In today’s day and age, it is easy to find all the information you need, but it is hard to find the correct information. Applying for a job in the current job market can be daunting, especially when you have just landed or planning to switch careers. This is why I have decided to write a blog post that will hopefully give you all the information and tips you need to help with your job search in Canada. Especially when you are an international student or coming with international experience, it is hard to find a job in Canada. The companies you have experience working back home “might not” work here; the same goes for the job description. That is why it is vital to learn more about the job market in Canada. So, without further ado, here are some advice I have while applying for a job or making a career shift:
- LinkedIn is your best friend when looking for jobs. Look for positions, find out mutual connections in the company, and connect with them to learn more about the work culture, the position and the structure of the company. You can also ask for a referral, but don’t ask them on the 1st instance. Build a rapport.
- If you build a strong rapport, the connection might connect you to the hiring manager or pass on your resume to the hiring manager, who can help you bypass the Application Tracking System (ATS).
- Follow thought leaders and experts in the field, like Samantha Bateman, to get more advice.
- Change your LinkedIn public profile name to look more professional. You can watch this short video to learn about it.
- When sending new connection requests, send a personalised request. You can watch this short video to learn about the same.
- Polish your resume for each job. Don’t send the same resume to every job. Instead, look for key responsibilities and modify your skills accordingly.
- If you find it hard to make a resume, you can use websites like FlowCV. You can choose from templates to suit your need. Then, all you need is to fill in the data.
- Your resume shouldn’t be more than 2 pages long. Start with your most recent job (mm/yy format).
- If you plan to make a career switch, have a portfolio related to the field you are applying. For example, when applying for digital marketing positions, I submitted my portfolio, which consisted of my writing samples, and the science community I built.
- During the interview, tell them the problem and give a solution or how you can fix it. This creates an impact and makes you stand out from other applicants.
Don’t lose hope if a company rejects you. It’s a process, and rejections are part of it. The Canadian job market is tough to break into and can be even tougher to get a job in. In addition, the job market is constantly changing and sometimes difficult to navigate. I hope that some of these tips will help you find a job that is right for you. I am happy to connect with you over LinkedIn.
