By Tabinda Nayyar Siddiqui

 

I am a new Canadian who doesnt know where to start or I have been at home for some time, where and how can I start my job search?

The best start is knowing who you are and what skills set you can offer employers. Always start with getting your credentials and languages skills assessed. This may seem like a long process but it helps in the long run. Here are some things to focus on as you search for employment:

Be happy and keep your chin up: It is helpful to be in a good mood when you are looking for a job, getting ready for documents assessment or just researching your career options. Try to connect with positive people and think of things you are good at. Positive energies and an optimistic outlook goes a long way.

Know your assets: One way to facilitate this is to remind yourself of your assets, things that include skills, education as well as work ethics. You may want to log those assets because you will need to bring them to the attention of a potential employer and of course remind yourselves of what makes you valuable. This is really helpful if you have been a stay at home mom for a long time and at loss of motivation.

Talk to people; seek advice and evaluate in isolation: The most important asset is your ability to think about your situation critically. Following the mistakes or mistaken advice of others may only mean that you are doing the wrong thing. Advice needs to be considered, confirmed by others, treated as a possibility and weighed against knowledge, instincts and good sense.

Following are great resources to start. If you have any specific questions or concerns; feel free to contact me.

Language and Credential Assessment RESOURCES

WES
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON M5B 1J3
416.972.0070
www.wes.org

International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
Ontario AgriCentre
100 Stone Road West, Suite 102
Guelph, ON  N1G 5L
1.800.321.6021
www.icascanada.ca

Comparative Education Service (CES) at the University of Toronto
158 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 2V8
416.978.2400
learn.utoronto.ca/international-professionals/comparative-education-service-ces

YMCA Language Assessment and Referral Centre
20 Grosvenor Street, 3rd floor
Toronto, ON M4Y 2V5
416.925.5462
www.ymcagta.org/language

Toronto District School Board – Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)
Multiple sites
416.925.5462
www.tdsb.on.ca

Where ever you start your job search, we wish you the very best!

About the author:

Tabinda Nayyar Siddiqui is a Human Resources Professional, specializing in HRIS Data Analytics, Reporting, Data Conversion, Implementation and Maintenance.