Not everyone is in the same financial situation when they arrive in Canada. Whether or not you should get a survival job depends on your savings and the job outlook for your profession. If possible, try to find a job related to your field. This way, when you apply for jobs in your profession, you will already have some Canadian experience.
If you do have savings, plan how long you can live on your savings. In that time, do everything to search for your preferred job. This can include:
If you still can’t find a good job at the end of this time, it’s time for a survival job to earn money.
It’s vital to research how your profession works in Canada before you arrive. Many newcomers come to Canada thinking they will find a job in their profession easily. This isn’t always the case. Getting a job in Canada is easy if you conduct your job search the right way. This is why it is vital to research your profession before you arrive and start networking with people in your profession.
Most people will probably look for the highest-paying survival job they can find. This may not be the best approach. It is always best to find a survival job related to your profession. If you have a specific organization or company you want to work for, try to get a job there. For example, if you’re a teacher, you could try to get a job as a lunch supervisor or an assistant teacher. That way, when you apply for a teaching job, you will already have some Canadian experience that can help you land the job.
If you cannot find a job directly related to your profession, you can look for survival jobs that share some of the same skills with your profession. A good example would be teachers who could tutor part-time or even full-time to show future employers you can teach to Canadian standards. When you use this approach to search for survival jobs, your chances of landing a good job are greater.
Finding a survival job in Canada is easy if you know where to look. These are resources and techniques for finding a survival job in Canada:
Networking is the number one way of getting any job in Canada. Simply put, networking is building relationships that will help you with your career. Effective networking happens by building two-way relationships. You show value and prove you have the required skills and experience to do the job.
Your network can include your friends, relatives, and people you meet during your job search. Just showing your resumé to the HR department of the organization will not be enough. Words are more effective and convincing than any cover letter or resumé. Tell people about your skills and capabilities. When people hear about a job opening, make sure they remember you. They may recommend you for the job if you leave a good impression.
Another great way to find jobs is through employment agencies. Companies hire these agencies to find capable and experienced workers. It’s a good idea to look up some of the best employment agencies in your area and approach them. According to the Association of Canadian Search, Employment & Staffing Services, employment agencies hire over two million workers yearly!
Online job boards are the most common way to find jobs. Websites such as Indeed and LinkedIn are great online job boards. LinkedIn can also be used for networking. Employers use online job boards to advertise available jobs. If you see a job that interests you, you can apply directly to the employer through the job board.
In summary, a survival job is not the best first job you can get. However, since they are easy to obtain, survival jobs can be helpful to earn money to pay the bills. But, once you get a survival job, do not give up on your job search. Ryan offers this final advice:
“As a newcomer looking for your first role in Canada, remember that the sooner you make it look like you have ‘Canadian experience’ (i.e. through career-relevant credentials, memberships of local professional associations, building your network, taking more junior roles that will lead to your dream job), the sooner you’ll be considered equal to Canadian educated and experienced job candidates. This will allow you to get your foot in the career door faster! And once you’re in, your career will build momentum to be back on track!
*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.
The Canada Job Bank is a vital tool to research your profession or trade in Canada. This Government of Canada resource allows you to search for jobs in your field and apply for them online. Canada Job Bank is a great tool for newcomers before and after arrival. Researching your profession before you arrive will help you understand job requirements so you can continue your career. Canada Job Bank will help you do just that. It provides detailed information for each career in Canada to help you develop your job search approach.
Canada Job Bank can provide insightful information about your career in Canada based on your:
With this in mind, let’s discover how to use Canada Job Bank and kickstart your dream career in Canada!
Moving to a new country is a major life decision. While it can be a thrilling and exciting experience, you may also feel uncertain. You may be thinking:
These are important questions to consider before you move to Canada. The answer to these questions for your field will help make your transition into Canada’s workforce easier. By researching, you can determine how and where to continue your career successfully.
Because the labour market in Canada varies, you need to know how your job skills align with the labour market needs. For example, locating in the Atlantic region of Canada when you have experience in the oil and gas sector wouldn’t be wise. Instead, you would want to consider Alberta where there is a strong oil and gas sector. Ideally, you want to identify the provinces and cities with a demand for your profession, skills, and experience.
Fortunately, the Canada Job Bank can provide the information you need to make important career decisions.
