Human Resources jobs in Canada have a broader scope, with various opportunities for newcomers.
In Canada, thousands of people hold positions in human resources. It’s a well-liked profession that can take you in various directions. All kinds of firms need HR specialists to help with daily operations. The future of HR jobs in Canada is bright, making it a fantastic career choice for immigrants. Additionally, income in human resources can provide a high standard of living in Canada.
A university degree or college diploma in HR management or a similar subject (such as business administration, industrial relations, commerce, or psychology) is often required for human resources jobs. Additionally, according to some businesses, you might need to possess the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) qualification. Read this valuable overview to get ready to continue your human resources career in Canada.
Canadian Immigration Human Resources jobs in Canada
In Canada, there are various options to pursue a career in human resources. Having the CPHR accreditation might help you stand out from other job applicants. The CPHR took effect in 1994 and serves as the national voice for all HR associations in the nation. In Canada, human resources is not a regulated field. Thus, you might be able to get an HR position when you get there. Many internationally seasoned professionals wishing to advance their careers find the average human resource pay to be enticing.
Attain Human Resources jobs in Canada before moving to Canada
Your prospects of landing a job in Canada are better the more pre-arrival study you complete. You can take the following actions before moving to Canada to make it simpler and quicker to find a job in human resources there:
- Check out the free webinar. Learn more about the labor market by reading What to Know about the Canadian Job Market.
- To determine what HR qualifications employers value and how they will perceive your foreign credentials, research the Canadian employment market.
- Find out more about the CPHR credential, the HR industry’s most coveted certification in Canada.
- If you’re unsure of the documents you must bring or whether they need to be translated, check with the provincial or territorial HR organizations. You might need to work with a qualified translation agency in Canada.
- Recognize Canadian HR practices and educate yourself on the HR laws of the province where you intend to settle.
- While in your home nation, prepare your professional human resources career paperwork, including your official transcripts, reference letters, testimonials, and recommendations.
- Take a self-assessment of your language abilities on the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks website.
- Consult the provincial or territorial HR organizations if you’re unsure of the paperwork you must provide or whether it needs to be translated. Working with a certified translation company in Canada can be necessary.
- Recognize Canadian HR standards and familiarize yourself with the province’s HR regulations if you wish to settle there.
- Prepare your professional human resources career documents, such as your official transcripts, reference letters, testimonials, and recommendations, while still in your home country.
- On the Centre for CLB website, rate your language proficiency.
Human Resources career – what are the employment prospects in Canada?
The employment prospects in human resources are balanced. There are roughly as many job opportunities as job seekers. HR managers, specialists, and generalists are constantly in demand by businesses. The majority of provinces have high career prospects for HR professionals, according to the Government of Canada Career Bank. Between 2022 and 2031, 48,600 additional positions are anticipated to become available, with a modest decline in the number of qualified candidates. Newcomers and HR professionals with international training should take advantage of this chance.
Begin your research with the NOC Code
Several groups, including job seekers, use this NOC since it offers a uniform definition of HR positions in Canada. It’s a good idea to study the NOC description before looking for an HR position to make sure you carry out equivalent responsibilities in your native country. Additionally, you can see examples of Canadian HR experts’ work titles. When you start looking for a job in human resources, this will be useful.
Other Human Resources job titles include:
- Human resources and recruitment officers
- Human resources managers
- Personnel clerks
What are the requirements for making a career in Human Resources in Canada?
Each organization may have different needs for human resources positions. In Canada, HR is an unregulated profession. However, some businesses do want an evaluation of your credentials. However, they will typically give you a project to evaluate you and take into account your professional recommendations.
Some employers could ask for an education evaluation to determine your academic qualifications. However, it’s best to ascertain whether the organization you are applying to demands it before you invest money.
The same concept holds true if you want to improve your abilities by enrolling in a program at a college or university. To find out if you require an education evaluation and if they have a recommended provider, get in touch with the school you want to attend.
Make sure to highlight your experience and education abroad. Before deciding whether you need more education, expand on your current knowledge and skills and consider your possibilities.
For instance, you might be eligible for advanced standing, the transfer of some of your credits, or opportunities for previous learning assessment, thanks to your overseas qualifications and experience. By doing this, you might be able to finish your program more quickly and without having to spend more money or go back to school.
Credential Assessment Services for HR Career
Credential recognition is a procedure for fairly and consistently evaluating a person’s abilities, qualifications, and capabilities. To assist immigrants to Canada in getting the education and employment they require, many organizations evaluate international educational qualifications.
- Alberta – International Qualifications Assessment Service
- British Columbia – The International Credential Evaluation Service
- Ontario – World Education Services
Fulfilling job requirements for Human Resources jobs
You can improve your abilities in several ways to satisfy Canadian work requirements. Employers in Canada place a lot of value on soft skills. These are best characterized as qualities that improve your relationships, work output, and career chances. In contrast to your hard skills, your soft talents are more widely applicable.
