How To Get a Human Resources Jobs in Canada 2023

Human Resources jobs in Canada have a broader scope, with various opportunities for newcomers.  

Canada boasts a substantial workforce engaged in the field of human resources, numbering in the thousands. This occupation enjoys considerable popularity, offering diverse avenues for career development. Various companies, spanning across industries, rely on the expertise of HR professionals to facilitate their day-to-day activities. Moreover, the future prospects of Human Resources jobs in Canada appear promising, rendering it an attractive choice for immigrants seeking a rewarding career. Furthermore, a career in human resources in Canada can lead to a comfortable and affluent lifestyle in Canada.

To pursue a career in human resources in Canada, a university degree or college diploma in HR management or a related field, such as business administration, industrial relations, commerce, or psychology, is frequently a prerequisite. Furthermore, certain organizations may demand the Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) certification. To prepare for advancing your career in the field of human resources in Canada, it’s advisable to read this informative overview.

Canadian Immigration Human Resources jobs in Canada

In Canada, there exist diverse pathways for embarking on a career in human resources. Holding the CPHR accreditation can significantly distinguish you from other job seekers. Established in 1994, CPHR plays a pivotal role as the unified voice for all HR associations across the nation. It’s worth noting that human resources in Canada is not subject to formal regulation, allowing flexibility for individuals to secure HR positions upon arrival. This flexibility makes Canada an appealing destination for internationally experienced professionals seeking to advance their careers, particularly considering the attractive average compensation offered in the field of human resources.

Attain Human Resources jobs in Canada before moving to Canada

Human Resources Jobs in Canada

Your chances of securing a job in Canada improve with the extent of pre-arrival preparation you undertake. To expedite and simplify your job search in the field of human resources upon moving to Canada, consider taking the following steps beforehand:

Human Resources career – what are the employment prospects in Canada?

The employment outlook for human resources professionals in Canada is generally favorable, characterized by a balance between job opportunities and job seekers. HR managers, specialists, and generalists remain consistently sought after by businesses. As per the Government of Canada Career Bank, most provinces in the country offer promising career prospects for HR professionals. Between 2022 and 2031, there is an expected increase of 48,600 new positions in this field, with a slight decrease in the number of qualified candidates. Newcomers and HR professionals with international training should seize this opportunity for their career advancement.

Begin your research with the NOC Code

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is widely utilized by various groups, including job seekers, because it provides a standardized definition of HR positions in Canada. It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with the NOC description before seeking an HR position to ensure that your responsibilities align with the Canadian standards. Moreover, reviewing examples of work titles held by Canadian HR professionals can be highly beneficial as you commence your job search in the field of human resources.

Other Human Resources job titles include:

What are the requirements for making a career in Human Resources in Canada?

Human resources positions can vary in requirements from one organization to another. It’s important to note that in Canada, the HR profession is not subject to formal regulation. However, certain businesses may request an assessment of your qualifications. In such cases, they often provide you with a project or task to assess your skills and consider your professional references as part of their evaluation process.

Certain employers may request an education evaluation to verify your academic credentials. However, it’s advisable to confirm whether the organization you are applying to requires this step before investing in such an evaluation, as requirements can vary between employers.

The same principle applies if you intend to enhance your skills by enrolling in a program at a college or university. To determine whether you need an education evaluation and to inquire if the institution has a recommended evaluation provider, it’s advisable to contact the specific school you plan 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 example, your overseas qualifications and experience could make you eligible for advanced standing, allowing you to transfer some of your credits or undergo a prior learning assessment. This can potentially accelerate your program completion, saving you both time and money, and eliminating the need to return to school.

Credential Assessment Services for HR Career

Credential recognition is a process designed to impartially and consistently assess an individual’s skills, qualifications, and capabilities. Numerous organizations are dedicated to evaluating international educational qualifications to support immigrants in Canada in obtaining the education and employment opportunities they need.

Fulfilling job requirements for Human Resources jobs

To meet the demands of the Canadian job market, there are various ways to enhance your skills. Canadian employers place significant importance on soft skills, which can be defined as attributes that enhance your interpersonal relationships, job performance, and career prospects. Unlike hard skills, which are more specific, soft skills have broader applicability.

For HR professionals, soft skills such as collaboration, teamwork, and communication are pivotal. It’s essential to identify and cultivate these soft skills as they often play a critical role in not only securing a job interview with your hard skills but also in securing the job itself and contributing to your success in the role.

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 in Canada.

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 thrive in Canada, fluency in one or both of the country’s official languages, English or French, is essential. Depending on the prevalence of either language in your area of residence, you may opt to study or enhance your skills in English or French accordingly.

