If you're planning to move to Calgary, finding a job will be one of your top priorities. Expat.com has a few tips to help you in your search.
While not as famous as Vancouver or Montreal, Calgary possesses all the features of a major city. If you're seeking a location with diverse services yet also enjoy a peaceful environment surrounded by nature, Calgary is the perfect fit. It boasts both skyscraper-filled and residential areas, a bustling pedestrian street, museums, an amusement park, a market, and various green spaces, just to name a few attractions.
Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta. The province is known for its oil industry and the famous Canadian Rockies. It's a prime winter sports destination. The cost of living is lower than in British Columbia or Quebec.
If you're looking for a job in Calgary, your initial steps should include getting a social insurance number and a work permit. Next, tweak your CV to match the Canadian format and work on enhancing your English proficiency. For additional details on immigrating to Canada, check out our articles "Expatriating to Canada" and "Working in Canada".
The Calgary job market
Following years of prosperity fueled by oil, Alberta experienced its highest unemployment rate in two decades in 2016, with Calgary also feeling the impact. However, the situation has gradually improved, and the availability of jobs is consistently on the rise. As of September 2023, the unemployment rate stands at 6%.
The province has recently benefited from economic spinoffs, but labor shortages in the healthcare sector continue to threaten growth. Alberta also suffers from a shortage of school bus drivers.
In October 2022, there was a 6.2% year-on-year increase in employment within the goods-producing sector, outpacing the 4.9% growth in the service sector. Despite this, the service sector continues to be Alberta's primary job provider. Following closely are the goods-producing sector, the trade sector, the health care and social assistance sector, and the construction sector, in that order.
If your English skills are basic, landing a job in your field shortly after your arrival might be challenging. To improve your English proficiency, consider enrolling in language courses offered by schools or community organizations.
Looking for work in Calgary
When exploring job opportunities in Calgary, it's important to familiarize yourself with both regulated and non-regulated jobs in Canada. Learn about the necessary documents for initiating your job search and understand how to craft a resume, cover letter, and references tailored for job interviews in Alberta. The Canadian government has a helpful video that can guide you through this process. It's crucial to note that a Canadian CV differs significantly from a European CV – it can be up to three pages long, and photos are not allowed to prevent discrimination during recruitment. Including contact details for previous employers and teachers at the end of your CV is appreciated by potential employers. Even if your previous work experience is outside Canada, it's common for employers to reach out to your former employers before making a hiring decision. Additionally, always consider including a cover letter as it is highly recommended in the Canadian job market.
You can research companies in Calgary that interest you. Check job postings on their websites or contact human resources directly. Check sites like LinkedIn or Craiglist and newspaper classifieds for ads in your field. You can also check out Job Bank, the official Canadian government website. Job fairs are organized regularly in Canada, including events dedicated to newcomers. You can meet with employers to discuss job opportunities, and submit your CV in person to companies that interest you. If you're a newcomer to Calgary with an open work permit, you can start working in a small food business until you find the job or career that really interests you.
Guichet-Emplois offers details on professions and careers in Canada, providing information on job opportunities and salaries for each occupation. With up to 2,000 new jobs posted daily, the service is free to use! Service Canada is another valuable resource, offering crucial information on job search and application processes. Additionally, the jobs.gc.ca website features job opportunities within the federal public service.
Consider using the services of an employment agency in your job search. For a comprehensive list of government employment and training services, get in touch with your local Service Canada Centre. Don't overlook the official website of Alberta! In Calgary, numerous resources are available to assist immigrants in entering the job market, and most of these services are provided free of charge. Engaging with organizations that support newcomers not only helps you make valuable connections but also enhances your English skills. By participating in activities organized by these community groups, you can benefit from the expertise of professionals and attend workshops on various topics such as life in Canada, the job market, resume writing, and more.
Here are just a few:
Center for Newcomers
The Centre for Newcomers offers support for immigrants in their job search, particularly if English proficiency is a problem. The organization provides guidance, access to online job search platforms, workspace facilities, and a library. You can also benefit from training programs that enhance your understanding of the local job market and assist in showcasing your skills effectively. Additionally, the Centre for Newcomers can aid in securing internships in Calgary.
