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Work and Build Experience

A step-by-step guide to starting your career in Canada: finding your first job, understanding skilled work, keeping your work status in order and building the experience that supports your long-term plans.

Every month of good, documented work experience is a step towards the life you are planning.

A young professional working at a laptop in a bright modern office, with a rising bar chart on the wall and a city skyline through the window
  1. Finding your first jobWhere to look for work in Canada, how to prepare, and how to spot fake job offers before they cost you money.

    Your first job in Canada is more than a pay cheque. It gives you experience, confidence and references. It also helps you understand how Canadian workplaces work. This stage will help you search sensibly and safely.

    Good to know: This page is general information only. Always check the conditions on your own work permit before you accept a job.

    Before you start

    • Check your permit. Read your work permit and note the end date and any conditions. If you are on a PGWP, see the Post-Graduation Work Permit journey.
    • Be honest with employers. Tell them when your permit ends. Many employers will ask.
    • Keep your documents ready. You may need your permit and passport, and you will need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) once you are hired.

    Where to look

    • Government of Canada Job Bank. This is the federal government's job website. Employers post jobs there for free, and you can search by place and type of work.
    • Employer websites. Many companies post their jobs on their own "careers" pages.
    • Your school's career centre. Many colleges and universities help recent graduates with CVs, interviews and employer contacts.
    • Job fairs and local employment centres. These are good for meeting employers and getting advice.
    • People you know. Friends, teachers, classmates and former colleagues often hear of jobs first. Tell them what you are looking for.
    • Other job websites. Popular sites can be useful, but always check the employer is real.

    Prepare your CV and applications

    • Keep your CV clear and short. Focus on what you did and what you achieved, not just your duties.
    • Match the job. Change your CV a little for each job, using words from the job advert.
    • Check what employers ask for. Follow their instructions exactly, including the file type and the questions to answer.
    • Prepare simple references. Ask a teacher or former manager if they can speak for you, and tell them first.
    • Practise interviews. Prepare short answers about yourself, your skills and why you want the job. A friend or mentor can help you practise.

    Your first job and your long-term plans

    A first job in Canada can be any job that your permit allows. Many newcomers start with whatever work they can find, and that is fine.

    But remember: if you plan to apply for permanent residence later, not every job counts in the same way. Programs look at the type of job, your hours and whether you were allowed to work. We explain this in the next stage, so keep good records from your first day.

    Protect yourself from job scams

    Job scams target people who are new to Canada. Be careful if an employer or recruiter:

    • asks you to pay for a job, a training course, a uniform or a "work permit"
    • sends you a cheque or money and asks you to send some of it on
    • asks for your SIN, bank details or passport before you have even met or had an interview
    • offers you a job you did not apply for
    • offers a job quickly with no interview, or only talks to you on a messaging app
    • promises that a job will guarantee immigration
    • claims to be from the immigration department or a government office

    Watch out: A genuine employer does not ask you to pay to get a job, or to receive money into your personal bank account. If you are unsure, stop and ask a trusted adviser, your school's career centre or your bank.

    If you think you have been a victim, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, your bank and the police. The sooner you report, the better.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Accepting a job without checking your permit conditions
    • Paying anyone to "find" you a job
    • Sharing your SIN or bank details too early
    • Not keeping contracts, pay slips and letters from employers
    • Waiting to start until you feel "ready", rather than applying
    • Giving up after a few rejections. It is normal to apply many times

    Checklist

    • Read the conditions and end date on my work permit
    • Create a clear one-page CV and ask someone to check it
    • Create a Job Bank account and set up a job search alert
    • Visit my school’s career centre
    • Tell five people in my network what job I am looking for
    • Prepare short answers for common interview questions
    • Save the scam warning signs and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website

    Last verified: 11 Oct 2026

  2. Understanding skilled workHow Canada classifies jobs, which Canadian work experience counts for the Canadian Experience Class, and the mistakes that stop work from counting.

    Any job in Canada helps you earn money and learn. But if you plan to apply for permanent residence later, not every job counts in the same way. Knowing the rules early helps you plan, and helps you keep the right records from the start.

    Good to know: This page is general information only. It explains the main rules of one program, the Canadian Experience Class. It does not tell you whether you qualify. Always check the IRCC website and speak to a licensed professional about your own case.

