How to put your best foot forward in a new country, province and community
One of the pro top tips that award-winning certified professional resume writer Natalie MacLellan has for newcomers to Canada: get involved in your community.
“Sometimes what can work against you as a newcomer is the lack of any sort of Canadian experience, which is that ‘Catch 22’: how do you get the experience, if you won’t be hired until you get it?”
The answer is simpler than it seems, says MacLellan, owner of Best Foot Forward Professional Resume Writing and Editing Service, her company based out of both Halifax and Ottawa.
“It doesn’t always have to be a job,” she says. “It can be volunteering; it can be studying or taking a course, but as soon as you’ve got something on your resume that is something you’re doing in Halifax, or something you’re doing in Fredericton, or wherever it is where you’ve landed, it helps. You just suddenly look like a part of the community.”
Hiring managers who are looking at your resume also want to ensure you’re not just stopping in an east coast community on your way to moving to a bigger city such as Toronto or Montreal. “Make it clear that you’re here and you’re committed,” MacLellan says, adding writing the address of where you will be living, if you’re not already here, will help show your intentions of staying.
Another key factor to a successful resume is ensuring your “education is clear and understandable to a Canadian audience,” MacLellan says. Be sure to communicate how much education you have, rather than just listing diplomas and certificates, so that the amount of time you’ve spent learning and training is properly reflected.
You may also have to get your educational credentials assessed, so be sure to plan ahead for that, MacLellan adds. “You might come here as a doctor, but have to do certain courses or spend certain time doing residency again, in order to meet Canadian standards.”
“It’s absolutely different for every speciality, but the first step is getting your educational credential assessment done,” she says, along with acquiring whatever licensing is required to practise your profession within the province of your choice.
Small cultural differences can also make a big impact on how your resume is read by hiring managers, MacLellan says. For example, here in Canada, it’s not common to see identifying information such as a social insurance number or another type of registration number, and personal details such as your religion, included on your resume.
“That can throw people off when they read it,” MacLellan says.
Also important when putting together a resume for job applications here: “no pictures.”
“I work with a lot of Europeans and it’s just kind of standard to have a picture,” MacLellan says. But hiring managers in North America “aren’t allowed to judge you on what you look like.”
“So don’t include your photo, unless of course you’re an actor or are legitimately judged on what you look like.”
Instead, include a “profile paragraph” at the top of your resume “summarizing your strengths and experiences,” suggests Alison Chandler, director of Client and Employee Experience at Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette, a recruitment firm with offices in Halifax, St. John’s, Calgary, and Toronto.
“Tailor this paragraph to the position you are applying for, using language that mirrors the words used in the job advertisement to highlight your ‘fit,’ ” says Chandler, who is based out of the company’s Halifax office.
“Organize your resume in reverse chronological order, with most recent jobs listed first,” Chandler says. “For each job you have had, list key job responsibilities that help describe the role and then include your accomplishments for each job.”
MacLellan agrees it’s important to target your resume and cover letter.
“Make sure that your resume is not trying to get you just any job,” she says. “Because the resume that is trying to get you absolutely any job, usually doesn’t get you one at all.”
Hiring managers are reading hundreds of resumes, she points out, “so the employer isn’t there to match you to the job; you have to do that.”
“It feels sometimes scary to do that and it feels like you’re limiting yourself, but you’re increasing your chances, the more you can target,” MacLellan says.
“You have to treat the job search as your job,” she says. “You have to be committed; you have to be diligent at spending your time on it, and it’s hard, especially when you’re still moving and you’re adjusting to an entirely different culture.”
That’s another reason why getting involved in your new Canadian community is so important, MacLellan says, whether that’s through volunteering, taking a class, joining a club or another activity where you’re getting to know people.
“Once people know you, the more likely somebody is going to recommend you, or that you will be in the back of their mind if the chance comes up,” MacLellan says. “It’s just getting out there and starting to meet people.”
Those volunteer and community activities should be listed at the bottom of your resume, Chandler says, adding many jobs aren’t even posted online.
“So don’t assume what you see or don’t see posted is the reality. Approach companies you are interested in and express your interest in what they do. Tell them your qualifications, skills and experiences.”
“Most employers respect and are impressed by a job-seeker’s direct and self-confident approach,” Chandler says.
Although hiring a professional helps, it may not be in your budget, so it’s important to take advantage of the resources already available to you, through groups such as Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS). “There are people out there to help,” MacLellan says.
Finally, don’t be discouraged, by “no,” Chandler adds.
“Remember that a ‘no’ received from an organization may only mean ‘no’ for the moment and not ‘no forever.’ Revisit companies you are particularly interested in. Most employers appreciate persistence among job seekers.”
The commitment it takes to start fresh in a new county already speaks strongly of how hard newcomers are willing to work, Chandler adds.
“The tenacity that it takes to relocate to Canada often speaks to a strong work ethic that many employers appreciate.”
