Looking for a job can be a stressful and difficult process. For many new immigrants it takes a long time to get established in their chosen field. Some choose to change their career or start a business. There are many organizations that can help you find employment and make important employment decisions.
The following websites offer complete guides from learning about yourself and the job trends, through marketing yourself and ultimately finding a job and negotiating a salary. These sites will be useful throughout the job search process.
- The Career Development eManual
- Canadian Careers
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
The Government of Canada uses Social Insurance Numbers (SINs) to keep track of all Canadian workers. You must have a SIN to work in Canada. Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) soonafter you arrive.
The Job Search Process
1. Assess yourself: Think about your interests and personal characteristics, and list your previous education, experience, and skills. Consider an “employment assessement” from any of the local employment centres.
In addition to the guide provided above you may find the following sites useful.
- Training, Career and Worker Information at Service Canada
- How do I look for a job in Canada? on Settlement.Org
2. Research job, industries and careers: It is possible to use trends to your advantage by selecting a job, industry and geography that is compatible with you. If you gain a basic understanding of the trends, you can adjust your career preparation and to take advantage of opportunities.
- Industry and Job Trends provides an overview of industry and job trends in Waterloo Region.
- Working in Canada Tool will help you identify the name of your occupation in Canada and provide you with a detailed labour market information report (containing job duties, skill requirements, credentials, wage rates, etc.) for a chosen location in Canada.
- Job Accreditation provides information on having your education and training formally recognized.
- Local businesses, associations and news can educate you about local, innovative and successful companies and can help you discuss recent news while networking and during interviews.
Settlement.Org has e-Career Maps to provide internationally trained professionals with information about credentials and licensing in their profession.
3. Make a plan: Set career and personal goals and make plans that describe how you can reach them. You may want Canadian experience and networks, Accreditation, Learning English or further education from one of Ontario’s universities or colleges. The guides and organizations listed above will be helpful.
4. Find a job: Develop a plan to find work and engage organizations that can help. Setting daily and weekly objectives will make your job search more efficient. Advertised Positions account for 10 to 20 percent of all jobs open at any given time. You can find advertised positions on specific companies’ websites or through job search websites like the following:
- indeed.ca – searches many major job boards, newspapers, and company websites for job postings
- eluta.ca – searches company websites for job postings
- The Working Centre Job Search Resource Center – Waterloo Region job postings
- skillsinternational.ca – immigrant job board
- Workopolis – contains job postings provided by the Waterloo Region Record, The Globe & Mail, and the Toronto Star newspapers
- Local newspapers and professional magazines
- monster.ca
- Service Canada Job Bank
- see Settlement.Org for other job websites.
For websites from specific companies in Waterloo Region see the Local Businesses, Associations and News page. Some companies may only post their job openings on their own website.
5. Job Application: Resumes and cover letters are marketing tools to help you get an interview and ultimately a job offer with a perspective employer. A Resume is a list of your educational and professional qualifications and job experience. Settlement.Org has more information about preparing a resume and cover letter, and applying for a job. They also have tips and sample resumes.
6. Interviews: Employers will look through the applications they received and ask some to come in for an interview. The interview is your time to convince the employer that you are the right person for the job and to find out if the company is a place where you would like to work.
Settlement.Org has information about preparing for an interview. Skills International’s Perfect Interview tool allows you to practice your interview skills online by responding to potential interview questions.
7. The Offer: If you are offered the job you need to decide if you will take it. With some jobs you can negotiate your salary or other details. See Settlement.Org for job offer tips.
8. Lifelong Learning: After you have a job, it is important to keep learning and building your skills. See the Adult and Continuing Education page for more information.
You may also be interested in Employment Strategies for New Immigrants and Career Counselling.
