Settling into Life in Canada

Joining the Canadian Workforce

Canada has a wide range of jobs, occupations and professions to offer. People can choose to work full time (normally five days or 35 to 40 hours a week), part time (perhaps two days a week or 20 hours), on contract (where there is a set amount of time in which a job is to be completed) or they can be self-employed and set their own hours and schedule.

To find a job, there are some basic steps newcomers should take.

Get a Social Insurance Number

All Canadian citizens, newcomers and temporary residents who want to work in Canada and have access to government programs need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) — a unique number that identifies each individual. Applying for a SIN is easy to do through Service Canada, but you’ll need some documentation, such as:

• Birth certificate
• Permanent Resident Card
• Work or study permit for temporary residents
• Supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or legal change-of-name document

You can apply in person or by mail (or by phone if you’re in New Brunswick).

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Transfer Your Credentials from Your Home Country

Professionals may want to have their home-country credentials or certification assessed to see how they compare with Canadian certification. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) can tell you what you need to do to have your credentials recognized in Canada, and refer you to the appropriate organization or institution.

The CICIC can also give you information on “regulated” occupations (those that are governed by a regulating body that sets entry, criteria and certification for a particular field) and “non-regulated” occupations (those that don’t have a regulating body). Approximately 80% of jobs in Canada fall into the non-regulated category.

In order to have your education and credentials rated, you will need a provincial assessment service. This assessment will tell you how your education compares with the standards in your province of residence.

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Upgrade Your Language Skills

Depending on where you live in Canada, being able to speak, read and write English or French may be essential to find a job. In some areas, such as Ottawa, having both languages is ideal — particularly for jobs with the government.

The Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) offers eligible adult immigrants (not just those looking for jobs) an opportunity to learn English or French for free. LINC can also direct you to education services in your community.

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Prepare Your Resume

When you apply for a job in Canada, most employers will expect to see your resume. This is a one-page or two-page summary of your work history, education and skills. Based on your resume, a prospective employer can decide whether to speak with you further about your suitability for the job.

Your resume should be truthful, accurate and as precise as possible. Apart from your name, address and phone number, do not include any personal information, and do not include a photograph of yourself. In Canada, it is illegal for a potential employer to base his or her decision on your race, gender, age, marital status, religion, sexual orientation or physical appearance. That decision must be based solely on your professional qualifications.

Include a cover letter with your resume to introduce yourself, tell a little about your background and explain why you should be considered for a position.

Service Canada’s Job Bank site has great information on how to write a resume and cover letter and how to find help. Click on “information for newcomers” on the left-hand navigation links.

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Search for Job Opportunities

There are a number of ways to find a job. You can ask your friends or family members for advice and/or if they have heard of any jobs in your area. You can look in your local newspaper’s classified ads or visit your local community group that specializes in helping newcomers.

More and more, Canadians are using the Internet to find career opportunities. Some use privately owned job-search websites (such as Workopolis).

Service Canada maintains Job Bank, with searchable databases listing job opportunities in different areas.

	Going to Canada — a Government of Canada site that includes valuable information on working in Canada, including labour market information and how to find a job.
	Citizenship and Immigration Canada — Fact Sheet: Finding a Job gives you more information about job-hunting.
	Service Canada — offers a wide range of information for all Canadians, including how to get a SIN and how to find a job.
	Payroll deductions — find out about typical payroll deductions and basic income tax information.

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