Is Canada wasting its young Asia talent and skills?

Is Canada wasting its young Asia talent and skills?

Opinion: Canadian firms' focus and reliance on business with the U.S. stifles opportunity

By Christine Park, Special to The Vancouver Sun December 9, 2013

Canadian Experience Of International Students by Dr. Gunjan Sondhi

• Dr. Gunjan Sondhi Reflects On The Canadian Experience Of International Students, TheHuffingtonPost.com

Gunjan Sondhi recently completed her PHD in Migration Studies from the Sussex Center for Migration Research at the University of Sussex, UK. She is currently a resident affiliate at CERIS, York University, Canada, and an Associate Researcher at the University of Sussex. Her research focused on highly skilled migration/mobility, gender, class and education especially in Canada.


• Gunjan Sondhi researches the dialectical relationship between gender and international student mobility South Asian Generation Next.

Unique Canadian-Islamic Culture by: H.E. Imam Mohamad Jebara

Info courtesy: Hussain M. Mir

Extract:
... Just as Christians are severed into countless sects and denominations, so are Muslims.  In the same way that Catholics and Protestants differ and vary in some fundamental beliefs, so we shall find among the Muslims of the world...

... Muslims vary in their practice and understanding of Islam, they vary by region and culture, they vary by educational level, race and economics, and their interpretation and practice of Islam is influenced by political and social stability or the lack thereof.  Can someone say that Irish Catholics and Mexican Catholics are identical?  Are Russian Catholics the same in their practices as some Catholics in the Philippines, who practice flagellation and crucifixion every Easter?  It would be just as inaccurate, unproductive and unfair to generalize saying Sunnis believe such and such, or Shiites believes such and such. 

Now, how does this relate to Canada?  And the Western world?  In the same way that the understanding and interpretation of Islam differs from one place to another, we as Canadians need to have our own unique Canadian-Islamic identity.  When people import the interpretations of Islam from other nations, they do not necessarily apply in a Canadian context.  And even when we say Canadian, even in this we cannot generalize.  To which Canadian culture do you refer?  Mohawk? Inuit? Quebecois?  Franco-Ontarian? Newfoundland? Prairies?  It is for such a reason that the Qur`an says, “And we have created you into various nations and cultures, so that you may come to know each other’s differences, strengths and shortcomings and to respect and love one another despite these differences.” continue reading

Remove the 'Canadian experience' employment barrier: OHRC -- Media Monitoring

Today's update

International Doctors Network 

The Ontario Human Rights Commission and

the Learning Enrichment Foundation

Invite you to learn about the OHRC’s new

Policy on removing the “Canadian experience” barrier

Date: Monday, July 29, 2013

• Remove “Canadian experience” employment barrier: Ontario Human Rights Commission, The Canadian Progressive
  

  The new policy sets out the OHRC’s position that a strict requirement for “Canadian experience” is discriminatory, and can only be used in rare circumstances. Employers and regulatory bodies need to ask about all of a job applicant’s previous work – where they got their experience does not matter. The policy also tells employers and regulatory bodies how to develop practices, policies and programs that do not result in discrimination.
  “We welcome this new policy,” said Bill Thomas, Chief Executive Officer and Senior Partner, KPMG. “Businesses that invest in newcomers benefit from the skills and rich experience they have to offer and in return, become more competitive in today’s global economy.”

