Where to Find a Job in Canada
April 8, 2021
|
The thought of uprooting your life, let alone a professional career may seem like an intimidating prospect, especially if you have invested many long hours of hard work to establish yourself in your home country. However, one only needs to look at the multiple benefits of moving to Canada to know that it will be a decision you will not regret.
For one, Canada has an extremely attractive average salary of approximately $26.83 per hour or $55,806. You and your family will also have access to one of the world's leading healthcare systems at no charge, not to mention that your children will be able to receive an excellent public education, which will also not cost you a thing.
Canada is also not only a great place to raise a family but taking a job in Canada will allow you to spend more time with your newborn without having to sacrifice your salary in the process. Both you and your significant other will have up to 35 shared weeks of paid parental leave as well as 5 extra weeks of paid leave specifically for fathers.
These benefits and many more await you when you decide to take that exciting new position in Canada.
But with over 100 immigration programs and 13 amazing provinces and territories to choose from, how do you know where to find employment in Canada? This article will look closely at where in Canada you will be able to find work in one of the five main in-demand sectors in Canada as well as how to approach the job application process.
Top 5 Sectors Looking for Skilled Workers in Canada
Canada has various opportunities for skilled international workers, however, there are five main industries with the most in-demand jobs available in Canada, especially affected by the current pandemic. These five industries are:
- Healthcare;
- Manufacturing;
- Food and Agriculture;
- Information Technology & Telecommunications; and
- Banking and Finance.
Healthcare
It is no secret that Canada along with the rest of the world’s healthcare systems has been hit hard by the effects of COVID-19. Many hospitals are understaffed and unable to cope with the demand of those in need of medical attention. Canada needed qualified and experienced healthcare workers before the pandemic but now more than ever the need is growing at an incredible rate. According to IBISWorld, there are currently around 654,971 healthcare professionals working in hospitals in Canada.
Healthcare professionals that are in high demand in Canada include registered and licensed nurses, nurses' aides, family and specialized physicians, not to mention healthcare administrative workers.
Manufacturing
As essential supplies continue to fly off the shelves, there is not only a great demand globally but in Canada too. Products such as hand sanitizer and surgical mask as well as other Personal Protective Equipment (PEE) and medical supplies such as ventilators are in high demand. This could be a great opportunity to bring your business to Canada through programs such as the Start-Up Visa Program. There has also been a tremendous surge in consumer products, especially those sold online.
This has resulted in a need for line workers and supervisors, warehouse workers as well as quality control specialists, not to mention those working in the transportation sector. As more people place their orders online, there is now a greater need for truck drivers to deliver these products to customers.
Food and Agriculture
Canada’s food production industry has long been booming and has been in need of experienced foreign workers well before the pandemic hit. There are opportunities for workers at all skills levels whether you are a supervisor or labourer, it is extremely likely that you will be able to find employment in Canada. There are different work and immigration programs that will allow you to start your new career in Canada especially some of the newer pilot programs; such as The Agrifood Pilot and The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. Seasonal agricultural workers can apply through programs such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Information Technology and Telecommunications
If you have experience and are qualified in IT or telecommunications the world is your oyster. You could apply your skills in almost every sector, not to mention that there are currently various in-demand occupations in Canada. People find themselves online more than they usually would whether it be for social or work reasons, which means that there is a higher demand for tech support as data security specialists.
IT workers are in such demand that certain provinces such as British Columbia have immigration programs geared specifically towards those technologies. British Columbia is not only one of Canada’s tech hubs but has a Tech Pilot which holds draws to find the best global IT professionals in 29 eligible occupations.
Those who work in telecommunications and customer service are also in demand. As companies take their sales online to adjust to the parameters set by the pandemic. More and more people are having to work remotely, are shopping online and are social distancing, which means that there is now, naturally, a greater need for telephonic support workers, customer care workers, installation and maintenance and IT support as professionals require higher speed internet at home and more people are using their mobile devices to stay in touch with their loved ones.
Banking and Finance
The global economy has been swept up in a whirlwind as thousands of businesses have been forced to close their doors or have been put under financial strain. Many Canadians, therefore, are looking to financial experts for guidance on how to protect their finances in the future as well as how to ensure financial growth in development in the years to come.
Skilled financial professionals such as financial advisors and accountants have been and will therefore remain in demand in Canada indefinitely. One of the benefits is that you will be able to offer your services remotely if need be, which could even result in a great business opportunity for you in Canada.
How to Find Work in Canada in 2021 in 6 Steps
Finding work in a new country is not easy, but with these helpful tips, you should be able to find the process much easier and could be on your way to starting an exciting new career in Canada!
Step 1. Find Out Where Your Job is In Demand
Canada has various jobs and occupations that urgently require skilled and experienced workers however each province or territory has specific occupations that are in demand to help boost the specific needs of the local economy.
Knowing where your job is in demand in Canada will not only increase the likelihood of finding a job in Canada but will also increase your chances of potentially getting a Provincial Nomination (PN) if you choose to apply through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or an Express Entry-linked PNP.
A PN is a great asset to have when applying for a Canadian Visa as it is worth 600 permanent residency points out of a possible 1,200 points, which will automatically give you the edge when being ranked against other visa applicants.
