Some time ago I have received an e-mail from a reader “V”.
He is interested in immigrate to Canada and as most immigrants, he is looking for a job in Canada:
I’ve heard a lot about employers’ demand of Canadian experience. But I can hardly say that the most part of the immigrants that come to Canada have got it. And at this time they find their future jobs. Most likely the first job is low paid but helps to get Canadian experience. Anyway employers should give immigrants the chance like trial period.
Gean, as far as know, you didn’t have the Canadian experience and you found the job
Yeah, that’s right. If you’re accompanying my journey in Canada, you know that when I immigrated with my wife we came without jobs. Only with 4 luggages and an amount of money to re-start our life. So, how hard was it to find the first job in Canada?
First of all we need to keep in mind that this happened in 2003 and nowadays things have improved and maybe some of the things that I’ve done are different. Basically, I had some friends living in Toronto already and while I was waiting for my visa I always kept in touch with them. What they said to me is to look for CO-OP courses. Those types of courses are designed to help newcomers in Canada who did not find a job after their arrival. And that was my case:
- I came;
- I had experience in my country (that’s why I’ve received my visa to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker);
- I had my Resume written using a Canadian format;
- I had an account with Monster;
- I had an account with Workopolis;
However, I did not have confidence with my English skills. I thought I was speaking a fluently. I was…. in Brazil. Not here in Canada. In addition, I did not have Canadian experience. And how can I get Canadian experience without a job?
Enrolling in a CO-OP course! The co-op course help immigrants in Canada in a lot of ways. During the course you will:
- Learn about the Canadian culture and the job market;
- Practice your English/French skills;
- Build a network with other newcomers;
- Prepare yourself to go to the interviews;
- Be placed with a company in your field;
- Usually it is a volunteer job. You don’t get paid (at least I was not).
I went to the course every single day during almost 2 months. From 9am to 3:30pm. I was living in Toronto and the course was in Mississauga. I’ve got an interview in a company. The interviewer liked my Resume and offered me a volunteer position to redesign the company’s website. After the placement, the company offered me a contract position.
I was lucky to get a contract at the end of the placement. However, this does not happen for everyone. If that’s the case the company can give you a letter of reference. If they don’t, ask for one.
And what does this letter means? Means that you now have Canadian experience. The co-op course have done what they’re supposed to. It is now your job to apply what you have learned during the course. You know where to find jobs, your English/French skills are far more better, you know how to answer questions during the interview, you know how to prepare to interviews, you now have your Resume ready and you have the Canadian experience 
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{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Alexsandra 02.23.08 at 9:14 am
Hi Gean,
Very nice post. I am writing to say that it could be a subject in “Vou pro Canada” blog.
Alexsandra
vadim.nekhaj 02.24.08 at 10:42 am
Hi Gean!
This post is awesome! I really like it because it is what I wanted to hear. I like this idea with “CO-OP courses”. It’s pretty fair enough: to work for free for the first months and get some experience and then move on.
Thanks.
Gean Oliveira 02.25.08 at 9:46 am
Alexsandra: Thank you for your comment and I have posted before some articles about the subject. If you use the search option and type “co-op” you will see a lot of information. Even some courses that I recommend.
Vadim: Yes, it is. However I should advise you that some colleagues did not even get a placement during our course. It really depends the area that you’re planning to work in Canada. For us, IT, I think that it is easy than another profession such as engineers - unfortunately.
Marcela 03.06.08 at 9:00 am
Oi Gean td bem???????
Quero saber sobre o mercado de trabalho dando aulas de yoga, vc conhece algum site que eu possa pesquisar cursos etc.
O pessoal se importa aí com essas coisas??
Quero agradecer também as dicas que você tem dado, pois eu e meu namorado vamos praí ano que vem, lá pra maio, estamos aguardando o nosso pedido de imigração.
Obrigada mesmo!!!!!!
Gean Oliveira 03.11.08 at 11:42 pm
Marcela, eu sugiro que você visite o YMCA. E sim, o pessoal se importa bastante com tudo isso. Visita http://www.ymcatoronto.org
Miriam 04.01.08 at 3:53 pm
My parents immigrated to Canada as engineers, and had to start working their way up by taking minimum wage factory jobs. That is why I started a personal coaching business, helping people write excellent resumes, cover letters, and do interviews that are appropriate for Canada. My rates are very competitive…I work full time as a Senior Human Resources Specialist and I know what companies are looking for. If you are interested in polishing your resume and cover letter, or getting some personal coaching about interviewing, feel free to contact me
jason stewart 11.05.08 at 1:00 pm
my girlfriend and i are currently looking for work in canada but we dont know how to go about this.she is a qualified hair stylist and i am almost finished with my studies.(electrical engineering)heavy current.we do have work experience in our fields as well.
Gol 11.05.08 at 8:59 pm
I am seeking employment in the field of Management and Marketing. I have the skills and the qualifications, with 10years experience.
SUMMARY
Organizational Manger with extensive experience, in creating and leveraging focused workforces, teams and healthy work environments resulting in positive growth within organizations. Known for integrity, ethics and building long term business relationships, developing both local and international accounts. Adept at identifying talent resources and building the profile and credibility of organizations. Other strengths include:
• Over ten years extensive international business marketing experience
• Excellent literacy skills both written and oral presentation
• Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, Amos, Photoshop
• Multi tasking and resourceful
• University Degree in Management and Marketing (New Zealand)
Please call me or e-mail me for further information.
Gol Khadem
225 Goulburn Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 8E5
Phone: (613) 564 0259 Email: gkhadem@hotmail.com
Gean Oliveira 11.11.08 at 12:08 am
Jason: Where are you living now? Have you seen the post where should I look for jobs in Canada?
Tetyana 11.14.08 at 2:28 pm
Hi Gean,
I have completed the Co-0p Program from adult school and wasn’t lucky to get job. I worked in the small Accounting office as Accounting Clerk. This company didn’t hire the new employee, it just looked the help at busy time.
Do you know another program to get Canadian work experience? I don’t want to enroll the same program twice.
Thanks!
Gean Oliveira 11.14.08 at 3:05 pm
Tetyana, I am not sure about your program specifically. You should check with your counselor. I was lucky enough to get a contract after my placement was completed. For some friends of mine, they did not receive an offer as well. However, they’ve received all the information that they need to find a job themselves (again, I don’t know what your course offers). They know where to look for a job, they know how to prepare resumes, cover letters, cold calls - I mean, everything involved and needed to find a job.
In the meantime, of course you can try other options such as:
Career Bridge
Career Foundation
Costi
International Accounting and Finance Professionals
And you can also volunteer, right? Where are you living now?