Working in Canada: Contents
- Where to look for work in Canada in 2021 Sites for finding jobs in Canada online
- Networking as a way to find work in Canada
- Work Agencies in Canada
Types of work permits
To officially work in Canada, you must obtain a work permit. There are several of them in the country:
- Work Permit – standard work permit. It is received by an applicant who has previously found an employer. A prerequisite is an employment contract concluded between both parties and an invitation received from the employer.
- Open Work Permit – open view permission. It does not involve pre-searching for an employer. This document is issued to all family members of an emigrant who works under a permit.
- Bridging Open Work Permit – temporary permit. It is called "transitional". This document is intended for those who are already officially employed and have applied for immigration under the federal program. Such employees have an official work permit. However, its validity period is coming to an end. In such a situation, this transitional permit is issued. During this time, the employee has the opportunity to obtain a residence permit.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit is a special permit that is intended for graduates of educational institutions in Canada. You can obtain this document even if the person does not have an employment contract with the employer.
- NAFTA is a document with a special purpose: for residents of Mexico and the United States. Applicants do not need to submit documents in advance. They receive a work permit directly at the border.
- Intra – Company Transfers – permission for professional employees with the required level of qualifications. As practice shows, most often such specialists are transferred from branches of international Canadian companies abroad to the Canadian representative office.
Working in Canada for Russians requires officially obtaining a work permit - Work Permit.
Where to look for work in Canada in 2021
Sites for finding jobs in Canada online
The most popular and, perhaps, effective place in our time to search for jobs and vacancies in Canada in 2021 is the Internet. There are many platforms in Canada that offer many fasting positions every day. Here are the most popular ones:
- Indeed
- Craigslist (especially popular with Vancouver residents)
- Kijiji
- MonsteR
- Job Bank
- Workopolis
- Work B.C.
On each of these sites you will find many legitimate job opportunities in Canada. By the way, JobBank is a government platform and most often it is through it that immigrants have the best chance of being hired. For each individual position, it is highly recommended that you edit your resume to best suit the position. As for the resume, we recommend that you go through our article “Resume in Canada: rules and writing techniques (with example).”
Networking as a way to find work in Canada
It happens that immigrants face problems finding employment in Canada. For example, an employer may be hesitant to hire an immigrant who recently arrived in Canada, even though he has extensive work experience in his home country. In this case, networking comes to your aid. What is networking and how to use it in Canada? Networking is an activity aimed at, with the help of people in your social circle, solving not only life needs (finding a job), but also business problems (finding clients, attracting investors, etc.) as quickly as possible. How to find the right social circle? Below are some tips for networking in Canada.
Join a professional association
Join a professional organization in your field. This will introduce you to colleagues and influential people, which can speed up your job search. You can find this kind of organization not only on popular social networks. networks like Facebook or LinkedIn, but also on the Meetup website, or download the popular Shapr mobile application. Who knows, maybe they will offer you the job of your dreams?
Volunteer work
This advice may seem counterintuitive, but the more you volunteer, the faster you will find a full-time professional job in Canada. By being a volunteer, you expand your circle of acquaintances, add work experience in Canada to your resume, and simply improve your karma, because Canadian employers pay special attention to volunteer experience. After all, the more you give, the more you receive. In 2021, more than 1 million Canadians have already been involved in volunteer activities!
The goal is not just to find a job
It is important to remember that the main goal is to find “your” people, and not just connections. The people you meet immediately upon arrival, and this is always a very difficult period, can become your good friends who will support you and help you settle in a new country. And, perhaps, as a pleasant addition, your new friends will remember you when they hear that someone is looking for an employee for their company.
Work Agencies in Canada
Work agencies are another good option for finding work in Canada. This option is more suitable for students who are looking for a low-skilled job and do not want to bother with searching and waste time. Such agencies will do everything for you; all you need to do is bring your resume (which they will help you edit correctly, or even create a new one from scratch) and wait for the call.
These agencies work with many employers and will find you a job as quickly as possible. A big advantage of such services is that you do not waste time or money when looking for a job; agencies provide this kind of work (most likely the employer will pay a commission for you or part of your salary will go to the agency’s account).
