Useful Info

Advice on Tackling the Canadian Job Market

Job Seekers Bulletin # 1 - Dealing with calls from prospective employers.

Download the powerpoint from the Information Seminar for Recently Arrived Job Seekers.

Working in Toronto

  • A very useful website is Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials - http://www.cicic.ca/ - it gives information on transferring over your qualifications in Canada, with detailed country education profiles and comparison tools
  • Youth Employment Services (YES) www.yes.on.ca
    Contact: Sinead McCarthy, Vice-President
    555 Richmond St. W. Suite 711, Box 115, Toronto
    Tel: 416-504-5516 x 227
    sinead_mccarthy@yes.on.ca
    www.yes.on.ca
  • The YMCA have a Newcomer Information Centre where people can learn more about the free services and programs available for newcomers. www.YMCAgta.org/newcomers Call: 416 928-YMCA (9622)

Recruitment Companies

David Aplin Recruiting - Contact: Paul Farkas 416 367 9700 ext 335

Redwood Global - Contact: Olga Kaliadina 416 987 4000 ext 406

Resume (CV)

The Canadian format for a resume is different than the Irish format. It is important that it’s as presentable as possible (spelling, etc can be different). Get local advise, particularly from someone in your sector if you can access to that. If you are on the one year visa the SWAP office offers this service with resumes.

Linked IN

It is very useful to have a Linked In Professional Account – it is widely used in North America, and a very useful tool in the job hunt – www.linkedin.com

Business Cards

To tap into the “hidden” job market it is advisable to contact companies you are interested in, and request informational meetings – you can get a lot of information, and suss out if there are live job opportunities. It is useful to get business cards printed up with your personal details (200 cards cost approximately $20) and build up a network of contacts in your chosen field. It is worth while meeting with some relevant recruitment agencies.

Searching for companies in your field

  • Go to the yellow pages (online), newspapers.
  • Google the best Canadian companies to work for.
  • Go to professional organisations in your profession - attend their meetings.
  • Look up consultancy companies – they are often in contact with a lot of employers and are often looking for a specific person for a project. Call and ask them for a 20 – 30 minute meeting, to explain what you can do for them.
  • Get involved in an Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce event – this is a valuable resource of business and social contacts

Keep Organised

Prepare an excel spreadsheet detailing the names of every agency contacted, contact info, contact names, date resume was sent, current status of correspondence. Ensure to touch base with them regularly, to stay fresh in their mind.

Useful Job Sites

Useful agencies / organisations

Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Toronto can take time. It is well worth while researching the different areas to compare prices, but as long as you are on a TTC (subway, bus or streetcar) line you should be fine. Normally utilities are included but most apartments come unfurnished. However you can buy furniture relatively cheaply.

Cheap Options for Furnishing:

Information on settling in Toronto:

SIN Number

To work in Canada you need a SIN number. To apply: http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_detail.asp?faq_id=4001100
It is relatively straight forward and should not take too long to get.

Banking

There are a lot of options for banks in Toronto so it may be worth shopping around. It may be worth waiting until you get settled and choose a bank that it local to you, otherwise you will be charged to use other bank’s ATMs,



To open an account you will need:

  • ID
  • SIN number (depending on the bank not always necessary) 
  • Some $ to pay into the account.
  • The account & ATM card can be set up within a few days
  • If you are on the one year visa SWAP have an arrangement with one of the TD Canada Trust Branches, that ensures that fees and charges are kept to a minimum.

HealthCare

If you are living Canada for a minimum of a year and have a full time job you may be entitled to free healthcare by obtaining an Ontario Health Insurance (O HIP Card). It is very useful to have this as a form of Canadian Identification. Click here for further details.

Other Helpful Info