HOW TO LAND A JOB IN CANADA

From NEWS CANADA

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 the application process on the government of Canada’s website.

You should also update your resumé 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 careers such as carpenters, plumbers and electricians, architects, engineers and healthcare professionals are governed by a regulatory body or apprenticeship authority. 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. 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.

Career fairs 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).

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 resumé building and interviewing.

More at comit.org.