• Removing the "Canadian experience" barrier (brochure) | OHRC ...
• CBC.ca | Metro Morning | The Canadian Experience
• Tearing down the 'Canadian experience' roadblock Toronto Star
• Demanding 'Canadian experience' from newcomers may breach Ontario’s human rights code Toronto Star
• Remove “Canadian experience” employment barrier 
  CanIndia News
• 'Canadian experience' requirement discriminatory: OHRC, Canadian HR Reporter  
• Media Advisory - Remove the "Canadian experience" as an employment ... Canada NewsWire (press release)
• OHRC's Legitimate employment requirements:

A requirement for Canadian experience, even when implemented in good faith, can be a barrier in recruiting, selecting, hiring or accrediting, and may result in discrimination. Under the Human Rights Code, where discrimination is found, the organization or institution the claim is made against may establish a defence to the discrimination by showing that the policy, rule or requirement that resulted in unequal treatment is a legitimate standard, or a “bona fide” requirement. In the Meiorin^[25] decision, the Supreme Court of Canada set out a three-part test to determine whether a standard that results in discrimination can be justified as a reasonable and bona fide one. The organization or institution must establish on a balance of probabilities that the standard, factor, requirement or rule:


1. was adopted for a purpose or goal that is rationally connected to the function being performed
2. was adopted in good faith, in the belief that it is needed to fulfill the purpose or goal, and
3. is reasonably necessary to accomplish its purpose or goal, because it is impossible to accommodate the claimant without undue hardship.

 

Canadian popular culture is changing, eh?

"Overall Canadian pop culture indeed seems to be a reflection of American popular culture, and while I understand the desire to establish our own identity, I don’t think it’s that big a deal if we have music, television, movies, books, magazines etc from other countries." Eh! Canadian Pop Culture Blog

"The fundamentals aren't changing because the new mainstream is a different colour. It's changing because the new mainstream is fundamentally different in every way - culture, conservatism, language, religion, cultural habits around money (saving it and spending it) and cultural habits around food. And the most fundamental thing about advertising/marketing is that it is about how people work. This is not an old "us" vs. a new "them". This is just a new "us." One of the cool things about Canadian immigrants is that they want to be Canadian and they are proud to be Canadian, but they also discover very early that it is really difficult to define what "Canadian" is. Ultimately however, they come to realize in a single, empowering, incredibly Canadian moment that being Canadian is... being themselves." Everything it’s cracking up to be.

Video: Why Canada lets other countries define its cultural tastes -The Globe and Mail - Arts reporter John Barber discusses with Madeleine White why an artistic brain drain is inevitable in Canada and why Canadians shouldn't be bothered by it

Strictly Canadian: Embracing the new nation’s culture, By:Mayank Bhatt Toronto Star -- At present, term Canadian is narrowly defined and doesn’t encompass all it should — culturally, socially, economically and politically.... A culture acquires acceptance and gains in popularity when it’s constantly talked about...

Understanding Canadian pop culture can help your integration process, By Mayank Bhatt, Canadian Immigrant

Controversial new ' RCAF Icons of Canadian Culture' program being attacked, Ric Peterson

Strictly Canadian: What are the ‘Canadian values’ we continue champion?. Roland Mascarenhasspecial, Toronto Star. -- Does being Canadian occur spontaneously when Sidney Crosby scores the winning goal for Canada, or is it a process we must undertake every day? -- Writer Roland Mascarenhas is still looking for the so-called “Canadian values” of his adopted home.

Pop culture Year in Review — 2012

Is Canada's pop culture distinctive? CBC

On the same shelf:

Thought for the day: Adapt to what the market demands

Extract:Why You Shouldn't "Do What Makes You Happy" in Business, by Dr. Gerry Som, 01/07/2013, "The Huffington Post"
--With permission from the author:

You must have read many articles that offer you this following advice:
•Do what makes you happy.
•Follow your heart.
•Chase your dreams.
•Fulfil your passions.
•Find a job that you like, and you will not have to work a day in your life.


No Sir / Ma'am, I respectfully disagree. My thoughts are as follows:
•Do what will make you money in a legal manner to pay your bills, and take care of your financial needs, and those of your loved ones.
•Adapt to what the market demands.
•Find the unfulfilled needs or gaps in the markets, and fulfil them.

This will serve both you and the society well. Pursue your hobbies during your weekends and free time.