The Job Bank is a useful tool to conduct research related to your profession or trade in Canada and apply for jobs for which you are qualified. This portal provides vital labour market information that allows you to:
Canada Job Bank is a free resource the Government of Canada manages in partnership with provinces and territories. You’ll discover that both the website and mobile app are simple to use, convenient, and provide information that you can trust. Canada Job Bank can help you find jobs in your field and plan your career using its thorough research tool. As someone looking to continue their professional journey in Canada, Canada Job Bank is the perfect place to start.
The trend analysis section of the Canada job bank is filled with useful information about job prospects all across Canada. You can also find a 10-year analysis for your occupation. So if you’re researching the Canadian job market, this is a helpful resource to learn about your occupation. With this information, you can:
When researching the trends, consider these questions:
Another useful section of the Canada Job Bank is the information you can find about wages. You can find the average wages per hour for your occupation including the following:
This information can help you identify what you can expect to earn in Canada. For example, some sectors such as technology generate strong incomes. It’s a high-wage sector that also attracts highly skilled immigrants. However, when considering average wages it’s also important to consider the cost of living and housing affordability versus salaries.
For example, British Columbia has a strong technology sector. And while technology wages are high, so is the cost of living and housing in Vancouver, BC. So when choosing a city to locate it’s helpful to consider the cost of living versus average wages.
You may want to explore job prospects in a small or medium-sized city. While the average wages may be lower, you’ll likely discover it’s more affordable than a larger city such as Vancouver or Toronto. Rentals for Newcomers is a practical and easy-to-navigate site to help you find housing and make an easier transition to life in Canada! And you can even determine the average cost of renting in each city. This is helpful since rental prices change often.
Answering these questions can help you decide how you want to move forward. Many newcomers decide to get extra certifications or take a new course. This will help you transition better into the Canadian labour market. And if you strategically get the correct certifications, you will ultimately get paid more as well.
By understanding the trends in your profession and accounting for wages, you can make an informed decision about your next step.
With more than 80,000 jobs listed on the job bank, you can browse jobs based on:
The Canada job bank search tool is helpful if you are in Canada and ready to work. This is because employers want to fill job vacancies as quickly as possible.
If you are still in your home country, you can apply for Canada Job Bank jobs before you arrive. The Job Bank services and tools are available to help job seekers find employment opportunities Canada-wide, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. However, some jobs require Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a work permit visa. You must carefully review the job description to ensure you meet the immigration requirements before you apply.
In any case, the job bank search tool can give you an idea of the types of jobs available, job duties, and requirements including:
This information can help you assess if you have the skills employers require.
You can also browse job boards and read the job postings for your profession. Note the types of skills and experience that Canadian employers seek. Assess whether or not you possess similar skills and experience. If you have any skills gaps, make a plan to close or narrow the gap if possible.
Researching the Canadian job market is essential to ensuring a strong job market for your profession, skillset, education, and experience. A good place to start is with the Canada Job Bank to research your profession and apply for jobs where you meet the requirements.
What is mentoring? In the context of your career, a mentoring relationship can be an important tool to help you develop new skills, become more confident, and achieve important career goals. In simple terms, it’s a process where someone shares their skills and knowledge (the mentor) to guide another (the “mentee”). For newcomers, finding a mentor from your profession or trade can provide many benefits, for example, a mentor can help you to:
With help from a mentor, you’ll become familiar with work-related culture, questions, and issues that may be quite different in your home country. And, while you could likely complete these activities on your own, a mentor can help you to quickly get started. And with a quick start, you can:
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Mentoring can be an effective and rewarding relationship when both the mentor and mentee understand their roles. To achieve an effective outcome, here are some of the roles and qualities of mentors and mentees.
A good mentor is someone who is excited to help you achieve professional success in Canada. They’ll maintain a positive outlook about your existing skills, knowledge, talent, and experience and appreciate what you have to offer.
A good mentor is someone who has experience and knowledge that they want to share with you. A mentor doesn’t have to be an expert. Rather they should be able to help you access resources to find the answers to your important questions. In fact, you’ll likely be able to share your knowledge with a mentor as well.
You have many strengths, skills, and knowledge that you bring to your profession in Canada. A good mentor will encourage you and believe in your ability to continue and excel in your career in Canada.
