Immigration challenges and job market
Starting a new life in Canada is both exciting and daunting. For many newcomers, finding a job is one of the biggest and most immediate priorities—but it can also be one of the toughest challenges, especially without the support of a case manager or settlement worker.
So, is it possible to find employment without that help? The short answer: Yes—but it’s not easy.
The Canadian Job Market: A Quick Overview
Canada has a relatively strong job market and actively welcomes skilled immigrants. However, understanding how to navigate that market is where many newcomers hit roadblocks. Unlike in some countries, job searching in Canada often relies on networking, tailored resumes, and understanding industry-specific norms—things that aren’t always obvious to someone just arriving to the country.
What our Work Action Centre Case Managers do
Our Case Managers provide critical support, especially during the first few months in the job market (in tandem with settlement workers). They help with:
· Resume and cover letter writing (in a Canadian format)
· Understanding job search strategies
· Accessing job postings and career fairs
· Practicing interview skills
· Navigating government programs (like language training, credential recognition, or bridging programs)
Without this support, newcomers are often left trying to figure out a complex system on their own.
The reality without a Case Manager
Newcomers without case manager support often face:
· Longer job search periods
· Difficulty understanding employer expectations
· Credential recognition issues
· Limited professional networks
· Language barriers
It’s not impossible to find work, especially in entry-level or survival jobs (e.g., retail, warehouses, food service), but finding employment in one's trained profession becomes much more difficult without guidance. Our team carries a wealth of knowledge in the job market from their own experience, from extensive training complimented with skills building, the team covers a large array of supports for our job seekers.
Some of our strategies:
Join newcomer support groups online – Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Meetup have active communities where immigrants share tips and opportunities.
Attend free workshops or webinars – Many libraries and community centers offer free resume clinics or job readiness sessions.
Volunteer or intern – Gaining Canadian experience, even unpaid at first, helps build your resume and your network.
Network intentionally – Reach out to people in your field on LinkedIn. Ask for informational interviews—not jobs, just advice. Canadians are usually open to helping if you’re polite and clear.
Use online tools – Platforms like Job Bank, Indeed, and Glassdoor can help you find listings. Tools like Magnet or ARRIVE are newcomer-focused and useful too.
Focus on language skills – If English or French is a barrier, consider prioritizing language classes, even while job searching.
Final Thoughts
The team at WAC are diverse and dynamic team who speak a number of popular languages in the Region. We bring a client centered approach, and one size does NOT fit all. We spend time with our job seeker on building trust and tailored service delivery. Our successes for newcomers is due to, not only our professional skill set but also, our team work to tackle barriers to employment with dedicated partnerships and reaching out to find solutions for the success of our job seekers.