Ontario funds a network of free employment centres that any newcomer can use. Staff review your resume, coach you for interviews, and often know employers who are hiring right now.
Free services to use first
- Employment Ontario centres, which offer counselling, workshops and training funding.
- Settlement agencies, which run newcomer specific job programs and mentoring.
- Public libraries, which give free computer, printing and online course access.
- Job Bank, the national listing service run by the Government of Canada.
The hidden job market
A large share of jobs are filled through referral rather than advertising. That is why networking matters more here than many people expect. Attend job fairs, join a professional association in your field, ask for informational conversations, and build a LinkedIn profile, which is widely used by Canadian employers.
More places to look
Check employer websites, LinkedIn, professional associations, job fairs, recruitment agencies and temporary work agencies. Networking and volunteering can build relationships, but they should not replace a fair paid job when you are doing regular employee work.
Job scam warning signs
- You must pay money, buy gift cards or send cryptocurrency to receive the job.
- You receive a cheque and are told to return part of the money.
- The interview happens only through an unfamiliar messaging app.
- Someone asks for a banking password or offers very high pay for almost no requirements.
Volunteering is another respected route. Employers accept volunteer work as Canadian experience, and it often leads to paid roles inside the same organization.