Marketing is a core function of businesses in Canada and marketing professionals are always in demand across these industries. Whether you are recently qualified as a marketer or have several years of experience in the marketing industry, moving to Canada can offer you a wide range of opportunities. So, here’s how you can get a marketing job in Canada as a newcomer. 

Canadian Immigration Programs For Marketing Professionals 

Landing your first job as a marketing professional as a newcomer can be quite challenging. You will need to learn about the Canadian job market and begin your job search before you arrive. 

As an internationally educated marketing professional, the Canadian job market offers excellent career opportunities and growth prospects. However, you can work in Canada if you are a permanent resident, citizen, or work permit holder. 

Below are some immigration plans to explore:

  1. Express Entry 

The Express Entry system is a quite popular permanent residence program that enables skilled individuals with the necessary education, experience, and language skills to work and settle in Canada. To apply for permanent residence under this program, you need to make an Express Entry profile and provide information regarding your educational qualifications, work experience, age, language test scores, etc. In addition, your profile’s CRS score will determine your ranking in the applicant pool. Moreover, when your CRS score meets/ exceeds the draw cut-off, you will obtain an ITA for PR. 

As a marketing professional, you might be able to qualify for either one of the two Express Entry programs mentioned below: 

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program 

The Express Entry program aims at individuals with a minimum of one year of continuous, paid foreign work experience in professional, managerial, or technical jobs in the last ten years. As an experienced marketing professional, your prior experience will be in a skill type 0/ A job. 

You might be eligible for the program if you have a high degree of education and a minimum CLB score of 7 in reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Strong proficiency in English or French will also be needed for most marketing jobs in Canada.   

  • Canadian Experience Class 

The Canadian Experience Class program aims at individuals with a minimum of one year of paid work experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 jobs. If you have worked as a marketer in Canada on a valid work permit, you might be eligible for CEC. To qualify, you require a minimum CLB score of 7 in approved English/ French language tests. 

  1. Provincial Nominee Programs

PNP programs enable provinces and territories to invite newcomers with the skills, experience, and qualifications required to meet local labor market demands. All territories and provinces, except for Quebec and Nunavut, have PNP streams with different eligibility requirements. In some cases, candidates with experience in specific NOC jobs might be invited to apply for PR. 

  1. Atlantic Immigration Program 

The Atlantic Immigration Program is a federal immigration program that enables newcomers to settle as permanent residents in one of the four Atlantic provinces in Canada, i.e., Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador. In order to be eligible for AIP, you must have a minimum of at least one year of work experience and a full-time permanent job offer from an Atlantic Canada employer. Moreover, AIP applicants must meet the minimum education and language proficiency requirements. 

  1. Work Permit 

Unless you are a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, you’ll likely require a work permit to work in Canada. There are two kinds of work permits: open and employer-specific work permits. You should have a Canadian job offer to qualify for an employer-specific work permit and can only work for that specific employer for a predetermined period. 

On the other hand, an open work permit enables you to work for any eligible employer in Canada and you don’t require a job offer to apply. However, you can qualify for an open work permit under certain situations, like if you recently graduated from a study program in Canada or if you are a spouse or common-law partner of a foreign skilled worker/ international student in Canada.  

How To Get A Marketing Job In Canada As A Newcomer 

Landing your first marketing job in Canada can take time. Here’s how you can get a marketing job in Canada as a newcomer. 

  1. Understand The Job Market 

There is no dearth of job opportunities in marketing in Canada. However, it is vital to understand the dynamics of the local market in the province you wish to settle. For instance, larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver have more job openings. However, there will also be greater competition for jobs. Thus, doing your research in advance can help significantly reduce your job search period. 

  1. Create A Marketing Portfolio 

A portfolio offers potential employers with visual proof of your prior work experience. As a marketer, you can craft a digital portfolio featuring your email campaigns, blog content, case studies, etc. An impressive portfolio complements your resume and cover letter, showing samples of the skills and achievements listed on your resume. If your portfolio is public, it can attract the attention of recruiters to hire marketing professionals. 

  1. Build Your Professional Network 

In Canada, networking is integral for job search as well as for advancing your marketing career. Your professional network can be a helpful/ valuable source when you are learning about the job market, industry trends, or skills recruiters look for in marketing professionals. 

As a newcomer, you need to build your network from scratch. However, you can begin connecting with marketing professionals on LinkedIn and set up chats for informational interviews with them before moving to Canada. Once you build connections, you can leverage them to learn about job openings and hiring practices in numerous organizations, and get referrals, or feedback on your resume. 

Conclusion 

Securing a marketing job as a newcomer in Canada involves a strategic approach and leveraging available resources. Begin by researching the Canadian job market and understanding industry standards and expectations. Further, tailor your resume and remember – networking is crucial. Also, consider gaining experience via internship or volunteer positions to build local references. After all, by being proactive, adaptable, and resourceful, newcomers can successfully navigate the job market.