Soft skills like collaboration, teamwork, and communication are crucial for HR professionals. It’s critical to recognize the soft talents you might need to develop. If your hard skills land you an interview, your soft skills will probably land you the job and help you succeed.
You might be able to enroll in classes offered by post-secondary universities and professional groups.
Candidates can also benefit from several courses, bridging programs, and workshops to access Human Resources job opportunities.
Language skill requirement
Even if you have good HR abilities, you could still require more training or skill development to succeed at work. Your linguistic abilities are especially relevant to this.
To prosper in Canada, one must be fluent in either or both of the country’s official languages, English or French. Depending on which of the two languages is spoken more frequently where you reside, you may choose to study or improve your English or French skills.
You might be eligible for the LINC program (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada). Otherwise, local school boards or settlement firms might provide additional free or reasonably priced English as a Second Language or French as a Second Language (FSL) programs.
You can also take language classes to learn professional jargon, such as occupation-specific language training (OSLT) in Ontario and job-specific language training. Also, studying another language is a brilliant idea if you know one of Canada’s two official languages well because it may open up more work prospects for you.
Bridging programs for Human Resources jobs in Canada
Moving from your international education and experience to the Canadian workplace can be facilitated via bridging programs. You can enroll in HR programs and continuing education courses to further your career in addition to the institutions, universities, and immigrant-serving organizations that provide HR bridging programs.
Alberta’s Bridging programs for HR career
The Center for Skilled and Foreign-Trained Professionals
A free curriculum that aids foreign-trained professionals in comprehending and successfully navigating the Canadian licensing and credentialing procedure. People not belonging to a regulated profession can obtain the most recent information on their field.
HR Bridging Program – Ontario
University of York, Toronto
Bridging Program for Professionals with International Education
This program helps international-trained human resource professionals (IEHRPs) find work compatible with their qualifications, experience, and career goals. The program offers possibilities for mentorship, internships, career coaching, access to a specialized curriculum, and rigorous skill and experience assessments. Additionally, it aids IEHRPs in achieving the CHRP title.
Toronto and Brampton-based Accessible Community Counseling and Employment Services (ACCES).
Canadian schools for HR career
After moving to Canada, a lot of immigrants continue their studies. Some even wish to change occupations or further them with an MBA or Ph.D. Programs in human resources are available at more than 80 colleges and institutions.
Top universities for studying human resources include:
- University of Manitoba
- Trent University
- University of Toronto
- University of Calgary
- McGill University
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- York University
- University of Winnipeg
- University of Regina
- Queens University
- Canadore College
- University of New Brunswick
- Western University
- University of Lethbridge
- University of Windsor
HR sector councils in Canada
The following HR sector councils are collaborative groups made up of representatives from the corporate, labor, and educational sectors. They are independent of the Canadian government and serve as a forum for stakeholders to exchange opinions on HR-related issues and skills. Together, they identify HR solutions for their specialized industry.
- Tourism HR Canada
- Cultural Human Resources Council
- Mining Industry Human Resources Council Petro LMI
- Trucking HR Canada
- Child Care Human Resources Sector Council
- Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
- Food Processing Skills Canada
The process of finding the first HR jobs in Canada
The Canadian work market is competitive, and finding a job can occasionally be challenging. However, there are other approaches to looking for jobs in HR:
- Expand the scope of your search by including different professions.
- Find a mentor, such as a retired HR professional, who can guide you and connect you with their network of contacts.
- Join HR networking or job-hunting groups through organizations that assist immigrants.
- Check job boards frequently and go to seminars and job fairs for HR.
- Be prominent and active on social media platforms like LinkedIn. Join LinkedIn communities for HR so that you can share content, ask questions, and network.
Growing the immigrant networks
Associations or networks designed by and for immigrant professionals with the following objectives make up professional immigrant networks:
Establish a platform for members to give back to and improve their local communities and support them in locating fulfilling jobs and achieving their career goals.
They provide events for networking, mentoring, information gathering, professional growth, speaker appearances, training, and linkages to employment prospects.
There is only one key source to use: The ISANs (Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia)
Although many HR professionals are part of the aforementioned professional immigrant networks, they do not only support the HR industry.
Ontario’s immigrant networks
- Women of Success
- EXATEC Ontario
- Chinese Professionals Association of Canada
Informative Interviews for Human Resources Jobs in Canada
An informational interview is a quick (20–30 minute) encounter you arrange with an HR professional who is currently employed. The interview’s objective is to acquire data and educate participants on the field of work in Canada.
During an informational interview, you shouldn’t try to land a position in human resources. Additionally, avoid using the “bait and switch” tactic of requesting an informational interview and then asking your contact to send your resume to hiring managers. Avoid asking questions like “What are the annual sales of a publicly held company?” if you can readily get the answers by performing a simple internet search.
