July 24, 2024 1 Comment

Overcoming Job-Related Challenges as Newcomers in Canada

Between 2016 and 2021, a record number of 1.3 million newcomers permanently settled in Canada. In 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) processed double the number of applications for permanent residence, temporary residence and citizenship compared to the previous year. These numbers, which are projected to keep growing, aren’t surprising considering Canada’s reputation of being an attractive immigrant destination due to its dynamic economy and multicultural population.

For newcomers to Canada, moving to a new country presents a wealth of exciting opportunities. However, it can also bring its fair share of challenges. For one, obtaining a job that fits one’s skills and experience can be an intimidating and challenging task. This may feel like an impossible hurdle in starting one’s professional career and life in a new country.

JVS Toronto offers programs and employment counselling to help newcomers overcome the common job-related challenges they may face in Canada, as listed below.

Insufficient Pre-arrival Information

Coming to Canada with a good understanding of what to expect can reduce the uncertainty that inevitably comes with settling into a new country.

Prior to entering Canada, it can help newcomers to seek as much information as possible about when to apply for jobs, what jobs they can apply for, and even the maximum number of hours they can work per week (if applicable). These factors differ depending on their immigration status in Canada as some may either be permanent or temporary residents (such as students and economic immigrants).

Lack of, or Difficulty Obtaining Canadian Work Experience

Newcomers may find themselves competing with job-seekers with more experience in the Canadian job market. Because some employers may place a higher value on local experience, this may leave newcomers struggling to secure their first job in Canada.

Fortunately, there are many opportunities to jumpstart one’s Canadian professional experience. For example, newcomers can take part in meaningful volunteer opportunities and internships, potentially in an industry relevant to their chosen professional path. Through these, newcomers can demonstrate their competence, reliability, and ability to thrive in a Canadian work environment.

Browsing online job boards and attending in-person job fairs are great ways to discover volunteer and internship opportunities.

Getting Foreign Experience and Education Recognized

There is no doubt many newcomers arrive in Canada with solid employment and educational credentials. They may certainly qualify for many open positions and academic opportunities; however, they may encounter difficulty in getting their prior work and school credentials recognized.

Looking into industry-specific licensing requirements in Canada is crucial, particularly for regulated professions. If applicable, newcomers should contact or consult the websites of licensing or regulatory bodies in their respective fields.

For professionally experienced newcomers looking to adapt their skills to Canada, short-term bridging programs are a great option. Many employment agencies like JVS Toronto and educational institutions offer these programs to equip newcomers from various professional backgrounds with confidence, updated skills and networking opportunities to help them secure jobs that fit their skills and experiences.

If considering further education, newcomers can research services that offer credential evaluation.

Limited Social and Professional Connections

For newcomers and long-time Canadian residents alike, establishing a strong professional network is essential for success in one’s employment search. They are tremendously helpful when considering a switch in industry, looking to join a new company, or exploring further education.

Because newcomers typically have fewer connections in Canada, they may feel limited in their options for career advancement. Fortunately, there are ways to address this, such as participating in networking events and job fairs organized by agencies like JVS Toronto.

Taking advantage of pre-existing connections, if available, such as family and friends in Canada is a great first option. Volunteering with local organizations may also be helpful in meeting other professionals.

Language or Communication Barriers

Language proficiency is a necessity for any kind of job. Lack of fluency in either English or French may make it difficult to get hired or severely limit newcomers’ employment options in Canada.

Many newcomers arrive in Canada proficient in English, French, or even both, and this definitely benefits them greatly in their job search and their performance in the workplace. However, language fluency does not guarantee an understanding of Canadian workplace culture, which may differ significantly from a newcomer’s country of origin. It’s possible that this may even lead to miscommunication in the workplace.

For newcomers looking to improve their language skills and knowledge of Canadian workplace terminology and culture, language classes can be beneficial and provide employers additional assurance of your language competency.

Lack of Understanding of the Canadian Job Market

Although there may be similarities in the recruitment and hiring processes between Canada and newcomers’ home countries, there are undeniable nuances that can vary from country to country. Therefore, it’s important to carefully research common practices in Canada. Optimizing job search strategies to meet Canadian standards can greatly impact one’s job search success.

One way to begin understanding the Canadian job market is to seek insights from any family and friends already in Canada. If this isn’t possible, there are also various community-managed online resources such as Facebook groups and other online forums for newcomers.

Newcomers may also consider consulting employment counsellors to receive individualized career support. Consider participating in job-related workshops to sharpen your resume and cover letter, interview skills, and job search tactics, among others.

While there are unique challenges newcomers face when seeking employment in Canada, there certainly are ways to address them. It is important to remain proactive and confident as you explore and prepare for your next professional steps in Canada.

We understand that starting your job search in a new country can be daunting, but we’re here to help! JVS Toronto offers a range of programs for newcomers to Canada to aid them in their employment search.

July 24, 2024 Leave a Comment

New report on skilled immigrant women’s pursuit for employment in Canada

In the rich tapestry of immigrant experiences, the narratives of skilled immigrant women often stand out for their resilience, ambition, and the unique challenges they face. A recent research report conducted by JVS Toronto in 2023, titled “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Change: Unveiling the Triumphs, Challenges, and Identity Struggles of Skilled Immigrant Women in Pursuit of Employment,” delves deep into the lives of women-identified participants of JVS Toronto’s Canada InfoNet pre-arrival program, shedding light on their journeys, hurdles, and remarkable successes. The research is based on survey and focus group data, of women who participated in the program from 2020 to 2022.

