Every November, Manitoba highlights Career and Workforce Development Month by encouraging people across the province to explore training, build new skills, and learn more about employment opportunities. For newcomers, this is a great time to focus on the tools that can help you take your next step toward a meaningful career.

Starting a career in Manitoba often begins with a job interview. For many newcomers, the process may feel different from what you are used to. Canadian employers often expect clear communication, confidence, and short examples from your experience. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and more relaxed.

Building a professional network is essential to career success in Canada, especially for newcomers who may be starting from scratch in a new job market. Networking helps you meet people in your industry, learn from their experiences, and discover job opportunities that may not be advertised. Whether you’re attending in-person events or connecting online, here are some practical strategies to help you build and leverage your professional network to advance your career in Canada. 

After understanding the basics of starting a career in Canada and getting familiar with workplace culture, it’s time to explore the career-preparation resources at RRC Polytech’s Centre for Newcomer Integration (CNI). From building a standout resume to honing interview skills and growing professional networks, CNI offers tailored support to help newcomers confidently enter the Canadian job market. 

Mentorship can be a valuable asset for newcomers navigating the Canadian job market, providing guidance, support, and insights from someone who has experience in your field or understands the journey of integrating into a new workplace culture. A mentor can help you refine your goals, answer questions about your industry, and offer valuable advice on career advancement.  

Creating a clear and professional resume and LinkedIn profile is important for getting noticed by employers in Canada. Your resume should highlight your skills and experience in a short, focused way. LinkedIn allows you to share more details about your professional journey and build valuable connections. Here’s how to make both your resume and LinkedIn profile stand out.  

Canada’s workforce is diverse, bringing together people from many backgrounds. This creates great opportunities to work and learn from each other. For newcomers, building connections across cultures is important for success at work. It helps you understand others and feel more at home.

To explore these challenges, let’s look at the experiences of Bradley West. He is the Manager of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the City of Winnipeg. Bradley moved to Canada from Australia 31 years ago. Adjusting from Australia’s direct communication style and warm climate to Winnipeg’s different workplace dynamics and cold winters was not easy.

For newcomers to Canada, gaining local work experience is often the key to enhancing their resumes and standing out in the competitive job market. Canadian employers value familiarity with local workplace culture, communication styles, and industry standards, so having Canadian experience on your resume can make a significant difference. Here are some effective strategies for building Canadian work experience and creating a resume that will catch the attention of employers. 

November is Career and Workforce Development Month in Manitoba, a province-wide initiative to support career planning and workforce growth. It’s the perfect time to explore how to gain Canadian work experience. This article will provide practical tips to help you gain experience, grow your skills, and move closer to your career goals. 

You’ve made it to CLB 7—an impressive accomplishment. You’ve proven that you can handle complex conversations, read and understand more detailed texts, and express yourself in writing. But if you’re aiming to enroll in a college or university program, there’s just one more milestone to reach: CLB 8. 

At CLB 8, you’ll be ready to handle the academic challenges that come with pursuing higher education in Canada. This final step in your language journey is about honing your skills to meet the demands of academic life, such as writing research papers, understanding lectures, and engaging in critical thinking. So, how do you make the leap from CLB 7 to CLB 8?