How To Get A Human Resources Job In Canada As A Newcomer
Human resources is an important function in businesses across Canada as the need to attract and retain skilled workers continues to grow. Human resources professionals often play an integral role in establishing a companys culture, training and retention, diversity and inclusion, and labour relations. Whether you are a seasoned HR manager or are at the start of your HR career in your home country, moving to Canada can open doors to new employment opportunities.
Landing your first human resources job as a newcomer in Canada, however, can be challenging. Youll need to understand the job market and start your job search in Canada before you arrive. In this article, we discuss immigration programs for HR professionals wanting to move to Canada, as well as tips on how to get an HR job in Canada as a newcomer.
In this article:
Work Permit: Moving To Canada Temporarily As An Hr Professional
Most foreign nationals require a work permit to work in Canada. There are two types of work permits:
- Employer-specific work permit: You must have a Canadian job offer to qualify for an employer-specific work permit. This work permit only allows you to work for one employer at a specific job location for a predetermined period.
- Open work permit: An open work permit allows you to work for any eligible employer in Canada, and you dont need a job offer to apply. However, you can only qualify for an open work permit under certain situations, such as if you recently graduated from an eligible Canadian study program or are the spouse or common-law partner of a foreign skilled worker or international student in Canada.
If you want to settle in Canada permanently but arent eligible for any PR programs, applying for a work permit can be an ideal option. With a few years of Canadian work experience under your belt, it will be easier to qualify for the CEC, FSW and PNP programs.
Options In The Human Resources Career Path
The HR career path is a relatively simple one, but it can be slightly different for each company and organization. Some companies may have all the possible job titles for HR while others might combine the job descriptions of two into a single role.
Similarly, along with the responsibilities, the salaries of HR professionals also differ according to different companies. However, with the help of online platforms like PayScale, Glassdoor, and Salary.com, as well as, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a general average HR salary for each position can be deduced.
The following is the order of a typical HR career path in their respective hierarchal order.
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To All The Working Mama Bears Out There: Youre Not Alone
Daphne: And this is something that youre so passionate about that you actually write blogs about it and have built a community just solely around supporting working mothers, correct?
Yes. I operate a blog on the side because I have so much free time. Just kidding. I have a blog called Freshly Brewed Mama. I usually post about once a week, and Ive built a strong network of other working moms through my emails and social media. My goal is to make sure that other people, especially first-time working parents, dont experience what I did.
I remember being a first-time mom working in HR within education. I was so overwhelmed with the idea of going back to work and figuring out what it would look like as a working parent. I felt alone and like I didnt have anybody there to really talk with or to support me through it. There werent really any resources out there. It was a hard transition.
Now, my goal is to connect with other people and look at whats working for them and what they need, so they dont have that experience of feeling alone and unsupported. So far, its been a great opportunity for me just to meet people around the country who are in a similar situation of being a working parent, whether its by choice or need.
Thanks so much for having me today, and I look forward to continuing to work with everyone.
You Can Transition To A Mid
The following recommendations apply to anyone who is thinking of transitioning into a mid-level career in HR. You can find jobs in HR management.
The diverse personal questions that are sent to TheBalanceCareers are challenging to answer in that the answers depend completely on:
- where you live and want to work,
- the size of the company you want to work for,
- the requirements for jobs in your local area, and
- what your market competition looks like where you live.
Even the question about whether a PHR would help you depends on what is commonly expected where you live or if your goal is large companies which are prone to liking certifications more than smaller companies. Certificates are also seen more favorably in large cities especially on the coasts.
The PHR can’t hurt, plus in studying for it, you will gain knowledge that you need to successfully work a mid-level career position in the field of HR.
But, there is no guarantee that it will help with employment above entry level. If your goal is Employee Relations, however, you may be headed on the right path to prepare for a role in a larger company.
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What Is A Human Resources Career
Human resources professionals are responsible for maintaining and managing an organization’s human capital. They typically handle the overall hiring process, including recruitment, interviews and onboarding. They may also offer conflict resolution services to maintain an organization’s relationship with its employees, lead socially driven training events and manage payroll and benefits. Professionals from other industries who transition to a career in HR may seek careers in management such as:
-
Recruitment manager
Career Counselor Or Coach
If a significant part of your previous work in HR was recruiting, interviewing, hiring and onboarding employees, you know what employers look for in potential candidates. You understand the search, interview and hiring process. Counseling or coaching is one of the main career options for HR professionals looking to make a switch from a general human resources management job.