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Providing feedback is an important skill for a mentor. And, providing feedback in a genuine, empathic, and constructive manner can help you to learn, grow, and develop your skills. A good mentor will provide feedback that is specific, honest, and clear. A good mentor will provide feedback to help you with your job search or provide career guidance if you have already landed a job in Canada.
Often, newcomers are frustrated when it takes longer than expected to find a job in their professional field or trade. If you belong to a regulated profession, it can take time to complete the licensing requirements, and it can also be expensive. A good mentor will understand your frustration while encouraging you to keep moving forward despite the obstacles. A good mentor will recognize your career challenges and empower you to achieve your goals.
A good mentor will listen to you carefully. You may have concerns and issues about your job search and career development in Canada. However, you also have your own ideas about how to overcome obstacles. A good mentor will listen to your concerns so you can jointly create options.
While a great mentor can provide benefits and guidance it’s also important to understand what a mentor will not do. For example, a mentor will not:
Their primary role is to share their experience and provide guidance.
To ensure a successful mentoring relationship, a great mentee:
With a clear goal in mind, your mentor will be able to help you reach your career goal.
To reach meaningful outcomes, it’s important to be open and honest with your mentor. So it’s helpful to share your professional goals, issues, and concerns. When you can openly discuss issues and obstacles, together you can create options and a solid plan of action to jump those career hurdles.
Mentors are usually volunteering for a professional association or community-based group. So it’s important to respect their time and effort. For example, it’s helpful when mentees:
A mentor’s role is to provide you with professional guidance. So it’s best to focus on professional and career-related topics. Also, it’s important to respect their time. For example, you may want to set how and when you can contact your mentor to avoid any misunderstandings.
As well, it’s helpful to set the length of your mentoring relationship. Mentoring relationships can be anywhere from 4 – 12 months depending on the organization.
While a mentor must be able to skillfully provide feedback. it’s equally important that the mentee is open and receptive to feedback. When delivered in a constructive manner, feedback is a gift that can help you to grow both personally and professionally.
There are key elements that contribute to a successful relationship. Here are some factors to consider to ensure success:
A successful partnership is based on a great match between the mentor and the mentee. When you connect easily and have a genuine interest in each other, you’ll work together well. The partnership can be formal or informal.
Realistic expectations and goals will guide the mentoring partnership in the right direction. A mentor is not there to tell the mentee what to do, but rather to help them along. Mentorship involves more than just devoting a set time period, it requires buy-in and commitment from both sides.
A strong partnership will flow both ways. Mentees should expect to contribute to the relationship in a meaningful way. In other words, don’t just expect professional advice without giving back. For example, you can share a book title or article that you think your mentor may be interested in. Sharing and exchanging ideas can show that you appreciate their effort and that you are interested in their growth as well. You’ll also have the added advantage of cultivating a great relationship!
Defining the goals of the mentorship relationship is the key to a successful partnership. Each partner should be accountable for success. Setting goals early in the process can help you achieve concrete outcomes together. A goal can be as simple as: “I’d like to become more confident in job interviews.”
Or, a goal can be to develop a specific skill that would help you to achieve a career goal.
In Canada, there are many services such as the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council (ERIEC) that provide job search help and mentoring programs. For more service providers, check this Government of Canada site.
As well, many professional associations provide mentoring programs specific to your career field.
To learn more about associations related to your profession in Canada, check out our Career Pathways articles for more than 20 occupations in Canada. For each occupation, you’ll discover associations and immigrant networks that can help you to find a mentor in Canada.
A successful mentoring relationship can make a big difference in your career life in Canada. And with a strong commitment, you’ll develop and build essential skills, become more confident, and achieve career success. In time. your success may even encourage you to become a mentor to help future newcomers thrive!
For newcomers, it’s important to choose the right type of resume format because this can play a key factor in getting hired in Canada. And a well-written resume is vital to grab the attention of Canadian employers. A good resume highlights all of your best skills and accomplishments in a way that is relevant to potential employers. This is why there are different types of resume formats for jobs, each useful in its own way.
Writing a Canadian-style resume is important. And it’s vital to invest the time. Otherwise, you can send out hundreds of resumes that go unnoticed and this will only be frustrating and lengthen your job search. Also, it’s helpful to know that there are many free settlement services that can help you to write a Canadian-style resume.
When you know what elements are important, you can convey this information and increase your chance of employers contacting you for an interview. Here, I’ll discuss the three main types of resume formats and when to use each one.
