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I arrived in Canada seven months ago with a PhD degree and 10 years of experience as a community-based researcher and educator across the USA, South Asia, and Europe. Despite having extensive work experience and a well-recognized educational qualification, I found myself struggling in the Canadian job market.

My doctorate and my most recent work experience were from the USA, so I arrived with the assumption that my educational qualifications and professional background would be easily accepted in Canada. What I didn’t realize was that although both countries are in North America, their job markets operate very differently.

It took me two months to learn that the Canadian job market is very relational; this means securing a first job in most parts of Canada largely depends on networks and connections. The good news is that while networking is the most common route to employment, you can still land a role without existing networks if you approach the job hunting process intentionally. I know a few folks who landed their first jobs without referrals or connections, including myself - but these cases are rare. That’s why networking is essential.

Here are some strategies that I think may be useful to current or future job seekers.
Please note that these strategies and lessons are based on my personal experiences navigating the job markets in both the USA and Canada, as well as insights shared by other professionals over the years. They may or may not work for everyone, since we all have different circumstances.

First and foremost, get familiar with the job market, how it works, and what the major industries are in Canada (e.g., healthcare, manufacturing, education, etc.).

Ideally, all these tasks should be completed before your move to Canada, as they can help you decide which province and city to land in and settle in, and where you are likely to find more opportunities for professional growth.

For many reasons, immigrants may not have an opportunity to do this research beforehand, and that is okay. In such cases, it is best to spend the first few weeks or months after your arrival to figure out the basics. In my opinion, doing this work early on saves immigrants from hassles and frustrations later. More importantly, it will help you develop a clear picture of what to expect in the coming months.

This is a very important step, and job seekers must spend a good amount of time developing their application materials. I won’t suggest how much time needs to be spent on this task, as it really depends on your knowledge of the job market, your skills, your field, the target industry, and how confident you feel preparing your materials. Either way, I think, checking relevant resources online is helpful to ensure your materials align with the Canadian job market and your field.

You can find great resources for job application materials on LinkedIn, Charity Village, indeed, or just by doing a simple Google search. You can also search for settlement organizations in your area and find free workshops on resumes and cover letters. I attended a few in Toronto, and they were helpful.

Bonus tip: Attending workshops is a great way to network, meet new people, and make friends as a newcomer.

I also suggest getting your materials reviewed by people in your field who are already working in Canada (if you do not know anyone, then find some relevant folks through LinkedIn or broader networking - you’d be surprised to see how many people are willing to support you in ways they can). Some may even happily share their resumes and cover letters if you ask kindly. I generally wouldn’t recommend asking for materials in the first meeting if you have not established trust with the other person yet. That said, you can ask for materials if the person seems very supportive and kind, use your judgment.

Many people don’t realize that cover letters carry a lot of significance in the Canadian context, depending on the industry. In my experience, non-profits, education, healthcare, research, and international development sectors place strong emphasis on cover letters. If your field falls within these industries, make sure to write convincing and well-structured cover letters.

Do not submit generic cover letters, no matter what. You can create a general format for your letter, but it is important to tailor each letter by including relevant examples based on the job description. It’s okay to use ChatGPT, but modify the cover letter to make it more human and personal. Also avoid submitting AI-generated cover letters without editing.

There is a general assumption and common belief that recruiters and hiring managers do not read cover letters (and it is true to a certain extent), but you never know. The recruiter at your potential workplace might read yours. This happened to me – the hiring managers at my current workplace thoroughly reviewed my job materials and those of other candidates. I don’t suggest spending too much time on every cover letter. Decide which applications are most relevant to you and invest your time accordingly.

Carefully evaluate your previous work experience, education, and finances. I emphasize thinking through your finances, as they determine how aggressive your job search should be. For example, if you have savings for six months, you may aim to secure a job by the fourth or fifth month. If you are very tight on finances, decide what is best for your situation. One possible solution is to secure a part-time or full-time job in coffee shops, retail stores, or any other places where it is easy to get into. This temporary job will give you some financial stability and buy some time to figure out your next steps.

At this stage, spend some time reflecting on your values and your strengths. Many people ignore this part and end up in workplaces that do not align with their values or personalities. I also understand that sometimes; despite doing all the homework, you may still face issues at work. My point is that doing your part helps you identify issues quickly and take necessary steps (e.g., planning a job switch, changing departments).

Having a strong job search plan and following it with discipline and consistency is essential. Your plan may look like deciding how many jobs to apply for each day, setting aside time for networking, and so on.

Here is an example of how you might organize your day while job searching. Adjust it according to your needs and circumstances.