A career counselor helps you look at your big-picture needs, which includes long-term career planning. A career coach often focuses on your short-term job search. Many people use the terms interchangeably, but you can specialize in career planning or helping with job searches.
You can use your HR knowledge to coach job applicants in cover letter and resume writing, job interview skills, negotiating, personal assessments, career planning and social media presence enhancement , explains careers website Indeed.com.
Career coaches are in such high demand that multiple organizations now certify them, points out Coach.me.
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Youll Feel Gratification From Solving Problems
Do you ever feel like you see trouble coming before everyone else does? In this position, spotting and addressing a problem area is going to pay off. HR pros are on the frontlines of employee problem-solving. Because of this, they have the opportunity to smooth out organizational kinks before they become company-wide knots.
Its really gratifying to see employees go from being frustrated because theyre having a problem with their manager to feeling productive and appreciated, Speigel says.
It Looks Like A Business School
Over the past decade or so, many MBA programs have shifted their focus from technical training to leadership training and their teaching methods from classroom lectures to teams of students actively grappling with real-world business cases. The same shift is occurring in corporate learning departments, with their new focus on action learning and on executive-led dialogue about business challenges facing the organization. The best-known proponent of this approach is General Electric, whose renowned Crotonville leadership center closely resembles a business school, including a Harvard-style case study classroom dubbed The Pit.
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Transitioning From A Career In Education To Human Resources
Changing careers is not an easy endeavor because you will rarely meet all the must-have requirements to do so. Switching industries as part of changing careers is even more challenging. Here are some specific strategies that will assist you in transitioning careers and/or industries.
First, changing careers takes resilience and vigor. To be successful, you need to develop goals and specific objectives, and plan how you will complete your goals.
Once you have chosen a new career direction, do some analysis and networking to determine the knowledge, skills and abilities you will need to qualify for jobs that interest you. You will also need to showcase your transferable skill sets. If you lack key credentials, consider volunteering or enrolling in a certificate or degree program to gain new skills and credentials as a way of increasing your marketability.
Next, hire a certified experienced resume writer / employment coach to help you highlight your relevant transferable skills. Craft a customized cover letter and resume and update your LinkedIn profile to display your new skills and career goal. Explain why you are changing careers in your cover letter and state how your background is an asset. Brush up on interviewing skills and your elevator pitch.
Here is a four step process that I am using to change career paths:
Step One: Face your fears and confront your attitude towards change.
Step Two: Set realistic goals.
Step Three: Create stepping stones.
You Can Help Develop The People Around You
The work you do in HR goes a long way in the professional development of other employees. With tools like performance reviews and exit interviews, human resources professionals can collect valuable information that guides performance improvement plans. This ultimately provides you the rewarding opportunity to not just improve the organization as a whole but also the individual employees you work alongside.
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Career Change From Accounting To Human Resources In 5 Actionable Steps
Youre probably burnt out, unhappy, and ready to seek a new career path as an accountant. Perhaps youre considering a career change to HR and wondering what is required.
In this article, I discuss five practical steps you can take to help you successfully transition from accounting to a human resource career that is:
- Research and validate HR as a career path
- Network with HR professionals with an Accounting background
- Get trained and qualified
Update Your Professional Brand Assets
At this point, you have all the ingredients required to build and update your professional brand assets.`
Your professional brand assets are your CV, your LinkedIn profile, and your personal website.
I call them professional brand assets because they are resources that you own and control that are able to provide you with a future economic benefit, i.e. a job as a HR professional.
Building and polishing these professional assets will position you and make you attractive to recruiters and hiring managers.
- Your CV/Resume: Take all your newly acquired knowledge, skills, and experience and include them in your resume in a way that fits the requirements of an HR professional.Analyze at least 10 HR live job vacancies that you would like to apply to. Review the requirements, i.e. the section that says your responsibilities or says in this role, we are looking for.This is essentially the business telling you what theyre looking for in an ideal candidate. Analyzing 10-15 vacancies will uncover some patterns and keywords.Ensure these keywords are featured on your CV/Resume.
Pro tip: Matching your CV/resume to actual job roles is a great way to get through the ATS system.
Your CV is an effective way to show employers how you will be a great asset for the position youre applying for.