You see, there is an inherent flaw in the sentence "Do what makes you happy." The sentence assumes that (a) You already know what you want (b) It will make you happy (c) You will continue to want it and (d) It will continue to make you happy. There are unknown-unknowns, just like there are known-knowns. What you if you not done your research properly, and have not stumbled upon what is profitable for you, or even, what would make you happy?
Continue reading

Federal budget 2012: Skilled immigrants urge investments into talents already in Canada

Nicholas Keung, Immigration Reporter, Toronto Star, Sat Mar 31 2012

Naseem Ahmed Pasha, 44, from India, finished medical school at Mysore University and practised for three years in India, followed by nine in Saudi Arabia. He's passed the Canadian exams but can't get into the requisite residency.

Every evening after dinner, Naseem Ahmed Pasha would don his dress pants and dress shirt, and say goodbye to his three boys, telling them he was leaving for work in hospital.

By the time Pasha, a family doctor from India, got to his worksite, he would change into his uniform, the uniform of a security guard, for his 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at a Toronto condominium – for $8.50 an hour.

Before Pasha arrived Canada in 2006 under the skilled immigrant program, he was confident he would soon be able to use his skills and contribute to this country in a meaningful way.

After all, he has a medical degree from India’s University of Mysore and practiced medicines first in India and then in Saudi Arabia for 15 years. In his two years as a security guard here, he studied and passed all the qualifying exams and had his credentials certified.

Yet today, instead of treating patients and curing diseases, Pasha is sweeping floors and lifting heavy merchandise at a Toronto home improvement hardware store on survival wages.

“It’s a very tough pill to swallow,” said the 44-year-old, choking back tears. “I wasn’t prepared for this kind of jobs. But coming here, you have to survive and put bread on the table.

“I didn’t tell my kids because I come from a culture where being a doctor is an honourable and noble profession. Now my status has dropped, doing blue-collar jobs. It would have a bad impact on my kids.”
Continue reading

On the same shelf:

Marni Soupcoff: Why so many immigrant professionals are driving cabs . And what Jason Kenney can do about it, Mar 29, 2012 nationalpost.com

Extract:
The federal government’s new plan to hire a private firm to assess the educational credentials of potential immigrants is wise....

This is a far cry from a solution to Canada’s problem with smoothly integrating immigrants into the labour market, however.

In some ways, it’s beside the point since it has no impact on the biggest challenge for new Canadians seeking work: the protectionist provincial, municipal and professional occupational licensing requirements that make entering a trade or profession an unnecessarily long, expensive and difficult (if not impossible) process.

These regulations are more about raising government revenues and coddling industry insiders from competition than they are about helping the public.

The problem is that they get so little attention or scrutiny that they remain in place unchallenged year after year – at great cost to both the country’s economy and new Canadians trying to make a living for themselves and their families.

At a minimum, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney should commit to assembling statistics on the economic impact of the country’s professional licensing requirements.

Here is a small sampling of Ontario’s occupational licensing regime and the hoops through which foreign-trained workers have to jump in order to get a job in the province:

Someone who wants to do any teaching, researching, selling or giving advice about crops or livestock must register with the Ontario Institute of Agrologists as a “professional agrologist.” ...

Someone who wants to work as a dietician must register with the College of Dietitians of Ontario.

Someone who wants to work as an accountant must become a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario.

Is it any wonder there are so many immigrant professionals driving cabs?
Continue reading

Tolerance a Canadian Myth or Fact

Two current news stories give you two shades of opinions, and we value your opinions, right?

• Tolerance a Canadian myth — DAVE DALE’s Soapboxing [highlight: Our tolerance for weather is also a reflection of not being able to tolerate people.]
• Canadians are the most tolerant people in the developed world: report‎  [highlight: At 84 per cent on average, Canadians report the highest community tolerance of minority groups—ethnic minorities, migrants, and gays and lesbians—in the OECD, where the average is 61 per cent.”]

So, what do you feel, reading the above?

It's Time To Vote Now: Canada's Top 25 Immigrants!

