Free guide · 6 minutes
Your first job in Canada
Thousands of newcomers start work in the GTA every month. These steps get you there faster.
Free, always.
1. Get your SIN first
- You need a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work in Canada. Apply at Service Canada, online or in person, with your immigration papers.
- Keep your SIN private. Give it only to your employer once you are hired.
2. Open a bank account
- Employers pay by direct deposit. Most banks have newcomer accounts with no fees for the first year.
3. Make a Canadian-style resume
- One or two pages, no photo, no age, no marital status.
- Write your experience from home the same way as Canadian experience: title, company, dates and results. See our free resume guide.
4. Know the rule on "Canadian experience"
- Since January 1, 2026, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees may not ask for Canadian experience in a job posting or application form.
- The same rules make most of those postings show the expected pay or a pay range.
5. Check if your job or credentials need recognition
- Some jobs are regulated: nurses, engineers, teachers, electricians and plumbers, for example. You apply to the Ontario body for that job to work in it.
- While you wait, a job close to your skills builds income and experience: a nurse can start as a PSW, an engineer as a technician or drafter.
6. Get the quick certificates
- WHMIS for warehouse, factory and many other jobs.
- Smart Serve for serving alcohol, a food handler certificate for kitchens, Working at Heights for construction.
- Many are short courses you can finish in a day.
7. Use free help
- Employment Ontario centres give free job help across the province.
- Excelone helps you free in every field: we send your resume to employers hiring by email and help you get ready.
Ready when you are
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