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How To Map Your Hr Career Progression
Theres no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to determining the right HR career path for you. The path that you take will depend on your ambitions, interest, and skills which means that what is right for you can look very different from what is right for another HR professional, even if you have the same starting point and experience.
Use Professional Certification Programs To Further Your Career
If youre in this field from before, youll know why HR certification is highly valued by employers in the present scenario. Job hunting is tough with employers looking for updated skills. Although you may be able to land a job in the HR field without certification, a certified HR professional will undoubtedly give you an edge over others in this hypercompetitive market.
Learning the importance of getting certified is one thing, and finding the right certification is another.
If you delve deeper you will come across professional certification for HR professionals offered by some of the worlds greatest certification bodies. To name a few include names such as Talent Management Institute , The Association for Talent Development , and The HR Certification Institute .
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Be Open To Opportunities Teachers Are Often Far More Qualified In Terms Of Transferable Skills And Experiences Than They Realize
Daphne: I absolutely agree with you and, again, its as if youve taken the Teacher Career Coach course because so many of the things youve mentioned, like finding that right level of role to apply to, are things I walk people through in the course. Thats why I help teachers identify what experience level theyre at and what types of roles are most appropriate for them because theres always the chance for people to have bias. Unfortunately, each hiring manager is an individual with their own set of biases. Some of them may see a teacher who has seven years of experience applying for a role thats looking for something more entry-level. The hiring manager may pass on them based on assumptions of pay necessity or management compatibility.
There are always chances for bias, right? People might look at a resume highlighting 15 years in the classroom and get nervous that youre not going to be able to easily work under someone whos only worked in their role for three years. So, its so important for you to be able to identify the levels that are the most appropriate for you based on your experience and what you want out of your new job.
Thats why, like you said, researching, being prepared, and really just going for it even if you dont feel youre one hundred percent qualified is always a good idea. A lot of times, you realize you have a lot more to offer than you assumed. There are a lot more opportunities available to you than you think.
Youll Have Some Significant Staying Power
Technology and automation can change an industry rapidly. Yet HR appears to be well situated for withstanding technological displacement. Its true that human resources information systems have automated some of the duties of HR generalists, but there is a large element to HR careers that would be extremely difficult to automate.
Software takes the human out of human resources, says Lynda Spiegel, an HR veteran and career coach. Spiegel says the profession requires intuition and common sense, something technology just doesnt have the capability of effectively emulating.
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Canopy Employee Assistance Program
UO contracts with Canopy to provide a comprehensive employee assistance for benefit-eligible employees and their dependents. The confidential services are provided at no cost to eligible members.
Canopy provides tools, resources, and training. Create a MyAdvantage account on the Canopy website to individualize your program.
Research And Validate You Want A Career In Human Resource
HR is a great career path because it attracts good salaries, great job security, numerous growth opportunities and good opportunities for career advancement.
But before making a final decision and following through with this career transition, its important to really ask yourself if this is the best career for you.
HR is becoming one of the fastest-growing fields in the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an additional 70,000 HR jobs will flood the industry by 2030.
There are many different areas within HR, from Recruitment and Selection, Compensation and Benefits to Health and Safety, Talent Management, and Training and Development.
With all these different options, its important to have a good understanding of them before making a choice.
Next is a quick overview of what HR professionals do and the different types that exist.
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Pros & Cons Of Working In Human Resources
Every career has its ups and downs, and HR is no exception. There are some very well-known pros and cons to this career path. Here are a few of the most common.
Pro: HR professionals can make a significant positive impact in peoples lives. Helping people achieve their professional goals and succeed at work is incredibly rewarding.
Con: Many HR professionals have to deal with conflict. Mediating disputes and doling out discipline can be quite stressful. Getting caught up in workplace politics is another commonly reported con within the HR industry.
Pro: This work has a direct impact on the overall productivity and success of the organization. Theres a real sense of purpose in helping a company effectively manage its workforce.
Con: Getting colleagues on board with new and improved HR policies can be very challenging. People are often slow to accept change. Many HR managers, particularly in small and new businesses, must sometimes work very hard to get buy-in from all stakeholders.
Pros: There is a lot of diversity in this work. HR managers get to interact with people from all walks of life, and theres always new challenges to overcome. Theres never a dull moment in HR!
Con: Keeping up with compliance changes. HR managers must stay on top of relevant workplace legislation, to protect their employers from lawsuits and other legal problems. For some, this is a welcome challenged for others it’s a source of stress.
