Good one + 1 for u friendniagracalling said:"Canadian Experience" For Immigrants and Newcomers
By Mark Swartz
Monster Contributing Writer
Are you new to Canada, or thinking of immigrating here for a job? You should know that employers here might ask if you have "Canadian work experience."
This may sound like an odd question. There you are, coming from outside our country. You may have years of work experience and proper credentials from your homeland. Yet that may not be enough to convince Canadian employers of your worth.
So what is "Canadian experience" and how can you get it (or get around it)? Read on for more.
What Do Employers Mean By "Canadian Experience?"
According to Jeffrey Lee, Employment Specialist /Practicum Coordinator at CDI College in Burnaby, British Columbia, "Employers look for Canadian workplace experience so that employees are familiar with workplace culture, social cues, and expectations."
Since different cultures may have different ways of handling situations, "newcomers with 'Canadian workplace experience' are seen as being more capable of getting along with the workgroup," adds Lee. He also notes that having your professional credentials and education authenticated here is important too.
There are other aspects to Canadian experience as well. Peter Dudka, Acting Program Manager, Transition to Employment Programs at Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services in Toronto, Ontario, points out that employers favour the following:
- Fluent English or French, depending on what province you are in. This is crucial. Accent is not an issue, but clear expression of ideas and understanding local terminology are what matter
- Local certification. Not necessarily a two year diploma or a Bachelor's degree, but even the shortest course here that is relevant to the job will help you stand out from other job seekers
- Narrow specialization. Many newcomers instead offer (in resumes or during job interviews) wide experience and education, from which it is difficult to extract whether they can do that particular job or not
Dudka adds to this list "the art of selling yourself, which is foreign to many newcomers in Canada. It is related to the previous point: you need to be able to clearly highlight your strengths in one particular field."
How To Get "Canadian Experience"
No Canadian experience, no job. No job, no Canadian experience. It's a conundrum that many thousands of newcomers face each year. Fortunately there are ways to overcome this obstacle.
Jeffrey Lee, who has helped internationally-trained professionals find employment, offers advice. "Many recent immigrants can start by volunteering with various charitable organizations, offering their expertise for a variety of projects."
As well, Lee recommends attending a professional mentoring group where skilled immigrants are paired with local professional peers, to talk about how to prepare for entry into their desired occupation. One such program in B.C. is from MOSAIC. He also suggests volunteering at businesses related to your profession, if they are open to this.
Peter Dudka suggests connecting with local agencies in Canada that offer free employment assistance to immigrants. "Through our agency, for example," says Dudka, "we offer advanced English classes, work placements in Canadian companies, interview preparation courses and networking events with local employers.
If you happen to live in Quebec, you can get Canadian experience working in something called a Practice Firm. These are specially made businesses that only interact with one another. No actual money or salaries are involved. Practice Firms are training facilities that let you do specific jobs as if for real. There are 30 of these Firms in Quebec, and one in Ontario. A list of these is available at the Canadian Practice Firms Network (CPFN).
Taking A Lower Level Job To Get "Canadian Experience"
To get your start in Canada, you may want to consider taking a lower level job here than you are used to. It could be quicker for you to get initial employment that pays less. While it may be a step down, it translates into Canadian experience. The truth is that this is a common approach for a good percentage of newcomers.
However be careful not to get stuck in a menial job that is hard to move upward from. It would be smart to consult directly with one of those local newcomer agencies mentioned above. They can advise you personally based on your circumstances and needs. Meanwhile, read Monster.ca articles on Working for Less: When It's OK to Take a Pay Cut, and Should I Apply To A Job If I'm Overqualified?.
More About "Canadian Experience"
According to Jeffrey Lee, some industries such as IT (Information Technology, e.g. computing, software, telecommunications) may be less strict about where your experience is gained. Therefore this field might be easier to penetrate in Canada. At present, European-trained engineers may also have an easier time to get their credentials acknowledged than ones trained in Asia or the Middle East.
Other skilled immigrants can benefit from a program offered by the not-for-profit Allies, says Peter Dudka. Allies has created a National Mentoring Initiative in various cities across Canada. Mentoring offers a connection between a skilled immigrant and an established Canadian professional in the same or related occupation. It's a way of helping skilled newcomers integrate into the workforce faster.
Working in this great country can be marvelous. There are all sorts of challenges and rewards for immigrants.
Getting your start here can be difficult, no doubt. It will make things easier if you're prepared when the interviewer asks: "Tell us about your Canadian experience."
What is your time line ?pj.scorpio said:Hi..
I got mail from NDVO saying that
" In support of your application, you submitted an experience certificate dated June 27, 2014 on the letterhead of Allahabad Bank. The certificate states that since July 2011, you have been working as a bank clerks supervisor.
We have determined, through verifications conducted, that there is no such job title/designation in the bank and that you had worked as a scale 1 officer/clerk. On July 13, 2014, you were promoted as manager of Jagraon branch.
Based on the information available to me, I have reasonable grounds to believe that the experience certificate provided by you is not genuine"
Whereas I also stated the same thing ...
