Helping New Immigrants Find Jobs in the GTA

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Finding Jobs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

This web page is dedicated to helping new Canadian immigrants to find jobs in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in the province of Ontario.

Looking for a job can be tedious and challenging, especially when it's in a new country. However, this web page will be your road-map and help you prepare in your job search.

Some of the topics that we will cover on this job search web page are: finding jobs, applying for jobs, preparing for interviews, most popular job websites in the GTA, distinction between regulated and non-regulated jobs, evaluating your professional credentials, the importance of networking and much more.

Also included in this web page you will find many useful resources for researching details of specific jobs like the job duties, skills, qualifications and certification requirements, salary expectations, job outlook, etc.

Finding a Job in Canada

Job Search Step-by-Step Process

Jobs in Canada can be found offline and online. With the massive growth of the internet, most available jobs can be found online through job boards and company websites. However, you will also find jobs listed in the offline world like newspapers, local community bulletin boards and career fairs.

Since I came to Canada over a decade ago, I mainly focused on online job boards, recruitment agencies and networking with people. There are several online job boards that allow you to create free online accounts on their websites and post your resume.

Most top employers and recruitment agencies are subscribers to these online job boards where they post their job openings and look for candidates that fit their profile.

In order to simplify your job search, I've created a free step-by-step Job Search & Interview Preparation Guide to help you prepare and be successful in your job hunt. This guide covers the following topics:

    •   Preparing a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV);
    •   Writing a Cover Letter;
    •   Searching & Applying for Jobs;
    •   Preparing for interviews;
    •   Answering Interview Questions;
    •   Material to Carry to the Interview;
    •   Dos and Don'ts During the Interview;
    •   What you Should do After the Interview.

CLICK HERE to access the Job Search & Interview Preparation Guide.

Job Search & Interview Preparation Guide

Free Step-by-Step Guide (Click Below)

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Professional Networking Online

Get LinkedIn

Networking is one of the best ways to search for jobs in Canada's hidden job market. Newcomers can develop a network of contacts, seek volunteer opportunities and explore other means of accessing job opportunities that are not advertised.

LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network where people find and share job opportunities. Basically, you open a free account with LinkedIn, create a profile and connect with other individuals like yourself as well as recruiters.

Watch the short 2:00 minute video below to find out more about the LinkedIn network.


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Records and Documents Required

If you are new to Canada, you will be required to apply for various government documents in order to maintain your permanent residence, work in Canada and validate your professional credentials.

The web page below will provide details on how to go about validating your professional credentials. Also, included is a section on what regulated and non-regulated jobs are. Accordingly, you will be required to validate your credentials.

During your job search, you may be required to produce educational documents for degrees, diplomas and certifications you hold.

It is a good idea to carry your other employment records like your past performance evaluations, letters of recommendation from previous employers and bosses, certificates of training you've attended and transcripts. Ensure that the above documents are either in English or French, if not, you will have to get them translated.

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Report: Working in Canada

For New Immigrants and Newcomers to Canada

The Working in Canada tool is a very informational website which will provide you key details like the job description, skills, certification, salary, etc. for a specific occupation.

In order to use this resourceful tool click on the banner above and follow the instructions below:

    •   Enter your occupation (for e.g. Teacher, Project Manager, etc.);
    •   Choose the appropriate occupation from the list;
    •   Read the job description to ensure it is the right occupation;
    •   Choose the province and city;
    •   View the report generated.

Watch the short 1:30 minute video below for instructions on how to effectively use the Working in Canada tool.


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Resourceful Job & Career Websites

Top Canadian Employers, Employment Standards, etc.


Search Jobs - Beyond.com

The websites below will provide you valuable information which will help you in your job search and career. Read the descriptions below to see what each website has to offer and then click on the link to visit the respective website.

Best Employers for New Canadians
This website annually identifies Canada's best places to work. It has been in operation for 10 years and also identifies the best employers for new Canadians.
Search Jobs from Canada's Top Employers
This website allows you to search jobs from Canada's top employers. You enter the job title, location and it lists down various jobs openings that match your search criteria.
WoodGreens Employment FREE Services
WoodGreens provides free employment services youth and adults. They helps with job search activities, one-on-one coaching, practical workshops and other services.
List of Employment Agencies
At this website, you can register and they automatically submit your resume to Canadian employment agencies that match your location and occupation criteria.
Indeed Job Search Website
Indeed.ca is a job search tool that aggregates job searches based on your keywords and filters jobs that match your job search criteria. You can use the Advance Job Search feature to narrow down your search.
Employment Standards
This is a government of Canada website which focuses on Employment Standards in Canada. You will find information about your rights and responsibilities as a Canadian worker.
Minimum Wage Database
This is a government of Canada website. The minimum wage is a basic labour standard that sets the lowest wage rate that an employer can pay to employees who are covered by the legislation.

About the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Largest Metropolitan Area in Canada

About the Greater Toronto Area GTA

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is the largest metropolitan area in Canada with approximately of 5.6 million population. It is comprised of 5 regional municipalities: City of Toronto, Durham, York, Peel and Halton. In the above map of the GTA, you can see the major cities that belong to the Greater Toronto Area.

Toronto is Canada's economic capital and is the largest city in Canada. It has a population of approximately 2.5 million. Toronto is one of the world's most culturally diverse cities with 49% of the population born outside of Canada.

The GTA is the third largest financial centre in North America and contributes to a fifth of Canada's GDP. 40 percent of Canadian business headquarters reside in the GTA including Canada's 5 largest banks and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Most of the farmland in the GTA is located in the Durham region.