These three types of resume formats each look different and highlight aspects of your education, skills, and experience. Let’s take a deeper look at each of these resume formats.
2. Functional resume
3. Hybrid resume (also known as combination)
A chronological resume format lists all your experience and previous jobs in reverse chronological order. This means that you will list your jobs in order from when you did them. Your most recent job will be at the top of your resume, followed by your second most recent job, and so on.
A chronological resume is the most common and practical resume format. Employers usually prefer this type of resume format because it:
You should use a chronological resume wherever you can. It is the most preferred by employers and recruiters and is the most likely to get you an interview. This is because employers usually value experience over qualifications. Experience indicates that you have all the skills necessary to complete the job. However, there are situations when a chronologically formatted resume may not be the best option for you.
Chronological resumes are very straightforward. They list your work experience in order starting with your most recent employment and the dates. Canadian employers prefer this type of resume because it helps them quickly assess your employment history. It shows when and for how long you were unemployed and what work experience you have.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Electrical Engineer 2015 – 2021
Company Name, City, Province, or Country (if not Canada)
Computer Programmer 2011 – 2015
Company Name, City, Province, or Country (if not Canada)
Customer Service Representative 2008 – 2011
Company Name, City, Province, or Country (if not Canada)
You should avoid using this type of resume format for jobs if you:
You may want to consider writing a functional resume if the chronological resume format isn’t suitable for your needs.
The functional resume for jobs highlights your skills rather than work experience. This is the opposite of a chronological resume because the focus is not on your previous jobs. With a functional resume format, you will be able to highlight your most relevant skills and abilities. You will also be able to list your most relevant job experience. This will shade any employment gaps while still showing all your skills that are related to the role.
Functional resume formats for jobs are not the best way to present yourself to a potential employer. In fact, recruiters do not like functional resumes. Not only do they take time to make, but they are also hard to go through on the recruiter’s side.
This type of resume format is ideal for people that have gaps in their employment history. A chronological resume format will give away any of those gaps but a functional resume will hide them. Instead, a functional resume will present all your skills and accomplishments.
A functional resume format is good for:
The main idea is that if you do not have an employment history relevant to the job you are applying for, functional resumes become useful. Just remember that employers usually value experience more than qualifications. This is why it is best to include at least some relevant experience in your resume.
If you feel like you have a successful work history and you also want to showcase your skills and accomplishments, you can use a hybrid resume.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
Manufacturing
Management
Estimating
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Project Chief 2005 – 2016
Company Name, City, Province, or Country (if not Canada)
Structural Engineer 2002 – 2005
Company Name, City, Province, or Country (if not Canada)
The third type of resume format for jobs is the hybrid resume, also known as a combination resume. It is a blend of chronological and functional resume formats. This resume format starts off by listing skills, qualifications, and achievements first. Then you move on to your employment history and work experience in reverse-chronological order.
A hybrid resume format for your resume will give you the chance to get the best of both worlds when done right. There are many situations in which a hybrid resume will be the best option for you.
If you are highly qualified in your profession and also have a successful work history, you will want to use the hybrid resume format. This type of resume format will allow you to showcase all of your qualifications as well as your work history. Your skills and qualifications will give the resume an eye-catching element while your employment timeline will show the employer you have the experience necessary for the job. A hybrid resume format is best for people who have both a good employment history and qualifications in their profession.
One of the best things about a hybrid resume format is its flexibility. You can include things such as education, training, relevant online courses, experience, previous jobs, and any accomplishments. With a hybrid resume, you can exclude irrelevant facts about yourself and only include the things that matter to your employer and increase your chances of getting hired.
So to conclude, here is a summary of what type of resume format you should choose:
2. Functional resume format: If you do not have an employment history relevant to the role you are applying for, consider a functional resume format. This will allow you to showcase your qualifications, skills, and achievements.
3. Hybrid resume format: If you have a successful work history, and you also want to highlight your skills and accomplishments, a hybrid resume might be the best option for you.
Once you have chosen a resume format that works for you, you can build a Canadian-style resume that makes you stand out.
A great addition to a resume is a cover letter. If you are serious about getting the job, a resume will not be enough. A cover letter is a great way to explain any employment gaps and explain why you are the perfect candidate for the job.
Choosing the right resume format could mean the difference between landing the job and getting rejected. It’s all about how you present yourself to potential employers. Whether it be the skills you want to showcase or your employment history, choosing the right resume format will help you present yourself the way you want.
