Employment in Canada

When in Canada do as Canadians do...

This is more evident in the work place. This is the one place where you will probably see the most differences.

Firstly, you will need your SIN (social insurance number) to be able to work in Canada. Your SIN number is now your identification. Revenue Canada, banks and other institutions will require this number from you; therefore you will need to apply for your SIN number as soon as you can. You should receive the application form in the information package you will receive from Immigration and Customs at the airport.

Secondly, it is very important that you find out whether your qualification is recognized in Canada. In most fields you will need to submit your qualifications and experience, to the relevant department in your chosen field, to see whether you will be able to step into your field here or if you will have to re-qualify by doing a conversion course or simply by writing an exam to get your Canadian equivalent. Don't get despondent if your qualifications require some extra work to be recognized in Canada, maybe now would be a good time for you to try something new!

The job search experience is also quite different here. Obviously, the more people you know the easier it will be for you. Send out as many resumes as possible and try to see the relevant person in each company. Do not expect to get a job right away, especially if you arrive in the summer time, because as we explained earlier - this is the time of year when most people take their annual vacation. When you start to go for interviews you will learn what Canadian Employers like to hear. It would not hurt to learn as much as you can about the company before your interview. Enjoy the whole experience and learn as much as you can.

You might have the opportunity to purchase your own job versus being employed! This certainly is an option; however you should look into it with the advice of a professional and be sure you understand all that is involved before you make any final decisions. A few new immigrants have been badly burnt because they did not investigate the risks and implications first.

Another area of self employment that seems to grab a lot of peoples' attention is franchising. If this is an area that interests you, you will need to do extensive research. There are a lot of scams in this type of business, so make sure you know exactly how they work and what your risks would be.

When looking into self employment, make sure you seek good advice.