How to find engineering jobs in Canada

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Home -> Career Pathways -> Engineering -> 4. Job Finding Techniques -> Job finding techniques

Job finding techniques

The career opportunities for professional
engineers in Canada vary according to your
area of practice, the industries in which you
wish to work and the province where you plan
to settle.
The Canadian job market is very competitive
and jobs are not easy to find. You cannot
work as an engineer if you are not licensed.
However, during the licensing process, you
can work with a licensed professional
engineer if they take responsibility for your
work.
You do not need a licence to work in the many different professions within the field of
engineering or applied science technology.
While your license application is processed, you may wish to register as an engineer-in-training
to receive advice and guidance from the provincial or territorial association.
Broaden your search and include alternative careers.
Join engineering related job-finding or networking groups through the immigrant-serving
agencies.
Attend engineering related career/job fairs and info sessions.
Seek out a mentor in the engineering sector for example, a retired engineer who
would give you valuable insight and advice and probably introduce you to their
professional network.

Immigrant settlement agencies

Most settlement agencies and other immigrant-serving organizations offer help with finding job
vacancies, updating your resume, writing cover letters, preparing for interviews and

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understanding what Canadian employers are looking for.

Click the link to find immigrant services in your area.

Resume writing
The engineering industry includes many different disciplines and cannot be described in a few
words. Some of these branches include chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical.
If you are an engineer, your resume has to have excellent knowledge in drafting, including the
ability to interpret data to develop and design models. It should also demonstrate your ability to
think laterally to provide solutions, exercising independent judgment and decision-making in the
diagnosis and resolution of problems.
For example, if you are a Processing Engineer, your resume needs to be involved in all aspects
of engineering and construction, with solid knowledge of the project development process. Your
background should be showcased, including designing and budgeting projects; negotiating
contracts and assigning responsibility; ensuring projects remain within budget and purchasing
equipment and necessary materials.
For information on writing a Canadian style resume, click here.
Success Story: Although he was a professor at Sharif University of
Technology, one of the most prestigious universities in Iran, and
had a prosperous private consulting firm in Tehran, Mahdi
Zangeneh decided to move to Canada. He was attracted by the
peace and quality of life found in the North American country, so in 2009 he
came to Toronto. Read more.

Interview techniques
Engineers work in dozens of fields, including aeronautics, biomedicine, manufacturing,
chemicals, computers, nuclear power and agriculture. How you prepare for an engineering job
interview will depend in part on what type of position you are pursuing.

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One way you can separate yourself from the pack is by creating a work portfolio. It expresses
what you may not be able to put into words. In addition to taking it to the interview, send your
portfolio or a link to your online portfolio to the interviewer ahead of time. This way, they can
review the portfolio and you can discuss it during the interview.
Some meetings are mere screening or information interviews where they employer tries to
know more about you. A third type is the audition interview, in which you are asked to perform
tasks that would be required of you on the job.
When you are called to an interview, make sure to ask questions: it shows that you are
genuinely interested in the job. Your questions can include the following:
What products are in the development stage?
How do you feel about creativity and individuality?
Is there a lot of team or project work?
Below are some sample questions you might be asked during an engineering interview:
In your last engineering position, what were some of the things that you spent the most
time on, and how much time did you spend on each?
What do you enjoy most/least about engineering?
What new engineering specialty skills have you developed during the past year?
Do you have any patents? If so, tell me about them. If not, is it something you see
yourself pursuing and why or why not?
Think of a specific engineering project when you answer this question. What could you
have done to be more successful in achieving your goal(s)?
Describe a time when you confronted a problem that really tested your engineering
know-how.
What is your overall career objective? Do you see yourself working in engineering ten
years from now? If not, what do you think you will be doing?
Tell me about your greatest success in using the principles of logic to solve an
engineering problem in your last job.
To what extent has your engineering background required you to be skilled in the analysis
of technical reports or information?
Describe a time when you used your engineering knowledge to solve a problem for which
there appeared to be no answer.
Of course, there are many other questions that you need to prepare for. Consider as well
familiarizing yourself with recent news or research about the industry of your prospective
employer.

Information Interviews

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An information interview is a brief (2030minute) meeting that you schedule with a

person who is currently working in your target
field and geographic location to learn more
about that particular sector.
You should not try to get a job during an
information interview but rather find out
whether or not a particular position or industry
might be a good fit for your interests and your
personality. An informational interview with a contact from your network can be an excellent
source of career information because, in addition to basic information about a particular type of
industry (such as you might find on an organizations website), it also offers you the benefit of a
professionals first-hand experiences and impressions.

Networking
Networking is an essential tool that may give you job leads, offer you advice and information
about a particular company or industry that can strengthen your resume, cover letter, and
interview skills. It can also introduce you to others so that you can expand your network. As
many job vacancies are not advertised, you must make connections with working professional
engineers and others within your field.
Good places to network are gatherings such as conferences, association luncheons, and
chamber mixers for their convenience in meeting people, building relationships, and sharing
information.
LinkedIn is another important professional tool for networking. It is great for reconnecting with
your ex-colleagues and employers, search by company or jobs, and get introductions and
recommendations.
You can also mingle with people in the engineering sector and join some related professional
groups.
Note that its not appropriate to ask a networking contact for a job, but if they know of any job
leads, they may share them.
Remember, that you have to allow time to cultivate and grow the ties you establish through
networking. Nothing will happen overnight and therefore, you need to be patient.

If you like your field, dont

Yashod Bhardwaj:

Understanding Canadian

give up, says engineer Paul

Frasie

Informational interviews
are the best strategy

workplaces

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