    How Canada classifies jobs

    Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC). It is a list of all the occupations in the Canadian labour market. Every job fits into one NOC code.

    The NOC also sorts jobs into six TEER categories. TEER stands for training, education, experience and responsibilities. A TEER category is based on the education and training a job needs. The Canadian Experience Class counts only TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 jobs.

    Your job title is not enough. IRCC says to choose the NOC that most closely matches your duties. IRCC checks that you did the actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description, and most of the main duties listed.

    IRCC has a "Find your NOC" tool on its website. Use it for each job you do.

    What the Canadian Experience Class asks for

    This is a program for skilled workers with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents. IRCC says your Canadian work experience must:

    • be in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job (it can be more than one job)
    • be gained in Canada while you were authorised to work under temporary resident status. If you worked remotely, you must have been physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer
    • show that you did the lead statement actions and most of the main duties of the NOC
    • be paid work. Wages or commission count. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not
    • total at least 1 year of work, or 1,560 hours (30 hours a week), in the 3 years before you apply

    Language level

    You must take an approved language test and reach the minimum score in all four abilities. IRCC says the level depends on the job:

    • CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs
    • CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs

    See the Post-Graduation Work Permit journey for how this relates to IELTS General Training scores.

    How hours are counted

    IRCC gives these examples of 1 year of full-time work (1,560 hours):

    • Full-time at one job: up to 30 hours a week for 12 months
    • Part-time: for example, 15 hours a week for 24 months. You can work as many part-time jobs as you need
    • More than one job: up to 30 hours a week combined across jobs, for 12 months

    Work that does not count

    IRCC says you cannot count work experience if:

    • you were studying full-time while you worked. Co-op work terms do not count either
    • you were self-employed (some physicians are an exception)
    • you were a volunteer or unpaid intern
    • you were not legally allowed to work in Canada

    Watch out: This means part-time work you did while studying full-time usually does not count towards the minimum, even if it was a good job. It still builds your skills and your CV.

    Work you do after you finish your studies, for example on a PGWP, can count if it meets all the other requirements.

    Other points to know

    • There is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class.
    • You must plan to live outside Quebec. Quebec selects its own skilled workers.
    • You must be admissible to Canada.
    • This is only one route. We look at the options in the Permanent Residence journey.

    Keep your records from day one

    For each job, keep:

    • your contract or job offer
    • a letter from your employer that shows your job title, dates, hours per week and, most importantly, your main duties
    • your pay slips and tax documents
    • notes of your start and end dates

    Tip: Ask your employer for a letter that lists what you actually do. A letter that only shows your job title may not be enough.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing a NOC by job title instead of by duties
    • Assuming every job counts for permanent residence
    • Counting work you did while studying full-time
    • Working without authorisation, even for a short time
    • Not keeping pay slips and employer letters
    • Letting someone exaggerate your duties in a reference letter. Statements must be true

    Watch out: Never accept a letter that describes duties you did not do, or pay anyone for a letter. False information can cause serious problems with immigration applications.

    Checklist

    • Use IRCC’s “Find your NOC” tool for my current job
    • Compare my real duties with the lead statement and main duties of that NOC
    • Note the TEER category of my job
    • Ask my employer for a letter with my title, dates, hours and duties
    • Keep my contracts and pay slips in one folder
    • Start a simple log of hours worked each month
    • Check that I am authorised to work in every job I take

    Last verified: 11 Oct 2026

  3. Steps 3 to 5 are free to unlock with your email.

  4. Your rights and your first paychequeWhat to know when you start work in Canada: your Social Insurance Number, your workplace rights, how to read a pay slip, and why filing taxes matters. Locked: opens the free unlock form

    This step is part of the full pathway. to read it, with its checklist and official sources.

    Starting your first job in Canada is exciting. These basics will help you protect your rights, your money and your future applications.

    Good to know: This page is general information only. Rules differ between provinces and between jobs, so always check the official pages for your own situation.

    Your Social Insurance Number (SIN)

    A Social Insurance Number is a nine-digit number. You need it to work in Canada, and to use some government programs, such as Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP).