There are plenty of work agencies in Canada. Just Google recruitment agency in Canada and you can explore many options.
As for work agencies that can help you get settled if you don’t live in Canada, we’ll talk about that below.
How to get a job offer from a Canadian employer
Many cannot afford to travel abroad simply for business networking or to discuss recruitment and future career opportunities. And many cannot afford tuition fees for international students - Canadian universities can be expensive - or are prevented from attending. Most people are forced to search for a Canadian employer remotely in order to receive a job offer. This is the most difficult part of moving to Canada. And, unfortunately, this stage cannot be simplified.
Connections in Canada
Obviously, you will have the easiest time finding an employer in Canada if you have connections there. Do you have relatives or friends in Canada? Or does your friend have friends or relatives there? Can you use your connections to get your foot in the door in Canada? Knowing the right people is, unfortunately, the easiest way to secure a job offer. Whether or not you receive this job offer depends on whether your future employer can obtain a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA, formerly LMO). An LMIA is an authorization from Employment and Social Development Canada to employ a foreign worker in a position that can be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. And here connections will no longer help. LMIA permits are issued based on the needs of the Canadian economy. So if your friend knows someone who needs a new administrative assistant, but there are a lot of unemployed administrative assistants in that part of Canada, you're probably out of luck.
You can also leave your resume in our “Job Advertisements” section, as we are actively read by Russian-speaking Canadian employers.
Canadian labor agencies
One of the best options is to contact several staffing agencies, especially if you can find one or more that focus on your profession. Employers rely heavily on external recruitment companies—also called “headhunters”—to find talent. Typically, these agencies are paid by employers, so avoid companies that require a fee for services.
There are many agencies that focus on foreign workers, but there are many more that do not work with foreigners. Also, there are many agencies that hire IT specialists outside of Canada, because... market position is very scarce. One of these is the VanHack agency.
Online resources for finding jobs in Canada
The easiest way, but probably almost doomed to failure, is to use job search sites, as any Canadian would do. In Canada there are those we talked about above. To increase your chances, you can offer to your employer to work remotely (if possible) for a cheaper fee. We know of several cases where the employer was ultimately impressed and sent a job offer.
More about Job Bank
Canadians have long used Job Bank to find jobs online, as the service is free for both employers and candidates. This is probably the most reliable job vacancy resource on the Internet, however, many employers do not list vacancies on JobBank, especially if they work with a recruitment agency or use another online resource.
Learn more about LinkedIn
This social network is as close as possible to a professional network, which also has a job search section. But even if you don't use LinkedIn to find a job, you should sign up and create your own profile. Many employers use LinkedIn to screen potential clients, so a LinkedIn profile is a very good addition to any job application you have.
Language classes
There are state language courses in the country. In English or French - depends on your place of residence, depending on what part of the country you moved to. Courses are often free for immigrants and paid for from the local budget.
There are free language courses for migrants. Photo: pixabay.com
Such training does not guarantee serious knowledge of the language. But the minimum level verified at graduation may qualify you to apply for a work visa and be able to officially work in Canada, even without a language requirement.
This mainly applies to unskilled work - in a repair team, picking strawberries or cleaning premises. But the advantage of such work will be the absence of the risk of large fines and deportation.
In addition, the employer is obliged to pay legal workers the average salary in the industry - this norm is fixed by the government so that employers do not import too cheap labor from abroad.
Language courses that provide a higher level will no longer be free or cheap. But without a confirmed level of language proficiency, you will not be able to begin the procedure of confirming an education diploma obtained outside Canada and apply for highly paid vacancies in your profile - for example, an engineer or a geologist. Therefore, it will be more profitable to take such courses at home, at the stage of preparation for emigration.
Knowledge of professional terminology will be useful to you. Photo: pixabay.com
How to choose the right job in Canada and what you should pay attention to
Have you received a job offer? Congratulations! But now another question has arisen: should I take it? How can I find out more about a company and whether I should work for them? Fortunately, in the age of the Internet, all these things can be verified.
