Is it hard to get a job in Canada?

Are you planning to move to Canada? One of the things you’ll have to do here after getting here is to find a job. You might have some questions about the job market in Canada. So, is it hard to get a job in Canada?

Canada has an unemployment rate of 4.9%. Although it’s on a decline, getting a job here can be a little hard. You can make it easy for yourself by preparing your resume, networking, using the right resources, getting recommendations, preparing for interviews, and limiting your job search scope.

However, getting the job you want in Canada might take a while. In most cases, it ranges from some weeks to a few months. Here, we discuss whether getting a job in Canada is hard.

Job Statistics in Canada

There’s no place where getting a job is easy. Canada isn’t any different. While foreigners perceive what life in the country must be like, it’s rarely like that in reality. Getting a job in Canada isn’t easy for anyone in Canada. But it’s especially hard for new immigrants as most employers will prefer going for someone who has Canadian experience.

The current unemployment rate in the country is 4.9%, and it has been on the decline for a while now. However, that doesn’t mean it is easier to find a job. The working population here is around 20.6 million, and the average weekly wage is $1,170.

How To Get a Job in Canada?

Although getting a job in Canada might be a little difficult, it’s not impossible. Many job opportunities are available, and the competition is just intense. Here are ways to beat that competition:

1.  Prepare Your Resume

Before applying for jobs in Canada, ensure your resume is in order. If you’re new to Canada, you should know that there’s a format for Canadian resumes. Ensure that your resume follows that format. But it’s not just about the structure. There’s also the need to make your resume relevant to anything you apply for. So, tailor the achievements and qualifications you list in the resume to meet the job requirements.

You might not need to add a cover letter to the resume. But if you decide to, make sure that it’s one that’s well written. Most employers will usually use the resume as the first step for screening the applicants. So, a good resume will help you scale through the first stage, which can be the hardest sometimes.

2.  Have A Focus for Your Job Search?

When seeking jobs, it’s easy to want to apply for everything and hope something works out. This is especially possible if you’re new in the country or desperately need to get a job. But applying for everything might not be the best use of your time. There are a lot of platforms for job searching. Focus on the ones that have roles suitable for your qualifications.

Apply for the roles that best match your skills in the areas where you plan to work. Geographical factors can influence your job options. For example, there are more tech jobs in the big cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. On the other hand, oil and gas jobs are common in Alberta.

3.  Know Where to Look

There are many job search platforms in Canada and resources that will help make your job search a success. Popular job search platforms include Workopolis, Indeed, Eco Canada, Monster, and WorkInNonProfits.ca. There’s also the Canada Job Bank, the official government website for job listings. For those new to Canada, there are immigration resources to get started on their job search.

You can also get jobs through social media networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Recruiters post job listings and opportunities on these platforms. So you just have to curate your social media content appropriately to be able to see these offers. 

4.  Network

You can also pitch your skills and experiences on social media and connect with those in similar fields as you. While networking might sound like a cliche these days, it’s still important if you’re trying to get a job. Whether online or through physical meetups, ensuring you’re intentional about your networking is the most important thing. This means following up on those you connect with, looking for advertised networking, sending out cold emails, etc.

5.  Get Strong Recommendations and References 

A letter of recommendation from your past employer could do you a lot of good when applying for a new job. Although not every employer will consider this, hearing positive recommendations from those you’ve worked with in the past could be what gets you the job. That’s why it’s good to leave your former job on a good note. That way, you can easily count on giving your potential employer a good review of your time with them.

It helps if your recommendation or reference comes from a direct superior or manager. Someone who has experience supervising you will be able to give a better recommendation of your capabilities.

6.  Prepare For Interview

You might do everything right and still fail to get the job if your interview is terrible. So it’s important to prepare for interviews. Everything from your dressing to your communication should be excellent. Part of the preparations for the interview is to research the employer or interviewers if you know their names.

That’ll make it easy for you to ask relevant questions during the interview and provide appropriate answers. Interviews shouldn’t be about answering questions. It should be conversational. You can only engage in that conversation when you have enough information too.

How long does it take to find a job in Canada?

Getting a job in Canada is difficult, so it could take some time. The length of your job search will depend on several factors such as the time of the year, industry, location, flexibility, how long you’ve been unemployed, network, method of search, experience and qualification, etc. It generally takes a few months to get a job in Canada, but it might take longer for immigrants.

In Conclusion

Getting a job in Canada might be difficult, especially if you’re an immigrant. But you can do it if you follow the right process. There are always job openings, even if the competition is also intense. You just have to keep applying.