Moving countries is hard. Looking for work while adjusting to a new place can make it feel even harder.
When I moved to Canada as a permanent resident (PR) in 2022, I did not have a job lined up. Like many newcomers, I had to start from scratch to understand a new labour market, a new style of resume, and a new set of expectations from employers.
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The good news is that Canada does offer resources to help newcomers find work. And in some provinces, like Ontario, steps have been taken in recent years to reduce common barriers newcomers face in the job hunt.
Here are some things that helped me land my first job in Canada.
1) Contact a settlement service early
One of the most helpful things I did was connect with a settlement service soon after arriving.
Canada has different free services for newcomers, and some specialize in employment support. The organization I reached out to assigned me a case manager who checked in on me, and also added me to their job bank so I could take a look at vacancies I might be a good fit for.
It also held virtual workshops which answered questions about the job market, reviewed my resume and cover letter, and explained what employers in Canada usually expect during interviews.
It is worth keeping in mind that eligibility for settlement agencies vary. Some federally funded services are only available to permanent residents, protected persons, and refugees, so it is important to check which programs you qualify for before applying.
You can find out more about settlement services (including where to find them) in our dedicated article on the topic.
Note: The Canadian government recently instituted a time-based eligibility factor for settlement services available to immigrants who arrived through economic pathways.
As of April 1, 2026, these newcomers are only eligible for settlement services for six years after attaining permanent residence status.
On April 1, 2027, this eligibility period will be further reduced to the five years after attaining permanent residence.
2) Learn what a Canadian-style resume actually looks like
Before moving, I had a very different looking resume. Like standard resumes in the Middle East (where I immigrated from), mine had colour, different fonts and a picture of myself.
One of the biggest things I learned was that Canadian resumes are usually simple and direct. They do not include photos, excessive formatting, personal details, or unrelated hobbies. They are typically one or two pages long, with a clean layout and easy-to-read font.
More importantly, I learned that sending the same generic resume to dozens of employers is usually not the best strategy. In my experience, tailoring your resume to each role takes more time, but it can significantly improve your chances of hearing back.
In Canada, many companies use software to filter through resumes that are a good fit for a position using certain keywords. The software could track skills (for example, Google Analytics, Adobe Photoshop, etc) and look for those words in a resume. Ensuring your resume has keywords that an employer is looking for may give your resume an edge in a crowded labour market.
This does not mean rewriting the entire resume each time. It meant making sure the employer could immediately see why someone is a fit for that specific role.
For more information on crafting a Canadian-style resume, visit our dedicated page on the topic.
3) Reach out to employers and professionals directly
One of the best pieces of advice I received was not to stop at simply clicking “apply.”
When I first moved to Canada, I reached out to professionals in my industry whose work I admired, not just employers who were hiring. In such cases, I just wanted to learn more about the sector, understand how they built their career, and get a clearer sense of where I might be a good fit.
Many people are more than open to sharing advice over a direct ask for a job recommendation.
That said, going the extra mile also helps. If I found a job I liked, I contacted hiring managers directly and explained why I thought I could be a strong fit. Not every message led to a response, but some did. And even when they did not lead to a job immediately, they helped me better understand the industry and expand my network.
4) Translate international experience into terms Canadian employers will understand
This made a bigger difference than I expected.
You may have strong international experience, but if an employer does not immediately understand its scale or relevance, it can be overlooked. I learned that it helps to add context.
For example, in one instance of explaining my previous work experience, instead of just naming a newspaper I worked for in the past, I explained that it was the “oldest English newspaper in the country.”
Similarly, it might be better to provide information about why a company or brand you’ve worked for is impressive, and how that stacks up against Canadian standards or in the context of the Canadian labour market. Is it a leading brand in the region? A nationally recognized organization? Has it worked with internationally-renowned brands or clients?
The same applies to your responsibilities. Instead of only listing what you did, explain the skills you built and how they transfer to the role you want in Canada.
Finally, don’t downplay international work experience. The key is to speak about your experience and explain how it adds value to the role you are applying for.
In some cases, employers may even see that your background is better suited to a different role than the one you applied for. That can still be a positive outcome.
5) Prepare for interviews
Getting an interview is a big step, but it is only one part of the process.
I found it useful to make a list of common interview questions and think carefully about how I wanted to answer them. Rather than trying to memorize perfect responses, I focused on understanding how to explain my experience clearly and confidently through these questions.
It is also worth knowing that there are some questions employers should not ask during interviews in Canada. Understanding that can help newcomers feel more prepared and confident.
One of the best pieces of advice I received was to treat the end of the interview as an opportunity, not just a formality. Interviewers almost always ask if you have any questions, and I learned that this moment can leave a lasting impression. Instead of saying I had none, I made a point of asking questions about the role, the team, and what success would look like in the first few months.
It helped me better understand whether the job was right for me, and it also showed the employer that I was genuinely interested. A win-win!
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. For personal guidance, speak with an authorized immigration professional or consult official Government of Canada resources.
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