Employer Expectations:

Canadian Job Hunting Awareness for Foreign Students

Paul Gemmell, MACP

Catholic Centre for Immigrants

Introductions• Introductions are important for good communication

throughout the relationship, so lets get to know each other a little now.

Today’s Focus

• Look at Canadian job seeking principles from the point of view of a “foreign” applicant

Job Hunting around the

worldYou are bringing your culture’s job hunting norms to the Canadian table. It is important to use the best of your knowledge and work it into the Canadian context. Let go of some of your assumptions of the way things should go in a job hunt.

Look at Each Step Carefully

(and if any are uncomfortable, jump on them and learn about them rather than avoidance)

• Job Posting• Resume• Cover Letter• Interview• Follow Up

Job Recruitment: What employers look for

(Which may have cultural barriers?)

1. Communication Skills (verbal)2. Analytical Skills3. Strong Work Ethic4. Teamwork Skills (works well with others)5. Problem-solving Skills6. Initiative7. Interpersonal Skills (relates well with others)8. Flexibility/adaptability9. Communication Skills (written)NACE, Job Outlook 2012, Fall Report, Bethlehem, PA: National Association of Colleges and Employers, October, 2011

Shake hands?Hug?

Bow?Smile and talk?

http://www.paolicchi.com http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ManHughttp://thepolkadotshoes.blogspot.com http://englishhubblog.wordpress.com

Verbal (and cultural) Communication

Don’t assume the employer understood exactly what you meant to say. Nuance is extremely difficult. If you get a puzzled look, clarify.

Time

“Time is very important in Canada. In fact, I got my first watch here. Time to catch a bus, time for doctor’s appointments, time for immigration appointments. I had to learn how to tell time.”

By a 60 year-old womanSource: http://www.web.ca/~ccr/state.html

Interview Top Tips1 – Arrive 15 minutes early and make sure you know where you are going ahead of time.

 

2 – Dress “1 position” up (dress how you imagine your supervisor in the position would dress for work).

 

3 – Smile and be enthusiastic

Top Tips4 – Research the company and your position beforehand

 

5 – Prepare answers to the commonly asked questions

6 – If you do not understand a question ask the interviewer to repeat the question

Top Tips 

 7 – Speak slowly and enunciate (clear speech)

 

8 – Be confident – eye contact, good posture, handshake (if you are able/comfortable to handshake. If not, explain)

 

9 – Be positive about yourself and past experiences. I. E.: don’t complain about a past manager or beg for the job

 

Top Tips 10- Avoid rambling – make sure your answers are to the point without being as short as “yes” or “no.”

11 – No cell phones!

 

12 – Ask questions at the end

13 – Make a connection if possible

  

Remember!..Your cultural perspective can be an asset rather than a liability. Work with it!

…At the same time, show potential employers that you can fit in. Use small talk for familiar things, like sports, Tim Hortons, etc.

Once you have the job, keep it!

Be aware and sensitive to what is going on around you in the workplace. We don’t have a “company for life” system. You can be fired in Canada rather than merely moved around the company.

Making ConnectionsThere are a number of services in Ottawa for finding employment:• Volunteer Ottawa (there is a section for newcomers)• WorldSkills (some programs are geared to PRs, but

some are open to others• Employment Agencies (find the right ones for your

sector)• YSB (Youth Services Bureau)• YMCA Employment (240 Catherine Street, Ottawa)

Network! Get connected!

Employer Expectations:Canadian Job Interview Awareness for Foreign Students

Questions?

Paul GemmellCatholic Centre for Immigrants

Community Connections Program219 Argyle Avenue, 5th floor, Ottawa, ON

PH: 613-232-9634 (ext. 431) Email: paulg@cic.ca