With friendly people, stunning landscapes, and affordable living, Canada is often ranked one of the most peaceful places to live on the planet. And with so much to offer, there’s no wonder it’s a firm favourite amongst international graduates. Our work abroad Canada guide covers everything you need to know about living and working in the world’s second-largest country.
Canada is home to some incredible natural wonders, making it a big hit for nature-lovers looking to emigrate to pastures new. With Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, and the world’s longest coastline on your doorstep, you will never get bored on your days off.
Canada’s main language is English, so it’s a popular choice for UK graduates. What’s more, low crime rates make it a safe place to live for graduates living abroad for the first time. While English may be the main language, the province of Quebec is predominantly french-speaking. Therefore, there are plenty of opportunities to brush up on your French if you fancy it.
Work Abroad Canada: The Canadian Job Market
Canada may be synonymous with maple syrup and ice hockey, but it also boasts the 9th biggest economy in the world. As such, there is no shortage of graduate opportunities in Canada. The country’s GDP is $1.64trillion and unemployment stands at 6.5%. This may be slightly higher than its American neighbours, but there are still a plethora of jobs for graduates in Canada.
In terms of industries, Canada’s most prosperous sectors include natural gas, petroleum, chemicals, wood and paper products, and food products. That said, industries such as cryptocurrency, tourism, eCommerce, and primary healthcare are all growing at a steady rate. Unsurprisingly considering its size and vast natural resources, mining and oil drilling remain popular sectors in Canada too.
According to data from IBISWorld, here are the 10 biggest industries in Canada in terms of revenue:
- Commercial Banking
- Gasoline and Petroleum Bulk Stations
- Gasoline and Petroleum Wholesaling
- Oil Drilling and Gas Extraction
- New Car Dealers
- Supermarkets and Grocery stores
- Life Insurance and Annuities
- Hospitals
- Petroleum Refining
- IT Consulting
While these industries are leading the charge, Canada has a wide array of employment opportunities for international graduates.
Work Abroad Canada: How To Find A Graduate Job
Canada is often touted as one of the best places in the world to live and work, so the job market is competitive. Plus, Canadian employers typically consider native applicants before foreign ones during the selection process. With that said, there are still plenty of job vacancies for international graduates.
With so much competition, you will need to be well-prepared before looking for graduate jobs in Canada. If you’re feeling anxious or struggling with low self-esteem, remember that hiring international students and graduates is hugely beneficial for employers. So, keep this in mind and don’t sell yourself short.
Our website is packed with resources to equip you with the skills you need to enter the workforce. You’ll find advice on networking, emphasising transferable skills, writing a CV, and applying for graduate schemes. We also suggest taking a look at our guide to personal branding for graduates for some handy hacks on selling yourself to employers.
Work Abroad Canada: The Application Process
Now let’s talk about the application process. Applying for graduate jobs in Canada is very similar to the process in the UK. You generally start by sending in an application online or a paper CV with an accompanying cover letter. If the employer is interested in your CV, then the next step would be an interview.
It’s important to note that a CV in Canada is referred to as a résumé and there are some slight differences between the two. In general, résumés tend to be more detailed and customised to the job you are applying for (rather than a generic document listing your experience and qualifications). Because of this, a résumé usually takes longer to draw up. Fortunately, the Canadian education system is very similar in structure to the UK system. As such, Canadian employers shouldn’t have any issue understanding your qualifications.
Our advice is to go for quality over quantity. This means selecting a few Canadian employers to send your résumé to and dedicating more time to personalising your professional experience to the company. We also suggest making a version in Canadian/American English. It may seem like a small detail, but when competition is tight small details can set you apart from the rest. For more tips on how to structure a Canadian résumé, check out settlement.org.
In-Demand Skills in Canada
Like most countries, Canada faces skills shortages in certain industries. This is a great boon for international graduates who have those skills.
Research by Randstad highlighted the 15 most in-demand occupations in Canada in 2022. Let’s take a closer look.
- Key Account Manager (sales)
- Software Developer
- Marketing Manager
- Registered Nurse
- Delivery Truck Driver
- Customer Service Representative
- Welder
- Engineer
- Accountant
- Cloud Architect (IT)
- HR Manager
- Electrician
- IT Project Manager
- Mechanical Engineer
- Accounting Clerk
Don’t be disheartened if your skillset doesn’t qualify you for one of the jobs listed above, there are plenty of other career paths for graduates in Canada. Plus, you may be able to upskill by taking a professional course.
Remember, it’s not all about hard or technical skills. Canadian employers have also defined a list of highly-sought after soft skills. Therefore, be sure to hone these valuable skills and highlight them on your graduate CV.
According to Canada’s Immigration and Settlement Services (ISA), these are the top soft skills in Canada for 2022:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Adaptability
As a recent graduate looking for job opportunities in Canada, we highly recommend getting to know the country’s skills shortages. That way, you can sharpen your skills in these areas and boost your chances of landing a graduate job in Canada.
Best Places To Find a Graduate Job in Canada
To help you with your search, we’ve compiled a list of the top graduate sites in Canada. A word of warning, though. Canada has strict immigration laws and a points system, so you will need to make sure you are eligible to work before applying for positions on these sites. Employers expect graduates to research and obtain all necessary visas and paperwork before they begin the application process. It’s uncommon for Canadian employers to hire international graduates without the appropriate documentation directly from job sites.
