How to Get a Job in Toronto
Toronto is considered to be one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in Canada, North America and the entire world. It’s often been ranked as the most multicultural city in the world and features six distinct and uniquely wonderful boroughs that provide a little something for everyone. Beaches, restaurants, parks, trails and more, with something always happening downtown, Toronto is a place where you can find just about anything and everything you’d need.
Toronto is also the financial hub of Canada, providing a variety of opportunities for employers to employees and small businesses to large corporations. Current residents and those looking to relocate to the city are always looking for ways to take advantage of those opportunities, whether it’s by opening an office (or relocating the company) to Toronto, opening a small business in the city, or looking for a job.
If you’re looking to enter Toronto’s job market, then it could be a bit daunting to figure out where and how to get your foot in the door. Well, that’s what this piece is for! We’ll take you through some crucial steps to get you started and into the hunt for a new job in Toronto.
1.Work Eligibility
The first and most important step is to make sure you’re actually eligible to work in Canada. If you’re a Canadian citizen and of age, then you’re already good to go, but if you’re an immigrant currently in the country, or looking to immigrate to Toronto, then you’ll want to make sure you’ve dotted your I’s and crossed your T’s.
There are a plethora of online resources that make it easy to check if you’re available to work in Toronto. Exploring these resources will let you know if you’re eligible to work, and if not how to become eligible. For some potential immigrants, there’s an Express Entry option that can get you in the country and ready to work pretty quickly. Once you know you’re eligible to work, you can move on to the next steps.
2.What Kind of Job
In a city like Toronto, you’ll be able to find just about every job imaginable. Whether it’s retail, hard labour, tech, media, social services, government and more! There’s something for everyone and deciding what industry you want to work in and where your skills are best suited is an important part of focusing your efforts and getting the kind of job you truly want.
If you don’t have a particular interest, then knowing what jobs have a higher percentage of openings can help you figure out what you might be interested, while also having a better shot at landing a job quicker and easier.
3.Head to Your Computer
Once you know what industry you want to look into, you’ll want to head online first. In our current technological age, most employers go online to a variety of different job sites to hunt for applicants, as it’s the easiest way to get to as many people as possible.
Sites like Workopolis, Canada’s Top 100, Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, Eluta and many more are great places to explore for potential job openings that would be great options for you to look into.
4.Job Recruiter
If just going online doesn’t work for you, then there are several experienced and connected job recruiters who can help put you in an ideal situation and find you a job that works for you. The benefit of a good job recruiter agency is felt in the entire process. They can help you put together a strong resume and cover letter, advise you on how to approach your interview and even specific information on companies you may be interviewing with.
With Toronto recruiting agencies, there are a variety of good general recruiting agencies, but specialized ones as well for specific industries that will have even deeper connections. If you know the industry you want to be in, using one of these can make the difference for you, and get you started on your ideal career path, or even help find you your dream job!
5.Networking
Networking is a big you can do, especially for more corporate jobs, to get you a foot in the door and find connections that can help. A lot of companies like to hire people they know, as they’re typically known quantities they can count on and can create an ideal work environment. Getting yourself out there is a big part of this and networking is the key to that.
There are several types of networking events, including job fairs and industry events that can connect you to different peers and companies you may want to work with. Some examples include the Ellevate Network for professional women, Toronto Business Casual, Eventbrite events and more!
6.Resume
Keeping your resume, CV or any other record of your work experience up to date and professional is a big part of getting a job. It’s not just about having all your work experience on there, but knowing what different industries and companies are looking for. What you’d put on your resume for an entry level customer service position is different than what you’d put on for a finance job, government job, or a job in the legal profession. You can get tips online, from a recruitment agency, or a peer you may have met at a networking event but keeping your resume ready for any opportunity is a big part of job hunting.
7.Work Visa
If you’re not a Canadian citizen, then you’ll need to apply for a work visa to be eligible to work in Canada. Everything can be done online, scanning the required documents and simply following the instructions. Once you’ve been approved, you’re good to go!
8.Move
Just move! That’s all that’s left to do once you’ve done everything else. There are several online resources available to help you find a house or apartment to live in, and if you need a roommate there are resources to find one as well. Everything is online and at your fingertips, making it easy to find a place to live, even in a crazy housing market like Toronto.
When it comes time for the move, you may need to exchange some currency to get started or send money back home. With Knightsbridge Foreign Exchange you can get the easiest, fastest and most secure exchange process that also provides you with the best currency exchange rates in Canada. For big purchases, like a home, we can even help you make the payments directly, and keep track of it all, all while continuing to provide the best currency exchange rate in Toronto even as they fluctuate.