Pay attention to the job description
Before submitting your resume at all, carefully review the job description. If the ad consists of 2-3 lines, then a logical person would assume that the ad and the company itself are not of the highest quality. This is what an ideal job vacancy from a company that values its reputation should look like:
- Brief description of the company: type of activity, how many years on the market and the main mission of the company
- Detailed description of job responsibilities (responsibilities) and what results are expected from you
- A detailed description of the requirements for you to be hired
- Information about bonuses, insurance and other things
If any of the above is missing from the vacancy, this does not mean that the company is bad, but nevertheless it may be a sign.
Read employee reviews
On the GlassDoor website, former and current employees of companies share information about the company: they tell what questions were asked during the interview, how much they earn for certain positions, and most importantly, they leave reviews about the company and management. Therefore, be sure to check if there is information about the company on this site.
You can also message current and former employees by connecting with them through LinkedIn. All you need to do is find a company on this social network.
Check customer reviews
Any company in Canada registers in the Google Business service, because without this, Google will not show the location of the company, and the place in the search results will not be the highest. Therefore, you will almost certainly be able to read customer reviews about the company on Google, and if the company’s rating is below 3.5 stars, then this is a serious reason to think - is it worth it? If customers are so unhappy with the company, what are the chances that the employees are happy with everything?
ON TOPIC: What to do if your Canadian employer refuses to pay you for your work
List of the best professions to immigrate to Canada in 2021 (with salaries)
A job is probably the second most important priority for those planning to immigrate to a new country, right after finding a place to live. Canada offers a range of career opportunities in high-paying and highly skilled professions. Canada's skilled labor shortage has prompted the federal government to create a fast-track system for those with high-priority skills. Here is a list of the best jobs for immigrants based on requests from the federal government in 2021.
Web developer
Salary per hour: $38.20 – C$49.41
Salary per year: $63,242-C$91,920
Construction Manager
Salary per hour: $40.80 – C$110
Salary per year: $64,862 – C$185,610
Financial and investment analyst
Salary per hour: $23.17 – C$33.99
Salary per year: $62,188 – C$86,439
Computer programmer and interactive media developer
Salary per hour: $20.10 – C$58.99
Salary per year: $49,196 – C$85,472
Geologist and oceanographer
Salary per year: $56,000 – C$85,000
Mechanical engineer, -chemist, -petroleum engineer, -geologist; mining, aerospace and computer engineer, civil engineer
Salary per hour: $25.62 – C$49.18
Salary per year: $54,278 – C$113,982
Computer and Information Systems Manager
Salary per hour: $28.70 – C$95.39
Salary per year: $55,666 – C$115,110
Software engineer and designer (depending on experience)
Salary per hour: $21.20 – C$118.54
Salary per year: $49,324-C$93,368
Maintenance specialist for household and business electrical equipment
Salary per hour: $23.25-C$119.39
Salary per year: $54,325-C$117.25
For a more detailed analysis of salaries in Canada, see this article.
Forester - a professional responsible for the care, planting and management of forestry and trees
A forester is a professional responsible for the care, planting and management of forestry and trees.
We have many responsibilities including restoration, conservation, timber collection and management of protected forest areas.
About the features
The timber industry in Canada is well developed.
But there is always a serious shortage of skilled workers. Because young people do not want to choose a profession in this area, and adults retire. If we want the forest to remain in good hands, we need communities and associations that will tell people that forestry is a good option for income and work. Our community explains how each person can influence the state of the environment.
I like to be in the forest as much as possible.
I started out doing urban tree care in Denver, Colorado, then moved on to arboriculture and tree plant surveys in northern Ontario. A bachelor's degree in forestry and natural resources, with a concentration in wildlife conservation, is not required to work in this field, but is preferred. Foresters work for timber companies as well as state parks and institutions. I am a registered professional forester specializing in forest planning.
About earnings
Foresters can earn between $32,000 and $48,000 per year in their first few years of work.
A forester with years of experience and education can earn between $50,000 and $90,000 per year.