Unlock your dream job in Canada now! Fast-track your job search with our smart resume tips and examples. Download our FREE Canadian-style resume template to craft a standout resume tailored to the Canadian job market, save time by skipping the research and guesswork, and easily customize and update your resume. Don’t wait—download your guide today and take the first step towards your new career in Canada!
DownloadA Canadian-style resume is necessary to propel your job search and help you to find the right job faster. As well, employers look for specific items that you may need to add to your existing resume format in Canada. And, in some cases, you may need to delete information. Revising and updating your resume format with these tips will get employers in Canada to notice you.
1. Choose the right format for your resume in Canada
2. Read the job description carefully
3. Tailor your resume to the job description
4. Use keywords in your resume
5. Include the right information on your Canadian-style resume
6. Omit irrelevant information
7. Use strong and concise language
8. Proofread your resume for spelling and grammar errors.
The format for a resume in Canada may look much different than the resume you have used in your home country. So it’s important to know what information to include or omit on a Canadian-style resume. This is important because your resume is often the first impression you make with a potential employer.
As well, recruiters may easily receive over 100 resumes for one position. And when they view that many resumes, they quickly scan them for essential information.
There are three resume formats that job seekers commonly use:
Chronological resume: this format highlights your work history and timeline.
Functional resume: this format highlights your work experience and previous job activities.
Combination resume: this combination format shows your experience and timeline as you would see in a chronological format and emphasizes your skills as you would see in a functional format.
You can decide the best resume format based on your work history and what you want to highlight.
The job description will provide you with a clear picture of the:
You can even use a pen or highlighter to mark what requirements match your work experience and achievements. This will give you a good sense of how closely your experience matches the job requirements.
When you see a job that interests you and that matches your skill set, take the time to tailor your resume to the job description. The time you invest in tailoring your resume will pay off. And when you tailor your resume you clearly show potential employers how you are a perfect fit for the job. This will increase your visibility to employers.
However, when you submit the same resume to every employer you reduce your chances of meeting specific job requirements the employer is seeking.
Whatever your job focus, you must clearly state the qualities you bring to that job to sell yourself to a prospective employer. For example, you can add a strong career objective/profile at the top of the first page, followed by a breakdown of your skills/talents with concrete examples. Then list your job experience and educational credentials on page two.
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to collect, sort, and store resumes. This automated software can also compare your resume to keywords in the job description. If there is a good match your resume will appear in search results.
You will have a better chance of appearing in search results if your resume contains keywords in the job description. Identify the keywords and use them to tailor your resume based on your skill set.
Ideally, your resume format should not exceed two pages. This requires you to be concise and only include the relevant information you want to highlight. So avoid listing every job responsibility and only include the skills and responsibilities that best match the job description. Also, rather than listing your responsibilities, showcase what you accomplished. For example:
Instead of:
Use:
Again, it’s important to remember that recruiters will quickly glance at your resume. So make it easy for them to identify that you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve success in the job you’re applying for.
Avoid adding unnecessary information on a Canadian-style resume. This includes the word Resume at the top of your document. Recruiters know they are reading your resume and it takes up valuable space. It’s also unnecessary to add your photo.
Other information to omit on a resume in Canada:
Your ultimate goal is to showcase your experience, skills, and qualifications. Most importantly, you want to avoid including information that can be used to discriminate based on age, nationality, marital status, or other factors. This information can also contribute to employer bias in the selection process.
For newcomers entering the Canadian job market, it’s helpful to know that employers cannot ask interview questions that could be viewed as discriminating. For example, interview questions about your marital status, nationality, religion, and other factors defined by the Canadian Human Rights Act are illegal.
Many settlement agencies in Canada can help you adapt your resume to meet Canadian requirements when you arrive.
It’s important to use strong action verbs that will grab attention. Choose strong verbs that showcase your capabilities. And remember to use the past tense to describe your previous experience.
Consider these strong action verbs:
Acquired | Advised | Analyzed | Assembled
Briefed
Centralized | Consulted | Collaborated | Composed
Defined
Enhanced | Evaluated | Exceeded | Expanded
Facilitated | Forecasted
Informed | Influenced
Mobilized
Negotiated
Overhauled
Redesigned | Resolved
Secured | Streamlined | Stimulated | Surpassed
Transformed
Verified
To write the perfect Canadian-style resume, check and double-check for spelling and grammar mistakes. It’s also helpful to ask someone to proofread your resume. A good proofreader can identify unclear sentences, spelling, grammar errors, or repetition.
