By Prachi Shailendra
As a communications professional who embarked on the Canadian journey in 2019 with over six years of international experience in corporate communications, I vividly recall the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the local job market. I soon realized that for newcomers, success often hinges on more than just a polished resume or a compelling cover letter. The key lies in strategic navigation and proactive engagement:
- One of the first lessons I learned was the paramount importance of networking. In a country as diverse and welcoming as Canada, connecting with local experts and professionals is a game-changer. Digital platforms like LinkedIn and EventBrite, or taking the help of government funded local employment agencies (such as TRIEC, Acces Employment or Woodgreen) prove invaluable for discovering professional events and cultivating a robust professional network from scratch. This is definitely the first concrete step in engaging in healthy and informative conversations with seasoned professionals on industry trends and job opportunities, showcasing skillsets to demonstrate one’s professional value and fostering meaningful relationships with future colleagues.
- Joining and following professional associations is a strategic move to immerse oneself in the local industry and connect with changemakers. These associations act as hubs for networking, collaboration and professional development. They create opportunities for mentorship and professional certifications, such as GCCC and CP Style, that not only boost one’s credibility but also demonstrate commitment to local industry standards.
- Upskilling is an ongoing process that can significantly boost one’s marketability and build professional versatility. For example, proficiency in cross-marketing tools like Canva, Hootsuite and Cision empowers a marketing communicator to tackle diverse tasks in a time and space effective manner, right from creating visually appealing marketing materials, to designing engaging social media content, to building media relations and monitoring marketing analytics.
- One pivotal aspect of my journey was finding a mentor that helped me navigate not only the challenges of job hunting, but also understand (and maximize) my own professional value. For example, in the event of a non-negotiable salary component of an offer, I learnt to successfully negotiate to receive paid professional certifications and more annual vacation days. Pretty cool, right?
- This one’s a bit of personal opinion, but avoiding the lure of survival jobs and staying committed to my professional field paid dividends. While survival jobs may provide temporary stability, I experienced that staying focused on my career goals and persistently applying to positions aligned with my skill set while implementing all the above strategies worked wonders for me.
In short, as a communicator, it’s all about communicating one’s professional value in the most effective and creative manner to match the needs of the market. Fun part, it is not a solo dance, but a collaborative treasure hunt to success. Just need to be open to accept the help available all around us and dance with the opportunities!
About the Author
Prachi Shailendra is an award-winning global business communicator, boasting nearly a decade of expertise across journalism, news production, photography, event management, digital and social media management, website production, fundraising, and more. Commencing her journey as an India-based teenage journalist passionate about social causes, she swiftly transitioned into the role of corporate communicator. She has worked with multiple non-profit organizations across India, Europe and North America, and has continued to work in the humanitarian sector post immigrating to Canada. Holding advanced degrees in Journalism and Mass Communications, she actively pursues professional growth through associations like IABC, aiming for GCCC certification.
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