There are several steps you can begin taking before immigrating to Canada. These steps will help your job search once you arrive in Canada and improve your entry into London Region’s labour market if this is your chosen destination.
- Identify a region in Canada where your skills are in demand.
- Practice and develop strong English language skills. Although Canada is a bilingual countr (French/English), the majority of jobs in London Region require English language skills. It is also important to know the English terminology that is specific to your occupation or industry sector.
- Gather and bring your educational degrees, diplomas and certifications.
- Gather letters of recommendation from former employers.
- If your documentation is in a language other than English, have it professionally translated.
- Have your international credentials evaluated by a service such as WES so that employers can better understand how your education compares to Canadian credentials.
- Develop a Canadian style resume.
- If you want to practice in a profession that is licensed in Ontario, contact Global Experience Ontario or the profession’s regulatory body to see what steps are required. Prepare what you can before immigrating to Canada as the licensure process can sometimes take several years.
- Research and consider related professions in your field and other opportunities to apply your previous skills and experiences. In other words, be ready to market your transferrable skills.
- Save extra finances for your first year in Canada as it will be difficult to find employment right away.
These are some of the steps you can take before even immigrating to Canada. For more tips on Getting Started, click here. Once you arrive in Canada, there are many organizations that are here to help you in your job search. Some of these services are profiled on the London-Middlesex Immigration Web Portal.