How do I look for a job in Canada?

You can look at job postings in the employment section of your local newspaper. You can also search online. Lots of people find jobs this way. While this is the easiest way of looking for a job, it is not always the most effective.

There are more helpful ways of looking for a job, especially for anyone who does not have a lot of Canadian experience.

For example, you can:

  • Network
  • Do information interviews
  • Make cold calls
  • Volunteer

Network

When you network, you talk to people you know and get to know new people. Networking can help you learn about an industry and the job market. By talking to others, you can find out about jobs that are coming up. You can even find out about jobs that are not advertised.

To make contact with people, you can:

  • Join a professional association for your occupation.
  • Join a conversation circle.
  • Get involved in your community.
  • Attend a job fair.
  • Use online social or professional networking websites.

Do Information Interviews

An information interview is an interview that you do to find out more information about a career, company or industry. It is not a job interview. The goal is to get information or advice that can help you achieve your career goals.

It is a great way to learn about Canadian work culture or a specific job.

Read more about information interviews.

Make Cold Calls

A cold call is a telephone call you make to a company to find out if there are any jobs available.

Find more information about cold calls, from the University of Ottawa.

Volunteer

Volunteering means working without pay. It is a great way to gain Canadian work experience. It is also an effective way of making new contacts and learning about jobs that are not advertised.

For More Information

  • Tips for the Hidden Job Market – Information about how to find jobs that are not advertised in traditional ways. From the Financial Post.
  • Job Bank Resources – A listing of the Job Bank tools that can help you find employment in Canada. From the Government of Canada.