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Jobs in Canada

Finding a job in Canada may be different from finding a job in your home country. Learn how to find a job in your preferred profession in Canada. It will take time, but following the suggestions in this section will give you and your family members the best possible chance to succeed professionally in Canada.

Please note that approval of your application to immigrate to Canada does not guarantee that you will be licensed or certified in your occupation and does not guarantee you employment in your preferred occupation or any other occupation.

Planning to Work in Canada? An essential workbook for newcomers was created for internationally trained individuals who are considering moving to Canada or who have recently arrived. It will provide you with information about finding a job, living and working in Canada.

Below, you will find additional information to help you:

Consult the Working in Canada Tool

The Working in Canada Tool will give you information that will help you find a job, including:

  • a definition of your job as well as other titles within your occupational group. Knowing the proper Canadian name for the job (occupation) you want can help you avoid confusion with employers
  • the main duties for the job in the city and province or territory you have chosen
  • the skills required for this job
  • job opportunities
  • training opportunities
  • the typical hourly wage for this job in the city and province or territory you have chosen

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Learn about different types of jobs

Jobs in Canada are in either regulated or non-regulated occupations. Find this job information by using the Working in Canada Tool. It will also provide you with the name and contact information for the regulatory body or apprenticeship authority for the occupation and the province or territory you have chosen. These organizations have information about the licensing, certification or registration that you need in order to work in that province or territory in that job.

Once you know the name of the regulatory body or apprenticeship authority, consult the organization’s website and review the licensing, certification or registration requirements that apply to you.

Look for job opportunities

The following resources will help you find job opportunities:

  • the “Job Opportunities” section of the Working in Canada report you create provides current job opportunities from Canada’s National Job Bank
  • the Job Bank website
  • the “Help Wanted” sections of national or local newspapers
  • the Internet, where you can search for “jobs” and the name of the city and province or territory where you plan to live
  • networking which can help you search for jobs in Canada’s hidden job market. It is also an effective way to tell a lot of people that you are looking for work
  • the Working in Canada website
  • other online job search resources

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If you are in Canada, you may also find a potential employer by asking an immigrant-serving organization about a “job search” training session or workshop or by asking for information from the Service Canada Centre in your community.

Learn more about the Canadian workplace and finding a job on the following websites:


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Learn about bridging programs

Bridging programs are for newcomers with education and work experience who would like to work in their field in Canada. The process of getting a licence or certificate can take time. You will have to pay for credential assessment, certification or examinations. Bridging programs can help you be better prepared and more successful with the licensing or certification process in integrating into the Canadian workplace.

Bridging programs vary in the services they offer, which could include:

  • an assessment of your education and skills
  • courses
  • practical or workplace experience
  • preparing you to take an examination for a licence or a certificate
  • language training for your profession or trade
  • individual action and learning plans to help you identify any training you may need

Generally, there is a fee to take these programs. Usually, classroom training or workplace experience is part of the program, so that you can move more quickly into the labour market without relearning what you already know.

Contact your professional association, regulatory body or local immigrant-serving organization to find out about programs available in the area in which you choose to live.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for a student loan or grant. Eligibility depends on the type of course you want to take and the province or territory you are living in.

Learn about education and training

There are several ways that you can research the education and training opportunities available to you in Canada to qualify to work in the job you want.

If you plan to work in a regulated occupation:

  • Visit the website for the regulatory body or contact the apprenticeship agency.
  • Visit the Training and Careers website.
  • Visit the Red Seal Program website to find out about the 49 skilled trades in Canada (for example: welder, bricklayer, hairstylist, tile setter).

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Consider other jobs related to your profession

If you plan to work in a regulated occupation, it may take some time to get registered, certified or licensed. During this process, you may want to learn about other jobs that are related to your field or your skills, education and abilities, which will give you more options for working in Canada.

  • If you plan to work in a regulated occupation, you may wish to contact the regulatory body for advice.
  • List other jobs for which you may be qualified, or which you would like to perform. Then, complete additional online Working in Canada reports to find out if these other jobs are regulated or non-regulated.
  • If you are in Canada, you may also contact a Service Canada Centre in the city and province or territory in which you live to make further enquiries.

