How to Get Your Dream Job in Canada
How to get your dream job in Canada in 2023 is no longer as daunting as it was in 2021, however, many are still unaware of the exciting opportunities that are already opening around. Presently, finding your dream job in Canada, or anywhere else, may seem almost impossible, nevertheless, this doesn’t have to be.
Many great jobs are available in Canada for immigrants, with or without work permits. In line with Canada’s massive new immigration target for the next three years, making your way to the vast and beautiful country of Canada to begin your dream job and a new life will be as easy as possible.
Notwithstanding the pandemic, Canada intends to invite more than 1.2 million skilled foreign workers to join its communities through several federal and provincial immigration programs and visas.
What Job Opportunities are in Canada
Thousands of jobs with great benefits and opportunities both within and outside of the office are available in Canada, therefore, finding these job opportunities may be easier than you think. Nonetheless, which economic sectors offer the most job opportunities in Canada?
1. Agriculture
Top of the list is Agriculture. Canada has a rich and astounding agricultural sector, the sector produces mainly wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, rice, and sugar beets.
The agricultural sector employs more than 2.3 million people nationwide and boasts the highest job vacancy rate of 5.4 percent, as thousands of jobs go unfilled every year. This sector has several opportunities which include:
- Truck Drivers
- Harvesting Laborers
- Nursery and Greenhouse workers
- Supervisors and Farm Managers
These are only some of the jobs in the sector, which are in demand.
2. Tech
The tech sector in Canada has been thriving long before the pandemic struck. It is estimated that 34% of scientific research and development professionals are immigrants.
Even more, some provinces like British Columbia and Ontario both have drawn particularly created towards assisting skilled IT professionals to acquire permanent residency and immigrate to Canada successfully. Some of the most in-demand jobs in Canada’s tech sector includes the following:
- Developers and web designers
- Computer and information systems managers
- Information systems analysts and consultants
- Software engineers and designers
3. Hospitality
Despite the industry taking quite some hit due to COVID19 travel restrictions, the hospitality sector in Canada, however, is still one of the fastest-growing industries.
It currently employs over 1.2 million people. This means one in every twelve Canadians works in hospitality. Some of the most in-demand jobs in the industry include:
- Front desk clerks
- Chefs and cooks
- Light duty cleaners & Housekeepers
- Food and beverage servers
4. Medical
As a result of the pandemic, it is no longer news that medical practitioners make the list of the most in-demand jobs in Canada, this has been the case in Canada however, long before 2019.
According to jobbank.gc.ca, the job projection for the next 9 years is so promising, and it is projected that more than 50% of new job creation will surface as a result of expansion in the medical sector. Below are a few of the most in-demand positions in the medical sector in Canada.
- Physicians
- Dentists
- Registered and Licensed nurses
- Nurse aides, Orderlies, and Patient Service Associates.
5. Manufacturing & Production
There are greater chances that you’ll be able to find a job in Canada if you are quite skilled and experienced in the manufacturing and production sector. 22% of Canada’s manufacturing and production takes place in four western Canadian provinces. These are:
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan.
These provinces predominantly produce wood products, metalwork, and food. Some of the most in-demand jobs in the manufacturing and production sectors are listed below:
- Supervisors
- Machine Operators
- Industrial butchers
- Fish plant workers
Job Opportunities for Young Canadians
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program is a valuable opportunity for young Canadians between the ages of 18-30 years old, hoping to improve their skills in specific sectors; in the non-profit, small business, and public sectors.
The Canadian Government recently announced an increase in job creation with over 50%, from 80,000 jobs last year to 120,000 jobs in 2023.
Working Holiday Visa (WHV) Jobs
Working Holiday Visa In Canada is a very popular immigration visa program for young travelers in search of gaining work experience, in addition to exploring the finest that Canada has to offer.
Applicants between the ages of 18-35 years old who are nationals from any of the over 30 participating countries could have the opportunity of a lifetime to work while traveling in Canada for between 1 – 2 years depending on his/her nationality.
WHV program has three main categories, these are:
- Working Holiday Program
- Young Professionals Program
- International Co-op Internship Program.
Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) Jobs
Post Graduate Work Permit is an ideal immigration choice for international students who have obtained their Canadian qualification at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and therefore, desire to stay back and work in Canada.
