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There’s no magic wand available to achieve your goals and create the life you know you want to live. However, there is a powerful process you can follow to turn your vision into reality.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
Linda Ryan works closely with newcomers who are eager to continue their careers in Canada. In conversation with her, she discusses common obstacles people face when creating a vision for their business, career, or life. So whether you’re moving to Canada and starting a new career, or navigating any change, here are Ryan’s three tips to help you achieve your goals in life, create your reality, and act on your dreams.
The brain is a funny thing. It’s a data processor and as such, likes nothing more than having something to focus on. As the old saying goes; “garbage in = garbage out”! So be honest with yourself about how you’re feeling right now. If the answer is ‘negative’, why not make a conscious choice to think positively about your future?
Although you may not know exactly what the future looks like, choose to create a positive mindset around it and choose to put positive action towards it. Like all habit-forming, your new behaviour will take multiple tries (and fails) to become your new norm. But you know what? I think you’re worth it. Do you?
I work with many clients who know they’re not living their dream and I find that nine times out of ten their biggest obstacle is they are afraid to admit it. Unfortunately, in choosing to deny the existence of your fear (which by the way is a natural survival reaction designed to keep you safe), you are actively choosing to remain stuck. And if you choose to hold yourself back-guess what? You ain’t ever gonna get there! So whatever your goal in life, dream big, and take the necessary steps to get there.
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This is often the question that evokes the strongest reactions in my clients. I’ve seen everything from disbelief, disdain and even disengagement. Great! That’s the reaction I want to see in a client because if that’s what they feel about being asked the question, imagine what they feel about the focus of the question-their vision, their ideal life, and their ability to create it! So we get to working on their ‘best life’ by posing the question again, not as a judgement but as a challenge.
I challenge you to think, act and be like a child when pondering your best life. Visualize your perfect life by allowing yourself the luxury of describing your perfect day. Write it, sketch it, better still, collect pictures from magazines and stick ’em to a sheet.
Having fun creating your story, fuels your desire to make it a reality. Clients who truly allow themselves to go there, elevate their thinking and energy to a child-like level where anything is possible. And guess what? When you allow yourself to even remotely believe anything is possible, you create a new set of emotions, actions and norms that will actually get you there.
So what are you waiting for?
Go have fun with your dreams and goals in life. If you don’t, no one else will!
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
Newcomers to Canada often ask this burning question “how long will it take to get a job?” However, a better question might be “how can I reach my career goals?” By asking this question, it allows you to focus on what you truly love to do and help you to achieve your long-term career goals.
Linda Ryan is the Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services), BCCA. Prepare for Canada (PFC) spoke to Ryan to get her valuable insights about how you can commit to your long-term career goals by not applying for jobs. Sound odd? Find out about a smarter approach to achieving career success and the advice that Ryan provides to newcomers.
BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, is a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). The BCCA-IN team specialises in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
Forget about applying for the job and instead commit to building your long term career!
Linda Ryan
I tell them to forget about applying for the job and instead commit to building their long-term career. And in that one sentence, I manage to dash hopes and yet plant a seed for success. My comment is perplexing until I follow it up with these questions, “what’s your dream job?” or “what’s the career you’d truly love?” Let’s face it, the last time you’ve been asked those questions was when you were a kid, everything was possible, and money didn’t matter.
Well, for immigrants preparing to arrive in a new country, it’s nice to bask in the warm glow of the “I’m in” feeling. This is common, especially after receiving a confirmation letter from the government. However, it can quickly dissipate when the cold reality of “oh crap, how can I afford this?” sets in. So, the best advice I give to clients is to prepare yourself (from both a time and money perspective) for it to take up to six months to find the work you truly love to do.
Hold true to your dream job but be realistic and take small steps to get there.
Linda Ryan
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The worst thing you can do as a newcomer is to accept ‘survival jobs’ too early to earn some cash. Yes, it’s tempting and practical but it can kill your career. This is because it’s so far from your profession that you’ll never be able to use it as a ‘Canadian experience’ reference. Or because it pays so little that you’ll have no spare time and energy to devote to:
Another common mistake is to assume that your out-of-country or in-country experience in a different discipline or industry equates to a role you’re fooling yourself into applying for. I always tell clients to aim for the moon and if you fall you’ll hit a few stars along the way! What I mean is, hold true to your dream job but be realistic and take small steps to get there.
