The 5 Keys to Achieving Your Career Goals in Canada

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Many newcomers to Canada ask me, what’s the secret to finding a good job and achieving professional success in this country?

Unfortunately there’s no single answer to this question! I wish I had a magic wand to give everyone the job of their dreams so that they could live happily ever after! … but that would be too easy, right?! I believe each person has the ability to create their own success; therefore you don’t need a magic wand!

Based on my observations and after hearing the experiences of hundreds of professionals in my network, whether freshly-arrived in Canada or long-term residents, I’ve put together a list of personal attributes and behaviours that would likely help in the journey to professional success.

I call this list “The 5 Ps for Success.”

1. Be PROACTIVE

A proactive attitude is one of the key factors to not only find a job but also become successful in the Canadian workplace. Being proactive means taking action without others telling you to do so. For example, during your job search, don’t just submit your resume online and wait to be invited to an interview — that’s a passive approach anyone can take. Instead, take the initiative to build authentic connections in the companies you would like to work at, and find creative ways to put yourself in front of hiring managers, recruiters, and key players. Reach out to people on LinkedIn, attend business events, set up informational interviews, ask for introductions, and follow up with every person you meet.

Following up in a proactive way is fundamental! Quite often, new people I meet at events or connect with on LinkedIn would have one conversation with me and never come back again… and I must say, I’ve made that mistake as well! In order to build meaningful relationships, as a basic rule you have to keep in touch with your connections. These are some ideas you can use:

• when you see your contact’s post on LinkedIn, you can like and comment on it — make sure that your comment is thoughtful and meaningful;
• if your contact’s company is in the news, you can send them a quick message mentioning it;
• when you get a notification (birthday, job change, promotion), take two minutes to send a quick private message congratulating them;
• if they liked or commented on your post, send them a quick Thank-You note, and ask them how they are doing and what they’re working on.

Just keep the conversation going and they’ll keep you in mind when you need their help.

If you’re working in Canada, being proactive will also help you establish credibility in your workplace. Whenever you notice a problem or issue, or come up with an idea for improvement, make sure to speak up and communicate your viewpoint to the relevant people in a respectful and humble manner. Your manager and coworkers will likely notice that you take initiative and consider you when other projects or tasks come up.

2. Be POSITIVE

Attitude and mindset play a big role in your job search, and I know this is easier said than done! It’s important to show up with your most positive demeanour, not just to an interview, but also when you meet someone for the first time and during professional meetings. Make sure you smile genuinely and present yourself confidently. Convey your stories concisely and proudly while asking questions to show interest in the other person.

Whilst it’s okay to mention that you’re looking for an opportunity, be mindful of not appearing like a victim. I totally agree that the job search process is frustrating and draining, but if a new contact sees you talking negatively most of the time, you may miss a precious chance to be referred to a job. For one moment, put yourself in the shoes of the person who is giving you their time to meet you. Would you hire a complainer or a sad person? Probably not; therefore the first impression is critical.

Some activities to keep a positive mindset are: meditating, praying, keeping a gratitude journal, spending time in nature, exercising, having quality time with your family or close contacts, and talking with someone who encourages you. Try to find activities and people that help you move forward.

During my first months in Canada, I only heard negative stories from other immigrants, which lowered my energy and made me wonder if I had made the right decision. A few years later I found UnstoppableMe.rocks, a community of positive people who support each other in the ups and downs of their Canadian journey. That’s when I became more aware of the difference between feeling like a victim versus keeping a positive outlook despite setbacks. The people you associate with will play a big role in keeping you up or dragging you down — choose them wisely!

Once you get a job, it’s important to inform others who have helped you along the way. Don’t forget to thank your mentors and trusted connections! As a nice touch, you can send them a handwritten card or a token of appreciation such as a gift card. I’ve seen so many people just vanishing after finding a job and reappearing two or three years later when they need another job! I may think twice about helping them a second time. Remember that we live in a small world and have a professional reputation to maintain.

3. Be PURPOSEFUL

Always have a purpose for your actions. There are people who aimlessly attend multiple events, connect with anyone and everyone, and at the same time expect to find a very specific role in a niche field. Whether you volunteer, go to an event, contact someone on LinkedIn, or think of your next career move, establish some small goals while keeping your bigger goals in mind.