The beautiful thing about the PGWP is that not only will it avail you the opportunity to live and work in Canada, addition, but you would also gain enough valuable Canadian work experience, thereby, increasing your chances of gaining permanent residency through programs such as; the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Which Visa or Immigration Options are Available to Work in Canada?
There are more than 100 immigration and visa options to choose from in Canada. However, finding the appropriate one specifically fit for you and your goals is really no that easy.
Below is a list to assist you to make the best decision, and ensure that you get the best possible chances of beginning your new career in Canada.
Job-Specific Visas and Immigration Programs
Certain immigration programs require you to have a job offer in Canada to be eligible. Some of these programs include:
- Home Provider and Caregiver Pilots programs
- Agri-food Pilot programs
- Other Provincial Programs eg. Physician stream (Nova Scotia) or Tech Draws under Ontario and British Columbia PNPs.
Province-Specific Visas and Immigration Programs
Similarly, there are other immigration programs, which are either province, territory, or community-specific, this implies that your visa will be limited to a specific region in Canada. These include programs like:
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot program
- The Atlantic Immigration Pilot program
- 11 Provincial and Nominee Programs.
Non-Specific Visas and Immigration Programs
There are also numerous non-specific visa and immigration program options, amongst these is the popular Express Entry system. The Express Entry is Canada’s premier route to permanent residency, it encompasses three economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- The Federal Skilled Trade Program
- The Canada Experience Class
Through these programs, skilled workers of all levels get the opportunity to apply for permanent residency and consequently settle anywhere in Canada.
Top 7 Tips to Land a Job in Canada
1. Polish Your Resume
This is essentially your first impression, thus, it is very important to ensure you put your best foot forward. Your resume should typically be:
- Maximum 2 – 3 pages long
- Contain only relevant information
- Tailored to the job you are applying for
- Have only contactable recent references
- Demonstrate your career brand i.e. showcase your skills, expertise, and passion.
2. Narrow Your Search
There are basically thousands of jobs online. Thus, where do you start from when trying to narrow down your search? Nevertheless, when it comes to looking for a job in Canada, the best place to start is by asking yourself a few significant questions, like:
- Where are my skills or job in demand in Canada?
- Which province or city fits my needs and affordability?
- Does this province offer immigration and visa options that meet my requirements?
Note, it is also very important to be Selective.
3. Get Endorsed
Ensure to get a LinkedIn profile, if you don’t already have one. The 2018 Recruiter Nation survey, reveals that 77% of recruiters use Linkedln regularly to search for new applicants, this is closely followed by Facebook at 63% while Instagram is next at 25%.
The use of social networks for applicants search has seen a progressive increase in popularity, particularly amongst millennial recruiters at (35%) and tech companies at (63%).
One of the most important features of a social platform like LinkedIn is that it permits other people in your network to endorse your skills, therefore, adding strength to your resume, which basically serves as recommendations.
4. Get Accredited
In searching for jobs in Canada, a necessary requirement for visa applications under most immigration programs is that your qualifications are accredited. This is required as proof that the education you have received is of the same standard as that of Canada.
5. Start Networking
Upon having an online presence, through your resume or profile, the next thing to do is to start networking.
Find and connect with people who work in your industry, follow companies that you are interested in working for on social platforms, or if the chance arises network in person if possible.
A very important thing is to begin talking to people, you never know who could connect you to a potential employer in Canada.
6. Use Online Tools
Several online tools that can help you in your job search abroad are available. Already in Canada or outside, online tools can help increase your reach to being discovered by recruiters.
Get in touch with companies and hiring managers, attend job fairs, extend your search to social media, you could also use professional recruiting firms, engage search engines like Workopolis or job boards like eJobbo, pay visits to company websites, and so on.
7. Use Job Boards
Job boards are important online tools that increase your reach in your job search. Most companies do have their own job boards on their company websites. However, several other channels are available that can be explored, like:
- Indeed
- Jobbank.gc.ac (Canadian government website)
- Glassdoor
- eJobbo
- Randstad.ca
FAQ’s About How to Get Your Dream Job in Canada
Notwithstanding that there are some immigration and visa programs, which require a work permit to legally live and work in Canada. Nevertheless, not all of them do.
The immigration programs which do not require that you have a work permit are those which allow foreign immigrants who are eligible for permanent residency through programs such as:
- Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Atlantic Immigration Program