    • If you are a temporary resident, your SIN starts with the number 9.
    • Your SIN expires on the same date as your permit. Keep your SIN record up to date, so it matches your current permit.
    • You apply for it through Service Canada, with a valid permit that allows you to work.
    • Service Canada says you can start working as soon as you apply. You do not need to wait for the number to arrive.
    • Official guidance says to apply within 3 days after you begin work, so do not delay.
    • If you get a new permit, you must update your SIN record.

    Watch out: Your SIN is private, and it is illegal for anyone else to use it. Give it to an employer after you have been hired, not during job applications or on the phone to someone you do not know.

    Your rights at work

    IRCC says that, as a foreign worker, you are protected by Canada's labour laws. Your employer:

    • cannot take your passport or your work permit away from you
    • cannot force you to do dangerous work
    • must follow the employment standards of the province or territory where you work

    If you do not work for a federally regulated business, your working conditions are likely covered by your province or territory's employment standards office. This office can tell you about pay, hours, overtime, breaks and what to do if something goes wrong.

    If you have an employer-specific work permit, your employer must give you an employment agreement. A PGWP is an open permit, but it is still wise to ask for your job terms in writing.

    Watch out: If an employer holds your passport or permit, asks you to pay for your job, or threatens you with immigration problems, get help straight away. Contact your province's employment standards office or a trusted adviser.

    Reading your pay slip

    Each time you are paid, you should get a pay slip. It usually shows:

    • your hours and pay rate
    • the total you earned
    • deductions, such as income tax and contributions to government programs like EI and CPP
    • the amount that you actually receive

    Check it every time. If something looks wrong, ask your employer or payroll team first. Keep every pay slip in a safe folder.

    Tip: Pay slips, contracts and employer letters are also the evidence you may need later for permanent residence. See "Understanding skilled work".

    Taxes: why you should file

    Your tax status is different from your immigration status. The CRA says you become a resident of Canada for income tax purposes when you have enough ties to Canada, and for most newcomers this starts the first day they live in Canada.

    Every year, you complete an income tax and benefit return and send it to the CRA. Here is why it matters:

    • You must report your income and pay any tax you owe.
    • You may get benefits and credits. To keep getting them, the CRA says you must file a return every year, even if you had little or no income.
    • Your employer will give you tax slips (such as a T4) for the work you did. Use them to report your income correctly.
    • If you were a resident for part of the year, you still need to file for that part.
    • You must also report income from outside Canada for the time you were a resident.

    Tax returns for most people are due by 30 April of the following year. Check the CRA's current dates each year.

    Getting help

    If you have a modest income and a simple tax situation, you may get free help at a community tax clinic through the CRA's Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Many colleges and community centres also offer help.

    Watch out: Be careful with calls, texts or emails that claim to be from the CRA or Service Canada. Check the official government website, and never give your SIN or bank details to someone you do not know.

    Keep your records

    Keep, for several years:

    • your SIN confirmation
    • your contract and any employer letters
    • all pay slips and tax slips
    • your tax returns and any CRA letters

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Giving your SIN too early, or to the wrong person
    • Letting your SIN expire when your permit does
    • Not filing a tax return because you think you earn too little
    • Taking cash payments with no pay slip or tax slip. This also leaves you with no proof of your work
    • Handing over your passport or permit to an employer
    • Not asking for your terms in writing
    • Ignoring a problem at work instead of asking for help

    Where to get help

    • Your province or territory's employment standards office for pay, hours and workplace rules
    • The CRA for taxes
    • Service Canada for your SIN
    • Your school's career or international office, if you recently graduated
    • A licensed immigration consultant or lawyer for questions about your immigration status

    Checklist

    • Apply for my SIN as soon as my permit allows me to work
    • Keep my SIN private and share it only after I’m hired
    • Check that my SIN expiry date matches my permit
    • Ask for my job terms in writing
    • Save every pay slip and tax slip in one folder
    • Find my province’s employment standards office
    • Find out the tax filing date and look for a free tax clinic
    • Keep my passport and permit with me, never with an employer

    Last verified: 11 Oct 2026

  5. Building your PR profileThe main things to prepare before you enter Express Entry: language results that stay valid, your education, your work evidence and your timeline. Locked: opens the free unlock form

    This step is part of the full pathway. to read it, with its checklist and official sources.