A nationwide survey in three stages:

inviting nominations from across Canada for a list of people's favourite and most respected Canadian immigrants;

identifying 75 of them who received the highest number of votes from Canadians;

selecting those who were voted there from as Canada's Top 25 Immigrants!

It's now at the third stage, VOTE NOW. Click here to view / vote / details
See on the same shelf:

The painful truth about age discrimination in tech

By: Lisa Schmeiser,  18 Feb 2010, IT World Canada: InfoWorld
There are bold programmers, but no old programmers -- the reasons for this reality aren't simple. A closer look suggests that it's the nature of IT itself to push its elderly workers out.

There's a commercial airing on ESPN right now that features two hiring managers discussing the two job candidates sitting in the lobby. We see the backs of these candidates' heads; one is dark brown and lustrous, the other brittle and gray. The managers debate -- should they go with the experienced candidate? ("He won't have energy!" frets one manager) -- or the fresh young thing? And then -- surprise! -- the two candidates are the same person before and after a hair-dye job.

It's a nasty and effective commercial, and one that deftly plays on a pervasive fear of job hunters: Will my age be held against me? And in IT -- where the popular narrative favors kids launching companies in their dorm room or bringing down a corporate network as a way to blow off steam after finals -- that fear of age discrimination is especially pervasive. continue reading

On the same shelf:

• Five Pervasive Myths About Older Software Developers | Lessons of Failure

Immigrants still lagging in jobs mart, Peel Region Unveils Labour Market Survey Findings

ML Brampton Guardian, South Asian Focus » Thu, 11-Feb

Staff Report
Immigrants are still lagging their Canadian-born counterparts in the jobs market.
That’s the short answer of a Peel-centric report on how immigrants are faring in finding employment.

The report, The Peel Immigration Labour Market Survey, has just been released to Regional Council.

Peel is considered to house one of the highest concentrations of South Asians in the GTA. The survey is the first study ever conducted that provides local data on the labour market in Peel.

“This study is one of three key immigration initiatives led by the Region’s Human Services department in Peel,” said Janet Menard, Commissioner of Human Services. “The study findings reveal there is a significant gap in skill utilization, income and credential recognition of immigrants in the workplace. continue reading

See also:

Peel Region Unveils Labour Market Survey Findings - First Peel-specific report shows immigrants lagging behind in accessing the job market 

In the sample of 1,425 immigrants and Canadian-born Peel residents surveyed:

• Of the immigrant respondents who have international work experience, only about one-third were successful in obtaining their desired employment.
• Lack of Canadian work experience was reported as the barrier faced most often for immigrants and correspondingly, lack of work experience was reported most often by Canadian-born individuals.
• Networking was a serious barrier for both immigrants and Canadian-born individuals but more significant for immigrants.
• One in four immigrants accessed some government-funded employment services, and just under one-third obtained more education and credentials in Canada.
• Both immigrants and Canadian-born individuals report underutilization of their skills in their current job. Recent immigrant respondents are less likely to utilize their skills at work, but skill utilization improves with length of time in Canada, and through full recognition of credentials by employers.

Funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, the study was done in collaboration with Ryerson’s Diversity Institute in Management and Technology. The final report was prepared by PinPoint Research. The complete report of survey findings will be available to the public to download on Feb. 22, 2010 at www.peelregion.ca/labourmarketsurvey.

Factors in success or failure of foreign-trained librarians in Canada

The thesis, here, is about what are major factors for the success or for the failure of foreign-trained librarians in Canada? As far as this writer could dig, there is no single study to answer this question about what-works and what-doesn't in moving between and beyond barriers. Hence, this may be considered as a call for a national study.



