Guys,
I found this posts really wonderful so sharing with you people, it may help most of us:
Canadian Experience:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don’t know how many times, as an employment consultant, I have heard these words. It is one of the most often stated barriers for newcomers to Canada. Most Internationally Trained professionals (ITI’s) have experience working in their chosen profession in their home country and they have the skills to perform their job so why are they asked the question “Do you have Canadian experience?”
Quite often ITI”s don’t understand why they need to have Canadian experience if they know how to do the duties of the job, especially if they have done it for several years in their home country. Many people who come into our offices to get help to find employment, believe that since they have the hard skills to do the job they are the most qualified person for the job; however, working in a Canadian environment does not only require you to have the hard skills and knowledge required to do the job, but it also requires you to have soft skills.
One of the reasons that employers ask for Canadian experience is that an employer does not have the ability to check with your workplace back home to see what type of work you did and if the hard skills you possess are compatible with the work that he or she requires you to do here. Several professions have rules and procedures that need to be followed due to existing government regulations. Each nation is governed by a different set of standards and regulations, so it is inevitable that the standards you followed will differ from the ones in Canada. By working in a Canadian workplace, even if it is not in your field, you will learn that there are differences between your culture and lifestyle, and the Canadian culture and lifestyle.
When an employer is asking the question, “Do you have Canadian experience?” they are actually asking if you would fit in with your potential co-workers. Employers are wondering if you are familiar with the customs, policies and procedures that apply in Canada. I guess the question to ask yourself is how do I prove that I do have the skills they require and how do I get the Canadian experience they are looking for? I have assembled some suggestions for you to consider in your search for Canadian experience.
1.1. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer. We all know that we want to get paid for the work we do so that we can pay the bills. Volunteering is a great way to get the Canadian experience you need, learn about the Canadian work culture, get Canadian references, practice your English, and even get good job leads which will eventually lead to that good paying job.
Your volunteer experience will play an important role in convincing future employers that you’ve got the skills they’re looking for. To make sure it has the greatest impact, remember to:
•Set clear and realistic goals for your volunteer experiences and keep these in mind throughout the search.
•Conduct your search in the same way you would a paid position
•Be prompt and professional at all times. You never know how the people you meet in your volunteer job could help you later on finding a full-time job!
Once you have an idea of what you are looking for your next step is to explore volunteer postings. Here are some of the most popular sites for volunteering:
Volunteer Centre of Toronto offers volunteer postings, resources, workshops and more.
Charity Village provides volunteer postings, plus profiles of organizations involved in the charitable and not-for-profit sector
Planet Friendly offers volunteer opportunities in a variety of industries all across North America, including many in Toronto.
Volunteerism in Canada includes a directory of organizations as well as general information on volunteering.
1.2. Networking. We realize that you may not have the advantages of having friends, family or acquaintances as you are new to the country. This sometimes puts you at a disadvantage, but there are ways of changing this. You can join social groups, visit community centres, or join professional associations. This will enable you to meet new people who may be able to help you find a job. Very often we say that jobs are found in the hidden job market which does include your network; therefore it is important to make the connections that will help you to find the jobs that are not advertised.
To find out more about professional associations you can visit: Professional Immigrant Networks
1.3. Another option you may consider is getting involved in a Bridge Training Program. Ontario Bridge Training programs help skilled newcomers get their license or certificate in their profession or trade, so that they can work in Ontario. To find out more information about Bridging Programs in Ontario click on the link below. There you will find links to specialized programs for your profession.
http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/keyinitiatives/bridgetraining.shtml
1.4. Finally, stay motivated, positive, and persistent. Make sure that you communicate on a regular basis with friends, family and people you meet in the field in order to state motivated and connected with the workforce.
Of course what I state here is not easy but with hard work and dedication you will be able to achieve your goals and when someone in a conversation asks “Do you have Canadian experience?” you can proudly say “Yes, I do”.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks,
Yameen