The GTA operates various public transit systems across the various regions. It has the largest and busiest freeway network in Canada. The Toronto Pearson International Airport located in Mississauga, is the largest and busiest airport in Canada.

Some of the notable universities in the GTA are University of Toronto, York University, Ryerson University, University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Ontario College of Art & Design. The GTA is also home to 6 public colleges.

Some of the major touristic landmarks are the CN Tower, Ontario Place, the Art Gallery of Ontario located in downtown Toronto.

Learn more about the Greater Toronto Area at Wikipedia


GTA Map: Wikipedia Creative Commons License

Other Canadian Related Web Pages

Free Online Resources for Canadians

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Job Search Books on Amazon

Buy Career Handbooks and Guides at Amazon

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Guestbook: Job Search Guide

Leave Your Comments, Questions, Feedback Below

If you have any questions or require any help, feel free to contact me. Wishing you all the best in your job search and career!


  • lalitha May 27, 2012 @ 10:52 pm | delete
    Hello ajgodinho,
    I have come to Toronto on April 6th and me and my husband are desperately looking for jobs. Can you help us in anyways? I can give more details about us if you will be in any way willing to help us. I fact we can come and meet you.
  • ajgodinho May 28, 2012 @ 9:32 am | delete
    Hi Lalitha, welcome to Toronto! Use the "Contact Me" button on my bio page to email me more details along with your email address. You can then forward me your resume and we'll take it from there. Take care!
  • Richard D'Mello Mar 13, 2012 @ 7:03 am | delete
    Very informative and detailed insight as required by new immigrant. Surely will help all who atleast glance through this website, I have benefitted hope you too.
  • poddys Feb 29, 2012 @ 4:45 pm | delete
    Excellent information, it's important for an immigrant to an area to know where to turn to find work. Nicely done, blessed.
  • hrseconds Jan 2, 2012 @ 7:39 am | delete
    A great source! I know finding a job as immigrant is tough, but it is possible! Thank you for all information that you shared.
  • ajgodinho Sep 30, 2011 @ 9:17 am | delete
    "Life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it." ~ John Maxwell
  • olgahutsul Sep 28, 2011 @ 11:19 am | delete
    It all sounds cool, but being an immigrant and finding employment especially now is nothing but the way of bitterness... I wasted 10 years of life arriving at nothing. I do not really think that immigrants are welcome here, or even given a chance at decency. If I stayed in my country by now I would have been University professor, or Advertising executive for a major international advertising company... Many of my friends who arrived at the same time have returned back seeing no prospects here (and have done very well by now!) Canada simply has no use for intelligent and educated people. All I managed to do is just to survive without remote prospects for future. Nice attempt, but it is all links leading to nowhere - they will never replace real life connections.
  • ajgodinho Sep 29, 2011 @ 10:25 pm | delete
    I'm sorry to hear that things haven't turned out the way you hoped for here in Canada. I don't think it's easy for any immigrant, no matter which country it is. But I also believe that opportunities are there, it's a matter of making the best of what you have and working with it. That's exactly what I did and it worked for me.

    When I first came to Canada, I left behind a great job and career in the middle east knowing full well that there was nothing concrete on the other side (i.e. Canada). However, I came here with an open mind willing to take on any job to make it work. Initially, it was tough and I had to start at the bottom, but I was determined to work my way up with hard work, effort, faith and a lot of patience. I went from making $12/hour in a contract job to a six-figure income in a few years. There is nothing special about, I'm just an average guy. And I know others who have progressed well, though the road has been challenging.

    From your comments, it looks like you're in a pretty bitter and negative state of mind which won't help you in any positive manner if you wish to continue living in Canada. You have to ask yourself some tough questions and make some tough decisions. If things haven't worked out so far and if you feel that Canada ?has no use for intelligent and educated people?, you have to ask yourself what's still keeping you here. Success is not always measured by titles, status and how much money one has in their bank account.

    This web page is dedicated to helping new immigrants (who are already in Canada) find jobs, it's not meant to discourage them with negativity. No one said that immigrating to Canada and finding a job was a walk in a park. But everyone deserves a chance and I'm focused on doing whatever I can to help those people who want to do what it takes to succeed. Hoping things work out for you somehow, here in Canada or wherever you decide to go. All the best.
  • cruiser123 Jul 12, 2011 @ 7:38 am | delete
    Great work by you.It is a temperment that need to carry on.All the best.Resume skills is an art that need to be implemented.
  • Rafick Jun 7, 2011 @ 12:33 pm | delete
    Plenty of useful information here for prospective immigrants. Rafick
  • hamshi5433 May 21, 2011 @ 4:02 pm | delete
    May god bless your kind heart!
    Amen
  • darciefrench Dec 26, 2010 @ 12:36 am | delete
    Excellent resource for new immigrants to Canada.
  • Tipi Nov 26, 2010 @ 9:09 pm | delete
    The thing about you is that you don't just do things, you do things perfectly! Oh my goodness, I am so glad I came back to the guest book. My security word now is "friends"! How does Squidoo know these things?
  • Tipi Nov 26, 2010 @ 9:06 pm | delete
    AJ, you are all about helping other people and you do it so very well! I am continually impressed with your work and your excellent spirit. Well done my friend!
  • ajgodinho Nov 28, 2010 @ 5:47 pm | delete
    Thanks my friend ~ you are always a great encouragement and blessing on lenses and on SquidU. I'm trying to do my part and doing the best I can to glorify the Lord...thanks again! :)
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Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence.
Updated: June 1, 2012

by

ajgodinho

Hello, I'm AJ Godinho, Human Resources professional, Trader & Entrepreneur with a passion for healthy living and philanthropy.

At Squidoo I get a chance...
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