Many immigrants come to Canada because it is the land of opportunities. Everyone wants to have a comfortable life for themselves as well as their family members after migrating to Canada. The major concern all immigrants have is how they can find work in this new country after immigration. The process can seem overwhelming because you have to find a job in this new environment, but it is not impossible. We have prepared a guide that will tell you the steps you can follow to get a good job in Canada after or before your immigration and getting Canadian permanent residency.
An employment opportunity from a Canadian employer can also have a significant impact on our chances to gain immigration and citizenship in Canada. This can also help you gain Canadian permanent residency faster. The scoring system of the Express Entry even awards a higher score to the application of the candidate who has an employment offer from an employer in Canada. In the Provincial Nominee Program, one of the criteria for eligibility is that you have to have a job offer from Canada. Approximately one-fourth of the working force of Canada is immigrants. With a large part of the population aging and shortage in labour, the Canadian government has decided to fill the need for skilled workers through immigration.
10 Steps To Apply For A Job In Canada
Finding a job is a complicated process and can get confusing especially with immigration. You can start finding a job in Canada regardless of whether you are residing there or not. Listed below are steps you can take to reduce confusion and apply for a Canadian job easily.
Step 1: Checking Eligibility
Check if you have the eligibility to move to Canada and become a permanent resident there if you have not migrated to Canada yet. If you are not a Canadian resident you will first have to move to Canada through a legal immigration process before you can begin working in Canada. Here are some reasons that can make you be marked inadmissible and you can be denied from entering Canada.
- If they find you a threat to either the nation or the security of the nation.
- If you have been a violator of international human rights.
- If you carry any of the crimes in your past criminal record for certain particular crimes.
- If you have a medical condition that can be dangerous to the citizens of Canada and the general public health.
- If you do not have enough funds to support yourself and your family members upon immigration to Canada.
Step 2: Getting A Work Permit
You should get a work permit if you will be needing one. If you are not a resident of Canada, you will have to immigrate to Canada or obtain a temporary work permit. You can also be working as an international student in Canada with a study visa that allows that. There are also some jobs in Canada that do not require you to be a holder of a work permit. This is true if you are working as an official of a foreign government, if you are a performance artist, if you are a member of an athletic team or if you are the provider of emergency services.
You are good to apply for a work visa online. To complete this process will require a camera and a scanner for the creation of electronic copies of the document that you need to submit. These include a valid passport, and a credit card to pay the fee for the application. If you wish to submit a paper application, you can also do that, but an online application has many benefits.
Step 3: Applying For SIN
You have to submit an application to obtain a social insurance number (SIN). You should do this next if you don’t have a SIN. If you belong to Canada by birth you most probably already have a SIN. This is important because you will be asked to give your social insurance number by your future employers in Canada. If Canada is not your birthplace, you will have to apply to get a SIN as soon as you arrive in the country.
Step 4: Preparing Your Resume
Prepare your resume or CV. It should be about one page long and give a summary of all your work experiences, educational qualifications, and other relevant skills that make you qualify for the job that you are applying for. You will also have to mention your contact information on a resume, give details of your educational qualifications such as date of completion and marks, list of job experiences with the first being the most recent one, and mention any other skills you may have. Before the submission of your resume, make sure you have proofread it once carefully. Any errors that you submit with your resume show your employer that you lack attention to detail.
Step 5: Researching Companies
Research into companies that you wish to work at and what kind of job opportunities they are offering. You can find jobs faster by looking up companies in your field. When you are searching for a job offered by companies, think about if you will be a match to their work environment. If yes, go to their employment page to check if they are currently hiring and research into how you can submit an application for the position available.
Step 6: Finding Available Jobs
Visit job fairs being held in your town or city. If you are living in Canada, you can meet different employers or visit job fairs being organized in colleges and business districts. You can find details about job fairs online. If you are migrating to Canada but not sure of which city you want to live in, you can visit job fairs in many towns.
You can visit Job Bank or other online sites to find the latest posting of available jobs. Job Bank is a website that is made available by the government of Canada that has listings of many jobs available throughout the country. Approximately 2,000 new jobs are posted on the website daily. You can find jobs in your field and near your location on this site.
You can also make use of an employment agency to help you in finding a job. An employment agency may be privately owned or funded by the government. The government of Canada also provides a list of government employment services and training centers that are available to aid immigrants in their job hunt.
You should also talk to your family members and friends about any job openings that they are aware of. Sometimes, jobs are not advertised and the only way you can become aware of them is by word of mouth. You should make sure your neighbors, family, and friends know that you are looking for a job, so they can pass on information to you if they come across any openings.
Step 7: Preparing A Cover Letter
Prepare the cover letter to suit the exact job that you are applying for. The cover letter should convey to the employer why you will be the perfect fit for their company or business. Try to limit the content of the letter to 1 or 2 paragraphs. It is advised that you do a little research into the company to which you are applying and what they are looking for from their employees, then use that knowledge while preparing the cover letter.
Step 8: Submitting A Job Application
The next step is filling a job application honestly and completely. Once you have found a company that you wish to work for and that is hiring, take your time while filling out the job application. The application, the cover letter, and your resume are the information that the company will use to make a judgment on you and decide whether you will be a valuable addition to their team or not. It is extremely essential to ensure that your application is devoid of all grammatical or spelling errors. Give it a proofread or have a friend do it for you before making a submission.
Step 9: Preparing For The Interview
Be sure that you are punctual to your interview and dressed well. You will be given a call for an interview if the company is impressed by your resume, application, and cover letter. Be confident and remember, you are not only being interviewed, you too are interviewing them. Have the answers ready to questions regarding your background, your previous work experience, your educational qualifications, and your expertise in the field that you have applied for. Make sure you’re dressed to reflect professionalism and that your clothes are clean, wrinkle-free, and workplace-appropriate.
Step 10: Follow Up
Send a follow-up to the company you interviewed with after 2 days. Sometimes, this is not necessary as they will immediately give you a call regarding their decision. But it is not uncommon for them to take time to deliberate or finish a round of interviews. Take some time and write an email or give a call to the person who took your interview, and begin by thanking them for their time. At the end of the message, give your contact details where they can send you any updates.
Resources To Find a Job in Canada
The Canadian economy is known for its stability and steady growth. It has a very strong foundation that helps it prosper and the citizens of Canada enjoy higher standards of living as a result. Here are some resources that have helped many immigrants find a job in Canada and may be very helpful in your hunt for employment as a Canadian immigrant.
Canada Job Bank
This tool has to post for potential jobs from various employers from all over Canada. You can find a job that matches you on the basis of your work experience, skills, and credentials.
Government of Canada Jobs
This platform has been designed to help immigrants be aware of and find any jobs that may become available with the government of Canada.
Student Employment
Private employers as well as the Canadian government post job opportunities that are made available exclusively to students. As a student you can search for a job that suits your educational credentials and apply, increasing the chances of you getting accepted or a callback.
Spotting a Fake Job Offer
Fraud in job opportunities has seen an increase, especially towards immigrants. We have gathered some tips that can help you spot fraud and avoid getting scammed or conned in your immigration journey and job hunting.
You should keep in mind that it is considered against the law to pay a person for a letter stating that you have a job offer from Canada. This can lead your application to get rejected or you to get barred from entry into Canada’s border for a period of time. A letter of the job offer will have the official letterhead of the company along with their contact information that will be verified in your immigration application.
