Planning Out a Career in Canada

4 Proven Ways To Get Ahead In Your Career In Canada If You're A New Immigrant

You are a newcomer to Canada, and establishing your career is one of your top priorities upon arrival. It's important for you not to get sidetracked by the stress of finding housing and getting settled, or the demand to learn English and adapt to a new way of life. To set your Canadian career in motion, you need a career success plan.

An effective career plan is a roadmap to your career success.  It outlines the steps you need to take to reach your career goals through education, training, accreditation, professional development courses, and networking.

For skilled newcomers, who bring international training to Canada from their countries of origin, the thought of returning to school can be overwhelming. The notion of "right away" may outweigh their motivation to study and contribute to the Canadian workforce. This is where skills programs present an opportunity for new immigrants in Canada to maintain their basic level of employment or advance their careers through further education.

When it comes to finding employment in Canada, a new immigrant can face challenges. How do you stand out from the crowd — make yourself more visible? And, what are the first steps that you need to take to ensure you can find your way in a new country? Don’t worry — this is where we come in! We have put together four strategies that can help you on your journey to success.

1) Choose the right education pathway

Choosing the right education pathway is an important first step in Canada. Canada's demographic changes mean there is a growing interest in skilled immigration as well as immigration programs that can help newcomers get the education they need to earn their livings. There are many ways to enhance one's skills and knowledge in a professional setting. Some programs or courses are industry-specific, such as bridge training, virtual boot camps, or micro-credentials; others require significant time and money, like university degrees or college diplomas.

2) Prioritize your career plan

When you are new to Canada and make the move from a country where your chosen career path is still emerging, it can be difficult to decide how best to balance your personal commitments with your professional success plans. It is important that you find a way to establish yourself in Canada so that you can align yourself with at least one profession which will allow you to earn enough money and offer an attractive lifestyle. You will also want to choose a suitable area within Canada's major cities where you can live happily with particular friends or family communities who are already established here or nearby.

3) Put technology to work for you

Technology is the way that we get things done in this day and age. And the more technology we have, the better our professional goals will be met. Whether you’re looking to develop your career success plan or even just want to use new technology resources in your job, mobile apps and career planning tools can help you along the way. The Government of Canada offers several tools on its website that make it easier for anyone to gain a better understanding of their areas of interest and skills and to set goals for improving their education, career development, and professional goals.

4) Have a financial plan

Financial planning is a crucial part of any career success plan. Without the money you need to pay for the training or education that's important to your career success plan, you won't be able to achieve your desired goals. That's why it's essential to develop your financial plans alongside your career goals. The good news is there are many free financial planning templates available that can help you create yours. Grants from provincial and federal governments, as well as affordable loans from local credit unions, are both readily available for skilled newcomers looking to get licensed in Canada. There are many sources of funding available to assist newcomers who want to become licensed and accredited professionals in Canada. Some of these sources include grants and financing through student loans, employer support as well as a variety of government, industry, and corporate sponsorship.