Here are some of the highlights of the study:

Barriers to Employment

The study uncovers the multifaceted challenges immigrant women encounter in their quest for employment in Canada. Notably, the lack of Canadian work experience emerges as a significant barrier, with 44.9% of respondents citing it as a major hurdle. Additionally, navigating regulated professions and balancing family responsibilities pose formidable challenges. The report reveals how childcare availability affects job searches and underscores the complex interplay between motherhood and career aspirations.

Pre-Arrival Success

Despite these obstacles, skilled immigrant women who receive support from pre-arrival programs like Canada InfoNet have better employment outcomes upon arrival in Canada even though they continue to face systemic barriers when compared to other groups. An overwhelming 82% of these women found employment within six months of arrival, a testament to the efficacy of such initiatives. Their proactive approach to job searching, often commencing before setting foot in Canada, speaks volumes about their determination and preparedness.

Navigating Career Changes and Identity

For some immigrant women, the journey involves significant career transitions, either due to regulated professions or the need for reinvention in a new environment. 29.5% of respondents grapple with navigating regulated professions, while an additional 44.8% find themselves charting new career trajectories in unfamiliar industries. The report highlights the emotional toll of such changes, as many grapple with a loss of identity tied to their previous occupations. For these women, the level of job satisfaction varied with the ones reporting lower satisfaction also reporting a significant loss in self-esteem. The connection between their sense of identity and sense of self was closely tied to their occupational identity. The report also shows how making this decision before arriving in Canada as a result of one’s own choice leads to a stronger identification with their new career and are more likely to consider that a permanent change. Yet, amidst the challenges, there’s a sense of empowerment as these women forge new paths and redefine success on their own terms.

Recommendations for Empowerment

The report also offers actionable recommendations for empowering immigrant women. It calls for gender-sensitive support systems tailored to the unique needs of female immigrants, especially those with children. Integrating settlement, employment, and childcare services could streamline their integration into the workforce. It also emphasizes the importance of mental health support, particularly in the wake of the isolation experienced by remote workers.

In the stories of skilled immigrant women, we find narratives of resilience, determination, and self-discovery. Despite facing formidable barriers, these women exhibit unwavering courage and adaptability. As we reflect on their journeys, it is imperative not only to recognize their triumphs but also to amplify their voices and provide targeted support.

By empowering immigrant women, we enrich our communities, foster diversity, and propel collective progress towards a more inclusive society.

Download the report here

November 18, 2019 1 Comment

Myth busters: Is Canadian work experience necessary to find meaningful employment?

Two colleagues discussing presentation on computer at office

The lack of Canadian experience is one of the most common obstacles for newcomers as they pursue meaningful work in their new country. Many report that they continue to face this challenge even after two or more years of living in Canada. But, what does “lack of Canadian work experience” actually mean?

In this webinar:

Our panel of industry experts advise participants on job search strategies and discuss keys questions such as:

Do Canadian employers hire job seekers who are the right fit for the role regardless of the fact that they are newcomers?
Can survival jobs count as Canadian work experience?
Where does the law stand when it comes to employers asking about Canadian work experience?
How can internationally trained professionals demonstrate to Canadian employers that they have what it takes to fit in Canadian workplaces?

[Read more…]

November 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

How to standout in the Canadian Recruitment process

5 lightbulbs lined up in a row. One yellow on stands out from the rest

Moving to a new country can be both an exciting and challenging experience. For job seekers who recently immigrated to Canada, figuring out how to get to the top of the employer’s pile of job applications can be even harder. So, how does a newcomer standout in today’s competitive labour market?

In this webinar:

Dmitri Stupak, NA Talent Acquisition Programs Manager at IBM will share his views on:

Accessing the hidden job market
The importance of networking and how to meet potential industry contacts
Canadian resume & cover letters – what recruiters are looking for
The best way to handle the Interview process

[Read more…]

December 12, 2016 3 Comments

Success story: Mark found a job 3 days before arriving in Canada!

JVS Toronto’s Canada InfoNet program is designed to guide internationally trained professionals through the challenging aspects of the Canadian job market. Many Canada InfoNet participants find jobs in their field shortly after they arrive, and sometimes even before they have left their home country!

Mark is a Test Automation Engineer from Philippines who was able to secure a job offer in a similar position, 3 days before he arrived in Canada!

He believes a strong resume helped him find employment faster. He was able to build this resume with the help of personalized employment counseling, online learning modules and tools offered by the Canada InfoNet program.

We asked Mark to tell us how Canada InfoNet helped and to share some tips. This is what he had to say:

How has pre-arrival program helped ease your transition into Canada?
Canada InfoNet pre-arrival program has helped me gain better understanding of the Canadian job market.

What aspects of the program did you find particularly helpful?
Resume building is one of the best aspects of the program. Without it, I would not have been able to get a job because my earlier resume wasn’t tailored to the Canadian job market.

What did you think would be your biggest challenges before arriving in Canada?
Finding a job, a place to live in and other settlement things to do during the first few weeks of arriving were certainly things I worried about.

What do you feel about the challenges post arrival?
Good research and preparing well for these challenges helped us settle much faster.

What are the various strategies you used that helped you find your job?
I did 3 main things which helped me find employment:

Tailored my resume to suit the Canadian job market with help from Canada InfoNet program
Targeted jobs that match my skill set
Persistent in my job search

Any pre-arrival job search tips that you would like to share with other Canada InfoNet participants who are looking to immigrate to Canada soon?
Prepare early, tailor your resume to the Canadian job market and specific to the industry as well. Apply to jobs even if only one or two of your major skills match.

Would you recommend Canada InfoNet program to others, why?
Definitely! I feel that 70% of my success in landing a job before landing in Canada is because of the Canada InfoNet program. Remaining 30% is on individuals to research companies, look for jobs and prepare and perform well in interviews.

Has Mark’s story motivated you? Are you ready to enrol in the Canada InfoNet program? Register here!

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