Don’t kid yourself into thinking you can shoehorn your project management experience for financial services companies into project management for construction companies. Or fool yourself that 10 years of engineering in another country will be accepted at face value for 10 years of engineering in Canada. It won’t! While the fundamentals are the same; the industries, credentials, processes, codes, and laws can be very different. Until you have a few years of Canadian experience under your belt, your expertise or seniority will not be considered like-for-like.
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I offer three smart and easy steps to take to ensure you land a career-building role faster:
Invest more time in researching roles, duties, companies and less time applying. Don’t adopt the ‘spray and pray’ approach by firing off your resume. Decide that you are a 100% fit for the role (i.e. you could do the job with your eyes closed). Also ensure that the company is a match for you and that you tick the practical boxes (i.e. realistic commute, salary, hours etc.). Do this before you edit your resume.
Take the time to read the job description and critically assess your entire education and career (not just your existing resume), so that you are confident you can demonstrate you are the obvious best match for the role.
Yes, it requires you to park your ego and take a few steps back to get in the door, be employed in a role aligned with your career goals, and earning while learning. So, before you spend time editing your resume or drafting a cover letter ask yourself: Is this role a solid stepping stone for my long-term career goals? Will the role give me opportunities to expand my network, credentials, job prospects in the field I’m interested in? How can I express these goals in my cover letter to test if a potential employer is open to supporting me on my career journey?
Then and only then are you ready to apply for the job.
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
Networking is a crucial way to research and learn about your profession in Canada. And asking the right networking interview questions can help you to make professional contacts, speed up your job search, and grow your career. Another key to successful networking is being authentic.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to networking, Ryan provides great insights and advice to newcomers on the importance of authenticity. Read more to learn why networking is important, how to create a network, and how to network while being yourself.
Networking is all about building rapport and rapport is all about being authentic.
Linda Ryan
Networking provides a chance for newcomers to connect with others from a range of professions. It’s also a vital way to achieve career success in Canada. When networking with a goal to build a genuine relationship, it can help you to:
And when you connect to ask networking interview questions you’ll gain helpful information about:
And as Ryan points out, you’ll achieve success when instead of ‘trying’ to network, you commit to building a genuine relationship by being curious, present, and authentic. In doing so, you’ll benefit by learning from their career experiences.
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Prepare for Canada asked Ryan for her best networking tips. Here’s what she had to offer about being genuine, authentic, and present:
You’ve heard it before, and it’s true, first impressions count! Ryan advises against entering a room with a “me, me, me” agenda. “Even if it’s only in your head, you’ll inadvertently push people away. They may not be able to put their finger on it, but on a primal level, they’ll sense an ulterior motive. As a result, they subconsciously see you as a threat and quickly and quietly move towards the exit or a less threatening professional animal!”
Another one of her favourite truths, you can’t fake it ’till you make it’ especially with a smile! As she explains, it’s all to do with muscles, tendons and exposure of the teeth. “You actually engage a different set of muscles to force a smile. So, your best efforts to force a smile (even if well-intentioned) are more like getting ready to bite. And guess what this does? It triggers another subconscious fight or flight instinct in your ‘prey’. I mean peer network!”
Ryan explains that this pearl of wisdom was shared with her early. “It was like the heavens opened and the light shone for the first time. I always felt uncomfortable with my approach to networking, but I never knew that simple lever to pull. As a result, I got stuck every time when trying to create a meaningful networking connection.”
When you’re waiting to talk, you’re in your own head (so people feel unheard). If you’re waiting to talk, you’re not truly listening to what the other person is saying. Instead, you’re trying to find something intelligent or insightful to broadcast (so people feel undervalued). And, if you’re waiting to talk, you’re not allowing yourself to experience the human connection (subtle body language, energy, pitch/pace/tone of voice) that’s possible.
Networking is about connecting with people who have similar interests. And a key element of your network is to provide mutual help and support. Strong networking skills can help you to find a job. As well, these skills will also help you to achieve success in the workplace after you land a job. So building and nurturing your network contacts is an essential part of your career success!
An important benefit of networking is that it can help you learn about jobs that are not yet advertised, also called the “hidden job market”.
To understand the hidden job market think of it as an iceberg. The top of the iceberg represents the visible job market or jobs that are widely advertised. The bottom part of the iceberg represents the hidden job market. This is where you can learn about jobs that are currently only posted internally.