If you just landed in Canada and simply want to meet as many people as possible, it’s okay to network broadly for the first few months or so because you’re building a new network “from scratch.” However, when you start looking for a job, it’s advised that you focus your efforts and plan your moves better. Take time to assess your own skills, abilities and personal values, and based on these, you can think about your purpose. Once you have a purpose, search for people with whom you want to connect, events you can attend, and volunteer organizations that fit your profile. Identifying the target job, industry, company and contacts first will make it easier for you to define a purpose for the actions you take towards your goals. These are some examples of goals you can establish:

• when you go to a networking event, set yourself a simple goal such as “speak to at least 3 people and ask them specific questions about their career.” Later, you can follow up with those 3 people citing what you learned from them, and invite them for coffee. That’s better than having small talks with 15 people and not really connecting with any of them.
• when you talk with a non-profit association about volunteer opportunities, don’t say “just give me anything to do.” Instead, look for organizations that align with your passion and profession, and have a purpose in applying to specific roles or speaking to a volunteer manager.

If you are already working in Canada, it is advised that you keep your goals and purpose in mind, and do a self review every four to six months. Ask yourself, “how is this job or role helping me achieve my mid- and long-term career goals?” Even if you are in a survival job or an entry-level job, actively look for opportunities to learn new skills through studying or volunteering that would serve your long-term goals.

A friend of mine with extensive financial experience in her home country worked at a bank’s call centre (her first job in Toronto) for over five years. She put off studying for certifications thinking that she would get a promotion or another job because she had that initial “Canadian experience.” However she realized quite late that she could have studied during that time in order to appear better qualified for higher-level jobs. She was a little complacent, in my opinion. She told me, “yeah, it’s good to get a foot in the door, but don’t put your whole self in a role that’s below your potential, because you’ll end up getting too comfortable to move up!”

A clear purpose and long-term plan that guide your actions will enrich your day-to-day activities for better outcomes.

4. Be PREPARED

It’s important that you take time to prepare for the day you’re called to an interview, or you get to meet a senior person from one of your favourite companies for a coffee.

• Practice your elevator pitch, have your 3 key strengths in mind, and make sure you sound professional in your manners and vocabulary.
• If you enroll in a bridging program or get a mentor, ask for their support in polishing your resume and practicing interview questions, and most importantly, be open to applying the feedback they provide.
• Write down your self-development actions to get more clarity on what exactly you need to do to be ready.
• If your first language is not one of Canada’s official languages, take every opportunity to practice listening and speaking it. You never know when you’ll get the chance to have a conversation that can lead to your next job! You may consider joining a Toastmasters Club to practice public speaking and general communication skills to become more comfortable. I’m one of the founders of Unstoppable Xpeakers Club in Downtown Toronto, and can affirm that all members have improved tremendously since we’ve started operating in March 2019.

Also on the topic of preparation, successful immigrants have told me that since “a job search is like a full-time job” they had a clear schedule written down. For example, Monday to Friday, nine to five as if they were working full-time, they performed a variety of activities like applying online for up to 3 hours, going to coffee meetings and events, taking classes, practicing interviewing with a friend, etc. Being prepared means planning well and having a good discipline in executing your plans.

5. Be PATIENT

Last but not least, landing a job is not an overnight process! The reality is that it can take months for you to land your first job in Canada. A typical hiring process for a professional job takes about one to three months on average.

Be aware that people born in Canada also face difficulties in their job search. It’s not my intention to discourage you but I rather want to put things in perspective because the job market is very competitive, especially in major cities like Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver. Being patient means reminding yourself that every closed door is leading you to a better opportunity. Don’t give up at the first setback, or the hundredth, or even after 3,000 tries!

When you face rejections, consider that there are many things outside of your control. In my personal experience, I had wonderful face-to-face interviews at great companies where everything appeared fantastic: positive rapport with the hiring manager, all my examples matching requirements, future projects were similar to the ones I had managed… and bam! A rejection email with no feedback arrived after a week. This happened many times and I never knew the true causes. But I have learned that even with great answers to all interview questions, excellent discussions and effective body language, the company might have given the job to an internal candidate, or another candidate was referred by someone influential, or they simply decided not to hire anyone at this time. There are multiple variables in the hiring process that an external candidate does not see first hand.

In the end, I decided to focus on the factors I can control: rethink the answers I gave, review my notes, send thank you messages, refine my resume for next time, and build relationships with the hiring manager and other employees at those companies. Everything happens for a reason and job seekers need to have the right amount of patience and perseverance in their journey.

Summing up, starting your life in a new country is tough and challenging, but many people are in the same boat and many others have settled well after the initial struggle. Keep your hopes high and try to enjoy the process!

One day you’ll look back at these moments and understand why things happened the way they did. Everything will fall into place and you’ll be proud of what you’ve learned and achieved.