While using the spell-checker on your computer is helpful, it’s not always perfect. For example, it may not spot the difference between words such as there, their, and they’re.
When you follow these eight tips to format your Canadian resume, you’ll be on your way to resuming your career in Canada.
When you have completed your resume, review this short checklist before you submit it to the employer:
Also, remember to write a one-page cover letter to accompany your resume in Canada. The cover letter demonstrates your knowledge of the company and how well you’ll fit in and add value to the company. Many hiring managers may not even read your resume if your cover letter doesn’t capture their attention.
Unlock your dream job in Canada now! Fast-track your job search with our smart resume tips and examples. Download our FREE Canadian-style resume template to craft a standout resume tailored to the Canadian job market, save time by skipping the research and guesswork, and easily customize and update your resume. Don’t wait—download your guide today and take the first step towards your new career in Canada!
Download
A LinkedIn profile is essential for professionals who want to build their brand, expand their network, and find employment. For newcomers, these LinkedIn tips and advice will help you to create a professional profile and:
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 specialize in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to. When it comes to looking for a career, Ryan provides tips on how newcomers can use LinkedIn effectively and propel their job search.
Your LinkedIn profile represents your personal brand. Therefore, a professional profile is the best way to project your desired image.
Prepare for Canada: What are the important elements that newcomers should include in the About section on LinkedIn?
Linda Ryan: This section of your profile is a combination of your career biography and your value pitch to potential employers and contacts. It should be concise so that it doesn’t go below the line and force the reader to click the ‘More…’ button. It will take time to get this right, so write, proof and rewrite it several times.
Once you’ve got it right, you can add to it and reuse your pitch on your resume, in networking conversations, interviews etc. The key things you should describe are:
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Adding a high-quality headshot to your LinkedIn profile will make you more visible to employers who are searching for people with your skills and experience. According to LinkedIn, members with profile pictures receive up to 21 times more profile views than those without a picture.
You need to keep the headline of your LinkedIn profile shorter than 120 characters. It’s even better if it’s shorter. Include relevant keywords used in your profession. This will allow potential employers to find your page with ease.
You also need to make sure that your summary is short, concise, and interesting. A hiring manager will read hundreds of resumes and you need to make sure that you stand out.
Listing your past experience is important for your LinkedIn profile. However, be mindful that some of your past experiences may not relate to the career you want to pursue in Canada.
List your previous jobs that are relevant to your current career aspirations. Focus on the workplaces, experiences, and credentials that directly relate to the types of jobs you want to pursue.
It’s also essential to update your current position. For example, did you receive a promotion, win an award, publish an article, or complete an innovative project? If so, it makes sense to update your profile to reflect your achievements.
Showcase your professional career, growth, and accomplishments in the Summary and Experience sections of your profile.
Prepare for Canada: What should newcomers be aware of when sharing information about their experience?
Linda Ryan: Newcomers often apply for a range of roles and seniority to test the job market. It’s an understandable tactic and a valuable learning exercise but don’t spread yourself too thin. Be careful about the range of roles you apply for. Your LinkedIn profile and more specifically your Experience section should support the roles that you apply for.
“Less is more” when it comes to submitting job applications and I’d say the same for the level of detail you list in your Experience section. This will work better than providing too much information. Include three to five bullet points that sell your:
Certifications are eye-catching. So add notable certificates, skills, or abilities that you possess. Many training programs or skills will have badges that you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
Update this section regularly or whenever you learn a new skill. These skills could be terms that the LinkedIn algorithm will pick up and help recruiters to search for and find you. You should also delete skills that are no longer relevant to your career interests or are outdated.
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Updating your location is vital when building your LinkedIn network.
Prepare for Canada: What advice do you have for prospective newcomers who have not yet landed in Canada? What location do you suggest they provide on their LinkedIn profile?
Linda Ryan: Yes, we are living in an era of increased remote work possibilities but still having your home country listed as your LinkedIn location, will hinder rather than help you. Recruiters and employers, even professionals in your industry, will want to connect with ‘local’ peers, so the more local you seem, the more relevant you are (or at least, the more you have in common on a very basic level).
