A very popular trend lately, is foreigners searching for jobs from outside Canada. The major reason for this is for immigration purposes. Getting a job offer in Canada greatly improves the chances of getting a Canadian immigrant visa.
However, regulations, requirements or bodies to be registered with can sometimes be a tedious process because it’s only fair that the government makes sure that Canadians living in Canada get the highest priority when it comes to jobs in Canada.
These regulations make it very difficult to get a Canadian job from outside Canada but the good part is; it’s still possible!
Why Finding A Job Offer In Canada From Overseas Is Difficult
Before you can come in as a temporary foreign worker or get CRS points for a job offer, you must get a work permit to work legally in Canada. The few organizations or bodies to obtain these from include: Immigration bodies, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a Canadian Visa Office. For these sought out work permits, you will require:
- A job offer from a Canadian employer
- A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) which must be applied for by your employer from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
- An approval from ESDC whether or not a foreign worker can fill the job
Is It Even Remotely Possible To Find A Job In Canada as a Foreigner?
Although a few hassles may come into play, the answer is still a yes! With the right leads, requirements in place and things are done rightly, it is very achievable.
We spoke to a few immigrants who were able to get job offers with LMIA from their home countries. They offered some helpful insights. Here are a few ways to get a job in Canada as a foreigner:
Make yourself highly desirable
It is only very sensible that you make yourself highly sought after by adding value to yourself. You do this by obtaining an excellent educational background and acquiring international qualifications.
This would not only help you stand out but also give you the leverage you need. Remember, you’ll be competing with millions of Canadians with great educational backgrounds.
Have a darned good Resume
Your resume should count! Believe it not, this plays a vital role in getting employers to consider you. Your resume should properly describe how well you fit into the position.
Several employers lament that they have openings but not the right candidates! This actually goes two ways, either you are really unqualified or your resume doesn’t sell you appropriately and you end up getting dropped. Best advice ‘Go hard with your resume.’
- Network on LinkedIn
One of the immigrants we spoke to, said he used LinkedIn to get a Canadian job all the way from Nigeria! Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos and other foreigners are taking advantage of the job networking opportunities LinkedIn offers.
In every job search situation, networking helps greatly. There are many ways you can network but LinkedIn is a great place to begin.
This job platform gives you the opportunity to browse through companies hiring in Canada, associate with people on a professional level and it even notifies you of job listings relevant to your search history.
The first step here is creating a very strong profile, connecting and being very proactive! You can also use other social platforms as an alternative to reach out to people valuable to your job hunt.
Start with Freelancing
There have been instances where freelancers got offered full-time jobs with LMIA because of how much value they brought their employers. In the beginning, it may not be easy for you to secure your dream job, you can therefore start freelancing in niches you can handle.
This is very encouraging as it would not only help you pass out time or earn some bucks whilst still searching, but also give you room to gain some amount of experience and even acquire qualifications relevant to the job you seek.
- Request For Recommendations
Whatever area your inquiry would be on, sites, organizations, groups, social platforms e.t.c., it’s very necessary to get information from those with prior knowledge or experience. In fact, here in Canada, a large number of people get jobs through recommendations alone.
Can I Come into Canada Without A Job Offer?
If you’re wondering whether there are other ways of coming to Canada without a job offer, here are a few:
- Permanent Residence
Most people that successfully apply in this category are those considered as Skilled Workers and this is achieved when you have been able to apply as a Federal Skilled Worker, only if you possess the required expertise to contribute to the Canadian labour market. Before applying to this, you must have passed a point system that shows the government if you are eligible to migrate to Canada.
- Student Visa
You gain easy movement into Canada when you own a student’s visa that shows you are undergoing studies at the time being in the country. To get this, you must have been accepted by whatsoever institute that was applied to and must have proof of adequate funds for both tuition fees and living expenses.
- Investor Visa
This visa allows you easy entrance on the basis that you own or are affiliated with a business in Canada. For more information on this, please click here.
- Spousal Sponsorship
If you have a partner who is a Canadian Citizen and/or a Permanent Resident, he or she can sponsor your migration to Canada.
- Traders Visa
This visa is for skilled trades such as Electricians, Welders, Bricklayers, Technicians, Construction Workers, Carpenters, Plumbers, Chefs, Bakers, Butchers, those in Agriculture e.t.c. If you possess any of the above-listed skills and more, you have a great opportunity of entering Canada.
You should also be aware that there are other Provincial Nominee Programs that allow you entrance into Canada without a job offer on the basis of a family reunion.
Applying for jobs in Canada from a different country might not be that easy but having the necessary job search skills, expertise, documents and qualifications gives you a better chance of getting a Canadian job with LMIA.