Step 2. Research Job Specific Immigration Programs
Once you know which province or territory you intend to find work in Canada, it will be much easier to choose from over 100 immigration options available to you. Each province or territory has its own immigration programs which are specific to its labour needs. Here are some of the job-specific immigration programs in each province/territory below.
| Job-Specific Immigration Programs in Canada | |
|---|---|
| Province | Immigration Programs |
| Alberta | Alberta Opportunity Stream - Ineligible occupations specified in Law, Education, Social/Community Services, Healthcare, Caregivers, Marketing, The Arts, Sales, Transportation, Aquaculture, Agriculture and Mining |
| British Columbia | Entry Level and Semi-skilled Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Business and Finance, Education, Caregivers, Correctional Services, Technology, Healthcare, Aquaculture and Agriculture |
| Manitoba | Skilled Worker Overseas Stream - Eligible occupations specified |
| New Brunswick | Skilled Worker Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Engineering, Aerospace, Service Industry, Healthcare, Trade occupations, Transport and Education, Social/Community Service, Retail and Sales, Hospitality and Service Industry, Transportation, Oil and Gas Sector, Forestry, Agriculture and Aquaculture |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Priority Skilled Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Technology, Healthcare, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Trade Occupations British Columbia Tech Pilot - Specified Occupation in Tech and IT Healthcare - Specified occupations |
| Northwest Territories | Skilled Worker Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Finance, IT, Healthcare, Education, Service Industry and Trade Occupations |
| Nova Scotia | Occupation In-demand Stream - Nurse aides and truck drivers Physicians Stream - Specialist and Family Physicians Labour Market Priorities for Physicians Stream - Specialist and Family Physicians (Express Entry candidates only) Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Finance, Marketing, Administration, Engineering, Healthcare, Education, Law and Social/Community Service |
| Ontario | Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream - Eligible occupations specified Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream - Eligible occupations specified |
| Prince Edward Island | Critical Workers Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Meat production, Healthcare, Service Industry, Transport and Agriculture Express Entry Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Aerospace Technology, Healthcare, Education, Social/Community Service and Trades |
| Quebec | Skilled Worker Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Managerial Occupation, Business and Finance, Marketing, Technology, Aerospace, Construction, Healthcare, Education, Social/Community Service, Sales, Trade Occupations and Manufacturing |
| Saskatchewan | International Skilled Worker Category - Ineligible occupations specified in almost all sectors Saskatchewan Experience Category - Eligible occupations specified in Agriculture, Healthcare, Hospitality and Transportation (for those with 6 months experience working in Saskatchewan only) |
| Yukon | Skilled Worker Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Finance, IT, Healthcare, Education, Hospitality and Trade Occupations Critical Impact Worker Stream - Eligible occupations specified in Retail, Hospitality, Agriculture and Transportation |
Step 3. Use a Recruitment Agency
Applying for work from outside Canada can be quite difficult so why not consider using a professional that has experience finding jobs for international workers in Canada? They will be able to assist you with the application process and are knowledgeable of all Canadian standards that will need to be met and will also be able to help prepare you for your interviews.
Below are some Canadian Job Recruitment Agencies for you to consider:
- Hays Recruitment Canada;
- Global Hire;
- Quebec International;
- Opportunity Alberta;
- Drake International;
- Michael Page;
- Canadian International Recruitment Services Inc.
- Canadian Staffing Services;
- TEKsystems; and
- Planet4iT Recruitment Agency.
Step 4. Browse Online Job Platforms
If you would prefer to find your own job then online job sites are your next best option. There are plenty of good websites to consult, both global and local, but here are a few of our top choices to consult when looking for employment in Canada.
- Jobbank (Government Job Website);
- Indeed;
- Eluta;
- Canada Jobs;
- eJobbo;
- Workopolis;
- Monster;
- Glassdoor
- Robert Half;
- CareerBuilder;
- Jobboom.
- Simply Hired; and
- LinkedIn.
Step 5. Network
If you are applying from your home company this may prove to be a little more difficult than if you were in Canada. The key is to consult any contacts you may have whether it’s a friend who is already working in Canada that can recommend places of employment or simply direct you toward human resources of the company they are working for. The other option is to find online sites that allow networking, the best of course is LinkedIn. Follow companies that you aspire to work for, visit their job boards and inbox them. The key here is to be proactive.
Step 6. Think Outside the Box
As the pandemic continues to have an effect on almost all job sectors you may want to consider applying for jobs at companies that you usually wouldn’t consider. For example, if you work in finance or administration and were predominantly employed in the hospitality sector why not apply for positions in other industries that are in high demand at the moment such as the healthcare sector.
Or if for instance you had a restaurant and were forced to close or find that your business is being limited due to the pandemic restrictions, why not consider offering online ready-made meals that can be delivered to your clients home or even approach corporate companies to find out if you can supply their staff with daily meals.
Starting Your New Career in Canada
Finding a job in Canada in 2021 can be a daunting prospect, however, it is not impossible despite the restrictions brought about by the pandemic. The key points to remember are to narrow down possible provinces or territories that you could envision yourself settling down in and to find out where your occupation is in demand to increase your chances of success in the job and visa application processes. Also, try not to limit yourself to applying for jobs in industries that you usually would and there is no harm in using the help of professionals; whether you need help finding work in Canada or choosing the right immigration and visa program for you.
The bottom line is that there is a wealth of opportunity awaiting you, you only have to seize it.