One of the first things you will be looking for in Canada is a job, and as many newcomers to the country will tell you, finding a job in itself is a full-time job. That being said, once you’ve landed an interview in your chosen field, you must know how to negotiate your salary as a newcomer to Canada. In this article, we share tips.
Understand the labour market in Canada
“Nobody teaches you, when you go into the workplace, how to negotiate, and most of us do not even negotiate, because there’s rarely a salary range in job postings, and no transparency in some industries. When newcomers come in, they have zero knowledge of salary ranges and where to begin,” says Sweta Regmi, a certified career strategist and personal branding consultant.
“This is where I think the research comes in. Outline what you want, the negotiables, and the non-negotiables [instead of just quoting a higher figure]. Start from right when you see the job descriptions, reporting lines, what kind of job you’re targeting…all the information you need comes from the job descriptions and company culture,” adds Sweta. She, however, warns that not all companies welcome negotiations.
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Masha Tarhini, who is executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer at TriOS College, is herself an immigrant and advises job seekers not to shy away from sharing their experiences and who they are.
For newcomers, Canada might feel like a different world altogether, but it’s a combination of all our cultures together, so “don’t be afraid of telling employers this is who I am, and this is what I have to offer, and I’d love to work with you. Just give me a chance,” says Masha.
“Sometimes, they would know and appreciate that, like where I’m working right now. They appreciate international people, and they know that we think outside the box. But it is a matter of self-confidence that when we go for an interview, we give them what we have.”
Back up negotiation efforts with self-advocacy and excitement
Besides confidence, you’re expected to practice self-advocacy in Canada, shares career strategy and interview coach Clark Glassford.
It is a key element in how to negotiate your salary, but many newcomers come from backgrounds where modesty is key. So, he advises: “When it comes down to communicating [your value] and making that ask for negotiation, it’s always to err on the side of professionalism, using ‘I’ instead of ‘the team’.”
If you’re starting that negotiation, first “let the employer or HR know that you’re thrilled about this opportunity, you’re thrilled about working with this organization as an employer,” adds Clark. “That’s what I want to hear. I want to know that you’re passionate about working for me, and then start getting into why you’re making the ask that you’re asking in terms of that negotiation and backing that up with facts, not just feeling. “
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Back up your efforts to negotiate your salary with facts about your background in terms of what you bring to the role that you’ve applied for, and bring to their attention salary ranges in your industry based on your research.
End your statement with a reiteration of your excitement about joining the company and a closing statement grounded in professionalism: “I hope there’s some room to negotiate here, and I am eagerly waiting to hear back,” concludes Clark.
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