When a company advertises a job externally, it’s common for employers to receive hundreds of applications for one position. And that means more competition for you. So networking is a helpful way to access the internal hiring process.
Building a wide network of contacts is key to accessing the hidden job market. A helpful way to create a network is to make a list of people who can help you. This can include:
You can also identify contacts from:
When networking it’s good to start with who you know. However, that can be hard if you recently arrived and know very few people. So connecting with professional associations can be a great place to build your network and meet new people!
If you’re not used to networking for business purposes, it can feel uncomfortable. But, remember that other people want to help you to succeed in Canada. And one day, you’ll be in the same position when you can help others arriving in Canada.
You’ll become more comfortable when you ask the right networking interview questions. These networking questions are thoughtful and lead to useful information to conduct your job search. And by asking thoughtful questions you’ll leave people with a good and lasting impression. And like Ryan stated, “first impressions count”.
You’ll likely have your own questions that you would like to ask. And here are some other questions that you can add:
Listen actively to their responses and probe for more information with related networking interview questions.
Networking is a great way to propel your job search. But it’s also important to maintain and nurture your relationship. A strong relationship based on mutual support will go a long way to advance your career. These tips can develop and enhance your networking skills.
Building relationships with other professionals is important when networking. And asking thoughtful networking interview questions can help you build rapport and reach your career goals.
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
When immigrating to Canada, newcomers often consider a career change. Especially when uprooting yourself from everything you know and love and arriving in a land with new people, cultures and possibilities. While reinventing your life, why not also reinvent your career? Marine-based industries can be a career change to consider in Canada.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to job searching in Canada, Ryan works closely with newcomers who are eager to continue their careers in Canada. Ryan also provides ideas on alternative careers and companies that are hiring across Canada. In this article, we asked her about interesting roles that newcomers could consider in the marine industry.
I could dedicate an entire article to the pros and cons of a complete career change. I’ve successfully done it myself and regularly help clients take small steps to morph themselves into something else.
Linda Ryan
Ryan discussed three organizations for those with a love of water. So if you want a career in a marine-based industry, explore these exciting options.
The CCG welcomes all and is actively recruiting. Formed in 1962, the CCG operates the federal government’s civilian fleet and provides maritime services to Canadians. For example, the coast guard provides:
The CCG is responsible for the longest coastline of any country. It also ensures the safety of international commercial ships and Canadian citizens who navigate our lakes and oceans.
This marine-based industry operates over 100 vessels and 20+ helicopters, along with a variety of smaller craft. And, there’s a myriad of cool jobs available. Everything from on-call lighthouse keepers, search and rescue technicians, deckhands, engineering operatives, and base operations personnel. So, if you have a love of the water, are English or French proficient and have an aptitude for technical, mechanical, IT, electronics and electrical stuff; this could be an adventure for you. Oh, by the way, the Coast Guard also has its own college. And, the CCG will pay for your entire education and offer you a job afterwards! Learn about the Canadian Coast Guard College.
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You don’t actually get to swim with the fish! But, you could be a fisheries technician, trainee deckhand, farm or feed manager. “Leading the Blue Revolution” and the future of seafood is Mowi. This global company works with the ocean to produce seafood. Mowi’s Canadian operation has salmon farms off the British Columbia coast. And, it employs 600 staff to help produce 45,000 tonnes of sustainable farm-raised Atlantic salmon each year to ship around the world.
This may be something to consider if you have some fisheries or water experience (pleasure or commercial) and want to protect the environment. Because if you do, you could work on any of the hundreds of off-shore farms around Vancouver Island. Learn more about jobs in this marine-based industry here.
Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) offers roles as:
It is the only Transport Canada marine response organization on Canada’s West Coast.
WCMRC is industry-funded with more than 2,300 members that include oil-handling facilities, barging companies, freighters, ferries, cruise ships, and others. If you like being outdoors, on the water and can get basic commercial marine/boating short courses under your belt, a world of opportunities awaits you. Learn about jobs here.
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
In addition to writing a ‘Canadian style resume,’ it’s also vital to include a well-written ‘elevator pitch’. An ‘elevator pitch’ or career goal is a quick summary that describes your professional goals and the value you can offer. You can use an elevator pitch in many situations including interviews, networking conversations, cover letters, and of course, your resume. With clear examples of an elevator pitch, you’ll be able to write an effective pitch with confidence.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to job searching in Canada, Ryan works closely with newcomers who are eager to continue their careers in Canada. Ryan provides advice and career tips to help newcomers succeed in Canada. In the article, learn about the importance of an elevator pitch and examples of what to include in your pitch.
