Finding your feet in a new country can be challenging. As a newcomer, you may face many obstacles as you try to navigate a new environment, culture, and way of life. The job search process can be particularly challenging, especially when you are unfamiliar with the local job market and employment laws.

The good news for ambitious newcomers to the country is that Canada has labour shortages across a range of sectors and industries, meaning that ambitious new talent is in demand.

What can newcomers do to increase their chances of landing the right job?

Do Your Research

Research is a critical component of finding employment in a new country. It can help you identify job opportunities that match your skills and qualifications, and it can also help you gain a better understanding of the local job market and industry trends. Try and learn as much as you can about the local job market, including the most in-demand skills and the industries that are thriving.

It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the employment laws and regulations, particularly your rights in the workplace to ensure you’re aware of your rights as an employee.

Improve Your Skills

Taking courses or workshops is a valuable way to improve your skills and knowledge in your field, adapt to local business practices and trends, and make yourself a more attractive candidate to potential employers. 

To choose the right course, start by identifying areas for improvement and considering courses that are recognized and accredited by industry associations or provide acknowledged certifications. 

You can also look for free resources, such as online tutorials and webinars, offered by libraries, community organizations, or government agencies. Language courses can also help you communicate more effectively in the workplace if English or French is not your first language. 

Once you have chosen a course or workshop, apply your learning to real-world situations by taking on projects or volunteer work that allow you to practice your newly acquired skills. This can help you build your portfolio and make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Make Connections

Effective networking takes time and effort, but it can pay off in the long run by helping you build valuable relationships, gain insights into the local job market, and uncover job leads and other opportunities. 

By attending events, joining professional associations, connecting on social media, requesting informational interviews, and following up regularly, you can build a strong network of contacts in your new home and increase your chances of finding employment.

Be Proactive

It’s important to be proactive in your job search, particularly if your early efforts are unsuccessful. Apply for as many relevant job opportunities as possible and follow up with employers to show your interest and enthusiasm. Consider volunteering or taking on temporary or contract work to gain experience and build your network.

Always be thinking about how you can enhance your skills and improve your appeal to potential employers.

Welcome and good luck!

Embarking on a new life in a new country is exciting. By combining these strategies, newcomers can build their professional network, gain valuable experience, and increase their chances of finding employment opportunities that align with their skills and interests.

Welcome to your new home and good luck with all your career endeavours.

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Canada is known globally for its multiculturalism and diversity. This gives the country a range of advantages when it comes to competing in the global marketplace. Our community and historical links across the globe give us access to talent and ideas while being able to open international doors that might otherwise remain closed. 

To take advantage of these opportunities, business leaders, whatever their background, need to equip themselves with a global mindset. Cross-cultural environments are increasingly the norm across organizations, and business leaders must understand a diverse range of cultural, political and business customs.

What is a global mindset?

A global mindset refers to the capacity of an individual or organization to effectively operate in a complex, multicultural and international business environment. It requires the ability to think globally and act locally, to appreciate complex cultural differences, use this knowledge to navigate global business challenges. 

A global mindset assists businesses in understanding the unique needs and preferences of customers in different markets and informs marketing and business strategies to meet those needs. 

Elements of a global mindset

A global mindset can be broken down into three important elements:

Intellectual Capital

Every leader needs to develop a deep understanding not only of their industry and particular business-related challenges but also of the macro environment in which they operate. Developing the ability to analyze, digest and interpret a range of information about the global context is a key part of developing a truly global mindset. 

Psychological Capital

Business leaders should develop a constructive, positive attitude towards different ideas and perspectives rooted in diversity. This requires not only intellectual assent but also the emotional capacity to confidently self-reflect, examine their particular prejudices and address any gaps in their knowledge. A successful business leader is invariably open-minded, able to address their weakness and always willing to learn.

Social Capital

A business leader looking to take advantage of global opportunities needs to be able to build trusting relationships with people across the world, and from very different backgrounds. Any study of effective organizational leadership will need to take into account how this functions within companies and organizations. 

How can businesses develop a global mindset?

There is a range of strategies businesses can deploy to cultivate a global mindset across their company. Businesses can provide cross-cultural training to employees to help them understand and adapt to different cultural norms, communication styles, and values. 

Prioritizing diversity and inclusion, particularly in relation to recruitment, foster a workplace culture that values and respects differences and encourages employees to learn from each other.

Expanding market research and investing in technology help businesses gain a deeper understanding of the needs and preferences of customers in different regions and to work effectively with teams and partners in different time zones and locations. 

By cultivating a global mindset, businesses can celebrate cultural diversity, meet the unique needs of customers in different regions, and thrive in a globalized economy.

In a fast-paced global economy, high-quality information and the relationships you can build are the key to success. 

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Canada, like many other developed countries, is experiencing a major labour shortage that has significant implications for various industries, businesses, and the economy at large. The issue is particularly pressing in industries such as healthcare, construction, and technology, where the demand for skilled workers has been steadily increasing. 

At the root of the problem is a demographic shift where an ageing population and declining birth rates have resulted in fewer young people entering the workforce to replace retiring workers. Add to that sectoral issues, the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and a skills mismatch and the picture is complex. 

According to a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada, the country is projected to face a labour gap of 1.5 million workers by 2025. This gap is expected to be felt across a range of sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, and natural resources, as well as in many skilled trades. In particular, the shortage of workers in healthcare is a significant concern, given the country’s aging population and the increasing demand for healthcare services. 

Collaborative Solutions Provide A Way Forward

Unemployment is still an issue in some sectors, while labour scarcity persists in others.

Labour shortages have complex causes and addressing them requires a cohesive, joined-up approach that breaks open the siloes and embeds collaboration. 

Collaborative solutions involving government, industry, and community partnerships will be critical to addressing the growing labour shortage challenge over the coming years. A joined-up approach is essential to attracting new workers, retraining existing workers for different careers, and ensuring they have the support and facilities they need to build a career and a life.

What does this mean in practical terms?

Workforce Development Programs

Working together, governments, employers and community organizations can collaborate to develop job-focused schemes that provide training, education and placement services to underrepresented groups. These can be particularly useful in tackling barriers to employment in marginalized communities 

Immigration Partnerships

Governments and employers can work with community organizations to support the integration of immigrants into the workforce. For example, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot program connects skilled immigrants with employers in the Atlantic provinces to take up vacancies they have been unable to fill internally.

Sector Specific Partnerships

Governments, employers, and community organizations can collaborate to address labour shortages in specific sectors. An example of this in action is the Ontario government’s Advanced Manufacturing Talent Strategy which is a partnership between industry associations, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations to address the skills gap in the manufacturing sector.

Community-Based Partnerships

Employers can partner with community organizations to attract and retain workers from underrepresented groups. The Retail as a Career program is a partnership between the Retail Council of Canada and community organizations that offers training and career development opportunities to youth and other groups who face barriers to employment.

Regional partnerships

Governments, employers, and community organizations can work together to address labour shortages in specific regions. There are examples of these in action across Canada, including the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation which provides funding to support economic development initiatives in Northern Ontario. 

Innovation, new ideas and a willingness to break down barriers between sectors will be key to addressing this key economic challenge. By working together, government, employers and community groups can identify opportunities and develop innovative solutions to attract, train, and retain workers in industries and regions experiencing labour shortages.

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