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There are many Service Canada centres located across Canada. Each centre offers a range of services in partnership with federal departments and agencies, other levels of government and community service providers. For example, Service Canada staff can help you apply for employment insurance, a passport and a Social Insurance Number.

Consider other jobs not in your field

Learn about other jobs that are NOT related to your field so that you can work while you wait to be licensed for your intended (regulated) occupation in Canada, or if job opportunities in your current non-regulated occupation are not available.


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Consider going back to school

Formal training in a field you are interested in will help you find work. Consider going back to school to obtain a diploma or certificate, upgrade your education or complete a training program.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for a student loan or grant. Eligibility depends on the type of course you want to take and the province or territory you are living in.

Prepare a résumé and cover letter

In Canada, a résumé is an important tool in the job-search process. A résumé and a cover letter tell an employer who you are, what you have done in the past, what your qualifications are, and why you want the job.

Understanding Canadian-style résumés can help you prepare a great résumé. You can learn more about writing a résumé by:

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You may also ask an immigrant-serving organization about a “résumé writing” training session, workshop or service.


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Prepare for a job interview in Canada

An interview is a meeting between you and your potential employer, often with set questions and answers. An employer will often interview several qualified applicants for a job.

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Some interviews may include a multiple choice test. To learn how to prepare for this type of test, visit the Internet and enter a search for “multiple choice test tips.”

You can learn more about how to prepare for a job interview by:

Volunteer

“Volunteering” means performing a service willingly and without pay. Working as a volunteer can help you:

  • get Canadian work experience
  • practise English or French
  • build your network
  • make friends and meet Canadians
  • find someone who will be a reference for you
  • show potential employers that you are hard working

Learn more about how volunteering in Canada can help you find a job by:

  • searching the Internet for “volunteer” and the name of the city
  • asking for more information from an immigrant-serving organization. The names and contact information for immigrant-serving organizations can be found through an Internet search for “Canadian immigrant-serving organizations”
  • visiting the Volunteer Canada website for an overview of volunteering

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Consider starting your own business

If you are thinking of starting your own business in Canada, you will need a detailed business plan. You can learn more about starting a business in Canada by:

Be aware of the main challenges new immigrants face when trying to get a job

The main barriers for new immigrants to getting jobs in Canada are:

  • foreign credential recognition
  • language skills
  • lack of Canadian work experience

Foreign credential recognition: The best way for you to begin the process of getting your foreign credentials recognized is to get a clear picture of how your credentials compare to those of someone trained in Canada for a similar job. If your profession is regulated, it is important that you follow the regulator’s or apprenticeship authority’s requirements for assessing your credentials.

If you are not required to get your credentials assessed as part of the licensing process, consider getting an assessment done by an approved assessment agency so that you can show employers how your training compares to that of people trained in Canada.

Find out more about credential recognition.

Language skills: Canada has two official languages: English and French. Many internationally trained individuals find that although they have the language skills needed to immigrate to Canada, they lack the stronger English or French language skills needed to work in a preferred profession.

Most professions and trades require all professionals to be fluent in English or French and to have a strong command of all work-related terminology. Being fluent in a language includes having the cultural knowledge to understand phrases or idiomatic expressions, some of which may be unique to Canada. In addition to continued language study and practice, look for bridging programs that offer language training in addition to work experience.

Find out more about language skills.

Canadian work experience: You may have difficulty finding work because employers are unfamiliar with how to assess your previous experience in other countries. Meeting people, getting advice, networking and volunteering are the best ways to overcome this problem, but it still may take time to get your first job in Canada. If your job is regulated, be sure to ask the regulator, apprenticeship authority or immigrant-serving organization for advice and ask about programs that will help you find work, such as internships or bridging programs. Contact an immigrant-serving organization for additional advice and resources. Consider working in a related job so that you can continue to learn about your profession or industry in Canada.

Date Modified: 2010-05-18

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