Canada Job Seeker Resource Board
Welcome to this exclusive job board for Migration Bureau and Visa Centre clients. The objective of this job board is to provide information and links to get you started with your job search.
Immediate Job Vacancies
Please use the links below to access current job vacancies. Please note that most employers require candidates to be present for interview and to be able to start work with valid visas within 4-8 weeks of the date of application.
www.monster.ca
Find Local Employers and Recruitment Agencies
Use the link below to search for employers and recruitment agencies in your destination city/region.
General employee information
Use the links below for information on Canadian employment law, holiday leave and other entitlements, public holidays etc.
Click here for the November 08 Canadian Job Market Report provided by our Canada Employment Expert.
Get to know Canada
For news and information about Canada and its cities and regions visit www.migrationnews.com.
How to prepare your CV/Resume
Before you start the job search process it is essential that you prepare a professional Curriculum Vitae (CV) fitting the local Australian style. Generally a CV that is styled for the UK, European or other overseas markets will not be suitable for use in Canada
Your CV should contain the following headings;
Personal Details
- Name
- Address (Where possible, please use a reliable address in Canada if you have friends or family in the country.)
- Phone and E-mail address
- Nationality (IMPORTANT - clearly state that you are applying for Canadian permanent residence visas or are approved.)
- Career Goals: Summarise your careere objectives
- Profile Summary: A brief summary of your personal attributes, key skills, competencies and technical capabilities including software packages used, etc
Education and Qualifications
Indicate dates and certificates/diplomas/degrees attained. (IMPORTANT - where possible indicate the Canadian equivalent of your qualification.)
- Education and Qualifications (Indicate dates and certificates/diplomas/degrees attained. Mention highest level of education only).
IMPORTANT - Where possible, indicate the Canadian equivalent of your qualification
Career/Work History
(Indicate dates; Month and Year. List your current job first.)
- Company / Organisation Name
- Position
- Responsibilities (Describe your duties, job content, position in organisation, staff supervised, projects/challenges completed, promotions. Also, describe the activities of your employing organisation e.g. industry sector, market standing, size, turnover etc.)
Personal References
Name, Position, Address and contact details of two former employers.
Example CV
Please click here to open an example CV in the Canadian style.
Job Search Do's and Don'ts
It is never easy searching for a job from overseas. Here is a summary of the do's and don'ts for overseas jobseekers in the Canadian employment market place.
Do
- Visit the various Canadian job websites BEFORE deciding to emigrate to familiarise yourself with the job opportunities in your field.
- Apply for your permanent residence visas. Very important. Prospective employers will ask about your immigration status and having your residence visas (or at least being in the application process) will remove barriers and make you more “marketable” in the Canadian employment marketplace.
- Start applying for advertised job vacancies from OVERSEAS, but only 1 to 12 weeks before a possible start date or a visit to Canada.
- Send a “cold” letter of application and C.V. to EVERY potential employer and recruitment agent in the region of Canada you intend settling in to let them know that you are available. Use www.yellowpages.ca to locate details.
- Prepare your C.V. in the Canadian style and write a short but clear covering letter confirming that you have been granted permanent residence visas (or that you have been assessed as eligible and are in the visa application process).
- Provide a Canadian postal address and Canadian mobile phone number/email address in your C.V. where possible.
- Visit Canada for job interviews as very few employers will engage candidates on a “sight unseen” basis.
- Make a positive impression in the interview, be flexible and have copies of your residence visas and references available for employers to sight.
Don't
- Apply for job vacancies OR visit Canada for job interviews more than 1 - 12 weeks away from a possible start date. Employers will not be interested.
- Expect everything to work like home. Be flexible and willing to fit in with local ways of doing things.
- Expect the same salary or more than you had overseas. The cost of living and income tax rates are lower in Canada than many other western developed nations, so look at your NET INCOME not the gross amount.
- Expect a job at the same level or higher than you had overseas. You may lack Canadian local knowledge and may need to take a step back in order to advance later. Wait one year.
- Expect a job offer in the first week. On average, it can take native Canadians 1 – 8 weeks to find a new job.
- Over negotiate the contract with your first employer. Be flexible and understand that employment law and contract terms may be different in Canada.
Interview Do's and Don'ts
Research the company
Great sources of information are the internet, your consultant, relevant industry publications and the company’s own publicity material. Understand how many offices they have, are they domestic or international, what markets they work in, what size are they, what products and services do they offer and who are their competitors? Some useful sources are:
Use your research to help you prepare a few questions that you would like to ask during your interview ie;
- Is the company launching any new products or services?
- What training and development programmes are available?
- What is the company looking for in a successful candidate ?
Understand the job you are applying for
Know the department you will be working in and the responsibilities you will have.
Match yourself to the job
Assess your past experience and qualifications and see how they correspond to the job you are applying for either directly or indirectly. In this way, during the interview, you can explain why you are suitable for the advertised role and demonstrate this with past examples. Make sure that you can expand on your CV as the interviewer is highly likely to refer to it.
Prepare some answers
There are certain questions that you are probably going to to be asked so you can help yourself by preparing possible answers that reflect your skills, experience and technical knowledge. Don't panic if you aren't asked the specific question. There is a good chance you can use the information in answer to another similar question. Typical questions you could be asked include:
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What are your qualifications?
- What are you looking for in your next career move?
- What salary are you looking for?
- How have you handled a problem at work?
- Do you have any weaknesses?
Present yourself well
Remember first impressions are everything. Your appearance should complement the industry that you want to work in, which will probably mean ‘corporate’ wear. A smart, dark suit, unobtrusive accessories and a general well groomed appearance will help your chances significantly. You should also think about your general demeanour. Employers want staff who are positive, pleasant and polite.
Day of the interview
Ensure you know where you are going, how you get there and who you are meeting. Make sure you know how to pronounce correctly the name of your interviewer. Prepare your clothes the night before and leave yourself plenty of time for the journey so that you arrive early and have time to collect your thoughts before the interview starts. When you arrive, a smile and a positive handshake are great ice breakers.
During the Interview
Don’t worry if you are nervous, it’s natural and can often work in your favour because it keeps you alert and on your toes. Remember the interviewer has already decided you are likely to be a suitable candidate, now you have the opportunity to prove this! Try and manage the interview and remember the research you have done on how your past experience corresponds with the job description.
Interview Do’s
- Be conscious of your posture and look interested and attentive.
- Be concise with your answers, stick to the point and if you're not clear about what answer they are seeking, repeat the question back to make sure you have understood it correctly.
- Compose your answers, speaking clearly and at a moderate pace.
- Sell yourself. Relate your expertise to the role, defining what you will contribute to the company. Make sure you give real life examples.
- Be honest.
- Be positive, even if you’re not 100% positive about the role. Leave them with a good impression and then if a better job comes up in the future, they will think of you first.
Interview Don’ts
- Interrupt the interviewer.
- Enquire about salaries in the first interview.
- Be over confident and pushy.
- Show lack of enthusiasm or passion for the role.
End the interview positively, letting the interviewer know if you are interested in the role and asking what happens next.
