Job Search in Ontario
Are you a newcomer and looking for a job in Ontario?
If you are, then you just got one. Job search is a job in itself, a pretty tough one these days yet can be rewarding. Your success depends on how well you have studied, prepared and put your efforts into the job search process.
There are a number of helps for a newcomer’s job search in Ontario. Each resource is helpful and contributes to success. Study and explore these resources to find out which one works best at a given circumstance. It is always good to search for programs that assist newcomers because new ones are being launched every now and then.
Print Resources
There are two valuable publications, Canadian Newcomer Magazine and The Canadian Immigrant Magazine, which contain important and relevant information. Aside from a directory of settlement and employment agencies and professional organizations, these publications also contain useful articles, updates on immigration programs and immigrant stories that help make integration easier. These magazines are found in libraries, employment centers, settlement agencies, ESL classes and retail stores. They are also available online.
There are a number of bi-weekly papers featuring job postings and are available free of charge in many newsstands, schools, employment agencies and libraries.
Online Resources
Job search on the Internet can be done in two ways: by directly going to a job bank or a job-search website (such as Workopolis, Kijiji, Eluta, Indeed); and, by using search engines (such as Google and Yahoo). A list of the useful job search websites can be obtained from employment centers.
Settlement.Org website outlines basic information on how to get settled in Ontario such as housing, education, employment, health, community and legal services. This website also provides links to other helpful web-based resources including PDF files such as Your First days in Ontario and The Canadian Labour Market Online: An Internet Guide for Internationally Trained Professionals and Trades People. The employment section gives valuable information such as obtaining licensing for regulated professions, applying for university, credential assessment and bridging programs or apprenticeships.
There are government websites such as : The Human Resources and Social Development Canada (www.hrsdc.gc.ca);Citizenship and Immigration Canada (www.cic.gc.ca) which has links to the Foreign Credentials Referral Office and websites for provincial and territorial immigration ministries; and, Service Canada (www.jobbank.gc.ca) which has job postings that are updated daily.
Employment Resource Centers
Employment resource centers are available in many regions of Ontario. They have employment counselors and staff who can provide assistance on identifying career goals, determining transferable skills, writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, and job development. These Centers may vary in their services but they basically have resources on the Canadian Labor Market, job search workshops, computer trainings and skills trainings relevant to jobs. The Centers have job postings, computers, Internet access, fax machines, photocopying machines, and telephones that are necessary for the job search. They also keep a list of local employment agencies and recruiting services and job-related events such as job fairs.
Public Libraries
Public libraries are also equipped with many resources such as books, business directories, local and national newspapers, magazines, videotapes or DVDs and virtual materials that contain information relevant to the job search. One useful resource is the Scott’s Directory which contains a list of companies and business establishments with their location and contact information. Libraries are also equipped with computers, access to Internet, printers and photocopying machines that help the researcher in many ways.
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations offer programs that may assist lin licensing or certification, mentoring, job connect and bridging.
Social Network
Social network is a good resource. Relatives, friends of relatives, teachers, classmates, friends from congregations, friends of friends and other job seekers may have the connections to the hidden job market.
Job Search Assistance Programs
Many programs that assist job search are available such as: language courses (LINC or Language Instruction to Newcomers in Canada), ESL or English as a Second Language and ELT or Enhanced Language Training; mentoring programs; immigrant employment loan program (such as The Maytree Foundation-Alterna Savings Employment Loan Program in Toronto); and the bridge-training programs. Other programs may also be launched every now and then.
Chances of finding a job increase as more time is spent on actively looking for a job. According to a resource book, “Employment professionals recommend eight hours a day, five days a week for job searching. Just as a full-time Canadian worker spends an average of 40 hours a week at their workplace, job hunters in Canada should spend that much time looking for work.” This is further supported by Thomas Edison, in his statement, “Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.”
