How to Get a Job in Canada

Across the world there are so many cases of unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and understandably so. Canada, however, is an exception to this. Canada has a copious amount of vacancies within the country and there are plenty of gaps in the labour market that need to be filled. The reason behind this is that there are too many vacancies, but not enough people in Canada to fill those spaces - that’s where you come in. They are looking for foreign nationals to work and immigrate to Canada. Follow these easy steps on how to land a job in Canada and you could be living your dream sooner than you think.

5 Steps on How To Get a Job in Canada

Follow these easy steps to bag that job abroad that you’ve been dreaming about.

1. Make sure your CV is up to par

The format of a resume can differ depending on the country or even the job that you’re applying for. The content, style and format can have a huge impact on whether you bag the job or not. A resume that was tailor-made for a retail position won’t get you into an administrative position, and vice versa. A poorly written CV will also not land you the job, as well as those that list duties instead of personal achievements. It is important to check out which format would work best for the specific occupation you are applying to and to portray yourself in the best light, but not to oversell yourself in the process. It’s hard to find the fine line when compiling a CV for a country other than your own, but not impossible at all.

2. Change up your cover letter

The main idea of a cover letter is to motivate why you want the job you’re applying for. It’s important to remember to change your cover letter every time you apply for a new position. This is a tedious and time-consuming process, but it will save you in the long run. Some companies have sister companies, and you might be applying for different jobs and different positions, but the owners of the companies will be aware and that will terminate the chances you had at both positions. It’s important to sell yourself but also remain humble. Here are a few tips to stay on track and not steer off course:

  • Remain truthful
  • State real facts
  • Mention your work experience (how long you worked)
  • Mention skills you acquired
  • Mention the programs you are familiar with

These hints will help personalize your application and make it stand out.

3. Narrow down your search

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Don’t make the mistake of applying to a dozen companies at a time. There are companies that talk to each other and communicate regularly, so sending the same resume and cover letter to these companies leaves the risk of managers talking to each other and rejecting your application altogether. Apply for specific jobs that are up your alley and use job boards. Here are some tried and true job boards that are used by many people around the world.

Job boards
Go Overseas
Government of Canada
eJobbo
Indeed
Workopolis
Simply Hired
WOWJobs
Eluta
Career builder

4. Apply and follow up

Once you have applied for the job, it’s important to follow up and check your application status. A good way to do this is to either call or email the company as this will reflect in a positive way. It’ll show you are genuinely interested in getting the job.

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5. Are your qualifications accredited?

While you may have the relevant qualifications, they might not be equivalent to the Canadian standard. You can have your credentials accredited through what is called an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from independent third parties like the World Education Assessment (WES). There will be a fee charged for this document that will amount to CAN$200 and will take about ten days to process.

There are various occupations and trades that are regulated to protect the safety and health of the public. So, if you are working in a regulated profession, you will need to register with a regulatory body. These are jobs that do not require an ECA, such as teachers, medical professionals, social workers, and physiotherapists.

Do You Require A Work Permit?

Believe it or not, certain jobs do not require a work permit. If you can’t find a job that doesn't require a work permit, here is how you obtain one.

How to Apply for a Work Permit

There are three easy steps to apply for a work permit.

  • Choose the type of work permit you want to apply for. The two different types of work visas are the Open Work Permit and the Employer-specific Work Permit.
  • Check if you are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit before jumping straight into it as there are requirements that need to be met in order to apply.
  • Apply for your work permit. The easiest and most simplified way of doing this is online. It will assist the application process as it will avoid any courier delays and extra costs will be eliminated.

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FAQS

Can I immigrate to Canada without a job?

Yes, you absolutely can. As a foreign national you don't need a job offer to immigrate to Canada. Your best bet would be to apply through Express Entry. This option will also allow you to apply for permanent residency. The perk of applying through Express Entry is that if you did not get an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency, your profile will remain open for a year and you are able to improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to improve your chances of getting invited.

What is a good salary in Canada?

A decent salary will differ depending on the province you live in. The average good salary is $42,206 per year or $21.64 per hour. Experienced workers will earn about $90,714 per year, and those who are at entry-level will start at about $29,250 per year.

Average salaries per region
Quebec$ 47,320
Manitoba$ 47,632
British Columbia$ 49,244
Ontario$ 52,260
Alberta$ 59,384

What are the most in-demand jobs in Canada?

Jobs in demand
OccupationAverage Salary (per year)
Registered Nurse$46,878 - $93,600
Sales Associate$23,400 – $45,000
Software Developer$42,178 - $112,125
Electrical Engineering$51,129 - $130,708
Accountant$39,838 – $107,815
Human Resource Manager$50,134 – $137,748
Merchandiser$29,250 – $67,275
Truck Driver$29,737 – $65,617
Welder$35,100 – $78,000
General Labourer$25,350 – $44,323

Applying for a job in Canada couldn't be any easier. If you have dreamed about moving abroad and working in your dream occupation, this is for you. There are so many opportunities to grab, and I’m sure you won’t want to miss the one destined just for you.