Finding Companies That Hire New

Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Finding Companies That Hire New Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Last updated: July 9, 2019 2

Contents

1. Introduction 2 2. Finding an Employer to Sponsor You 3 3. Finding a Company that Hires Newcomers 4 4. Additional Resources 8 1. Introduction

Organizations across Canada benefit from the talents, qualifications and experience of having skilled immigrants on their workforce.

However, as a newcomer to Canada it can be difficult finding employers who will hire you. It can be especially hard getting the same kind of job you had in your home country. You may face challenges with the lack of recognition of your foreign education and work credentials.

There are programs and services that encourage employers to recruit newcomers. This guide outlines strategies for finding companies interested in hiring new immigrants.

If you are a newcomer, your main obstacle may be having enough Canadian work experience or accreditation to meet Canadian standards.

Finding Companies That Hire New Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Last updated: July 9, 2019 3

2. Finding an Employer to Sponsor You

To find potential employers before coming to Canada:

check with the nearest Canadian embassy to see if there are any job fairs held by Canadian businesses in your region

search for any industry associations in your area that may host job fairs or trade shows that include Canadian businesses

check with universities that have degree programs in your industry to see if they host career fairs that include Canadian companies For certain professions, Canadian businesses will target specific countries that are known to have a large pool of experienced candidates. For example:

Australia is a target for tourist-related jobs because Australian students are on summer break during Canadian winters

home support workers are often found in the Philippines and India Express Entry

Immigration and Citizenship Canada launched an electronic system called Express Entry. Canadian employers can hire Express Entry candidates to meet their labour needs when they are not able to find Canadians or permanent residents to fill job vacancies. Employers can hire workers abroad or already in Canada. Qualified foreign workers already in Canada could include you if:

you are about to complete a job contract with another employer, or

you hold an open work permit that allows you to work for any employer in Canada

Tip: If you are thinking of immigrating to Canada while living in your home country, remember:

many employers who hire foreign workers may already be actively recruiting in your country

Finding Companies That Hire New Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Last updated: July 9, 2019 4

Employers can normally hire a foreign worker for up to four years. To see if you meet the criteria to qualify for the Express Entry program use this online tool:

Do You Want to Come to Canada or Extend Your Stay? https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada- tool.html

For more information on Express Entry see:

Immigrate Through Express Entry

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate- canada/express-entry.html

Express Entry Canada, VisaGuide World

https://visaguide.world/canada-visa/permanent/express-entry/ 3. Finding a Company that Hires Newcomers

There are specific programs that promote and encourage Canadian companies to hire newcomers. Initiatives that provide you with Canadian experience through internships and mentorships are also available.

Some programs and resources that can help you connect with potential employers include:

Tip:

Employers who have hired recent immigrants in the past are likely to hire newcomers again. Talk to people in your personal and professional networks to see if anyone knows of companies that have hired newcomers. Contact these companies directly to check for possible positions.

Finding Companies That Hire New Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Last updated: July 9, 2019 5

Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants Program

https://www.welcomebc.ca/Work-or-Study-in-B-C/Work-in-B-C/Employment- Language-Programs

Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants connects you to jobs in B.C. You can get help to build an action plan, get your credentials assessed and receive financial support to help you upgrade.

Hire Immigrants

http://www.hireimmigrants.ca/

Hire Immigrants provides businesses with the resources they need to better recruit, retain and promote immigrants.

Tip: look under “success stories” to find specific examples of companies who have hired skilled immigrants. Some of the many companies that have developed programs or initiatives to attract newcomers include:

RBC

Enbridge

Scotiabank

BC Hydro

KPMG

Providence Health Care

Immigrant Employment Council of BC

https://iecbc.ca/

Helps businesses find skilled immigrants to fill vacancies. Current initiatives include:

BC Job Connect

https://iecbc.ca/our-work/programs/bc-jobconnect/

customized online tool connecting BC employers to job-ready newcomers; designed to help employers fill their workforce needs while offering newcomers in BC an effective way to showcase their talents and gain meaningful employment

Finding Companies That Hire New Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Last updated: July 9, 2019 6

MentorConnect

https://iecbc.ca/our-work/programs/mentorconnect/

Brings together skilled immigrants and established professionals in occupation-specific mentoring relationships. The program provides for 24 hours of mentoring over a four month period and meetings take place in person, online and by telephone. Employer Partners in the program include:

Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC

City of Vancouver

TELUS

TD Canada Trust, and more

ISS of BC – Immigrant Services Society

http://issbc.org/service-types/hire-a-newcomer

Employer Relations Specialists from various ISSofBC programs and locations receive job leads from accredited employers who are looking for the right candidates. ISSofBC can match you with these employers. See also: http://issbc.org/service-types/find-work

MOSAIC Employment Services: Career & Job Fair

https://www.mosaicbc.org/services/employment/careerfair/ MOSAIC is one of the largest settlement organizations in Canada. MOSAIC provides employment supports and programs for immigrants in BC See also: https://www.mosaicbc.org/services/employment/

S.U.C.C.E.S.S.

https://www.successbc.ca/eng/services/employment-services/ S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Employment Services is a culturally diverse service team providing career development guidance services for all job seekers

Canadian Immigrant Fair

https://canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair/metro-vancouver Finding Companies That Hire New Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Last updated: July 9, 2019 7

See also: https://canadianimmigrant.ca/category/careers-and-education/how-to- find-a-job

Federal Internship for Newcomers Program

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/new- immigrants/prepare-life-canada/prepare-work/federal-internship.html The Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program provides newcomers with valuable temporary Canadian work experience and training opportunities with federal government departments and agencies and private sector organizations.

Canada’s Best Diversity Employers

https://www.canadastop100.com/diversity/

An annual list of Canadian companies that regularly hire: a) Women; (b) Members of visible minorities; (c) Persons with disabilities; (d) Aboriginal peoples; and (e) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered/Transsexual

(LGBT) peoples.

Finding Companies That Hire New Immigrants

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

Last updated: July 9, 2019 8

4. Additional Resources

Still looking for more information? Try looking at the following resources:

How to find a job in Canada / Efim Cheinis. 2008. Central Library, 650.142 C51h

No Canadian experience, eh? / Daisy Wright. 2011. Central Library, 650.142 W94n1

More books and resources available at the Vancouver Public Library:

Newcomers to Canada: finding a job:

https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/70018873_jobs_biblio/76488557_newcomers_ to_canada_finding_a_job

Canadian work culture

https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/344847727_shannon_z/347329978_canadian _work_culture

Newcomers to Canada:

https://vpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/199127653_adampeltier/374507252_new_co mers_to_canada

Guides through the Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre

http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca

Search:

Getting Canadian Work Experience

Networking for Employment

Avoiding Employment Scams

Questions? Please ask the Information Staff on Level 4, Central Library or telephone 604-***-****.

Please note that the information in this guide is also available online through the Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre website at http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/.

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