Writing an ‘elevator pitch’, career goal or role biography is less about putting pen to paper and more about stopping to think of the value you can bring to potential employers.
Linda Ryan
Linda Ryan: At a high level, an elevator pitch is a communication tool that will help you to promote yourself in a clear and concise way. That’s why it’s called an elevator pitch. For example, you should be able to say it within 30 seconds, about the time you’d spend riding an elevator with someone. But, before you’re ready to say your pitch, you need to prepare to write it.
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Linda Ryan: Even before people begin to write, I suggest that they find a:
This is a great place to ask yourself about your career goals. This step is about imagining what you’d love to be/do and reality-checking that career dream with what the industry is expecting you to possess. Ask yourself and answer what…
With the answers to these important questions, you’re ready to begin the process of writing your elevator pitch.
Linda Ryan: As I’ve said, you’re ready to begin writing your elevator pitch when you know what you’re searching for. But, you don’t have to create the pitch all in one go. For example, a smart next step is to list the key elements of your “story”. A good example of an elevator pitch should include:
Linda Ryan: With the facts in front of you, review and edit what you’ve got then begin joining the points together with sentences.
And always remember: you need more than one elevator pitch. Good elevator pitches are simple to understand and feature your unique selling points.
Linda Ryan: If all else fails, feel free to use this… (but I wouldn’t recommend it!!)
‘My career objective is to work in <insert sector here> and I’m open to any opportunity in your company.’ If anything, this is an example of an elevator pitch to avoid.
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
Newcomers know from experience the challenges that you will face when you arrive and begin job searching in Canada. But, based on their journeys, you can gain from their wisdom. Here are five things that newcomers wish they knew or did differently related to their job search efforts.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to job searching in Canada, Ryan works closely with newcomers who are eager to continue their careers in Canada. Ryan shares what some of the most common issues are that they face and how to overcome them.
Ryan states that the best way to spend your time is to research your industry and the roles within it. When job searching in Canada, it’s vital to know the industry trends and challenges. When you invest time to research the industry, it helps you to plan job search activities and shape your career in Canada. For example, in addition to identifying trends, it’s also helpful to know:
When you know this information it will help you to focus your career-building activities and get the best out of your efforts.
The thing to know here is that “networking is as important as job hunting” says Ryan. She adds that blindly sending out resumes when you first arrive in Canada is not all that effective. Newcomers are often surprised at how important networking is, especially when building an early career in Canada.
Ryan suggests helpful tips such as joining newsfeeds or discussion groups on LinkedIn and:
Ryan advises against sending connection requests on LinkedIn for the purpose of ‘asking for a job’. Because as she explains Canadians like to get to know you, your track record and even a little of your life story. It’s the same in the business world, and when people know you, they get to know what you know!
Do you want one-on-one coaching to help you continue your construction career in Canada before you arrive? The Integrating Newcomers program is for you if you’re a technical professional e.g. tradesperson, engineer (in any discipline), architect, technician, technologist, project manager, estimator, or analyst. This Canada-wide, pre-arrival service can help you get started!
REGISTER FOR THE WEBINARAnother thing that Ryan hears is how newcomers wished they had expanded their communities beyond their friends and family when they arrived. So what exactly does this look like? Well, Ryan shares that newcomers often wished they had spent time getting more ‘Canadian experience’ through:
These are all important ways to help your job search in Canada.
They also wished that they took more time to look for the right work that they truly wanted as opposed to taking work that paid ‘survival’ money. If they had, they would have invested better in their long-term success.
Newcomers often tell Ryan that they should have invested more time using free or low-cost online English as a Second Language (ESL) training and tools. “I couldn’t agree more!” says Ryan. Before you arrive in Canada, it’s important to improve your English language skills. Doing so will dramatically increase your confidence and how you authentically connect with communities and professionals. When you’re confident, it will lead to greater success when job searching in Canada.
