I want a job in Canada but am not sure whether Canadian employers in my industry are hiring or not.

How has the pandemic impact my occupation in Canada? Are there enough jobs for foreign skilled workers or are the vacancies likely to be filled by Canadians only?

I know there are many job vacancies for my position in Canada. But can I negotiate a higher salary? Or will it hurt my prospects work and settle in Canada?

Canada’s immigration system is so transparent and predictable that most queries of potential workers and permanent residents of Canada focus on jobs, salaries, and other related topics. And the pandemic has just made things worse because it has caused huge disruptions across all sectors of the economy.

So, where are the jobs in Canada? How to assess whether your job-search efforts will bear fruit or whether it pays to try later? And is this a good time to negotiate a higher salary?

Seek Professional Advice

The simplest and smartest way to get all your Canada immigration queries and Canada job search questions answered is to work with an immigration professional. The immigration attorney may not specialize in job-search services.

Yet, he/she may have very good understanding of Canada’s job market and the impact of latest developments including the gradual opening of various sectors across Canada.

So, give yourself a break and let the immigration professional help you with the answers.

Also Read

• • 4 Fantastic Advantages of Hiring a Foreign Worker for your Canadian Business
  • Economic, Demographic, Geographical and Cultural—4 Reasons Why Canada Needs Skilled Immigration

Jobs in Canada

The pandemic-induced shutdown can be compared to a very sick person being forced into complete rest. The illness has passed, and the person is now raring to make up for lost time.

This logic is definitely true for all the pandemic-hit sectors of the Canadian economy. Eight out of every ten restaurateurs in Canada are struggling to hire staff for their kitchens. Just three out of every ten hospitality-sector businesses have enough servers and staffs for tables.

Employing close to 1.25 million people, Canada’s foodservice industry was forced to lay off more than 800,000 workers due to the pandemic. And now that the virus seems to be under control, employers in this sector are finding that their past workers have moved on to other jobs.

And now, Canada’s fourth-largest private employer is staring at a huge shortage of workers. Joining this list are other sectors that continued operating even during the pandemic. Construction and various skilled trades related to this industry are seeing a sharp surge in demand.

And there just aren’t enough workers to cater to this demand. August 2021 was the first month since March 2021 when job growth expanded monthly. But there just aren’t enough workers, especially skilled trades workers.

And then there are some sectors that got a boost during pandemic. Working and studying from home led to a surge in demand for technology products. As focus shifted to healthy living, demand for quality healthcare and nursing services grew even during the pandemic.

And people are always on the lookout for a new disruptive product or service that will make their life better. This has seen good demand for skilled workers in tech industries across Canada.

Here’s a Good Job Strategy for You

One good strategy is to simply ignore the pandemic and search for jobs in Canada without focusing too much on the impact of the virus. Excess demand and extreme shortage of workers are unlikely to continue for a very long time.

Sooner than later, employers are going to focus on the worker’s skill, experience, and expertise, which means polishing your resume to highlight these aspects would serve you well.

Secondly, try to leverage your Canadian study or work experience by focusing on jobs in the province in which you have studied or worked. Find out if you are eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit under the relaxed eligibility requirements introduced during the pandemic.

Thirdly, look beyond work permits and assess if you are eligible for direct permanent residence. A sharp fall in CRS scores is likely when Canada goes beyond CEC and PNP and starts FSWP Express Entry draws.

If you have enough settlement funds, then you can leverage high language proficiency, good work experience, and an advanced degree to qualify for an ITA. You can then search for a job after you have become a Canadian permanent resident.