An employment specialist will help you create a special plan of action for your goals, needs and situation.  They can help you in-person, pre-arrival or by distance to:

• Develop a return-to-work action plan
• Create and target a professional Canadian-style resume and cover letter
• Navigate the pathways to licensure in your field and apply for financial support through the Career Pathway Loan Fund (here) (Read More 1)
• Learn job search techniques, practice interview skills and understand Canadian workplace culture
• Seek informational interviews with potential employers
• Meet your employment goals by providing ongoing counselling and coaching
• Prepare for and apply to the Federal Internship Program through IRCC (here) (Read More 2)
• Become an independent job seeker

You will have access to:

• Job Search Strategies for Internationally Educated Engineers workshop (here) and Job Search Resource Centre (Read More 3)
• Practice Interview Program (see below)
• Employment opportunities
• On-site Recruitment and Career Information sessions
• Professional Practice Program (here) and Professional Mentorship Program (Read More 4)
• Profession-specific Bridging programs
• Labour Market Language courses
• Skills Match Online Recruitment Tool (here) (Read More 5)
• Useful community programs

To be eligible for employment counselling you must:

• Be interested in working in Nova Scotia
• Be a Permanent Resident or immigrant Canadian Citizen
• Register with ISANS
• Work together with your employment specialist to reach your career goals

The Job Search Strategies for IEEs is a workshop where IEEs can self-navigate and learn strategies for finding work in Canada.  This workshop is online.  The workshop is divided into four units:

1. Skills for Success - a close examination of skills that employers consider highly valuable in Canada
2. Job Search - looks in detail at how to put together a targeted resume and cover letter appropriate for engineers, as well as how to network effectively to increase opportunities for finding work in the field of engineering
3. Interviews - examines a number of strategies for answering various types of interview questions that engineers are likely to encounter
4. Working in Canada - covers information engineers will need to know once they begin work, including adjusting to Canadian workplace culture and styles of communication

Participating in an effective job search and interview preparation process are essential steps on your road to employment.

The Professional Mentorship Program matches you with a mentor in your field of work.  This is someone in your profession or occupation who is well established here in Nova Scotia.

A mentor can help you in a number of ways:

• Attend networking events together and discuss trends and opportunities in your field
• Learn the "jargon" or profession-specific language you need
• Invite you to visit their workplace
• Build your professional network in Nova Scotia through introductions and connections

As part of the program, you will:

• Meet with your mentor 2-4 times a month
• Meet in public places (eg. coffee shops, libraries, ISANS) to talk about your profession, the labour market, differences in workplace culture and other topics
• Define specific goals and activities

The Professional Mentorship Program coordinator will provide ongoing guidance, support and suggestions to you.

Visit here to learn more about the Professional Mentorship Program.

(Read More 6)

Read about this program again under the heading Licensure.

Employers across Nova Scotia use the Skills Match Online Recruitment Tool to hire the skills they need.

A growing number of employers are filling their recruiting needs through matching websites.  Skills Match can help you connect with employers in Nova Scotia.

ISANS has a database of employers who have hired or considered hiring immigrant job seekers.  These employers actively search Skills Match for job-ready, qualified candidates.

Once you create your profile with a professional resume, you will be matched with employers seeking your education, experience and skills.

Here are the steps to get on Skills Match:

• Step 1: Register with ISANS and work with an employment specialist.
• Step 2: Review your resume with your employment specialist - if you are job ready, upload it to Skills Match.
• Step 3: Employers will review your profile and resume for possible employment opportunities with their organizations.
• Step 4: When you are contacted by an employer for an interview, let your employment specialist know and you can work together to prepare for a successful interview.

A job interview is an important part of finding work in Canada.  Learning about job interviews and practicing your interview skills can greatly increase your chance of success.

Practice interviews can be done on-site, online or by distance.

Practice interviews will:

• Give you an opportunity to meet with an expert in your field or a Human Resources professional
• Help you practice the types of questions that may be asked in a job interview
• Provide you with feedback from expert professionals on your interview skills
• Help you understand what employers expect and how to present yourself confidently and professionally
• Expand your job search network
• Provide you with a recorded version of the interview for your review and additional feedback from your employment specialist

To be eligible for the Practice Interview Program you must:

• Be looking for a job or a position in your field
• Be a Permanent Resident, immigrant Canadian Citizen or International Graduate
• Register with ISANS and meet with an employment specialist
• Complete one of the Job Search Strategies workshops (here) (Read More 7)