Job searching is stressful. Added to that stress, as a newcomer, you’re busy when you first land in Canada. Searching for work, finding accommodation, navigating transit, setting up basics, and adapting to life in Canada are all time-consuming. Ryan’s advice is to plan your time like a pro. She says, “your best approach is to think of this time in your life as strategic project management. For example, assign an hour each day to job search and research, an hour to logistics and getting settled, and an hour connecting with settlement, professional associations, and employment support services. After that, get out, explore your community and meet people. After all, you came to Canada for a new life. It’s important to make sure it’s as balanced as possible!”
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
Do you know how to find your NOC? The truth is most people don’t even consider it when looking for employment – immigrants and native Canadians alike. But if you find your NOC, it can be a valuable resource to help you during your job search.
According to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada welcomed 184,000 new immigrants in 2020 alone. That’s a significant number when you consider that the majority of travel was halted due to COVID-19.
Immigrants are drawn to Canada for many reasons, and if you’re seeking a higher quality of life and access to job opportunities, understanding the Canadian labour market is vital. Find your NOC and use it as a helpful tool along your immigration journey.
One important tool to research the Canadian job market is the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code. This is the government’s system to describe occupations in Canada. It is basically a classification system for each job in the marketplace with a unique identification code. The NOC can help you to identify the most in-demand sectors, understand the job market, and fast-track your job prospects.
When you find your NOC you can use it as a powerful tool to:
Identifying your NOC is a simple process. You can click here to find your NOC and use your current job title in the filter items box.
Alternatively, you can find it by visiting the NOC page directly here. You can either search using a four-digit code or by using your job title in the search box.
Please note that your job duties must match the ones that you currently do, especially in cases where your occupation is called something different in Canada. When you find your occupation, write down your NOC code.
If you can’t find your NOC, you can use the NOC website to search for the closest options on the list with duties that match yours. Then note down the codes and the applicable skill level.
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The NOC is used to classify applicants under 10 Broad Occupational Categories (BOC) dependent on skill types. A four-digit code identifies each occupation, otherwise called a unit group. The numbers 0 – 9 represent the first of four digits in the NOC code Canada.
Using the outline below, you can identify your BOC:
0 – Management occupations
1 – Business, finance, and administration occupations
2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
3 – Health occupations
4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services
5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation, and sport
6 – Sales and service occupations
7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
8 – Natural resources, agriculture, and related production occupations
9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
Learn more about how to find your NOC category here.
For example: NOC Code 00
Individuals can move from one skill level to another and possibly target available vacancies, either through additional training or further education. Click here to find your skill level.
| Skill Level (A – D) | Skill Level (0 – 7) | Education or Training |
| A – Occupations require university education | 0 or 1 | University degree at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate level. |
| B – Occupations require college education, specialized training or apprenticeship training. | 2 or 3 | Two to three years of post-secondary education at a community college, institute of technology, or CEGEP, or Two to five years of apprenticeship training or Occupations with supervisory responsibilities and with significant health & safety responsibilities, such as firefighters, police officers, and registered nursing assistants are all skill level B. |
| C – Occupations require secondary school and/or occupation-specific training. | 4 or 5 | Some secondary school education, with up to two years of on-the-job training, training courses, or specific work experience. |
| D – On-the-job training is provided for occupations. | 6 or 7 | Short work demonstration or on-the-job training or No formal educational requirements. |
If you’re applying for Express Entry, you must be ranked in the Skill Type 0, levels A or B. This applies to the following Express Entry programs:
Applicants looking at the Atlantic Immigration Pilot as a skilled immigrant will be under the Skill Type/level 0, A, B or C.
Applicants on Skill type C or D can target the Provincial Nominee Program, or other shorter-term immigration routes even though you might not become a permanent resident immediately, it provides a route for you to eventually be.
Each NOC has unique advantages. You do not have to be at the highest NOC level to successfully gain an advantage.
For example, there are provinces that only target people in certain NOC code Canada classes. The province of Nova Scotia, for instance, targets applicants based on its occupation in demand list, in 2021, one requirement was for applicants with NOC 3143 (Nurses and Patient Service Associates) and NOC 7511 (Transport Truck Drivers).
After you find your NOC, you can apply to the immigration program that you are eligible for. And using the NOC can be your biggest asset. When used correctly it can help you to work in Canada faster.
The Canadian government plans to accept 400,000 immigrants in 2021/2022, most of the opportunities will go to those applying to areas where there is a shortage. Some of the most in-demand jobs in Canada include:
Registered Nurses – NOC 3012
Information Systems Analysts – NOC 2171
Transport Truck Driver – NOC 7511
Software Engineers and Designers – NOC 2173
Retail Sales Supervisors – NOC 6211
For information, tools, free webinars, and more visit our finding a job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!
