Jana gregorioIf you are a Canadian newcomer, one of the things at the top of your mind may be how to get some work experience. After all, having work experience in Canada can help you become qualified for a wider array of jobs and help you establish yourself here. For many people, how to gain work experience is one of the first questions they ask. If you are a Canadian newcomer, here are six ways to gain work experience.
Job Shadowing
Job shadowing gives you the ability to watch someone else do a job. This experience can last a few hours or reoccur over a longer period of time. When you engage in job shadowing, you don’t get direct work experience but rather begin to get a better understanding of the ins and outs of a particular job.
A good way to approach job shadowing is to ask numerous questions to gain a deeper understanding of how to succeed in a particular role. While job shadowing itself is not as powerful of an experience as direct work experience, it’s still beneficial. It helps you learn about an occupation and shows that you took initiative to potential employers.
Internships
Completing an internship is a great way to get direct on-the-job experience. Many companies seek out interns as part of a mutual experience where the employer receives labor for a period of time while the intern learns and improves their skills. There are many different opportunities for internships, particularly at larger companies.
It is important to realize that some internships are paid while others are unpaid. However, even getting a part-time unpaid internship while working another job can get you direct experience to help you enter a particular industry. There are many places online to find internships. Asking connections about opportunities to intern at their company is also a good strategy.
Volunteer Work
Volunteer work is probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about getting work experience as a Canadian newcomer. However, volunteer work is a valid way to begin making connections and gaining experience. There are usually lots of opportunities to volunteer for non-profit organizations.
When looking to leverage volunteering into work experience, it’s important to seek out volunteer opportunities that relate to the type of work you want to do. For example, if you want to go into marketing, volunteering to help with an organization’s social media accounts or other outreach initiatives can be very beneficial.
Connect with Professional Organizations
One way to find opportunities for work experience is to join a professional organization. If you are interested in a specific industry, seek out information about both national and local professional organizations. These can provide you with ways to grow your network and begin to get involved.
Additionally, it’s important to realize even many national professional organizations have local chapters where it’s easier to begin to get some experience. As you become more involved, you will surely find many opportunities to further build your experience.
Bridge Programs
Some programs allow Canadian newcomers to begin integrating their international training and experience into Canadian employment. Often these programs help connect newcomers to local mentors and professionals who can counsel them on getting started on a career in Canada.
These programs are typically sponsored by the government or by non-profit organizations. Depending on the organization, the bridge program will be organized and carried out differently. Be sure to check websites to find requirements on how to apply and what the program entails.
Temporary Employment
While it’s understandable that the ultimate goal of moving to Canada is obtaining full-time employment, taking advantage of temporary jobs is a great way to build initial work experience. Seeking part-time or temporary opportunities allows you to demonstrate your skills while also starting to build further connections.
Ideally, finding temporary employment in your industry of choice is ideal. However, temporary employment will help you build a good track record. Additionally, there’s often less competition for these roles. Be sure to check job boards and LinkedIn for opportunities you may be interested in.
Final Thoughts
Being a Canadian newcomer is exciting but also challenging. One of the things newcomers often wonder about is how to get work experience in Canada. Fortunately, there are many ways to obtain experience that you can put on your resume. Follow these six tips and be sure to keep your eye open for opportunities as you begin to seek out work experience as a Canadian newcomer.
At Achēv, our Employment Ontario Services offers a wide range of resources to support your career and employment needs. Our employment centres are located across the Greater Toronto Area, including Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga and North York. Contact us today to register for our free employment services.