Date: 02/08/2026

There is no single or correct approach, so any plan can work if you follow it consistently and with discipline.

Don’t submit your application materials left, right, and center. When unemployed, it’s tempting to apply to every job you see. You may feel productive and get psychological satisfaction from applying, but in reality, sending application materials everywhere wastes your time and energy and leads to disappointment, as the chances of hearing back are extremely low.

The key to getting a job in the current crazy job market is being smart and selective. You should aim for a balance where you don’t lose quality or quantity. This balanced approach works better in a shrinking and chaotic job market—speaking from personal experience as someone who has faced unemployment and financial stress and understands the desperation and anxiety that come with it.

Ideally, you should start networking (i.e., connecting with people in your field, hiring managers, or recruiters) even before you begin your job search. At any stage, your networking should be mindful, intentional, and strategic. Spend some time thinking through why you are doing networking and what you hope to gain from it.

I know many people would think, we are doing networking because we want a job – that’s totally valid. But if that’s your only goal, there’s a higher chance you’ll end up feeling disappointed. Many people you connect with won’t be able to offer you the job, but they can give you important insights and sometimes refer you to others who may be helpful.

You’ll get the most out of networking when you ask the right questions. Here are some sample questions you can tweak based on your goals.

Think of networking like the early stages of dating - where you are just trying to get to know someone. Many people expect an immediate outcome, but that’s not the right mindset. Networking is a long-term investment that may not result in any immediate concrete outcomes, but it will equip you with the knowledge and connections that can really support your journey as a newcomer.

If you’re not getting anything valuable out of your networking efforts, that’s a sign to revisit your strategy. Be intentional about who you’re meeting. If you have very specific questions, connect with people who hold that expertise. And don’t hesitate to reach out to people in leadership or executive roles - you never know where your next opportunity might come from.

Having a mindful and authentic presence on LinkedIn can really support your job search. You can use this platform for finding relevant job postings - it offers several filters (e.g., location, job type, job titles, etc.), and you can also set job alerts so new opportunities come straight to you.

LinkedIn is also an excellent place for networking. Personally, I don’t recommend treating it like Instagram or Facebook, where you post anything and everything. Try to use it strategically.

Think about how you want others to perceive you. For example, if you’re a project manager with experience in the non-profit or international development sector, it might be helpful to share content related to project management, past work examples, best practices, or insights you’ve gained. This kind of content increases your visibility, and you never know, a recruiter or hiring manager might reach out.

These things take time; be gentle with yourself (I am still figuring out how to use LinkedIn effectively!!).

Regularly evaluate your strategy and assess if it is working or not. Sometimes we put a lot of effort into a certain networking plan, and nothing happens. Instead of feeling discouraged, take it as a sign that it may be time to tweak your approach. That’s completely normal!!!

Also, keep your job materials - your résumé, cover letter, and portfolio updated and evolving. As you network, people will often share helpful feedback, so use that to refine your documents. Job searching as a newcomer is humbling. We think, “I’ve been in the field for years; how hard can it be?” But every job market works differently. What worked in one country may not work in another. Updating your strategy and materials continuously is truly a core part of the process.

Start preparing for an interview even before you get one. Doing this preparation early will help you think about how to reframe your foreign experience in the Canadian context. There’s a lot of chatter about “Canadian experience,” and while it can help, it’s not the deciding factor many people think it is. What really matters is your ability to clearly explain how your previous work is relevant and valuable here.

Remember: Preparation does not mean memorizing answers. It’s much more helpful to jot down key points you’d like to mention. Stress can easily make you forget a memorized script, and that usually doesn’t leave the best impression. The most impactful interviews feel natural and conversational. Of course, this depends on the interviewer’s style too, but in general, staying authentic and grounded makes a big difference.

Managing your stress levels is essential – even though it can feel impossible during a chaotic job search phase. When stress builds up, we’re more likely to make decisions we later regret. Try to incorporate some kind of movement or grounding practice into your routine: yoga, journaling, walking, light workouts, anything that helps you reset.

I’m not going to recommend any one approach because everyone handles stress differently. Some people thrive with intense workouts; others can’t do any exercise when they’re overwhelmed. The key is to figure out what works for you and stick with it.

This is NOT an exhaustive list (I will keep updating the list). Pick and take what resonates with you. These are tough, unpredictable times, and we’re seeing a lot of job cuts across the Canadian job market. This doesn’t mean you won’t find work - it just means you may need to put in a bit more effort, show up more visibly, and intentionally expand your network and professional circle.

Be kind and gentle with yourself. Job hunting is scary and brutal. Take short breaks when you need them. Sending lots of strength, positive thoughts, and good energy to everyone currently searching for work opportunities!