Conduct an informational interview to learn about a professional’s firsthand HR impressions and experiences. Plan your time accordingly, as the informational interview lasts no longer than 30 minutes. This will give you success in obtaining Human Resources jobs in Canada.
Networking as an essential part of HR job search
Conferences, association luncheons, and chamber mixers are excellent venues for networking since they make it easy to meet individuals, develop connections, and exchange information.
You can find employment leads, learn about a firm or the Canadian HR industry through effective networking, and connect with other HR professionals.
An effective online tool for networking is LinkedIn. It is a fantastic tool for networking, job searching, and keeping in touch with old coworkers and employers. Additionally, you can network with HR professionals and participate in relevant forums and groups.
The process of writing an HR resume
Your CV must portray you as an HR specialist with expertise in several crucial areas. It should indicate your responsibilities for selecting qualified candidates, serving as a mentor and giving guidance to workers, delivering training, developing policies, managing employee relations, settling conflicts, etc.
A functional resume that is specific about the years of HR experience and responsibilities performs best in the field of human resources. When composing your CV, keep the following in mind:
Highlight Your Human Resources Successes
Examples:
- Created new HR rules and practices to foster a culture of fairness, inclusivity, and trust.
- HR methods were implemented to improve hiring practices and boost staff retention.
- Led the execution of projects for leadership development to improve organizational effectiveness.
Power Verbs usage is crucial
Power verbs to use in your writing are “advocated,” “addressed,” “demonstrated,” “hired,” “assigned,” “interacted,” “interfaced,” “litigated,” “terminated,” “recruited,” “screened,” ” These demonstrate your active participation while outlining your job responsibilities.
List Your Principal HR Roles
To demonstrate career advancement, mention your titles, such as HR Assistant, HR Specialist, HR Manager, etc.
Your resume must look out of the box
Your resume ought to demonstrate that you comprehend how HR regulations affect the organization’s overarching commercial objectives. Go beyond job responsibilities and explain how your services impacted the organization to make it stand out.
Include numbers for completed hires, training hours, personnel trained at what level, time frames for hiring, etc.
Indicate specifically how your accomplishments fit in with the qualifications listed in the job description for human resources.
Indicate any honors you may have received. It could feel odd if displaying them only occurs occasionally in your place of origin. However, you must discuss your honors and accomplishments in Canada.
What are the interview techniques for Human Resources jobs in Canada?
After receiving an interview invitation, you must be ready for the meeting. Consider why you are the ideal candidate for the position and conduct in-depth research on the employer. It would be best to appear calm and assured throughout the interview; thus, you must prepare your responses.
Behavioral-based interviews are prevalent in the HR industry and are designed to evaluate abilities like:
- Communication
- Functional skills (HR policies and legislation)
- Planning and Organizing
- Problem-Solving
- Team Work
Questions for senior HR positions may relate to your:
- Ability to develop HR strategy and policies.
- Possess management expertise for large departments or teams.
- A capacity for creating and implementing change management initiatives.
Examples of questions you might be asked during job interviews are as follows:
- It’s critical that you stay current with all laws; what is your knowledge of the provincial Employment Standards?
- What is the purpose of the grievance procedures, and how have you handled grievances in the past?
- Describe a situation when you had to collect a lot of data, analyze it critically, and then decide or give a suggestion based on the findings.
Income for HR Professionals in Canada
Your income as an HR professional in Canada is influenced by your unique HR credentials, experience, talents, and education. However, the hourly median wage in Canada for an HR generalist is $36.22. Mainly, if you work for a major corporation, annual compensation can exceed $100,000. In Newfoundland, hourly earnings for human resources professionals can be as low as $16.70 and as high as $68.27 in Alberta.
Canadian provinces to work as an HR
All across Canada, there are openings for human resources positions. Typically, HR departments are found in mid-sized and large businesses. Since many significant corporations are located in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, there may be more HR possibilities in such locations. The average human resources pay is typically higher in these cities.
Significant employers for Human Resources jobs in Canada
Large firms, governmental organizations, schools of higher learning, agencies, and companies of all sizes all have HR positions available. Top Canadian employers in human resources include:
- Accenture
- Mercer
- Peninsula
- Brain and Company
- Deloitte
- EY (Ernst and Young)
Prominent HR job titles
Knowing firms’ titles is helpful while looking for HR positions in Canada. In Canada, some HR positions could have different descriptions.
The most prominent HR positions include the following:
- HR Coordinator
- HR Generalist
- HR Business Partner
- HR Advisor
- HR Director
- HR Consultant
- Talent Acquisition Specialist
- HR Manager
- Talent Acquisition Specialist
- HRIS Analyst
- Recruiter
- HR Executive.