"
This is to certify that Mr. Pawanjot Singh Chandok S/o Narinder Singh joined bank services on 11 July 2011 as a JMG(Junior Management Grade) Scale 1 Probationary Officer (2 year probation period) and since has been rendering his services to bank as a Bank Clerks Supervisor. He plays a vital role in providing banking services to customers of the branch by supervising the clerical staff of the bank. He guides and assists the clerical staff in day to day operations and verifies the transactions executed by them. He has been hardworking, sincere and keen Learner. As a Bank Clerks Supervisor, mentioned below are some of his key responsibilities and duties performed by him in branch. "
I didn't state in my experience letter that I am a bank clerk supervisor. I says that I joined as scale 1 and have been working as a bank clerks supervisor. The designation is scale 1.
I have to give them an explanation in 30 days. What should I do now??
Please help.....
pj.scorpio said:Hi..
I got mail from NDVO saying that
" In support of your application, you submitted an experience certificate dated June 27, 2014 on the letterhead of Allahabad Bank. The certificate states that since July 2011, you have been working as a bank clerks supervisor.
We have determined, through verifications conducted, that there is no such job title/designation in the bank and that you had worked as a scale 1 officer/clerk. On July 13, 2014, you were promoted as manager of Jagraon branch.
Based on the information available to me, I have reasonable grounds to believe that the experience certificate provided by you is not genuine"
Whereas I also stated the same thing ...
"
This is to certify that Mr. Pawanjot Singh Chandok S/o Narinder Singh joined bank services on 11 July 2011 as a JMG(Junior Management Grade) Scale 1 Probationary Officer (2 year probation period) and since has been rendering his services to bank as a Bank Clerks Supervisor. He plays a vital role in providing banking services to customers of the branch by supervising the clerical staff of the bank. He guides and assists the clerical staff in day to day operations and verifies the transactions executed by them. He has been hardworking, sincere and keen Learner. As a Bank Clerks Supervisor, mentioned below are some of his key responsibilities and duties performed by him in branch. "
I didn't state in my experience letter that I am a bank clerk supervisor. I says that I joined as scale 1 and have been working as a bank clerks supervisor. The designation is scale 1.
I have to give them an explanation in 30 days. What should I do now??
Please help.....
Hi,vi2 said:Call CIC and ask them the update on your file. CIC Contact Number is +16139444000. Navigate IVR with 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 3, 1 and wait for an agent to answer your questions.
Reason bhind interview?vsai said:friends... this is to inform you that my 4th line updated as "Interview scheduled on May 25, 2015"
really excited to face the interview.. with this we can say that an interview can be called at any stage.. All the best to everyone... Good luck
ECAS status:
1-- Application received on Aug 1, 2014
2-- Started processing on Jan 20, 2015
3-- Medicals Results receieved on Feb 11, 2015
4-- Interview scheduled on May 25, 2015
OMG this is really gonna give many of us a tough time... :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\vsai said:friends... this is to inform you that my 4th line updated as "Interview scheduled on May 25, 2015"
really excited to face the interview.. with this we can say that an interview can be called at any stage.. All the best to everyone... Good luck
ECAS status:
1-- Application received on Aug 1, 2014
2-- Started processing on Jan 20, 2015
3-- Medicals Results receieved on Feb 11, 2015
4-- Interview scheduled on May 25, 2015
pj.scorpio said:Hi..
I got mail from NDVO saying that
" In support of your application, you submitted an experience certificate dated June 27, 2014 on the letterhead of Allahabad Bank. The certificate states that since July 2011, you have been working as a bank clerks supervisor.
We have determined, through verifications conducted, that there is no such job title/designation in the bank and that you had worked as a scale 1 officer/clerk. On July 13, 2014, you were promoted as manager of Jagraon branch.
Based on the information available to me, I have reasonable grounds to believe that the experience certificate provided by you is not genuine"
Whereas I also stated the same thing ...
"
This is to certify that Mr. Pawanjot Singh Chandok S/o Narinder Singh joined bank services on 11 July 2011 as a JMG(Junior Management Grade) Scale 1 Probationary Officer (2 year probation period) and since has been rendering his services to bank as a Bank Clerks Supervisor. He plays a vital role in providing banking services to customers of the branch by supervising the clerical staff of the bank. He guides and assists the clerical staff in day to day operations and verifies the transactions executed by them. He has been hardworking, sincere and keen Learner. As a Bank Clerks Supervisor, mentioned below are some of his key responsibilities and duties performed by him in branch. "
I didn't state in my experience letter that I am a bank clerk supervisor. I says that I joined as scale 1 and have been working as a bank clerks supervisor. The designation is scale 1.
I have to give them an explanation in 30 days. What should I do now??
Please help.....
auto_art said:OMG this is really gonna give many of us a tough time... :-\ :-\ :-\ :-\
4th line after medicals rcvd..
Friends ,,, dont worry guys i have receieved a valid Interview letter asking me to bring oringinal passports.. i have explored many contacts and senior Immigration consultants.. they all said after RPRF fee deducted and medicals cleared if any one is called for an Interview then 90% its assumed that its a random pick to show as part of their audit process..auto_art said:Vsai
anything exception u would like to recall with ur case.?
this might also may be by mistake as many among us got fake PPR, DM after SL, DM before MR e.t.c. isin't? have u rcvd letter.?
Congrats and all the best for the futurequartz said:Consultant forwarded PPR mail this morning
VO- NDVO
DM - 20th March
PPR - 16th Apr
Thanks friends for all the support!