Having a job not only helps you be independent, allows you to pay your bills, but also aids in your growth and development. 

Waking up, getting ready, going to work, meeting people, and working helps you stay on track with your life and keeps you busy in this new country. 

Finding a job is not an easy task but let me share some tips to motivate you.

Note that these tips are not 'How to get a job', but 'How to look for a job'.

1. Employment Websites or Job Boards

One of the widely used approaches to finding a job. These websites not only help you find jobs but can also provide you with information on company reviews, trends, salary comparisons, resume tools and much more.

Some of the most popular job search websites are: 

Indeed, LinkedIn, Job Bank, Glassdoor,  Workopolis, Monster and SimplyHired.

You can filter results based on your location, job types, salary preferences and more to find more customized job options. 

2. Directly through company websites

If you come across a company that you would like to work for, you can either simply search “[Company’ Name] Careers “ for example “Wawanesa Careers” and that would take you to their careers page or you go to the company’s website and look for the ‘Careers’ , 'Jobs' or ‘Work with us’ option. 

You can normally find it at the end of a website page or in their menu section. 

Applying directly through a company’s website is a great idea as your resume will not get lost in many applications that they will receive from job search websites, plus it shows commitment. 

3. Attending Job Fairs and Career Events

Attending a job fair is clearly a good way to find a job. You get access to multiple companies at once and you can get a chance to directly meet the hiring managers or onboarding recruiters. You can give on-the-spot interviews and make a good impression. They often share resources which you can access later as well to stay connected with their hiring team. 

Make sure you are prepared. Research the companies beforehand and have your resumes printed out. 

4. Connecting with Recruitment Agencies

Recruiting or staffing agencies can help you find a job in your desired industry. You can submit your resume on their websites, and they pitch you to different companies based on your skills and qualifications. Some of the popular staffing agencies are:

Robert Half, Staffmax, Pinnacle, Randstad and Aplin. 

5. Government Websites and Programs

You can also look for government job opportunities. Simply search ‘Govt. of Canada jobs’ or ‘GC jobs’. You can also search for your province and city. For example, ‘The City of Winnipeg Jobs’ or ‘Ontario government jobs’. The government of Canada's website lists multiple student jobs regularly as well. 

Apart from directly looking for jobs, you can also apply to their job programs, for example, the STEP (Student Transition Employment Program) and FSWEP (Federal Student Work Experience Program). These are a great way to find government jobs. You can put your resume in their job pools and when your profile matches a job opening, you will be directly contacted. Ensure to regularly update your profile to showcase the most up-to-date information about you.  

6. Social Media

Social Media is not only for entertainment. You can find many job opportunities through platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Many companies have social handles, so search for your desired company and follow them. Apart from following the companies directly, you can also join employment support pages that share job alerts and tips regularly. There are many job help groups and pages out there. You can also follow my Instagram bavlyfe for such alerts. 

7. Networking

Networking is a very powerful tool in job search. A simple small talk can lead to great opportunities. There are many job opportunities which are not publicly advertised or posted, and a good network can help you reach those. Networking helps you stay updated and in the know of latest job trends and desired skills. You can network and make connections starting from the very first year of being in Canada. Speak to your professors, colleagues, classmates, and workers in your institute.

8. Volunteering

Volunteering gives you a chance to directly make connections with the management and leadership in a company. For example, I have been actively volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross and now if I wish to work there, I know who to reach out directly and also provide an internal reference. When you are volunteering for a company or an organization, you already know their policies, values, missions and how they operate, making you an ideal candidate for a job as well. 

9. Directly reaching out to Hiring Managers (also called Cold Outreach)

Find your desired company and do some research. Try to find the team. Many companies list their workers on their website or may have a 'staff directory' section. Find them on LinkedIn and make a connection. You can also search for the company in the ‘people’ section of LinkedIn and look for people who work there. Send them an email regarding your interest in working with them and share your skills and qualifications. This way even if they haven’t publicly posted a job, they might offer you one or consider you for future job openings. 

10. Handing out in-person resumes

If you are new here and are looking to work in retail, fast-food chains, or convenience stores, going in person and handing out resumes is a great way. These companies rarely hire online but accept in-person applications. It all comes down to how you present yourself. Do not give your resume to the first person you see there. Ask for a supervisor or a hiring manager and introduce yourself properly. Show your enthusiasm for working there and tell them your availability. Taking a few extra minutes to make a special conversation with them can increase your chances of being selected out of hundreds of resumes they receive. 

Hope these tips help you.

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