Searching for a new job is tough for anyone. And for newcomers, the job search can be that much more challenging. The journey can be an emotional roller-coaster and the ‘free time’ on your hands can seem endless.
Linda Ryan is the Provincial Manager (Apprenticeship Services), BCCA. When it comes to job searching Ryan provides smart advice about how to survive the ‘free time’ trap when jobless. As Ryan states “free time isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when you’re between jobs or a newly landed immigrant.”
BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, is a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
Prepare for Canada (PFC) spoke to Ryan and here’s what she had to offer.
A job search can take time, especially when you’re waiting to hear back from potential employers. Recognizing that we all covet free time, it starts to feel like a cavernous canyon when you’re sitting at home twiddling your thumbs and watching your hard-earned money drain from your bank account. Ryan discusses three smart coping tips:
Ryan: I remind clients of three things they can do to manage the ‘free time’ trap. And, one of the first things I tell my clients is to Be Aware. Specifically, be aware that you’re in uncharted territory. Be aware that it’s stress-inducing. And, be aware of making the “I’ll accept any job” or “survival job” decision to manage your short-term job stress.
I encourage my clients to emulate Mel Gibson’s character William Wallace (13th-century warrior) in the movie Braveheart. He bellowed “HOLD” to his fellow warriors who were too eager to enter the battlefield willing to accept death over the unknown.
I remind clients that the temporary discomfort of the unknown will pass if they hold to their beliefs and their nerve!
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Ryan: This second thing I remind clients to do is to Take Responsibility. Specifically, take responsibility for how you’re feeling and do small things to counter difficult emotions. Whether it’s using a “What if?” mantra to shift your perspective, or even a “WTF” mantra to laugh at your current situation.
For example, by using a “What if?” approach, you take control of self-defeating thoughts that can prevail with free time on your hands. Ask yourself, what if the worst that could happen takes place? Then answer:
Allow yourself to acknowledge what you’re feeling. This empowers you to decide to move or stay stuck. Whatever the decision, you will make it consciously, so there’s no place to hide!
Ryan: Move to Action is very important. If free time is your enemy, then create an ally by adding structure to your day. For example, create a fake Monday to Friday work week and devote an hour each day in the morning to:
Then assign the rest of your day to get out and to exercise and enjoy your surroundings.
Everything that makes you smile and relax “in the flow” is rocket fuel for your energy and your long-term decision-making muscles.
Linda Ryan
And finally, above all else, I remind clients to Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway! Life is too short to accept ‘average’, ‘ok’, or ‘fine’.
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
To achieve professional success it’s vital to develop a career plan. But, where do you start? If you don’t know where or how to start to develop your plan, then continue reading and get helpful tips.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN).
A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialize in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to developing a career plan, Linda Ryan shares the top five things you can do to achieve success! Prepare for Canada spoke to her to get her valuable insights about how to develop a career plan. Ironically, none of her tips even mention resume, job hunting, or LinkedIn. Those elements, Ryan stated, are all about attitude and approach. In contrast, the tips she offers provide the building blocks of any successful life transition. And, that includes helping newcomers develop a career plan to achieve success even before arriving in Canada.
We asked Linda Ryan for her advice on why it’s essential to develop a career plan and where to begin. She discussed five key tips that she has come to believe are the building blocks of any successful transition.
1: Get focused
2: Get real
3: Get knowledgeable
4: Get prepared
5: Get on with it.
Linda Ryan: My first tip is to get focused. “Adopting the ‘‘I’ll take any job’ mindset is one of the most unhelpful approaches to career transition, especially in a new country.” Accepting any job, or what’s also known as a survival job, serves to pay the bills while you search for a job that aligns with your:
However, accepting “any job” is not a sustainable career development strategy. And, taking any job will leave you feeling unfulfilled, unproductive, and unhappy.
A better approach is to focus on what you would love to do in one, five, or 15 years from now.
To help you get focused, you can look at your interests, aspirations, existing education, and experience.
Linda Ryan
The next step is to look at the:
It’s helpful to focus on up to three possible role types that you would like to pursue. This will help you decide what specific activities you must act upon to develop a plan and achieve career success.