You could potentially qualify for the LINC program (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada). Alternatively, local school boards or settlement agencies may offer free or affordable English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) programs to assist you in improving your language skills.

Additionally, you have the option to enroll in language classes that focus on acquiring professional terminology, including occupation-specific language training (OSLT) in Ontario and job-specific language training. Moreover, if you are proficient in one of Canada’s two official languages, learning another language can be a valuable pursuit as it may expand your job opportunities.

Bridging programs for Human Resources jobs in Canada

Transitioning from your international education and experience to the Canadian workplace can be made smoother through participation in bridging programs. Alongside institutions, universities, and immigrant-serving organizations that offer HR bridging programs, you can also consider enrolling in HR programs and continuing education courses to advance your career in this field.

Alberta’s Bridging programs for HR career

The Center for Skilled and Foreign-Trained Professionals

There are free curricula available to assist foreign-trained professionals in understanding and effectively navigating the Canadian licensing and credentialing process. For individuals who are not part of a regulated profession, these resources can also provide the latest information pertaining to their field.

HR Bridging Program – Ontario

University of York, Toronto

Bridging Program for Professionals with International Education

This program is designed to assist international-trained human resource professionals (IEHRPs) in securing employment that aligns with their qualifications, experience, and career objectives. The program encompasses opportunities for mentorship, internships, career coaching, access to specialized curricula, and comprehensive assessments of skills and experience. Furthermore, it supports IEHRPs in working towards obtaining the CHRP (Chartered Human Resources Professional) designation.

Toronto and Brampton-based Accessible Community Counseling and Employment Services (ACCES).

Canadian schools for HR career

After relocating to Canada, many immigrants choose to pursue further education. Some may even seek to change careers or advance their existing ones by pursuing an MBA or Ph.D. There are over 80 colleges and institutions across Canada that offer programs in human resources, providing ample opportunities for individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge in this field.

Top universities for studying human resources include:

HR sector councils in Canada

The HR sector councils mentioned below are collaborative organizations comprising representatives from the corporate, labor, and educational sectors. They operate independently of the Canadian government and serve as platforms for stakeholders to engage in discussions about HR-related matters and skills. Collectively, they work to identify HR solutions tailored to their respective industries:

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:

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

Informative Interviews for Human Resources Jobs in Canada

An informational interview is a brief session, typically lasting 20 to 30 minutes, that you schedule with a currently employed HR professional. The purpose of this interview is to gather information and gain insights into the field of work in Canada.

During an informational interview, it’s important not to make an attempt to secure a job in human resources. Also, refrain from using the “bait and switch” strategy, where you initiate an informational interview and then later request your contact to forward your resume to hiring managers. Additionally, avoid asking questions that are easily answered through a simple internet search, such as inquiring about the annual sales figures of a publicly held company.

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 exceptional settings for networking as they provide convenient opportunities to meet people, build relationships, and exchange valuable information.

You can find employment leads, learn about a firm or the Canadian HR industry through effective networking, and connect with other HR professionals.

LinkedIn is a highly effective online networking tool. It serves as an excellent platform for networking, job hunting, and staying connected with former colleagues and employers. Furthermore, it offers the opportunity to connect with HR professionals and engage in relevant forums and groups, making it a valuable resource for building your professional network in the HR field.

The process of writing an HR resume

Your CV should present you as an HR specialist with proficiency in several vital areas. It should showcase your roles in talent acquisition, mentoring and advising employees, conducting training, policy development, employee relations management, conflict resolution, and more.

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:

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 should convey your understanding of how HR regulations influence the organization’s broader business objectives. Go beyond listing job responsibilities and elucidate how your contributions and services have positively impacted the organization, making your resume 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?

Once you receive an interview invitation, it’s crucial to be well-prepared for the meeting. Reflect on why you are the ideal candidate for the position and conduct thorough research on the employer. During the interview, strive to appear composed and confident, which entails meticulous preparation of your responses to anticipated questions.

Behavioral-based interviews are prevalent in the HR industry and are designed to evaluate abilities like:

Questions for senior HR positions may relate to your:

Examples of questions you might be asked during job interviews are as follows:

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

Human resources positions are available throughout Canada, with HR departments commonly found in medium-sized and large companies. As many major corporations are situated in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, these urban centers tend to offer more HR job opportunities. Additionally, the average compensation for human resources professionals is generally higher in these cities, reflecting the cost of living and demand for HR expertise in metropolitan areas.

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:

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:

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