Once you have the right to work in Canada, these job sites are full of fantastic graduate opportunities for international graduates.
In our post-pandemic world, there are now more graduate remote jobs than ever. This gives you another opportunity to experience working in a Canadian company. However, if you plan to work remotely in Canada, we recommend checking the Canadian immigration website for the latest rules and regulations on this.
Another common way to find work in Canada as an international graduate is to start locally. Large enterprises tend to have offices all over the world and many offer employees the opportunity to transfer to other locations.
You will generally have to work in the UK office for a few years before you are eligible for a transfer, but it’s another route to experience living and working in Canada. This is a great option if bureaucracy isn’t your thing as your company will obtain all the necessary documentation on your behalf.
Looking for opportunities with large UK enterprises? Our job board for students and graduates has a host of fantastic opportunities near you.
Top Graduate Employers in Canada
Thanks to its thriving economy, Canadian employers are constantly hiring both domestic and international graduates.
In a recent survey, EdVoy listed the top 8 graduate employers in Canada after the pandemic:
- Boston Consulting Group
- CIBC
- L’Oréal Canada
- Ford Motor Company
- Air Canada
- Nutrien Ltd
- Canadian Tire
- Labatt Brewing Company
Work Abroad Canada: Summer Jobs
Taking on a graduate job abroad is a big commitment – you’ll be starting a new life in a foreign country without your family to support you. However, there is another option. Looking for summer jobs in Canada is an excellent way to experience living and working in Canada without making a permanent move.
You can usually find summer work in Canada between the months of June and September. Canada welcomes tourists all year round, but the summer months are particularly hiving. As such, there is a wide array of seasonal work available in bars, restaurants, hotels, beach clubs, and other tourist spots. This type of work is especially well-suited to graduates looking to work as they travel.
Since Canada is such a vast country, there is plenty of seasonal work available all year round. From ski resorts to farm work, you can find an array of short-term job opportunities in Canada.
Many UK students and graduates look for work in summer camps. As a summer camp worker, your tasks include overseeing activities and looking after the kids. Plus, you get to work in an international environment and meet people from all over the world.
Here are some popular websites for finding summer work in Canada.
Canada requires all international workers to obtain an International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday visa before taking on summer or seasonal work.
Work Abroad Canada: Internships
Doing an internship in Canada is one of the best ways to experience the Canadian lifestyle. In addition, you will build valuable professional skills, showcase your independence, and gain experience in a multicultural environment.
Interns from overseas must hold a valid work permit or visa in order to do an internship in Canada. This visa is commonly known as an International Co-op or internship visa. As the criteria for this visa differ depending on your country of origin, we suggest consulting Immigration and Citizenship to check if you are eligible.
If the thought of doing visa paperwork is putting you off, why not apply for internships through organisations such as BUNAC? Internship providers will organise every part of your internship for you, including your visa sponsorship, work placement, and accommodation.
We appreciate that moving to Canada for an internship is not financially viable for many students and recent graduates. However, that doesn’t mean you have to scrap your Canadian dreams completely. Remote internships are more popular than ever. Opting for a remote internship with a Canadian company gives you the chance to experience Canadian work culture without the pricey airfare.
Work Abroad Canada: Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering is a hugely rewarding experience and a wonderful way to experience life abroad. Volunteering in Canada gives you the opportunity to build work experience and get to know a new culture. In addition, it’s a great chance to grow your network.
Organisations such as Go Abroad and One World 365 offer a broad range of volunteering opportunities in Canada for students and graduates. Alternatively, you can reach out to non-profit organisations directly to find your own volunteering positions. Always consult Government Canada to confirm whether you will need a special visa as a volunteer.
Graduate Jobs in Canada: What Visa Do I Need?
Canada offers UK graduates fantastic career opportunities. That said, it is known for having strict visa requirements. The best way to avoid issues at the border is to do your research and apply for your visa well in advance. This way, you have some wiggle room if your visa is delayed or denied for any reason.
Most international workers will need to show a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) upon arrival in Canada.
Generally speaking, there are 5 common visa types available for international workers:
- Working Holiday Visa
- Post Graduate Work Permit
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- Working Holiday Visa
- Employer-specific Work Permit
Government Canada has up-to-date information on the different types of visas available to you.
On top of presenting the correct travel documents, you must also prove that you are medically fit, a law-abiding citizen, and financially capable of supporting yourself during your trip.
After living and working in for several years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. Since the regulations regarding this process are updated regularly, we suggest contacting Immigration and Citizenship to assess your eligibility.
Final Thoughts
Deciding what to do after graduating is both exciting and overwhelming. Many recent graduates feel torn between entering the workforce and gaining some life experience by travelling or taking a gap year. Working abroad is the perfect balance between expanding your career prospects and getting a chance to travel.
With a booming economy, stunning scenery, and friendly people, it’s no surprise Canada is a popular choice for UK graduates. Despite its strict visa regulations, Canada is an amazing place to find a graduate job.
We hope our work abroad Canada guide helps you prepare for your new adventure. You can find the full series on our blog, as well as handy guides to get students and graduates ready for the workforce. With new content every Wednesday, it’s your one-stop-shop for surviving university and landing a graduate job.
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Looking for graduate jobs in the UK? Don’t forget to check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for fantastic opportunities in your area.
