Work in Canada

Known for its breath-taking natural beauty, affordable cost of living and friendly natives it's no surprise that so many opt to live and work in Canada

You might already know that Canada is home to the world's longest coastline, Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, maple syrup and ice hockey. But did you know that the second largest country in the world also boasts a low crime rate and is regularly voted as one of the best and most peaceful places to live?

The fact that English is the main language (with French being spoken predominantly in Quebec province) is another huge draw for expats. Popular Canadian destinations for expatriates include Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, Oakville and St Albert.

Combine this with the friendly inclusive nature of its inhabitants and Canada becomes even more appealing.

Jobs in Canada

With the ninth largest economy in the world Canada has a GDP of $1.64trillion and an unemployment rate of 6.5%.

Major industries include:

chemicals
food products
natural gas
petroleum
transportation equipment
wood and paper products.

Cryptocurrency, ecommerce, primary healthcare, precious metal mining, oil drilling and gas extraction and tourism are all growth industries in the country.

Popular graduate jobs

accountant
electrical engineer
HR manager
merchandiser
registered nurse

Skills shortages

Canada has a number of in demand occupations such as:

accountants
admin assistants
engineers (aerospace, electrical)
HR managers
nurses
pharmacists
project managers
vets
web developers
welders.

How to get a job in Canada

Employers will likely consider Canadian natives before foreign workers but job opportunities are available to all and in most cases posted online. You can start your job search at:

Networking often proves useful so make use of any connections you have in the country, be that family, friends or work colleagues.

You’ll apply for jobs in a similar way as you would in the UK - with an initial application, either an online form or résumé. If successful this often leads to an interview. As mentioned, Canadian employers will require a résumé rather than the UK standard CV and cover letter. A résumé is designed to be more concise and tailored to each job application. A writing guide, along with downloadable examples, can be found at Settlement.org.

Summer jobs

The majority of summer jobs in Canada are in summer camps or hospitality and you can find opportunities at:

You'll need an International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday visa to carry out summer work in the country.

Other forms of casual work include working at a vineyard or maple syrup farm or as part of the tourism industry at ski resorts for example.

If your budget allows you could also consider volunteer projects/placements in the country. This is a great way to add experience to your CV. See:

Teaching jobs

If you hold a Bachelors degree, are fluent in English and have hands-on teaching experience, becoming an English tutor may be the job for you.

With English being one of Canada's official languages, demand is relatively low for international English teachers. Canadian citizens are at a greater advantage for filling teaching positions, however there are a number of opportunities in Canada's larger cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, for Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) - but be warned competition to secure one of these posts is tough.

To find out more:

Internships

An internship is the perfect way for any student or graduate to immerse themselves in Canadian culture, enhancing their skills and proving themselves to future employers in an exciting environment. In order to complete an internship in Canada, you'll need to secure the correct work permit or visa (see Canadian visas for more information).

If you're looking for an internship in Canada, here are some good places to start:

BUNAC Vancouver Internship can last up to six months and is aimed at English-proficient students and graduates.
Latitude International has internship opportunities based in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, Calgary or Ottawa.

Canadian visas

Most people need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to Canada. To find out which applies to you visit Government Canada where you can answer a couple of questions to assess your eligibility.

Anyone travelling into Canada must do so with the correct travel documents, and must be able to prove that they are:

financially capable of supporting their trip
a law-abiding citizen
medically fit.

You will usually need either an open or employer-specific permit to work in Canada and you can find out which one best suits your needs at Government Canada - Types of work permits. If you're planning to be in Canada for more than a few years, you might consider applying for permanent residency. The rules and regulations surrounding residency are subject to change so check with Immigration and Citizenship ensure you have the latest information.

Language requirements

Canada is officially a bilingual country. It is home to both English and French speakers. Fluency in English will be enough to navigate around the vast majority of Canadian cities and provinces. Quebec is the only officially French-speaking province, although you'll likely be exposed to both languages wherever you're based.

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to prove your proficiency via an accredited online test. The Government of Canada approves two English tests:

Explaining your qualifications to employers

As the Canadian higher education system closely resembles the structure of the UK system, many employers will have no trouble understanding your qualifications.

If your job is regulated, you will need to have your credentials assessed. Regulatory bodies vary between provinces and territories. If your job isn't regulated, the eligibility of your qualifications is usually down to the discretion of your employer.

For more information visit the Government of Canada credential assessment or the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Working life in Canada

On average you'll be expected to work 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, although this will depend on the company and the role.

Workers are entitled to a minimum of two weeks' annual leave after one year of paid work; this increases to three after six years' service.

There are five public holidays in Canada (New Years Day, Good Friday, Canada Day, Labour Day and Christmas Day) with an additional six holidays for federal employees. Different provinces and territories also have their own unique holidays.

The average Canadian salary is CAD$54,000 (£31,400) and the minimum wage in any profession is set by each individual province. Generally the cost of living in Canada is lower than that of the UK and USA, While Toronto and Vancouver are considered to be expensive places to live other areas such as Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal are less so.

To learn more about the Canadian tax system see Government of Canada - Canadian income tax rates for individuals.

Find out more

Discover what it's like to study in Canada.