As with all Canadian immigrants, the story of arrival, survival and revival is very much same for the profession of librarians. Interestingly, there are immigrant stories, first about a few non-professionals getting opportunities to work in libraries (as semi-professionals), and second about foreign-trained-librarians not even getting an interview (let alone get an opportunity for part-time, temporary, voluntary, full-time work). There are no documentary evidences about this occurrence; a sad side of this age-of-information, right-to-information, and right-to-work--so clearly enshrined in the Charter and the legislation.

An important recap: A common requirement for all foreign-trained professionals is: (a) education (local equivalent), (b) training (locally compatible), (c) skills (hard, soft and transferable matching Canadian colors) and the LAST (d) Canadian Experience!!! So is true for Librarians, too.

What is uncommon for librarians is the fact that most come from countries where: (a) language or culture raises a barrier in integration / adaptability; or (b) where the education and training offered back-home is not accredited (national accreditation or national standardization to monitor quality and standards of library schools). South Asian librarians face problem with accreditation (not language or culture as major barrier in finding a professional job). And, a few South Asians, don't get jobs inspite of ALA accredited (master, doctoral and post-doc) degrees. Some may say this is a type of dehumanization, not just deprofessionalization and derecognition of practitioners.

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC), says: Information on requirements to practise:

The occupation of librarian is not regulated. Therefore, employment is subject to demand, and qualification requirements are set by individual employers. However, a master's degree in library science or its equivalent from an institution accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) is usually required for employment. source

Costly Omissions: Employment barriers for skilled/experienced librarians, in particular, by Manjit Singh, Reference Librarian, Brantford PL; and Dr. Ganga B. Dakshinamurti, Librarian, Albert D. Cohen Management Library:
Foreign-trained librarians face many barriers when seeking employment in Canada with resultant cost to individuals and organizations. A state-of-the-art review of employment barriers illustrated by case studies for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that will be analyzed so all concerned can maximize benefits.

• Case Study. By Manjit Singh, Librarian, Brantford Public Library, Brantford, ON
  
• Case Study. By Muhammad Afzal, Librarian
  These case studies present interesting observations by two foreign trained librarians
  >>>>>>>>An Appeal to All Stakeholders:
  "Along with Tara Zarrin and Manjit Singh, I appeal to all stakeholders, including library associations and library schools in Canada:
  PLEASE take necessary actions to implement meaningful solutions to correct this costly omission of not utilizing fully our foreign-trained librarians, so that ALL Canadians can be gainfully employed for the betterment of Canada!"
  -Professor Ganga Dakshinamurti

Need for a study, factors to be studied may include: (a) role of Canadian institutions / government in accepting / recognizing these librarians (see a sample by Keren Dali and Juris Dilevkoa, 2009); (b) role of foreign-trained librarians in adapting to the Canadian mosaic (see the case studies, above); and (c) identify those who lost their battle (survival of the fittest) and were forced to: i) return to school (within the profession); or ii) re-train themselves out-side-the-box and re-invent the wheel; or iii) couldn't return home (see below: Why we cannot go home?), rather stayed in the land of opportunities accepted odd_jobs in order to make the ends meet (viz., finally work as store worker in grocery stores, visa card sales reps @ call centers, security guards, parking attendant, etc.) i.e, who could-not a find job even 'outside-the-box' (see the book, above, by G. Kim Dority, 2006). One may consider a fourth factor, as well: those who struggled and then left the country (for reasons of (i)lack of opportunities, (ii)repeated failures in finding an accommodation in the job market, (iii)lack of stamina to continue the tryst with destiny, (iv)greener pastures abroad, and so on..).
PS. If you are interested in this project, lets talk. Your comments and support will be highly appreciated. See on the same shelf

• The Countries You May Like to Go with your American / Canadian MLIS - A literature survey
•  Librarian jobs in Canada? Does university name matter?

• Are there lots of librarian jobs in Canada? Does what university I graduate from really matter when I apply for jobs?