    Permanent residence (PR) is a big goal. For many graduates, a route called Express Entry is the first one they hear about. Before you apply, you create an online profile that shows IRCC your skills and experience.

    This page does not tell you how to fill in a profile. It explains what to prepare so you are ready, and what to avoid.

    Good to know: This page is general information only. Rules, scores and draws change often, and nobody can promise an invitation. For advice on your own case, speak to a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.

    The four building blocks

    Most profiles are built from four things: language, education, work experience and timing. You can start working on all four now.

    1. Language results

    You must prove your English or French by taking an approved language test. For English, IRCC accepts:

    • IELTS General Training (not IELTS Academic)
    • CELPIP-General
    • PTE Core

    IRCC does not accept IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry.

    The level you need depends on the program. For the Canadian Experience Class, it depends on the job group you worked in:

    • TEER 0 or 1 jobs: CLB 7 in all four abilities (IELTS General Training 6.0 in each)
    • TEER 2 or 3 jobs: CLB 5 in all four abilities (IELTS General Training: Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0)

    Other Express Entry programs have different levels. The Federal Skilled Worker Program, for example, asks for CLB 7 in English.

    Your results must still be valid

    IRCC says your test results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your application for permanent residence. If you apply with expired results, IRCC will refuse the application.

    Tip: A language test you took for your PGWP may still be usable, but only if it is less than 2 years old at both of those points. Check the date on your result before you book another test. Your Syllabize mentor can help you plan when to retake IELTS General Training, and what to aim for.

    2. Education

    For the Canadian Experience Class, IRCC says there is no education requirement. Education can still matter for your ranking in the Express Entry pool:

    • If you studied in Canada, you may get points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian school.
    • If you have foreign education, you may get points if you have a completed credential and an educational credential assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes.

    Ask yourself early whether an ECA could help your profile. It can take time to arrange, so do not leave it to the last minute.

    3. Work experience

    Work experience is the heart of the Canadian Experience Class. In "Understanding skilled work", we explained what counts, including the TEER category of the job, paid work, authorisation and the 1,560 hours in the 3 years before you apply.

    To prepare:

    • find the NOC that best matches your duties
    • keep your contracts, pay slips and employer letters
    • check that your letters describe what you actually do

    4. Timing

    Many things in your profile depend on dates:

    • When will you reach 1 year of eligible work?
    • When does your language test expire?
    • When does your PGWP or other permit end?
    • When does your passport expire?

    Put all four dates in a calendar. Plan so that your results and your permit stay valid together.

    Check your options before you commit

    IRCC has a free Come to Canada tool and an Express Entry eligibility questionnaire to check whether you meet the minimum requirements. IRCC also publishes a "Check your score" page, which explains how your profile is ranked.

    Watch out: Meeting the minimum requirements does not mean you will be invited to apply. Invitations depend on rankings and on the rounds IRCC runs, which change. Be careful with anyone who promises an invitation or a "guaranteed" score.

    Other documents to think about

    Beyond the four building blocks, you will usually need:

    • a valid passport
    • police certificates and other documents later, if you are invited to apply
    • records that show consistent names, dates and details

    Check IRCC's "Get your documents ready" pages for the current list.

    Be accurate and honest

    Everything in your profile must be true and consistent with your documents. Do not exaggerate your duties or hours, and do not accept a letter that describes work you did not do. False information can cause serious problems for you now and in future applications.

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Letting language results expire before you apply
    • Booking IELTS Academic instead of General Training
    • Choosing a NOC by job title, not by duties
    • Counting work that does not qualify, such as work done while studying full-time
    • Forgetting that permits and passports have expiry dates too
    • Leaving everything to the last year
    • Paying someone who promises an invitation

    Where to get advice

    Advice about your own application must come from a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer. Check that they are licensed before you pay.

    Checklist

    • Write down the date my current language results expire
    • Check which language level my job group needs (TEER 0 or 1, or TEER 2 or 3)
    • Plan my next IELTS General Training test early enough to retake if needed
    • Decide whether an educational credential assessment could help me
    • Match each of my jobs to a NOC by duties
    • Collect employer letters, contracts and pay slips for every job
    • Put my permit, passport and test expiry dates in one calendar
    • Try IRCC’s eligibility questionnaire or Come to Canada tool

    Last verified: 11 Oct 2026

  6. Choosing your routeA simple map of the main routes to permanent residence, the questions to ask yourself, and how to plan a back-up before your permit ends. Locked: opens the free unlock form

    This step is part of the full pathway. to read it, with its checklist and official sources.

