How to find a job by yourself in Quebec, Canada
Well the truth is that it is not easy to find a job in Quebec, Canada
Unemployment is high in all Canada and employers try to cut costs . First, there’s the matter of a work permit. The Canada’s neighbor recession has made under-the-table jobs hard to find, and if you get caught working illegally the punishment is dire: immediate deportation plus a five-year ban on visiting here but probably most of Western Europe. With all the legal loopholes and exchange programs available, there’s no point risking it.
Before you start your search for a job in Quebec, ask yourself a few questions: Do you want to work short term (less than four months) or long term? What marketable skills do you have? Do you require a job in a particular field, or would you settle for almost anything? Can you go it alone, or do you want to bring your partner with you? Are you adaptable, resilient, curious? Finally, do you speak some French or have time to learn before you go?
Paperwork is very complicated for the employer : each new employee (even for a short period of time) must be declared to many different organization, each of them managing one of the many social benefits (see the anatomy of a paycheck)
It is even harder for employees who are not Canadian citizens or at least in the Treaty Nafta Visa. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind
Job contracts : there are basically two sorts : CDD (Contrat à Durée Déterminée), in which you are hired for a certain time (for instance 6 months) and which can be renewed only once and CDI (Contrat à Durée Indéterminée), where there is no limit and it is rather difficult for the employer to end the contract hence you can apply for your residence while at this type of contract ; CDI are, of course, especially difficult to find ; to work and be paid by the hour, a worker has to be registred or have a license as “travailleur indépendant” with Canada Revenue (and it does not make sense for a limited number of hours). More about being an independent contractor or business immigrant.
Combining Work and Study
Studying in Quebec is another way to get the right to work. If you register independently instead of going through an exchange program, college, or art school, tuition is less than $2000 a year. Even if you do go through an exchange program, you can still work. Simply put, students and teachers can work up to 10-20 hours a week during the school year; 20-39 during the summer. All other jobs follow the 20-39 pattern. Of course, teaching pays better than almost any other part-time job, so the limit on hours is not such a problem–especially when you discover how inexpensive Quebec can be. (Writers on Quebec seldom mention the ridiculously low college tuition, the cheap to reasonable rent, and the public transportation that eliminates the need for a car.)
Career-Track Jobs
If you already have a career in North America, there are two other ways to work in Quebec. First, if you work for a multinational company, you can request a transfer to Quebec or Canada. Your company takes care of the details.
If you’re a high-tech wizard, super-executive, or an entertainer, your skills may be so in demand that the right Canadian-Quebec based company will be willing to handle all the paperwork for you.
Tricks of the Trade
Not enough money to live on while waiting for a job? If you’re going to be an independent student in Quebec, only apply to universities that make you eligible for financial aid. (Contact Immigration Canada details for international students and for specifics.) Then apply for a student loan. If you can’t get financial aid, try a scholarship or grant. If all else fails, postpone your trip to Quebece long enough to get a job and save up. If you absolutely can’t wait, of course, you could live off credit cards. (Note: bring some traveler’s checks if you want, but the easiest way to spend your American or Euro money in Quebec is with a credit card or via ATMs. some Canadian ATMs are free and they convert dollars from your American account into francs at a better exchange rate–with no commission–than you’d find anywhere else. If you have a Visa debit card or one with the Cirrus logo on the back, all you need to use Canadian ATMs is a four-digit PIN code.)
Cultural and Practical Job Tips
Applying for the job: Follow the Canadian( Quebec) resume format and get yours written or at least corrected by an educated native speaker of Canadian-French. If you can’t find any in your town, ask the consulate or scan the web for a qualified translator to do it for you. A more low-budget option is to surf the web for educated Canadian-French people, offering to write or correct their resumes in English in exchange for yours in French. In Quebec cover letters are not (gulp) hand written. So type your letter, have a French person check it, then use your nicest handwriting and a good black pen on unlined paper to sign is requested. Photos are not necesary but you can count with linkedin, or your Facebook account for it. Social Media is a big boom up here. For resumes, the standard format is wallet size or a little smaller.
Take advantage of every possible contact that you have, from friends, colleagues and classmates. Even the most casual acquaintances can sometimes point you towards a potential job lead. Persistence and confidence are vital ingredients to a successful job search.
More to come…..
Marisol Diaz is an experienced workshop presenter, specialized information publisher, and a SOHO specialist. She also has been writing on Canada settlement and immigration law since 2006. contact her @ hinenisyndicator@gmail.com. You can improve your Canada job search through the Canadian database for Int’l Employers here , an Paid Content or Informational Services run by Hineni Media
Note and disclaimer: No attorney/client relationship is formed through the submission or viewing of this article. This article is not intended as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney. The facts of every case are different and individualized advice should be sought from an attorney before proceeding with any case.
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