• CLA Session Notes - "Systemic Barriers to Library Use: Libraries Engage the Socially Excluded"
  
• "The evaluation of international credentials and the hiring of internationally trained librarians in Canadian academic and public libraries, Keren Dali and Juris Dilevkoa, The International Information & Library Review Volume 41, Issue 3, September 2009, Pages 146-162
  

  "This study examines the way in which libraries in Canada approach the issue of the evaluation of international credentials (ICs) held by internationally trained librarians (ITLs) and the eventual short-listing and hiring of such individuals. In the United States and Canada, librarianship, a non-regulated profession, is to a large degree governed by the American Library Association (ALA), but the ALA's statements regarding ICs and ITLs are often ambiguous. It is therefore frequently left to individual libraries to decide how best to deal with ICs and ITLs"

• Smoothing the Transition: Retraining Centers in Canada for Immigrant Librarians from Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union, by Keren Dali a; Juris Dilevko, Slavic & East European Information Resources, Volume 8, Issue 1 July 2007 , pages 77 - 102
  
• Silviu's Diary: An immigrant librarian in Canada.
  
• Immigrant Librarians in Britain
  
• "Evolving Jamaican migrant identities: contrasts between Britain, Canada and the USA," Paul Thompson a; Elaine Bauer, Community, Work & Family, Volume 6, Issue 1 April 2003 , pages 89 - 102
  
• Migrant Settlement Literature Review
  
• How to kill a young librarian's love of librarianship (AKA. A Dispute Resolution Guide)
  
• Career Path of an "International Librarian"
  
• "Employment of Foreign Trained Librarians in the US and Canada: An Enquiry on Behalf of the LED Committee on Equivalencies and Reciprocity, in American Library Association Office for Library Education," (1970) [cited in Encyclopedia of library and information science, 1965. v. 57, p. 262]
  
• Surrey Public Library INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN-TRAINED LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY TECHNICIANS
  
• Will tomorrow's libraries become more like museums of today -- A question for the coming decade
  
• Emerson's Conceptual Librarian, Professor of Books -- Library Education Revisited
  
• Unable to get jobs, immigrant couple sue Ottawa [Selladurai Premakumaran and Nesamalar Premakumaran (Appellants)] and the response @ Federal Courts Reports

Why we cannot go home?

Educated immigrants stuck in survival jobs By Travis Lupick

Success Stories: Matilda of Sierra Leone

'Vote by feet'

A land of promise or a land of dismay?

Not Canada Net: Tragedy of Canada for Immigrants

  Skilled immigrants wasting their talents in Canada calgaryherald.com

Why don't Americans care? Gutsy win, but media barely mentioned it

By JOE WARMINGTON | Columnists | Toronto Sun | 7th January 2010
"Really?"
-- a Natick, Mass., town clerk on learning U.S. overtime hero John Carlson is a native son.
Why don't they care?

The Boston Globe went with a picture of a murder suspect as its front-page picture.

The New York Post had a picture of socialite Casey Johnson, who died tragically. Its sports section's front was an image of football receiver Ochocinco with the headline Sex in the Cincy.

It seems, for Americans, this gutsy, overtime win against Canada in Canada by its junior hockey team won't be going down as a miracle on ice.

In fact, it was almost a miracle to find any mention of it at all. continue reading

Michael Ignatieff Delivers Greetings for Eid

Michael Ignatieff delivers greetings for Eid on behalf of the Liberal Party and the Official Opposition.



Info courtesy: Abdul Hai Patel

Happy to be here in Canada

By ABUBAKAR KASIM, GUEST COLUMNIST, Toronto Sun

Extract: "I made the right decision to make Canada my home.
Despite its unstable winter season and shortened sunny summer period, in spite of the challenges in trying to adjust to the new environment, and regardless of the imperfectness of its justice system, I still firmly believe I have come to the right place and at the right time. " continue reading

Immigrants in Canada stuck in low-paying jobs -- Stats Can Reports

News @ The Times of India, 24 Dec 2008
"Professionals and degree-holders seeking immigration to Canada, beware! The number of degree-holder immigrants, including doctors and engineers, stuck in jobs with low education requirements, such as clerks, truck and cab drivers and salespeople, has risen steadily since the last recession of early 1990s, says a new study by Statistics Canada.