You can get around this by ensuring you list Canadian Permanent Resident or another relevant legal status on your profile (in the Name/Title section) and/or by changing your location to the city/province you’re moving to. Feel free to say “Relocating to X” if you feel that’s more of an accurate reflection of your geographic status.
Your LinkedIn profile comes to life when other professionals endorse your skills and recommend you. It’s also very persuasive when your network speaks for you.
But carefully select who you ask to endorse you. For example, you should only ask people who know your work well to recommend you. Otherwise, you risk putting people in your network in an awkward position. As well, if they don’t know you well, they won’t be able to give a strong recommendation that reflects your experience. The same applies to you when others ask you to provide recommendations, as it puts your judgment to the test.
Prepare for Canada: How valuable are LinkedIn endorsements and recommendations for newcomers?
Linda Ryan: Having peer-to-peer recommendations on your profile and professionals who endorse your skills, is super important for your LinkedIn profile. For newcomers, going through the process of securing these recommendations and endorsements is also the first test of your home-country professional relationships. It’s a valuable indication of who you can count on for references when you’re successfully shortlisted for that first job in Canada!
My best advice is to give freely and hopefully, you’ll receive in return. Seek out and provide recommendations and endorsements for past colleagues (be authentic) and in return, you will receive a percentage back.
Also, be prepared to draft a factual recommendation and approach a past manager or colleague to see if they’d be happy to post it on your LinkedIn profile. It makes things easier if you’ve proactively scripted a recommendation they can edit and use.
From a recruiter’s perspective, the Recommendations and Endorsements section of LinkedIn profiles are great indications of the truth in a candidate’s resume. These elements take time to gather, so the sooner you invest energy in getting them done pre-arrival, the better!
By default, LinkedIn will give you a URL that can be a little clunky. However, you can edit this to make it cleaner. For example, you can use your full name if it has not already been taken by someone else. To edit your URL:
If your full name has already been used, consider a variation including your middle initial. You can add your personal profile URL to your resume and online job applications. This step is important because it allows you to add this link to your resume and online job applications.
LinkedIn provides value by allowing you to network and build authentic relationships with peers in the location or industry that you want to enter or are in.
Linda Ryan
Prepare for Canada: What are some specific actions that newcomers can take to build LinkedIn relationships?
Linda Ryan: Some simple actions for building relationships on LinkedIn include:
And remember, never get involved in political debates, opinion snowballs, or contentious conversations. LinkedIn is a professional forum, not a personal soapbox!
When you add someone new to your network, make sure that you send a message explaining the reason you would like to connect with them. If you don’t already know them, and you only send the default connection, they will likely ignore your request.
Your message does not need to be long or detailed. But when you add a personal touch it ensures that the person that you are contacting will see value in the connection.
Prepare for Canada: What advice do you have for newcomers about how to connect with others on LinkedIn?
Linda Ryan: LinkedIn is a professional social networking forum. Yes, you can leverage it when job hunting but it’s primary purpose is sharing, learning and connecting. So when using it to connect with peers in your industry, try these simple tricks:
Hi <insert first name or contact>, I am moving to the area and would value some local industry insights. Any thoughts?
Hi <insert first name of contact>, it looks like we share similar project experience. Look forward to connecting. Thanks!
I’m looking to identify key challenges that local industry is facing right now and how I could turn them into opportunities. Any thoughts on the top two-three challenges?
Hi <insert first name of contact>, I’m a<n> <insert your profession title> moving to <insert city that contact is in>. Would you have 5 minutes to share some local industry insights? Thanks.
I’m impressed by your career trajectory. Would you be willing to share two or three tips on what you did or didn’t do that’s helped you most? I’d value your advice.
I’d consider you a local industry expert! What’s your best advice on the top two or three opportunities/challenges unique to the industry?
Prepare for Canada: What final advice would you give to newcomers about using LinkedIn most effectively?
Linda Ryan: Try not to achieve perfection initially with your LinkedIn profile. But please follow the tips above before you start connecting and applying for jobs. Like your career, your profile will evolve over time. Be prepared to revisit it as you network, build connections, move locations, acquire courses, secure credentials and join professional organizations.
An effective LinkedIn profile is essential to create your professional brand while you conduct your job search. These tips will also help to propel your job search and build your network in Canada.
*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.