Immigrant Services Calgary
Immigrant Services Calgary provides mentoring services for immigrants of all ages and backgrounds. The organization has both a professional assessment center and a language assessment center. Their workshops are designed to familiarize you with Canadian customs, whether in your personal or professional life. You'll learn about career planning, effective job search strategies, resume writing, interview techniques, and managing financial resources. Immigrant Services Calgary also assists in acquainting you with the diverse community resources in the city, helping you build connections, make friends, or seek support in specific areas.
Calgary Immigrants Women's Association
The Calgary Immigrants Women's Association (CIWA) offers a variety of job-search assistance programs for newly permanent resident women with post-secondary diplomas and work experience in professional fields such as administration, sales, marketing and community and social services. CIWA also offers vocational training in cooking, and childcare.
Networking and volunteering in Calgary
Building a network in Calgary can make job hunting more accessible. Reach out to your contacts and inquire about potential leads, as many job opportunities might not be posted online. Volunteering in Calgary is a great way to gain Canadian work experience, enhance your English proficiency, and establish valuable connections. You can explore opportunities by searching the internet for "volunteer in Calgary" or contact an immigrant-serving organization. You can also consult the Volunteer Canada website.
Labour standards in Alberta
Wages in Alberta are among the highest in Canada. The minimum wage in Alberta is CA$15 per hour. For certain professions, such as architects and lawyers, the minimum wage is C$598 per week, and for domestic employees living with their employer, C$2,848 per month. Wages must be paid at least once a month.
Employees may not work more than 12 hours a day. They must have at least one day off per week and a 30-minute break after five hours of work per day. In excess of 44 hours' work per week or 8 hours of work per day, overtime is paid at one and a half times the normal hourly rate or in the form of time off.
From the first to the fifth year of employment with the same company, an employee is entitled to 2 weeks' vacation. This increases to three weeks thereafter. These vacations are paid at a rate of 4% of the salary accumulated during the year for the first 4 years, then at a rate of 6% from the fifth year onwards.
Here is the list of paid holidays in Alberta:
- New Year's Day: January 1;
- Alberta Family Day: third Monday in February;
- Good Friday: Friday before Easter;
- Victoria Day: Monday before May 25;
- Canada Day: July 1 or July 2 if the 1st is a Sunday;
- Labour Day: first Monday in September;
- Thanksgiving: second Monday in October;
- Remembrance Day: November 11;
- Christmas Day: December 25.
Some employers may choose to provide extra public holidays to their employees, such as Easter or December 26. If you work on holidays, you should receive compensation at one and a half times your regular salary. However, if you've been with the company for less than 30 days, you won't be paid for holidays you don't work.
In Alberta, notice periods for dismissals and resignations are determined by the employee's length of service.
Certain professions and sectors have their own set of rules. If you're moving to Calgary as a Federal Skilled Worker through Express Entry, planning to work in a specific profession or trade, or coming to study, you'll need to undergo a credential assessment. To apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must obtain an Educational Credential Evaluation (ECE) for your foreign credentials, which includes diplomas and certificates.
In Alberta, for regulated professions, the assessment of your credentials is typically done by the relevant regulatory body. Get in touch with the regulatory body or the designated group overseeing your profession, and they will guide you on which credential assessment organization to approach if needed. You can find contact information on the Guichet-Emplois website. Approximately 20% of jobs in Canada fall under regulation, including roles like architects, plumbers, and engineers. Specific jobs and trades may be regulated in some provinces and territories but not in others across Canada.
Good to know:
If you are licensed in Alberta, your license may not be accepted in other provinces and territories.
In Alberta, for professions without regulation, some employers may insist that job applicants require a license or certification from the relevant professional association. You can choose to have your credentials evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation agency for a fee, and this information can be included in your CV. Learn more about the process of having your credentials assessed for working in Canada. You can check with Alberta Labour or reach out to your company's union.
Working while you study in Calgary
If you have a study permit, your studies in Calgary are the main reason you're in Canada. This means that you'll need to study full-time during your course period. With a study permit, you can work while you study, under certain conditions. For more information, see our article Studying and working in Canada.
Useful links:
Expat.com - Employment in Calgary
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