The first question that probably comes to mind is "Which comes first, the Canadian job or the move to Canada?" This question, on the surface, seems loaded, but do not let it overwhelm you. If you land a job in Canada, it will facilitate your immigration application. But it’s also good to have a permanent residence visa before applying for jobs. You know that if you can land a job in Canada, this will facilitate your immigration application. If you do your research and prepare yourself well, you will find that either approach can work for you.

Your motivation and determination in settling into the Canadian labor market will be critical in determining your eligibility for permanent residence in Canada, so familiarize yourself with Canada and the job market before you even set foot in the country. If you focus your efforts on learning about the Canadian labor market and how it relates to the jobs that you may be applying for, you will present a better image in the interview for your visa. It is likely that your visa officer will ask about your prospects of finding work in Canada. Doing your research will help you showcase your efforts and your knowledge about the Canadian job market.

While it is not impossible to secure a Canadian job offer while you are out of the country, many potential immigrants find that it quite difficult. Many companies do not have the time or interest for a candidate who does not have the appropriate authorization to legally work in Canada or who is not immediately available for an interview. These employers don’t want to face obstacles in hiring new employees. Even so, many employers do have positions that are hard to fill with candidates that are already in Canada. In those cases, it is still in your best interest to do your research and start working on how you will approach them before you step into the country.

With the many career-related sites on the Internet, it is not too difficult to start looking into Canadian jobs while you are still in your home country. The Internet is probably the most cost-effective way of learning more about current job prospects in different locations, industries, and occupations in Canada. Once you have done your homework, you can even electronically forward your newly Canadianized rÈsumÈ before you leave for your new home.

Start looking into postings on job boards and company websites that may interest you. Workopolis is Canada's leading provider of Internet recruitment and job-search solutions. It is a partnership of three giant Canadian media companies and offers job listings from two high-profile Canadian newspapers, The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star Newspapers.

Many public companies in Canada are entirely Canadian, while others have their headquarters in the United States. A large number of these organizations have Internet websites. A company’s URL often ends with ".ca," the Canadian extension. Start looking at the information provided on these organizations’ websites. You can often find details about the company benefits, policies, and corporate culture right on the websites. Once you feel confident that you are knowledgeable about a specific company and want to pursue an opportunity there, you can correspond with the company directly through e-mail, regular mail, or by telephone. If the site does not have information about current job openings, you may want to ask what positions are available at this time. Do not be offended if you get a short response or no response at all, as many of these organizations have a policy to keep the details on job openings confidential.

You may also want to start finding Canadian employment agencies that you can contact directly through the Internet. In Canada, you do not have to pay an agency or a company when you are looking for a job. Instead, the company that hires you will pay the agency for recruiting you.

Canada is a vast country. The type of work available across Canada is incredibly varied. Before starting your job search, you need to think about where the best place is to find the kind of work you are looking for.

The time that it takes to secure appropriate and rewarding employment in Canada depends largely on your occupation. Employers who need someone with skills that are in short supply in Canada tend to be more willing to consider individuals outside the country.

Job opportunities are diverse across the provinces. Each region in Canada is quite different. Canadian geography and natural resources play a large part in the type of job opportunities available in each area. For example, jobs in forestry or mining are only available in certain regions within Canada. In addition, due to seasonal fluctuations, demand for workers in some jobs, such as farming, fishing, and construction, varies throughout the year.

The Canada Career Consortium compiles a yearly "Canada Prospects" publication that will help in determining the best job and location for you. "Canada Prospects" offers a geographic look at some promising opportunities nationally, as well as in each province and territory. If you select one of the occupations from this list, you are likely to have a stronger chance of success in your job search.

"Canada Prospects" will also offer you additional information to help you to know where the Canadian economy is going. According to the most recent publication, economic growth in Canada is expected to create about two million new jobs over the next five years, and more than 75 percent will be in the service sector. In addition, new opportunities will be available in construction and manufacturing. Other areas of growth include communications and information services, computers and communications manufacturing, and professional services.

Focus on Building Canadian Experience

According to the Canada Human Rights Commission, employers may not discriminate against applicants whose work experience is not Canadian. Still, many employers do not recognize the work experience or education of people from other countries, so some immigrants find themselves with a challenge: you can’t get a job in Canada if you do not have Canadian experience, but you can't get Canadian experience if do not have a job in Canada.

To deal with this, you may want to consider starting in a part-time, temporary, or contract position with the intent of moving into a full-time permanent job. It may also be in your best interest to keep an open mind and be willing to take on an entry-level position while you look for a more appropriate role. If you choose to take this route, you may want to focus your efforts on furthering your studies or doing some volunteer work in your field.

When looking for a temporary role, you will want to review Skillnet, which offers part-time and contract positions in addition to full-time job opportunities. Make sure to consider employment agencies, many of which offer temporary or contract positions as well. For more information on taking on a temporary role, refer to Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s "Working Temporarily in Canada" web page.

Self-employment is a very viable option for individuals immigrating to Canada. If you believe you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you may consider starting your own business. This could be a risky but rewarding undertaking. According to a 1996 study issued by Statistics Canada, about 14 percent of recent immigrant workers are self-employed. Canadian entrepreneurs find that with the resources provided by the government, they can easily start up their own businesses. If this alternative appeals to you, the programs offered by Canada Business Service Centres can help you to get started.

Many new Canadians find that their language skills are the largest barrier in their job-search efforts. Difficulty with English greatly limits your job opportunities in Canada. Of course, if you plan on working in Quebec, make sure your French is up to scratch. If your language skills are not strong, you may be forced to accept a more junior job than you previously held. If you feel that you need help, enroll in an English course at one of your adult education facilities. Before coming to Canada, try to spend time every day speaking English. Even if you are having trouble, make the effort to speak the language every single day. You will find that the more you speak, the easier it gets.

If you are a professional who wants to practice in Canada, you'll need to find out what the certification standards are for people with non-Canadian qualifications. In Canada, about 20 percent of jobs are regulated by the government to protect public health and safety. For example, doctors, nurses, teachers, and electricians are regulated professions. Further, each province has its own regulations and standards.

If you have professional qualifications, you can check out the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. This organization has information on academic and occupational credentials and regulations for all of Canada and lists nearly 150 professions and trades.

Canadian employers look for relevant work experience, an appropriate educational and training background, good English language skills, and the right attitude. If you are a dedicated job seeker with access to the Internet, you will most likely find some leads, or at least learn about the Canadian labor market. If you have done your homework and are focused on your future in Canada, it should not be too difficult to find something appropriate.

Do your research and prepare yourself well. You will find that no matter which comes first, the Canadian job or the move to Canada, you will be able to successfully make the transition into the Canadian workplace.

Sharon Graham is a Certified Professional Resume Writer who works in Canada.