An offer of employment in Canada can significantly increase an Indian’s eligibility for a number of immigration programs and move them closer to their goal of obtaining permanent residency (PR) in the country. To facilitate your transition into your new home, you might be eager to get employment in Canada prior to your arrival if you have previously been granted a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
A lot of Indians also decide to obtain a work permit and work briefly in Canada. This could be an opportunity to broaden your horizons, obtain new insights into the world of work, operate in a multicultural atmosphere, and enhance your résumé with international professional experience.
That being said, it might be difficult and time-consuming to find employment in Canada prior to arrival. This post will offer direction and advice on how to obtain employment in
How do Indians get employment in Canada?
It’s crucial to know the requirements for employment permits for immigrants, especially Indians, before you begin your job search in Canada. Indians may lawfully work in Canada as foreign students enrolled in programs there, permanent residents, or holders of work permits.
functioning as a permanent resident of Canada
Indian nationals who settle in Canada as permanent residents are free to work there without any limitations. Even though you can start looking for a job in Canada while you’re still in India, you can’t begin working for a Canadian employer until you arrive and obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Once you have your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR), you are able to apply for jobs in Canada through the Job Bank of the Canadian government. Through the Regional and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) or the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), you can apply for permanent residence (PR) and have access to regional or provincial job portals that will assist you in finding employment in your area.
Without PR, find employment in Canada
If you’re Indian and you don’t have a permanent residency status, you can work in Canada either through a work permit or a study permit. This is how it functions:
Obtain a work permit in Canada.
For most non-Canadian citizens to work in Canada, a work permit is necessary. Work permits are available in Canada in two varieties: employer-specific and open.
You can work in Canada for any qualified employer with an open work permit. However, there are specific circumstances that must be met in order for you to be eligible for an open work permit. These circumstances include being an international student who has recently graduated from a Canadian designated learning institution and is eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), applying for permanent residence or the dependent family of an applicant, or being the spouse or common-law partner of an international student or skilled worker in Canada.
With an employer-specific work visa, you can work in Canada for a single employer at a single location. Getting a job offer from a Canadian company is the first need for becoming eligible for an employer-specific work permit. Before hiring you for the position, your prospective employer will typically require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). If your firm is a global corporation with operations in both India and Canada, you can also be eligible for an intra-company transfer that results in an employer-specific work permit.
How to apply for a study permit in Canada
If you’re coming to Canada to study, you might be able to work part-time with your study permit without needing a separate work permit. International students can work up to 24 hours a week, both on and off campus, to pay for their studies and obtain Canadian work experience. Keep in mind that the Canadian government changed the regulations governing student visas in 2024.
Upon completion of your studies in a Canadian university or college, your eligibility to apply for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) may be contingent upon the duration, subject matter, and nature of your program. With a PGWP, you can work in any industry for any qualifying Canadian employer. It’s an open work permit.
How to find employment from India in Canada
Applying for jobs without first preparing for your search will improve your chances of getting hired. Getting a job in Canada from India is not always simple, but if you put in the effort to study about the Canadian job market, polish your CV, and update your abilities to suit employers’ demands, you might be able to land the position of your dreams. The following actions are crucial to take before starting a job search in Canada:
Recognize the employment market in your industry in Canada.
India’s job market is not the same as Canada’s. You must become familiar with the companies in your sector, the hiring procedure, and the talents that employers find valuable. Only a small percentage of available jobs are posted openly, and a significant portion of the Canadian labor market is concealed. As such, you will need to know where to search for employment and be ready to establish professional connections with Canadians.
Replace missing skills to increase your employability
Employers in Canada can be searching for applicants with additional or different talents, even if you have been working in India for a while. You can find out what talents are in demand in your business by thoroughly examining job advertisements and the employment market. You’ll be able to upskill and acquire new abilities as a result, positioning yourself as the perfect applicant. Showcasing in-demand abilities on your CV will increase your chances of getting recruited, regardless of whether you want to enroll in a certificate program or spend time studying a new technology on your own.
Create a cover letter and resume in the Canadian format.
It’s unlikely that your resume from India will be accepted in Canada. Make sure your resume is in Canadian format before you start applying for jobs. Reverse chronological, functional, and hybrid resume formats are the three forms used in Canada. How many years of relevant experience you have, if you’re moving industries, and whether you have any gaps in your career history will all determine the best resume style for your application. Even if the job posting doesn’t ask for one, it’s a good idea to include a cover letter where you may go into more detail about your accomplishments and talents and argue why you’re the best candidate.
In India, the job experience segment of your resume usually comprises an overview of the duties you carried out in various capacities, while Canadian companies would rather see your successes listed under each role. Furthermore, it is against the law for Canadian companies to base employment decisions on a candidate’s gender, ethnicity, or marital status. For this reason, you should not include personal information on your resume, such as your age, marital status, or photo.
Expand your contacts in Canada.
In the Canadian workplace, networking is essential, and many recruiters rely on their network to find candidates for available positions. As an Indian in Canada, you can learn about your industry, including in-demand skills and hiring practices of different firms, and gain access to the hidden job market through your professional network. With LinkedIn, virtual networking events, and online coffee talks, you may begin establishing your Canadian network even before you travel there. You have the choice of using a hybrid or in-person networking strategy once you’re in Canada.
Prior to networking, make sure your LinkedIn profile is optimized because it frequently serves as a prospective employer’s initial impression of you. Another option is to seek for a mentor who can help you navigate the employment market in Canada and offer guidance throughout your hunt.
Examine websites that post jobs.
Numerous job portals, including Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor, that you might have encountered in India are also widely utilized in Canada. In addition, you can register with Canadian job listing services like GrabJobs and the government’s Job Bank (provided you have a valid work permit or permanent residence). To cut down on the amount of time you spend actively looking for listings that fit your requirements, you may sign up for customized daily or weekly job alert emails on several employment portals.
Register with employment agencies in Canada.
To help them shortlist prospects, many Canadian firms work with recruitment agencies like Robert Half, Randstad Canada, and Hays Canada. You will receive relevant job alerts when you register with these agencies and upload your resume. Additionally, their team will get in touch with you for any suitable job vacancies that their clients are looking to fill.
Apply for positions in Canada
Applying is the next step after creating your Canadian-style CV and identifying job vacancies you’re interested in. To guarantee that your resume passes the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many businesses use, make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter for each job and include keywords from the job description.In Canada, the hiring process usually consists of multiple interviews to determine your qualifications, background, and cultural fit. By preparing your answers to frequently requested interview questions, you can increase your chances of being chosen. When composing your answers to interview questions, follow the STAR approach.