The highest average hourly wage in Alberta is $47.24 per hour, and the lowest is $33.65 per hour.
The best and worst cities to work in Canada
Canada's labor market has performed well in recent years. The country creates 335,000 jobs annually, and the unemployment rate is 5.8%, a record low since 1976. It is not surprising that many people dream of working in Canada. Let's take a look at the best and worst cities to work in Canada
It is interesting that small cities are catching up with megacities in terms of the pace of labor market development. But still, as with all issues affecting the Canadian economy, provincial differences are noticeable. For example, in Barrie, Ontario, unemployment was 8.8% in March, while in Quebec it was the lowest in the country at 3.6%.
Where to look for work? Here's a list of the best and worst cities in Canada to work in.
Best Cities in Canada to Work in 2021
Here are the nation's 10 strongest cities for jobs, according to BMO's Q2 2021 Labor Market Report.
By the way, Canada's largest cities were in the middle of the group, with the exception of Vancouver, which made the top 10, and Edmonton and Ottawa, which are close behind, ranking 24th and 27th respectively out of 33 cities.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Last year's place: 26
- Unemployment rate: 5.2%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 2.5%
Kingston, Ontario
- Last year's place: 28
- Unemployment rate: 4.6%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 3.7%
Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Last year's place: 6
- Unemployment rate: 5.2%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 4%
Kelowna, British Columbia
- Last year's place: 11
- Unemployment rate: 4.4%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 2.6%
Vancouver, British Columbia
- Last year's place: 14
- Unemployment rate: 4%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 5.9%
Gulf, Ontario
- Last year's place: 23
- Unemployment rate: 5.4%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 9.6%
Regina, Saskatchewan
- Last year's place: 20
- Unemployment rate: 4.5%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 3.3%
Quebec
- Last year's place: 4
- Unemployment rate: 2.4%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 2.9%
Kitchener, Ontario
- Last year's place: 24
- Unemployment rate: 4.8%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 6.6%
Brentford, Ontario
- Last year's place: 29
- Unemployment rate: 4.7%
- Number of job vacancies compared to last year: + 17%
Worst Cities to Work in Canada in 2021
Sudbury, Ontario
- Unemployment rate: 6.5%
- Employment growth rate over the past year: -1.0%
Barrie, Ontario
- Unemployment rate: 6.8%
- Employment growth rate over the past year: 1.3%
Brantford, Ontario
- Unemployment rate: 6.5%
- Employment growth rate over the past year: -2.0%
San Jones, New Foundland
- Unemployment rate: 6.6%
- Employment growth rate over the past year: -2%
San John, New Brunswick
- Unemployment rate: 5.9%
- Employment growth rate over the past year: -6%
Work in Canada for Russians and Ukrainians: who can get a job in Canada as quickly as possible
The material below is borrowed from the telegram channel “MariCanada”:
“Very often I am asked how someone can get a job immediately after arriving in Canada, literally within 2-3 days. It often turns out that newly arrived immigrants spend all their savings on moving and other things, so they need work now and immediately. Shop, waiter, cashier, coffee barista? Well, no, they usually hire native speakers, and there are plenty of local candidates for these positions, although after a month of searching you may well get a job in these positions. I will list the most popular options, where you will be immediately accepted with open arms literally on the first day, regardless of experience, appearance, knowledge of English and other factors.
The first popular job option for Russians and Ukrainians in Canada, especially women, is cleaning and cleaning services. There is a severe shortage of workers in this category, so this is one of the most popular options. There is no direct communication with clients, and the pay is quite normal for this type of position ($14-20 per hour, depending on your luck). You are provided with all the equipment, various masks (if you work with chemicals), that is, you don’t have to worry about safety.
The second popular job option for Russians and Ukrainians in Canada, but for men, is construction and repair. Again, there is a severe shortage of people, and they hire them with absolutely no experience and are ready to train. Main vacancies:
- General workers
- Painters
- Flooring
- Window installation
- Siding
- Roof repair
And so on. For any construction position, you will receive a call back immediately. We are ready to pay even in cash, but I would not recommend it, in this case the employer is not responsible for your safety. Many immigrants start by working on construction sites in Canada, and after 1-2 years of experience, they eventually begin to work for themselves (such people are called contactors - when you take an order for a certain amount and complete it), since the money for working with your hands is in Canada pays well. A flooring layer I know and another painter earn over $10,000 a month, although they started in construction without much knowledge of the language. One was a master's degree in economics, the second was a lawyer.