Linda Ryan: It’s important to be realistic about the job prospects in Canada. So it’s a good idea to access high-level labour market information for the city, province and profession where you plan to settle. Job Bank is Canada’s national employment service that’s available as a website and mobile app.
It helps you develop a career plan and find work by providing an overview of your profession in Canada. This career planning tool is invaluable and provides information about:
Linda Ryan: It’s helpful to know if your profession is regulated or unregulated in Canada. When you confirm this, you’ll know what you require to work in Canada and what it actually means for your goals. With this knowledge, you can adjust your career-planning activities accordingly.
Linda Ryan: One vital activity is to understand the difference between education evaluation and credential evaluation. There are clear differences between each activity that can help you prepare for career success.
If you plan to arrive in Canada soon, you can start these activities before you arrive. Because doing so is smart and strategic! To learn more, check out this post.
Also, get comfortable with planning. In fact, you should have a Plan A and a Plan B (maybe even a Plan C) for your career. And expect to change these plans as your circumstances and experiences change.
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Linda Ryan: Only you are accountable for developing a career plan, no one else. However, it’s healthy to ask for help and seek guidance from experts. You can even access free newcomer services to help you achieve your career goals faster. It’s also helpful to build connections with peers in your local industry.
But, it’s up to you to take consistent and constructive action to build the career that you want. So, get into action, adjust your plans, and keep on doing.
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.
Career counselling can help you navigate what you require to build your career in Canada. In fact, it can help you to build your success faster when you access pre-arrival career services. For newcomers, finding a job that best suits your skills, background, and experience can reduce your job search stress.
Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN).
A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialize in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.
When it comes to looking for a career, Ryan provides tips about how pre-arrival career counselling can help you build success.
Prepare for Canada (PFC) spoke to Ryan, who arrived in Canada as a newcomer in 2010. As she explained, settlement services were not as available as they are today. Further, she stated that pre-arrival services didn’t exist, or she was unaware of them. As a result, she struggled to find a job.
If knowledge is power then local knowledge (industry, credentials, networking and employment) is the catalyst for successful Canadian careers. This is the single biggest truth for newcomers to Canada and in the past they/we had to learn it the hard way.
Linda Ryan
In response to the need to help newcomers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada fund free pre-arrival career counselling, employment information, and resources. These services give newcomers knowledge and power to build effective job search strategies even before setting foot on Canadian soil.
Linda Ryan: I had a solid education, a great career in my home country, and a management track record to be proud of. And when I came to Canada, I had to jump many hurdles including:
Although Canada had confirmed that it “wanted me”, arriving in Canada as a skilled immigrant still felt like it wasn’t enough. I had to learn from many mistakes about how to:
Easily I could have saved myself 100 hours of self-doubt and self-defeating job-hunting activities. If I was pre-armed with career counselling services I could have asked specific questions to someone in the know. By investing 10 hours before I arrived in Canada, I could have achieved success faster. Because without this knowledge, it was a challenge to enter the job market.
Linda Ryan: It’s a unique, pre-arrival Canada-wide service that helps high-skilled newcomers explore and build construction careers in Canada. Whether you’re an engineer, architect, project manager, estimator, technician or tradesperson looking to continue your career in Canada. Or, if you are a business, IT, HR, marketing, procurement or finance professional exploring how to move into a high-demand industry, BCCA-IN can help.
The program has evolved and extends services to clients or partners of clients, whether or not construction is their primary industry focus. The wisdom is that if you support spouses/partners pre-arrival, you also increase the success rate for settlement, integration, and employment.
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Linda Ryan: Counselling services help newcomers to find career success faster. As well, these services provide a return on investment for the economy and the community that newcomers settle in.
Linda Ryan: We offer a range of services that include:
Our services focus on the best and most practical career, credentials, and connection activities. As a result, these services help newcomers to find employment faster.
Our team has multi-industry experience that can benefit newcomers. We’re also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada. So we get it!
Linda Ryan: Ten years on, I’m so passionate about helping others build their careers. So not only do I provide career counselling, but I dedicate my time to ensure newcomers avoid the mistakes I made!
Linda Ryan: If I could depart three pearls of wisdom about how to achieve success in Canada, I’d say:
2. Access free employment and settlement services
3. Do it before you land in Canada.
There is a world of opportunity in Canada! But, you’ve got to know where to look and how to access it.
*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, pre-arrival, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.