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You’re new to the country. You have high expectations of what your successful experience back home can bring you in terms of a new job and career in Canada. You want to get working quickly and show how your skills can help Canadian companies.

If you’re like many new Canadians, you may find that the road is not as easy as you might have thought. You may find resistance by employers to give you a chance because of a no “Canadian experience”, a lack of understanding of how your skills abroad can help them or not getting an interview for a position that your skills are perfectly matched for. This is a problem that is sometimes difficult to overcome.

! Post Your Resume On-Line !
Posting your resume on a website like TorontoJobs.ca increases your chances of being found by recruiters. Recruiters search resume databases by keyword, skills and location and will contact you directly if they feel that your experience can match the position that they’re looking to fill.

! Take a position in your field !
This is one of the most difficult suggestions that New Canadians like to hear. However, we’ve seen many people rise in companies over the years because they were initially humble enough to take something less than what they were qualified for. Some see this as a sign of weakness; however, there are many advantages to doing so, including getting Canadian experience quickly, networking with others, showing what you can do and avoiding having your resume show a time gap in your resume between jobs. Many New Canadians have “stuck to their guns” waiting for a perfect job, only to be disappointed that they can’t get an equivalent job and then ultimately taking something that is not even related to their field because they became desperate.Work with a Recruiting Firm

Recruiting firms can help in your job search, but don’t rely exclusively on them. They may be able to help you, but it would probably be something along the lines of something you are overqualified for or perhaps something temporary. However, it’s good to include recruiters in your network as they may be aware of opportunities that are sometimes not advertised.

! Join Associations !
You’d be surprised at how many associations there are in Toronto. Join or volunteer with a local chapter. There are associations and chapters for almost every area of expertise. Do a Google search and contact those associations and indicate your interest. Typically, volunteers are always needed at associations and this is a great way of networking. Don’t be afraid to contact them.

! Get a Mentor !
There are some government programs that can match you up with a mentor. Contact the government for information or ask someone you know to be your mentor to give you guidance in your search.

! Ask for Informational Interviews !
Contact company contacts in your area of expertise to see if they will give you information on how to help in your job search. When you contact them, don’t ask for an “interview” for a job, but rather that you’re looking for information on ways they would suggest to help you find a job.

! Go to Career Fairs !
There are many career fairs in Toronto, including the New Canadian Job Fair held three times a year (see www.nastrategyinstitute.com for details). Going to a career fair can be very informative to help you in your job search, but don’t expect that you will get a job directly at the fair. Bring many resumes and follow-up with employers if you can.

! Upgrade your skills/education !
There are many schools, colleges and other educational institutions that offer courses to upgrade your skills and/or knowledge on Canadian practices. Taking a course, even if it is a night school course, can help you improve your chances in your job search.

! Get Your International Credentials Evaluated !
Getting your international credentials evaluated to determine your equivalent standing in Canada can be very useful. At minimum you will find out how your background equates to Canadian standards and will give you an idea of where you might need to take courses to supplement your education. Contact World Education Services (www.wes.org) for more information.

! Take a Temporary Position !
Similar to the advantages of taking a position that you are overqualified for as described above, this option can get you some valuable experience and earn money to pay for on-going bills. Employers and recruiters will generally be more helpful to you if you start by saying you’re willing to do anything right from the start, even if it is temporary.

! Follow-up !
If an employer grants you an interview, follow-up with a thank you note and touch base periodically with them to see if any opportunities have come up, even if you didn’t get the original position you applied to.
Reward yourself when you have accomplishments in your job search, even if they’re small. Don’t get discouraged; maintain a positive attitude. It can be a tough road, but if you follow some or all of the suggestions above you will certainly hear about opportunities. It has been written that as baby boomers retire in Canada that company will need to tap into the New Canadian labor pool to offset the upcoming labor shortage. Some companies are already aware of this trend and are being proactive to find New Canadians to fill those vacancies now.

TorontoJobs.ca.