The third popular job option for Russians and Ukrainians in Canada, which is also more suitable for men, is warehouses and relocation services. Hard work where you have to pull a lot. As a rule, people do not stay in such positions for a long time, so they are required always and everywhere. But it can be considered as a temporary option.
For other types of general positions, it will take time and most likely an interview, and this usually takes 2-4 weeks, provided that your resume is even considered.
Flowers are one of the most profitable plants
If you love gardening and want to turn your hobby into additional income, then this is possible in the Canadian market. Flowers are one of the most profitable plants. It is not uncommon for a farmer to sell more than a thousand stems in one day at the farmers market.
About earnings
On average, a farmer can earn about $14 - $15 per hour.
If you are a professional with extensive experience - $20 per hour. The real money comes when you own not only a farm, but also a flower shop.
About prospects
There is a growing movement in Canada of people returning to work on the land, buying farms and moving.
Being a farmer is a pleasant and exciting job. We see how small seeds turn into tall flowers. We ourselves design flower bouquets that give positive emotions to customers. Farmers in Canada have all the conditions, from industry support to their own farmers' fairs. People value beauty and local products, so the prospects in this business are great.
How to find a job in Canada in two hours?
By the way, you can find a job in Canada in just a couple of hours. How? Many shops, cafes and others, of course, publish positions online. But bad luck, about 80% of the responses they then receive are from agencies or people from other countries without work visas. In order not to waste extra time, such establishments resort to the tactics of the last century - hang a sign “WANTED WORKERS (HIRING)” on the window.
When you see such a poster, you can immediately go into a store/cafe and ask to pass on your resume to the manager. And if you do this during typical working hours (from 9 am to 4:30 pm), then most likely the manager will be on site, which means you can pass the interview right away. In English, this is called foot-in-the-door. This method of searching for work in Canada is a big plus for both you and the employer. The employer sees that you are local and live in Canada, you know that they are ready to hire you almost immediately.
There are a lot of such posters in downtown Vancouver, as well as shopping centers. According to the subscriber, three of the employers were ready to give work and asked when they were ready to start, and all accepted the answer “tomorrow”. As a result, he chose for himself the most profitable position as a cook in a Mexican restaurant ($14/hour), his passion is a consultant at the Zara store ($12.5 per hour + 60% discount on all items in the store). All the managers asked was whether they could legally work in Canada and when they were ready to start. A good way, isn't it?
Who doesn't need a work permit?
There is a category of persons who do not need to obtain an official permit to work in Canada. In this case, the following vacancies are open:
- figures associated with a religious denomination;
- people of creative professions: musicians, theater actors, artists;
- employees who work under a short-term contract;
- professional athlete and coach;
- diplomatic worker;
- exchange student;
- volunteer;
- family members of a foreign representative;
- scientist;
- news agency correspondent and reporter;
- organizer of international events.
These categories of citizens can free themselves from paperwork.
Top Employers in Canada 2021
Reputable publication Mediacorp has released its list of Canada's Best Employers of 2021. Employers were assessed against eight criteria and then compared with other similar organizations in their field to determine which performs best. These criteria include:
- Physical workplace
- Work atmosphere and communication
- Medical, financial and family benefits
- Vacations and weekends
- Communication with employees
- Performance monitoring
- Training and skills development
- Participation in public life
Here are some of them:
- 3M Canada Company
- ABB Inc.
- Aboriginal Peoples Television Network Inc. / APTN
- Accenture Inc.
- Adobe Systems Canada Inc.
- Agricultural Financial Services Corporation/AFSC
- Alberta Health Services/AHS
- ArcelorMittal Dofasco GP
- Bank of Canada
The full list is available here.
