We encourage you to ask for help from any Immigrant Settlement Agency . OCISO in partnership with World Skills has a Job Search Program. We also have an Employment Mentoring Program for internationally trained professionals.
For employment you will need a Social Insurance Card (SIN). You may also require any of the following documents:
• Résumé
• Educational diplomas, degrees and certificates
• Trade or professional certifications, qualifications
• Letters of recommendation
• Birth certificate or passport
• Driver’s licence
• Permanent resident card or confirmation of permanent residence
In Canada, most people work at full-time or parttime jobs to support themselves and their families. At first, you may find it difficult to get work that matches your skills. It may also be difficult to find a job that pays as much as you want until you get Canadian work experience. Your qualifications may not be accepted in Canada until you have Canadian documents or training. Speaking English or French (or both) is essential.
Résumés or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
When you apply for a job, most employers will ask you for your résumé. A résumé is a description of your experience and qualifications and other information about yourself. If you don’t know how to prepare a résumé, you can get help from an Immigrant Settlement Agency.
Regulated Occupations
In Canada, some professions and trades are regulated in order to protect public health and safety. Examples of regulated occupations are: doctors, nurses, engineers, electricians and teachers. If you practiced a profession or trade in your country of origin and want to continue working in this profession in Canada, you will need to get a license from the appropriate regulatory body. You may need to upgrade or adjust your skills to meet Canadian requirements.
Having Your Academic Credentials Assessed
An employer or educational institution may ask you to prove that your credentials are equivalent to Canadian standards. Having your academic credentials assessed shows how qualifications acquired in your country of origin compare to Canadian qualifications. This may help you to better understand the Canadian educational system and assist you with your job search. It may also help you to earn credit towards a degree in Canada by proving that you have already taken similar courses in your country of origin.
Having a credential assessment does not guarantee that you will be issued a licence to practise by a regulatory body, or that credentials earned in another country will be accepted by an employer or educational institution. You will have to pay a fee for your credential assessment.
You may wish to visit the following website:
World Education Services – Canada
http://www.wes.org/ca
Ottawa Employment Centre - English and French (Bilingual)
Employment Centres have information about available jobs, acces to the internet for job searches, computers to complete your resume, photocopiers and fax machines. They can also help you prepare your resume and cover letter. These services are free.
WEST
100 Constellation Crescent
2nd Floor
Phone: (613) 560-0625
Fax: (613) 828-9536
EAST
2339 Ogilvie Road
1st Floor
Phone: (613) 560-0626 ext 34322
Fax: (613) 744-2320
CENTRAL
370 Catherine Street
Suite 100
Phone: (613) 230- 4440
Fax: (613) 236-1891
SOUTH
2020 Walkley Road (at Conroy)
1st Floor East
Phone: (613) 560-0624 ext 15041
Fax: (613) 737-5578
Job Search Tips
• Contact any Immigrant Settlement Agency .
• Prepare your documents.
• Network – One of the best ways to find a job is to talk to people.
• Make as many contacts as possible.
• Get Canadian work experience, even if it is not in your trade, skill or profession.
• Work as a volunteer to get workplace experience.
• Look for as many jobs as you can, rather than waiting for a particular job to come up.
• Improve your job skills and Canadian credentials.
• Go to college or university to improve your skills or credentials.
• Take French or English language courses.
• Attend interviews and practise job interviewing.
• Some store and restaurants put “Help Wanted” signs in their windows.
• Look in the “Help Wanted” section of local newspapers.
• Look in the Yellow Pages of the telephone directory for companies or organizations that might need employees with your skills and experience.
• Sometimes community centres, supermarkets and other public places put advertisements on notice boards.
• Internet.
• Keep your hopes alive and look for support as you keep trying!
Your Rights
Federal and Provincial laws protect both workers and employers. These laws set minimum wage levels, hours of work and health and safety standards. They also ensure maternity leave and annual paid vacation as well as protect children who work.
Canada also has human rights laws that protect workers from unfair treatment by employers based on sex, age, race, religion or disability. In Canada, an employer must hire employees on the basis of their qualifications. For example, employers cannot refuse to hire you because they don’t like the color of your skin or your religion. This is discrimination. It is also discrimination if you are refused a job because of your age, sex, marital status, disability or sexual orientation.