Canada
Canada is experiencing a skills shortage in several industries, and employers may view British and other foreign nationals with the appropriate skills and experience as a valuable resource. However, the graduate labour market is very competitive, and the current economic climate is creating a challenging environment in some sectors for both Canadian and foreign jobseekers. British and EU nationals interested in working in Canada are advised to evaluate their skills and experience, and target sectors in which there are skills shortages. Technical, scientific and specialised business skills are particularly relevant.
It is common to apply for jobs in Canada while you are still in the UK, as trying to secure a job offer while you are in Canada can be challenging. However, with some perseverance you may find employers willing to take on foreign skilled workers and professionals.
Use a combination of strategies when applying for jobs. Networking, using both personal and professional contacts, registering with recruitment agencies and following up on all applications are strategies used in addition to responding to job advertisements. As in the UK, the typical mode of application involves sending a cover letter and CV (also commonly referred to as a résumé).
Make use of employment services, recruitment agencies and job listings in newspapers and on websites (see vacancy sources) when applying for jobs. Telephoning the contact person listed in the job advert before sending in your application is not encouraged.
CVs are known as résumés. Different formats include chronological (organised by date), functional (in the UK referred to as 'skills based') and combination (emphasises both jobs and skills). Regardless of the format used, you should include information such as your name, telephone number and email address. Do not include your marital status, religion or Social Insurance Number on your résumé.
Generally, résumés should be no longer than two pages in length. They should be attractively and consistently formatted and have educational qualifications as one of the first sections. Under the references section, it is acceptable to simply state 'References available upon request'. Be prepared to provide work-related, academic and personal references at your interview. Target the résumé towards the position for which you are applying and focus on areas that are related to the job. Employers often acknowledge receipt of speculative applications and may keep your résumé on file for three to six months.
Canadajobs.com and Working in Canada have further information on writing a résumé.
Both one-to-one and panel interviews are common. If you are in the UK, interviews are conducted via telephone at the employer's expense. Assessment centres featuring numeracy and verbal reasoning tests, case studies and role-plays are not generally used by employers, although they may be in certain cases of graduate recruitment. A brief note of thanks by email or regular mail after an interview is always appreciated by employers. In general, avoid discussing salary and other parts of the compensation package early in the interview process, but do state your salary preference if requested.
Foreign credential evaluation is processed by a mandated organisation in each province. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials lists the services by province and their contact details.
The following websites may also be of assistance:
ENIC-NARIC
If you are planning to live and work in Canada, check your UK tax and National Insurance position with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to ensure that you are not losing any UK pension rights.
Canadian jobseekers tend to use large, private employment agencies, as they are established and reputable. Specialist private employment agencies are useful for those who have a clear idea of the role or industry they wish to pursue. For a list of private employment agencies, visit Yellow Pages Canada .
Canada is a member of the International Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (CIETT) . You can find employment agencies by using the Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS) .
Similarly to UK higher education institutions, many Canadian universities organise on-campus career fairs. Check university websites in the province or territory in which you wish to work to find out about events that are taking place. Career fairs are also organised by professional societies for your chosen industry - check their websites for more information.
Speculative approaches to jobseeking are common in Canada. Networking is another important way of learning about new vacancies. On occasion, jobs may even be created for those who are able to demonstrate to a company that there is a need for their skills and experience.
Work placements and internships operate in a similar way to full-time work; you will still be required to apply for the relevant work permit and visa. The one exception to this are foreign healthcare students who can do their clinical clerkships or do short-term work in Canada without a work permit if the main purpose of the work is to acquire training. Students must have written approval from the Canadian regulatory board responsible for their occupation, and their training practicum should not exceed four months.
These include:
For more information on teaching in Canada, visit the Canadian TeachersÂ’ Federation . If you are interested in teaching English as a second or foreign language, the TESL Canada Federation is a good network for ESL teachers.
Working as a volunteer can help your employability by giving you Canadian work experience, allowing you to practise English or French, expanding your network and developing valuable contacts in your sector of interest, finding potential references and demonstrating your skills and hard work to future potential employers. There are certain cases when volunteer work by foreign nationals may need a work permit and/or a Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) confirmation. For more information about volunteering as a foreign student or visitor visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
You can learn more about volunteering opportunities in Canada by visiting Volunteer Canada for an overview of volunteering as well as a directory of volunteering centres in each province.
The Canadian government offers the International Experience Canada programme to UK citizens aged between 18 and 30. There are two Working Holiday schemes available, which allow young travellers visiting Canada the opportunity to engage in short-term work/internships to supplement any travel expenses they may incur. Further information on this programme is available on the Canadian High Commission website.
BUNAC Work Canada is a programme which is aimed at anyone aged 18-30 wanting to work in Canada for 3 to 12 months.
Canada offers a wealth of postgraduate study options at its universities. It has a strong reputation for a high-quality education system and reasonable tuition fees. Over 150,000 international students come to Canada to study every year.
There is no federal ministry of education or formal accreditation system. Instead, responsibility lies with the provinces and territories through membership of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) . Currently, there are 92 universities with membership of the AUCC.
There are two types of graduate degrees: Masters and Doctoral.
Postgraduate courses are offered at both English and French-language institutions. Many universities offer full-time and part-time enrolment as well as opportunities to participate in cooperative education, distance learning, continuing education and student exchange programmes.
Information about language schools can be found on Languages Canada .
Detailed information about Canadian universities and programmes can be found on the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website. A searchable list of universities and programmes is also available through the AUCC.
