(NC) Canada has much to offer, from its vibrant, multicultural urban centres to its vast, diverse landscapes. But, as a newcomer, it can be hard to establish a foothold in the job market. Here are four ways to start your career as a new Canadian.
Get your paperwork in order
You need a social insurance number (SIN) to work in Canada legally. Applying for your SIN is free and can be done online or in person. Before you begin, you’ll need some paperwork verifying your identification. You can find details about those documents and begin the application process on the Government of Canada’s website. You should also update your resume for the Canadian market. Note that fluency in both official languages (English and French) is a huge asset for many jobs.
Are you certified to work in Canada?
Some Canadian jobs are governed by a regulatory body or apprenticeship authority. These careers range from carpenters, plumbers and electricians to architects, engineers and health-care professionals. If you were certified in your home country to work in one of these fields, contact the provincial authority where you reside to see if your credentials can be transferred to Canada or if you can take a recertification course.
Know where to look for work
Once upon a time in Canada, you would look in a newspaper’s classified section to see who was hiring. Today, most companies use online job boards to post vacant positions. But these are catchall sites where you’ll find everything from entry-level jobs to C-suite positions, so you’ll need to learn how to search for the right roles and the key words that fit your skillset.
If you have specialized skills, seek out Canadian trade publications and industry newsletters for specific roles in your field. You can also search for nearby career fairs, which are often hosted at local college and university campuses or on the grounds of large corporations.
Learn new skills
While researching employment opportunities in Canada, you’ll likely find articles about the most in-demand roles. One growth area is information technology (IT). In fact, according to the Information and Communications Technology Council, Canada will need an additional 250,000 employees in the digital economy in 2025. If you’re new to Canada and looking to enter the IT field, some organizations, such as ComIT, provide free technology training and help with job skills like resume building and interviewing.
Learn more at comit.org.
