Moving to Canada? Here’s advice from established professional immigrants
Moving to Canada? Here's advice from established professional immigrants
Moving to Canada is a big life decision. Along with the excitement of immigrating to a different country comes many challenges. Professional success including working in one’s target/desired industry is amongst the top concerns and focus areas for new immigrants. If you are immigrating to Canada, you are most likely researching and planning to prepare for employment. However, the employment journey isn’t always easy or predictable. In this blog post, we learn from mentors of Next Stop Canada, a reputed pre-arrival service, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and delivered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto.
These mentors have first-hand experience moving to Canada and are now working in their target industries. They share what they wish they had known about working and being professionally successful in Canada before their arrival. Check out their tips below!
Moving to Canada: Top Tips from Successful Immigrants and Mentors
Tip #1: Secure your savings
“Moving to a new country can be very challenging. Prior to my family’s arrival in Canada, we wish we had saved up enough funds to ensure that we had the luxury of looking for jobs at our own comfort and pace. Moving here without sufficient savings meant that we had to settle for jobs that were not in our preferred fields. Therefore, I would advise those immigrating to Canada to make sure that they have enough funds to support their life financially, as they look for jobs,” says Nabeel Jabbar.
Tip #2: Take care of your mental health
“I wish I knew that one in four people experience mental health-related challenges at some point in their lives and that it is okay to reach out for help when you are not feeling great. It is paramount to have a support network that helps you navigate the challenges that come with moving to a new country. Everyone who moves to Canada must make their mental health a top priority so that they can succeed when finding employment,” says David Mendoza.
Tip #3: Get your credentials assessed
“As an immigrant to Canada, I wish I knew that depending on the country of origin, completed or partially completed educational qualifications may be recognized by employers, colleges and universities. Therefore, it is important to get your credentials assessed ahead of time so that you can better prepare to work in Canada,” says Katia Hoyos.
Tip #4: Try out different industries
“Immigrants often come to Canada with work experience from many different countries. In some cases, newcomers may even work in multiple different countries before making a final move to Canada. Oftentimes, it is the preference of many immigrants to take up work in the same sector or industry. However, in Canada, one can explore their job search in multiple and/or diverse sectors. Sometimes newcomers believe that if they work for one employer that they cannot work for another. This is because, in many countries, it may be seen as rude, or as a betrayal of trust. Here in Canada, one can work any number of jobs and multiple types of jobs in their lifetime. One can even generate unique ideas from their hobbies and convert those into a profitable business,” says Sukhjit Singh.
Tip #5: Networking is key
“Before moving to Canada, it would have been advantageous for me if I knew the importance of professional networking. Networking is a powerful strategy that can help newcomers with job search. Start with your existing circle, then reach out to professionals working in your field. You can connect with other professionals using an online platform such as LinkedIn, and ask about the role requirements and ins and outs of the job. Expanding your network will equip you with valuable information that may lead to a successful job search,” says Tyson Dimayuga.
Tip #6: Consider starting your own business
“As a newcomer, I wish I had known that starting a business would be so rewarding. I have learnt a lot and expanded my knowledge and experience in ways that I could never have imagined. Don’t box yourself into a certain career path or direction. Canada has numerous opportunities and it is important to explore everything with an open mind. Whether you want to work, retrain, further your studies or start a business or non-profit, the choice is yours. If you are entrepreneurial, consider starting a business, it will help to grow the economy and create jobs,” says Trish Machiri.
No matter how well you prepare for work in Canada, there could still be bumps along the way.
That’s why it is important to foresee potential issues and how you may over overcome them. Guidance from a mentor can make all the difference here.
This article is sponsored by Next Stop Canada. If you’re looking to connect with professionals in your field and gain valuable advice, register at www.nextstopcanada.ca. Its mentors will help you with your preparations using their first-hand experience and expertise working in Canada.
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