    By now you know about language results, skilled work and records. This stage helps you see the main routes to permanent residence at a glance, so you can plan sensibly and ask better questions.

    This page is general information only. It does not tell you which route is right for you. Rules change often, and invitations and nominations are never guaranteed. For advice on your own case, speak to a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.

    Route 1: Express Entry

    Express Entry is the federal government's online system for skilled workers. You create a profile, and IRCC ranks the profiles in a pool. It manages applications for three federal programs:

    • Canadian Experience Class: for people with skilled Canadian work experience (we covered this in "Understanding skilled work")
    • Federal Skilled Worker Program: for skilled workers, which asks for CLB 7 in English as your first official language
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program: for skilled trades, with its own language levels (CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing)

    You must meet the minimum requirements of at least one program before you can enter the pool. Meeting them does not mean you will be invited to apply.

    Route 2: Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

    Many provinces and territories run their own programs. They nominate people who match their local labour needs. IRCC explains that there are two ways to apply:

    • Through Express Entry. You apply to a province's Express Entry stream, and if the province agrees to nominate you, you show your nomination in your Express Entry profile.
    • Outside Express Entry. You apply to the province for nomination under a stream that does not use Express Entry. IRCC says processing times for this route are longer.

    Each province decides its own streams, requirements and application windows, and these change during the year.

    Watch out: Be careful with anyone who sells a "guaranteed nomination" or a "confirmed spot" in a provincial program. Nominations are decided by the province.

    Route 3: Quebec

    Quebec selects its own skilled workers. The Canadian Experience Class is for people who plan to live outside Quebec. If you want to live in Quebec, check Quebec's own immigration rules.

    Other routes

    There are other ways to become a permanent resident, such as through family, or through special programs for particular places or occupations. IRCC has an online tool to explore programs. The next journey, Permanent Residence, takes you through the main options in more detail.

    Questions to ask yourself

    Use these to start thinking about which route might suit you, and then talk to a licensed professional:

    1. What work experience do I have? What is my job's TEER, and how many months do I have?
    2. What are my language results? Are they valid for the next two years?
    3. Where do I want to live? Is there a province with a strong need for my work?
    4. How long is my permit valid? What happens if I wait?
    5. What documents will I need? Will I need an education assessment, police certificates or employer letters?
    6. What is my back-up plan? What if I do not receive an invitation or nomination?

    Plan your timeline backwards

    Start from the end date of your permit and work back:

    • 12 months before: check your options, language test validity and work records
    • 6 months before: decide on your route and prepare your documents
    • 3 months before: check that your permit, passport and test results are all still valid, and talk to a licensed professional about your timing

    Tip: Keep your plan in writing, and update it every few months. Rules and your own situation will change.

    Make a back-up plan

    Rankings, nominations and rules can change. A sensible plan includes:

    • a second route you could try
    • a way to retake your language test if you need to
    • an idea of what you would do if your permit ends before you have an answer. See "When your PGWP is ending"

    Common mistakes to avoid

    • Choosing a route because a friend or an agent said it is "the easiest"
    • Waiting until the last few months before your permit ends
    • Relying on only one route
    • Believing in guaranteed invitations, nominations or scores
    • Letting language results, permits or passports expire
    • Paying someone who is not licensed

    Where to get advice

    Advice about your own immigration situation must come from a licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) or a lawyer. Check that they are licensed before you pay.

    Your next step

    You have now built your foundation: your experience, records and plan. Continue to the Permanent Residence journey for more detail on each route.

    Checklist

    • Write down my work experience, TEER category and months worked
    • Write down my language test results and their expiry dates
    • List the provinces where I would be happy to live
    • Note my permit end date and work back 12, 6 and 3 months
    • Try IRCC’s online tool to explore programs
    • Write a simple back-up plan in case my first route does not work

    Last verified: 11 Oct 2026