Understanding Canadian Work Experience: What Employers Really Want
What does it mean when a job posting requires “Canadian Experience?” or “Canadian Work Experience”?
This is something that you as a newcomer to Canada or as an international students may struggle with in your job search. This article will explain what “Canadian Experience” means, how it plays into discrimination, and what employers may actually be looking for that you can provide.
What does “Canadian work experience” mean?
When employers use that phrase, they are describing a requirement or preference (intentional or not) that people applying for the position have experience working in Canada. The idea of getting Canadian work experience can feel like a catch-22. As a newcomer, you’re trying to get your first job but you’re going to interviews and employers are saying, ‘You need to have Canadian work experience.’ When you ask about what this means, you’re faced with vague responses. It’s like no one really knows. Canadian work experience seems like a mystery. On top of this, job seekers often have to learn new job search norms and standards.
Unfortunately, discrimination and bias are often disguised by this Canadian work experience requirement. In fact, an employer should not disqualify a candidate because they don’t have Canadian work experience. Canadian Work Experience is a violation of the individual’s Human Rights and some provinces have gone so far as to make this part of the employment conversation explicitly illegal.
Video: Canadian work experience – what it really means and what employers want
Soft skills: what Canadian employers may actually mean when they ask for “Canadian Work Experience” (with 7 examples)
What employers may actually mean when they say ‘Canadian work experiences’ is ‘soft skills’. Here you’ll get seven specific examples of what Canadian work experience actually looks like, from the perspective of an employer. Please note, this post is not about immigration issues like Canadian work experience for permits and visas.
7 things Canadian Work experience can actually mean
1. Canadian business etiquette
Just like anywhere in the world there are standards and norms of conduct, when it comes to doing business in Canada employers are looking to make sure that you’ve got an understanding of Canadian business etiquette. Think about ways you can demonstrate this on your resume. If you’ve got any experience working in Canada at all, make sure to highlight that. Volunteer experience should be included here also. This is especially true if you’ve done any sort of volunteer work in an office environment and you’re seeking a job in that type of environment, for example.
Another great example of illustrating your experience with Canadian business etiquette experience is referencing any sort of networking events that you’ve participated in. Employers are looking to see that you understand relevant social norms and standards of the environment you want to work in.
Concerned about gaps in your resume? Here are ways you can manage those resume gaps effectively.
2. Cross-cultural communication
Communication has different norms, depending on what part of the world you are in. A Canadian employer wants you to demonstrate that you’ve got an awareness of this. A Canadian employer wants to know that you know communicate in the Canadian context.
If you’ve recently completed a Degree or any sort of education program, this should be on your resume and discussed in the interview. If you had any course material that was specific to the idea of cross-cultural communication, that might be an interesting thing to note as well.
If you’ve done any volunteer work or networking events make sure that they’re noted on your resume so that the employer can see that you clearly have experience communicating with others in Canada. This shows that you’re not taking for granted that things are going work exactly the same here in Canada as they do in other parts of the world.
3. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is a big topic. For the purposes of your job search, it will mean demonstrating that you’ve got some sort of degree of self-awareness. It also means that you understand that your words and actions can impact others. When it comes to emotional intelligence, the employer is basically looking to see that you know how to interact with other people in a way that is respectful. Those interactions should also consider and acknowledge how your actions might have an impact on the other person. You can highlight this on your resume by demonstrating any sort of volunteer experience that you might have had. Part-time work experience or interactions that you might have had from through schooling is also really relevant.
4. Adaptability and flexibility.
Canadian employers want to see that you are adaptable and flexible. They want to know that you can go along with change that will happen in the workplace. A great thing to highlight on your resume to demonstrate your adaptability and flexibility is any sort of project you worked on which initiated some type of change. Likewise, if you have experience inside of an educational program that demonstrates an ability to be flexible, highlight that as well.
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5. Team-focused
Canadian employers want to see that you’ve got an ability to work in a team. Be sure to draw on any experiences that you’ve had in Canada working with other people. This could be volunteer experience, school experience, or experience on a sports team or other extracurricular activity. You should highlight that on your resume to show that you’ve got experience working with other people.
6. Conflict resolution and negotiation
This goes hand-in-hand with this whole idea of having an ability to work in a team environment. Conflict resolution is so important because healthy conflict is going to be part of work in Canada. Sometimes disagreement can lead to better solutions. Employers want to see that you’ve got experience working through situations of conflict and an ability to negotiate through that. An ability to work through conflict professionally is important. This is because conflict can often lead to a more positive outcome.
7. Customer service
Employers absolutely want to see that you have a customer service orientation. This is true even if you’re not applying to a customer service role. Most jobs do require some sort of customer service. Even if you’re a Project Manager, for example. In this case, you’re going to be working with clients. The idea of being client-focused and on understanding and delivering on the needs of a customer, is usually pretty important to Canadian employers. Look to all the things you’ve done in Canada. You’re going see some sort of customer service come out of that experience. This may have been through a volunteer group, a part-time job, or some sort of committee you volunteered on. Make sure to look for this customer service component and demonstrate that on your resume.
Pro Tip: set up a LinkedIn profile
Take the time to set up an All-Star LinkedIn profile as part of your job search. If you’re a newcomer facing the challenges of meeting Canadian work experience requirements, you can begin to challenge biases and assumptions by providing employers with accurate and real information about yourself. LinkedIn complements your resume by offering a platform to showcase your skills, experiences, and professional network. Employers often check LinkedIn profiles, so having a completed profile is essential. Strive for LinkedIn All-Star Status, as this can give you a significant advantage. Many job seekers overlook the importance of a polished LinkedIn presence, but having a professional profile can be the difference between getting called for an interview or not. Setting up a LinkedIn profile is a simple step that can bring big results to your job search, giving you an upper hand in a competitive job market.
What a Canadian employer really means when they ask for “Canadian work experience” can be frustrating and annoying to figure out. It’s also illegal. A newcomer or international student should never be screened out on the basis of Canadian work experience. It’s often used as a disguise to discriminate against candidates (intentionally or not). As an international job seeker, however, you might get this feedback. If you do, often there is little recourse for you to take.
To increase your odds of fair consideration, look closely at the job posting. If the employer is calling out some specific soft skills, make sure that you’re highlighting those items very clearly on your resume and your cover letter. You should also be prepared to expand on your experience in these areas in the job interview.
Conclusion: An employer’s requirement for “Canadian work experience” is illegal
Embracing self-reflection allows you to navigate your career with intention and confidence. When you know yourself deeply, you can make decisions that resonate with your true self, leading to greater satisfaction and success. It's about finding a career path that not only utilizes your skills but also brings joy and meaning to your life. By continually assessing and realigning your goals with your inner values, you ensure long-term fulfillment and growth. Remember, the journey to career happiness is ongoing, and it starts with understanding yourself from the inside out.
Advancing your career starts from within. It's not just about climbing the corporate ladder or landing the next big promotion; it's about understanding your passions, values, and strengths. Self-reflection is the cornerstone of finding true career happiness. Taking the time to reflect on your experiences, challenges, and successes helps you gain clarity on what you truly want in your professional journey. By looking inward, you can identify what drives you and align your career goals with your personal values. This inner work sets a strong foundation for a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.