The magazine Macleans publishes an annual ranking of Canadian universities, which is later made available online. The following international websites include Canadian universities in their rankings:
As in the UK, generally a good first degree with high academic standing is required for admission to a Masters programme. Masters programmes with a professional focus may require work experience in the intended field of study. For a Doctoral programme, a high level of achievement at Masters level is typically required.
Application deadlines for postgraduate study are considerably earlier in Canada than in the UK. Most programmes accept applications approximately one year before the intended start date of study. It is best to check on the individual institution's website for application deadlines, as these can vary between courses.
Applications for postgraduate study are made directly to universities. They are most often submitted online through a standardised, university-wide system that allows you to upload all parts of your application.
Most institutions request an official transcript of all previous university-level studies, letters of recommendation from professors and a letter of motivation describing your academic and career objectives and reasons for applying to the programme. Some programmes may require you to complete standardised tests such as the GRE, GMAT or LSAT and will request a copy of the official results along with your application.
The admissions committee will be looking for evidence that your goals are realistic, that the programme is appropriate to your interests and that you have the skills and qualities required to successfully complete your studies. Entry requirements vary from programme to programme, and it is best to seek details about what your university expects by directly consulting its prospectus and website.
The costs associated with attending university will include tuition fees as well as housing, food, books, supplies and personal living expenses. The costs differ depending on the type of programme, type of university and the size and location of the school. The Calculate Education Costs in Canada tool can be useful in helping you to estimate the costs of the programme you have chosen.
According to a 2003 survey compiled by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the cost of postgraduate study for foreign students in Canada is considerably lower than in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
Some financial assistance is available to international students. It is best to contact individual universities for details. The Canadian government offers a number of scholarships, for example the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Programme (CCSP), which provides the opportunity for students of other Commonwealth countries to pursue advanced studies in Canada. Further information on this and other awards can be found on the Government of Canada International Scholarship Programs website.
Although Canada does not have a centralised exchange programme like that of Erasmus in Europe, exchanges during studies are extremely common and usually arranged through a bilateral agreement between universities. For a comprehensive list of the various arrangements between universities check the Canadian University International Exchange Agreements Database (CUE) .
To help you determine recognition of your studies back in the UK, the following websites may be of assistance:
In order to work temporarily in Canada, a work permit must be issued. These are normally issued on the basis of a temporary offer of employment that has been confirmed by the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) . If you intend to work in the province of Quebec, a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) may be needed from the Quebec government.
Generally, the employer must prove that the position could not be filled by a Canadian citizen or resident. However, certain jobs are exempt from the requirement for a work permit and there are some positions that, although they require a work permit, are exempt from the need for HRSDC confirmation. More information can be found on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. In addition, there are special programmes for specific professions and areas of work, such as IT workers and live-in caregivers.
You will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada and to receive any government services. You should apply for your SIN card after you arrive in Canada by submitting your application at a local Service Canada Centre. Visit the Service Canada website to find your nearest office.
There are a number of options for those interested in taking up permanent residence in Canada, including skilled worker, business and family class immigration. Immigration to Canada on the federal level is built around a points system. Applicants must fulfil certain criteria, earn enough points across a number of factors and meet the minimum financial requirement. Factors include:
Additional points are awarded for family connections with Canada. The rules, especially those applying to skilled worker applications, are subject to change. Up-to-date information and a self-assessment tool that enables you to see if you qualify as a skilled worker are available on Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Skilled Workers and Professionals .
An alternative route to immigration is as a provincial nominee. Most provinces in Canada have an agreement with the Canadian government that allows them to play a more direct role in selecting immigrants who wish to settle in that province. Applications must be made direct to the province and are considered on the province's immigration needs. Contact information for the Provincial Nominee Programme is available on Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Provinical Nominees .
The Quebec government and the Canadian government have an agreement that allows Quebec to select immigrants who best meet its needs. To come to Canada as a Quebec Skilled Worker, you must first apply to the Quebec government for a Certificat de selection du Québec. Further information can be found on Quebec Immigration .
If you are from a non-EU country, please check with your embassy about regulations for working in Canada.
If you are living in the UK, contact the Canadian High Commission in London to apply for a work permit. Details of the application process and forms are available online. Applications forms are also available on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.
If you are not a UK national, contact the Canadian embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits.
You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Canada.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, an application for permanent residency is eligible for processing if:
To qualify as a skilled worker you must also meet the following minimum requirements:
If you meet these minimum requirements, your application will then be processed according to the selection factors in the skilled worker points grid, as described above. You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is a federal organisation that operates a variety of programmes and services in more than 320 offices across Canada. Local addresses and telephone numbers are provided on the website.
There are many immigrant-serving organisations in Canada that provide assistance to those emigrating on a permanent basis. See the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website and in particular its list of publications.
The majority of Canadian universities have careers services that are run along similar lines to those in the UK. They provide careers information, education and guidance for graduates and students. Contact individual universities for more information.
WorkopolisCampus.com is a website aimed at students and recent graduates and provides a range of services including job postings, information on national hiring campaigns and careers advice, including help with résumé writing.
The national emergency number in Canada:
Most communities also operate additional emergency and non-emergency lines for local services and it is worth familiarising yourself with these on arrival.
In case of an emergency it may be worth contacting the British High Commission in Canada , which is located in Ottawa. You can email consular.assistanceottawa@fco.gov.uk with your query or call (+1) 613 237 1530. You will also be able to find the British consulate nearest to you. The British High Commission can help with issues such as issuing replacement passports, providing assistance to victims of crime or serious assault, and making special arrangements in cases of terrorism, civil disturbances or natural disasters.
Find the latest travel advice and a traveller's checklist on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.
