Expatriates moving to Canada will find that when looking for work in the country the chances are quite high. To find a job and be allowed to work you must apply for a work permit (permanent residency or temporary work permit). An employer who you have secured a job with may apply for this on your behalf. Individuals who wish to work in Canada should be fluent in English or French and if you are working in Quebec you will most likely be required to have good communication skills in French as well other qualifications.
You will also be required to have a Social Insurance number which can be applied for when you are in the country.
To find work in Canada, there are many things that can be done.
Employers can be contacted directly to ask if there are any positions available
- Look on job search websites
- Newspapers
- Job Fairs
- Employment agencies
A popular website used by Canadians is www.jobbank.gc.ca, this website is run by the government and has more than 2000 jobs posted daily allowing individuals to look through a list based on their area. To apply for jobs, you will need a CV and a cover letter which shows your qualifications and work experience as well as filling out a company’s application form.
Some other websites which are available
- Canada Jobs
- Monster
- Work O Polis
Expats will possibly be able to find jobs in real estate, financial services, IT and communication industries as all these have been growing throughout the years. The only drawback of working in Canada is that if you have moved from the UK or the US you may be on a lower wage and most of that salary will go towards taxes you are paying.
It is strongly recommended that expats should try and find a job in their home country before moving as it can be a time consuming process once in the country. Some of the positions in different provinces will want different skills and experience to those in the city centre.
Facts about working in Canada
Business Hours | The working hours in Canada are Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. Many people work overtime |
Business language | English is usually spoken but is useful to be able to speak some French |
Dress Code | Business dress is semi-formal but formal for important meetings and depending on where you work. |
Meetings | It is important to be prepared with facts, figures and documents over meetings. |
Time Keeping | Punctuality is important and in Canada it is rude to be late |
Social Insurance Number
Expats who are planning to work in Canada will be required to have a Security Insurance Number. This is usually needed by non-residents as well as Canadian residents to get jobs, to apply for tax refunds and also to receive any benefits.
To apply for a SIN you will be required to show an official document which proves your legal status and identity such as a passport. You can also contact your local service Canada centre. Individuals who earn money in the country will be expected to make contributions to the social security system and this is generally deducted from your salary each month and individuals who are self employed will need to do this when completing tax returns.
Opening your own business
Expats moving to Canada may want to open their own business from scratch. There will be legal implications involved so you must ensure you have the correct information and documents required. You will need to decide how your business is going to be run and if you want to own the business as a sole proprietor or if you want to have a partnership business.
Many others prefer to buy an existing business as this will reduce costs in advertising, there will already be a customer base and they won’t have the hassle in finding employees. Before taking ownership, you should ensure any debts and legal issues for previous owners have been cleared.
For advice on opening your own business as well as funding then you can contact your local government advisory service which is based in each province.