Employment problems for new immigrants will only get worse as Canada enters recession, experts warn." Continue reading
NB. Info courtesy: Ahtasham Rizvi
See also:

• Immigrants in 'survival jobs' look for more
• Study: Immigrants' education and required job skills 1991 to 2006

Canadian Experience: Myth or Reality Poll

This blog asked bloggers to vote. The results are:

Myth: Yes (18 %) / No (0 %)
Reality: Yes (43 %) / No (0 %)
Don't know (43 %)

On the same shelf:

Will the Canadian Experience Class program help ease the construction industry skills shortage? weekly poll

Employment Equity - Myths and Realities

The Canadian Model of Diversity in a Comparative Perspective

What does being Canadian mean to you? - Yahoo! Answers

No Canadian experience - no job : fact or myth? : a qualitative ...

Not all opportunities are equal -- Canadian job market is no exception

Quotable quote: They came to Canada in 2002, but sadly, writes Rashid, "in terms of
finding jobs, up until now I have noticed that no place except McDonald's welcomed us." more extracts in The Story That Brought Me Here

NB. Before you read, there is a punchline now in 2008: The Canadian Experience Class
And the fine print says: "...when an employer tells you you have no Canadian experience, there is at least one thing you can say, “No, I don’t, but my training is considered to be equal to…. [PDF] No Canadian Experience?”

Those who are living in this land of opportunities, must remember the bottomline: immigrants are not just born, nor they are kids (only adults immigrate, kids are sponsored).
Positive outlook: To be an immigrant doesn’t mean that you have to limit your life and keep away from “ordinary” activities that most of the settled people do. This sounds a two way approach in helping new immigrants, and new immigrants making use of all opportunities to get settled as early as possible.
See also:

• Employment Equity - Myths and Realities

Related post: Not all transitions are equal -- Canadian educational scenario is no exception
On the same shelf:

• All Qualifications Are Not Equal @ Many Immigrants to Canada Are Falling Behind

Canadian Resume is Unique: Is this uniqueness hype or hope?

What do you do if you wish to apply for a job in Canada?

For Tips, Sample Resume, Canadian format (aka Canadian style resume, Canadian acceptable standard), Helpful Advice & Related Services contact me  

Canadian oldies are shocked if they hadn't applied for a job in the last ten years or so--they learn that writing a resume is a rocket science. New Canadians learn very soon that they have to be educated: all-about-the-RESUME writing, wording, phrasing and polishing their own expressions.

You may say, need a job, go submit a job application (aka resume, CV, Bio, profile, portfolio, etc.).
But, how different is this Canadian application form, from the rest of the world, and different from the American mosaic?

Recap: Canadian job market looks for a resume's format (word), size (3 pages only, including cover letter), language (Canadian English), style (bulleted, indented, textual), content (objective, education and professional background, skills--soft and hard, etc., etc.), and much more...*

And what are the experiences of the Canadians in this regard? Read the following opinions / statements and leave a comment, so that others know what you think on this subject:

• "Your value proposition, Graham explains in her book, is made up of three components: your employer's buying motivators (the reasons an employer will want to hire someone), your supporting qualifications (credentials that validate your claim to resolve the employer's buying motivator) and the added value (special talents and contributions) you bring.
  Until very recently, the value proposition was one of the greatest differences between Canadian resumes and American resumes" "Canadian resumes are becoming much more like marketing brochures. People are starting to distinguish themselves from other job seekers and are steering away from the templates you find online or in many books. They're using colour, charts, graphs, pictures, interesting bullets and lines." [Canadian resume book a first of its kind] ...Written by and for Canadians, this book will enable you to: ... Comply with Canadian legislative requirements*** related to résumé writing [Best Canadian Résumés, by Sharon Graham]
• "The format for the Canadian Resume is similar to the Chronological CV with the length generally being 2 sides of A4. Your name and contact details would be at the top centre followed by your career history and work experience in reverse chronological order with the most recent job detailed first." Note: "There are some differences within Canada itself with regard to job search. In English-speaking Canada you have to actively market yourself but in the French part of Canada it is more formal." [Canadian resume]
• "Most International Résumés contain private and personal information that goes against Anti-Discrimination laws in both Canada and the United States. If any of the following are included in an existing Résumé, it may be overlooked by the hiring Manager or Human Resource Specialist, losing the opportunity to be selected for an interview." [How to live in Canada]
• "We send immigrants to workshops on writing Canadian resumes, Canadian interviewing and Canadian workplace communications, and still we watch as they spend months looking for work. Some simply give up." [Mercado de trabalho para imigrantes no Canadá, Najia Alavi]
• "Our CVs in Venezuela are VERY different to Canadian resumes, we have to have a picture in the CV, our marital status, our age, and every little thing you can think up that Canadian resumes don't have and don't want." [Canadian resume @ A new life in Canada]
• "German resumes feature some additional information that would be "unwanted" in Canadian resumes. for example, it is expected that the German resume includes a photo of the applicant, his/her date of birth, his/her place of birth, ..." [interesting differences]
• "One of the most important tools that will help you find a job in Canada is your resume. The way you prepare this relevant document may be a CRUCIAL factor when you look for a job in Canada." [Three Crucial Elements to Prepare a Resume]
• "Turning your Canadian-style resume into a CV should not be a much-dreaded ordeal."[Turning a Resume into a CV]
• "employer likes the cover letter they'll move on to the resume, if not both will go to the recycle bin. ..." [Research: Employers, Salaries, Relocation]


• Its a myth that there's one standard prescribed Canadian format for a resume which will guarantee success. No such thing that I know of. Making a good resume is a continual process of refinement and you'll just know when you have one that works for you.[Canadian Desi: Canadian style CV]
  

Despite all-of-the-above stated requirements, in reality you may or may not get a job. PERIOD. On this very significant step of applying (with a unique Canadian resume i.e, "A resume fit by the Canadian requirements, complied meticulously by every applicant"), there are no figures to show actual the return-on-investment for an individuals' time, money, energies and other resources.**

Q. All this marathon is hype (with the drafting, compiling, focused, and loaded with Situation, Action, Result Synergies) or hope for a change?
A. No idea. Even if there is an answer, who will bell the cat, and when?
See also:

• Librarian faces racism at trial if extradited, lawyer tells court
• How To Prepare For An Interview
• Introvert and Looking for a Job - You are not alone
• Job Pathfinder - Join the race
• Show Your Business Plan
• A Cover Letter Pinpointing Their Needs and Your Skills (e.g., Canadian librarian)

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*Most job seekers are reminded the formula in searching (and the time they must be willing to allocate): full time search for a full time job, part time search for a part time job, and a casual approach to this may result in a casual job.

**Did the resume got a job, or a job came because of the Network? Interestingly, there is another factor to find an opportunity. Ironically, resume --job search engines, job workshops, coop, soft-skills, hard-skills, and if you have paid $250 for a beautifully crafted three pager, etc.--are not the be-all and end-all. The other factor, i.e., NETWORK, is common here: "it's not what you know, but who you know that counts..." Source. Read a testimony on this best practice.

Dealing with Discrimination During Your Job Hunt

"In an ideal workplace, staff would be hired based on work ethic, education and experience. Unfortunately, some employers may still be behind the times." By Jennifer McFee, @ Toronto sun

For new immigrants to Canada, employment experts offer five key pieces of advice on how to handle the sensitive situation of prejudice during a job hunt.
1. Assess the situation.
2. Eliminate objections.
3. Address the issue.
4. Develop a support system.
5. Keep positive.
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