How to Apply For Jobs in Canada

Finding and applying for a job in Canada from abroad can be challenging, but it certainly can be a little easier with the know-how.

Although Canada’s labour market suffered job losses due to the pandemic, more than 200,000 newcomers are still making their way to work in Canada every year!

Ready to find out how you can join them?

Where to Look for Jobs in Canada

Believe it or not, the best place to start looking for jobs in Canada is not on Canadian job sites.

Step 1: Find Out Where Your Skills are Needed the Most

Knowing where in Canada your job is most in demand will increase the likelihood of you finding a job in Canada and your immigration prospects.

Various immigration programs are points-based, allocating points to different factors such as:

• Your age
• Language ability
• Education
• Work experience
• Ability to settle in Canada.

These are the main factors that are taken into consideration. However, there are many other ways that you can earn more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. The CRS is the ever-popular Express Entry system points grid that ranks applicants applying for Canadian permanent residency.

You can earn extra points for applying with your spouse, having exceptionally high levels of French and relevant work experience. But the way to achieve the most CRS points in one move is to get a job in Canada and apply for a Provincial Nomination (PN). Why, may you ask? Because it’s worth an incredible amount of points, 600 to be exact! That’s half the maximum amount of CRS points that you could earn.

Each province and territory has specific labour needs and its list of in-demand occupations, which is why each Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the immigration program exclusively offering PNs, differs from the next. In short, the more points you have, the higher your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. So, choosing the proper province is crucial when applying for a job or visa to Canada.

Step 2: Start Exploring Canadian Job Sites

Now that you know which province needs your specialized skills, you can narrow your job search to specific provinces or territories. Some popular job sites include:

• LinkedIn
• Job bank
• Indeed
• Monster
• Workopolis

Step 3: Make Sure Your Resume is Up to Scratch

Canada has very high standards when it comes to employing foreigners. Your resume is the first opportunity to make a lasting impression on your potential future employer. To get that coveted job interview, it’s essential to ensure that your resume meets Canadian standards and stands out from the rest.

It is also essential to ensure that your resume is current and has no gaps in your work history. This usually raises a red flag with recruiters, leaving them wondering what you were doing during that period and why you were unemployed.

And finally, don’t forget to add a cover letter to help land that dream job in Canada. This helps motivate your application and tells the recruiter or prospective employer how you can add value to the company and why you want to work there.

Step 4: Be Selective When Choosing Which Jobs You Apply For

Be selective when applying for jobs in Canada. For example, applying for 50 jobs a day in the hopes that at least one recruiter will reply is not the best way to go, especially since many recruitment companies will run listings for job vacancies for different companies.

Now imagine you’re that recruiter receiving at least five applications for different job openings in Canada. You’re giving the impression that you will take any job you can find and possibly that you are not serious about wanting a specific job.

Step 5: Get Started With the Application Process!

Now that you’ve narrowed your search and have perfected your resume, you can confidently start applying for work in Canada, which could help increase your chances of getting Canada PR too!

Ready to start the career of a lifetime? Not sure where to start with your visa application?

Not to worry. The team of visa and immigration professionals we work with is more than qualified to assist you with your application and has a vast knowledge of the Canadian immigration system.

Top Reasons to Work in Canada

Canada is a big beautiful country filled with a wide variety of lucrative job opportunities in every province or territory. Name any industry, and you’ll find a job vacancy for foreigners in Canada. But let’s look at the top eight reasons to consider working in Canada.

1. Earn a Globally Competitive Salary

Canada’s average annual salary per year in 2021 is about $54,630 or $1,050.59 per week. This is four percent higher than in 2019, which is quite impressive, as there were few job losses due to the pandemic. This shows how stable Canada’s economy is and how much you could earn when you decide to work in Canada.

2. Incredible Work Benefits

Canada offers its employees a range of benefits, including:

• Paid parental leave (including “daddy days”)
• Job security
• Training or Upskill opportunities
• Excellent health and wellness programs

3. Wide Variety of In-Demand Jobs

As mentioned earlier, drop a pin anywhere on the Canadian map, choose any job sector, and you’re bound to find at least one job vacancy. There are currently over 34,179 jobs available in Canada, just what’s listed on one top-rated job site. To determine where your job is in demand, look at the various provincial in-demand jobs and programs.

4. Relatively Low Cost of Living

Now this, of course, depends on where you decide to live and work in Canada. Popular city centers such as Vancouver, Toronto, and Victoria are among Canada’s most expensive cities to live in. But many other cities offer an excellent quality of life without sacrificing the comforts of urban life or most of your salary. Cities like Edmonton (Alberta), Hamilton (Ontario), and St. John’s (Newfoundland & Labrador) all offer a high quality of life at a reasonably low cost of living.

5. Exceptionally High Quality of Life

No matter where you settle down in Canada, you will never have to worry about sacrificing the quality of life you want for yourself and your loved ones. Canada has a universal healthcare system that is open to all citizens and permanent residents, free of charge. Its unique education system is world-renowned and also does not cost a thing. Moreover, Canadians believe in equality and quality, which means that you can rest assured that you and your family will live in one of the best countries in the world.

6. Shorter Work Hours, Longer Vacations

Most Canadians work approximately 40 hours per week (full-time) and around 18.5 hours per week (part-time). On average most Canadian get around ten paid vacation days. All provinces have a guaranteed two weeks except Saskatchewan, which has a great three weeks’ holidays. This usually increases the longer you stay with the same employer annually.

• 1 completed “year of employment” – 2 weeks
• Five completed consecutive “years of employment” – 3 weeks
• Ten completed consecutive “years of employment” – 4 weeks

And to top it off, Canada has nine statutory holidays, meaning you could get anywhere from 19 to 37 days off yearly!

7. Enjoy Work-Life Balance

Most Canadian companies pride themselves on ensuring their employees have a healthy and happy work-life balance. What does this mean exactly? According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), there are two main aspects to consider when talking about work-life balance:

1. Lack of time and scheduling conflicts; and
2. feeling overwhelmed, overloaded, or stressed by the pressures of multiple roles.

6.98 million Canadians, on average, work just 40 hours per week, and about 84 percent of large Canadian companies offer some form of a wellness program. Other initiatives that Canadian employers implement to create a healthy work environment by providing benefits such:

• On-site childcare;
• Flexible working arrangements;
• parental and family leave;
• educational leave, community service leave, or sabbaticals;
• Employee assistance programs;
• On-site seminars and workshops;
• internal/external academic training opportunities; or
• Fitness facilities or membership assistance;

8. Qualify for Permanent Residency

Suppose you live and work in Canada on a temporary Foreign work permit. In that case, you may be happy to know that after gaining at least one year of work experience, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through programs such as the Canada Experience Class (CEC).

Although the CEC is mainly for highly skilled workers, various provincial programs offer permanent residency to foreign workers at different skill levels with work experience of as little as six months!

Preparing for your Job Interview

Being prepared in any avenue of life is essential for success. It’s a good idea to prepare yourself for a flawless interview by:

• Rehearsing some practice questions and answers beforehand
• Researching the company and job role
• Motivating your reasons to want to work in Canada
• Knowing your resume and organizing your portfolio
• Preparing for the actual interview ahead of time

Ready to Start a Successful Visa Application?

Having professionals in your corner that you can trust is extremely important. Therefore, always research which accredited consultants can provide you with the guidance and support needed to make your work and immigration goals achievable.

Need help starting the journey of a lifetime after landing your dream job in Canada?