Finding Jobs in Canada: A Practical Guide
Hey there! If you're considering moving to Canada for work, you've made a great choice. With many job opportunities across many industries, Canada is an excellent place to launch your career.
But let's be honest - finding a job in a new country can be challenging. You need to take the proper steps if you want to land your dream role. In this blog post, We'll share some practical tips on how to go about your job search in Canada. These strategies have helped many newcomers secure great jobs and can work for you, too!
Check Online Job Sites, But Don't Stop There
Major online job boards are filled with openings nationwide, simplifying the job search process. You can search by job title, location, salary - whatever you need. Just don't rely only on job boards in your search.
Many of the best opportunities are never advertised on these big generic sites. It would be best to dig deeper by looking directly at company websites.
Most have dedicated career pages where they post available roles. Following companies you're interested in is a great way to find openings that fit your needs.
Do Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are when you meet with professionals in your industry to get career advice and insights about the job market. It helps you learn what skills employers seek and builds valuable connections.
Look on LinkedIn or alumni databases to find professionals with experience relevant to the work you want to do. Send personalized requests to chat over coffee or Skype.
Come prepared with thoughtful questions and listen more than you talk. They may know of other openings even if they can't hire you directly.
Network and Talk to Contacts
Make Sure Your Language Skills Measure Up
Canada has two official languages, English and French. Some provinces or employers may require you to be fluent in one or both. Before you apply, research to determine the languages commonly used in your field and location.
If your skills don't quite measure up, take training courses to improve your ability. Getting certified in a language makes you a lot more competitive as a candidate. Feel free to highlight fluency in other languages, too - it shows the additional value you can provide.
Volunteer in Your Field
Volunteering lets you gain relevant experience and expands your professional network. Find volunteer gigs that allow you to apply your existing skills in a new way. For example, an accountant could offer to work on finances at a local non-profit.
Check sites like VolunteerMatch for postings. But also reach out to organizations directly to pitch yourself as a volunteer. Be ready to interview and undergo background checks. Commit to volunteering regularly for maximum impact.
Refresh Your Resume and Craft Great Cover Letters
You'll need an updated resume to apply for Canadian jobs. For each application, tweak your resume to highlight the qualifications and achievements most relevant to that particular role. Don't just submit a generic resume template!
Your cover letter is just as important. Personalize each application and explain why you are an excellent fit for the company and position. Generic application materials seem lazy and get ignored.
Prepare for Interviews
Congrats, you landed an interview! Do your research so you can speak knowledgeably about the company. Practice responding to common questions with success stories using the STAR method. If interviewing remotely, test the technology and set it up in a quiet space with a professional background.
Follow up with thank you notes reiterating your interest and fit for the role. This is your chance to stand out from other applicants, so prep work is vital!
Apply, Apply, Apply
Finding a job takes persistence. Don't get discouraged if you don't get immediate responses. Use job search engines to apply for many suitable openings across multiple sites and sources.
Set up alerts so new postings get sent to your inbox automatically. Follow up on all applications and keep pushing your candidacy. With dedication and these tips, you can land your dream job in Canada!
Wishing you the best of luck in your Canadian job hunt! Let us know if you have any other questions.