Infocentre

Orientation

In this part, we deal with four crucial areas: Orientation, Assessments, Certifications and Volunteering.

Orientation

The core to orienting yourself in a job search in Canada is learning the specific environment in which you are looking for a job. There are three crucial areas that you must learn and understand: the cultural conventions that operate in Canada or "how we do things here", the specialized language of your particular work area, and how to network.

Much of this information can be gained through specific programs offered by service providing organizations in your area and also through volunteer activities.

Assessments

There are two key elements to an assessment. The first is figuring out exactly what your skills are worth in the Canadian job market (i.e. your Labour Market Value). There is little value in trying to find a job in an area which has little or no demand. The second key element is figuring which of your skills or competencies are transferable or, in other words, what abilities do you have that can move from one work setting to another.

In many cases, the best way to figure out both your labour market value and what competencies are transferable is to work with an employment counsellor who understands the local labour market.

Certifications

Many trades and most professions are restricted in Canada and, in order to practice them, you must have your credentials recognized by the governing body of your trade or profession. In all cases, this will require that you have solid documentation for your credentials. Even in situations where a specific trade or profession is not regulated, it is a good idea to have solid documentation to show employers.

Volunteering

The term "volunteering" refers to working for an organization for no monetary remuneration (i.e. you don't get paid). While this may sound as if it is exploitation, volunteering is one of the best ways to learn Canadian culture, build a solid network, and gain Canadian experience in your particular area.

While you will not be allowed to work as a volunteer in any restricted trade or profession, you can still gain all of the other benefits of volunteering (i.e. learning the culture and building up a network). In some cases, volunteer work may lead to a job, but this is not common so you should not count on it.

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