March 2015 - Canadian Immigrant

MARCH 2015 I FREE

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

CAROLINA VELEZ FINDS SWEET SUCCESS

other phenomenal female entrepreneurs who are making it happen in Canada

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ARE TRADES WHERE THE JOBS ARE? TIME TO VOTE FOR THE

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CONTENTS REGULARS Cover photo by Alessandro Shinado

4 | OUR TAKE/YOUR TAKE 6 | FUSION

›› PROFILE: Andrew Rosbrook ›› NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS ›› CANSPEAK: English sayings explained

15 | IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE 27 | WELCOME TO CANADA ›› Financial first steps

31 | SETTLEMENT

›› DEAR FAIZAL: Cross-cultural relationships ›› PARENTING: Art of conversation

33 | DRIVING

9 | COVER STORY

Inspiring women

›› Purchasing a car

Canadian Immigrant picks five phenomenal businesswomen for its second annual “Immigrant Women of Inspiration” special

34 | BACK PAGE

›› TOP TIPS: Advice from our Top 25 ›› HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO

BioSecrets founder Sihem Benali.

21 | ›› Is the trades economy where the jobs are? ›› JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: English on a budget ›› CAREER COACH: Crack the ATS code

17 | SUCCESS4U BOOTCAMP

Career planning in 4 parts A new practical print and online series for newcomers

Help bring in newcomers to Canada. Respond to the need for immigrants.

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our take VOLUME 12, ISSUE 3 MARCH 2015 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com Creative Director & Editorial Design Safi Nomani snomani@metroland.com Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik Advertising Sales Sr. Ad Manager (B.C. and Alberta) Alla Gordeeva alla@canadianimmigrant.ca Tel: 778 558 3397 Sr. Ad Manager (Toronto) Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170 National Sales Manager Varun Munjal vmunjal@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8169 Sales Events & Marketing Coordinator Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com ISSN 1910-4146

Subscription rate in Canada: $36 plus HST for 12 issues Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher

Publications mail agreement number: 40065097 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 3145 Wolfedale Road Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 3A9 Printed on recycled paper.

Toronto Circulation 50,000 copies Vancouver Circulation 30,000 copies Calgary Circulation 3,000 copies Canadian Immigrant is published monthly and distributed free throughout Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Canadian Immigrant welcomes submissions, but is not responsible for unsolicited material. Canadian Immigrant is a publication of Metroland Media Group, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Entire contents property of Canadian Immigrant.

canadianimmigrant.ca TORONTO 3145 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga Ontario, L5C 3A9 Tel: 905 273 8111, Fax: 905 277 9917 VANCOUVER 793 8th Street East North Vancouver, BC, V7L 2A1 Tel: 778 558 3397

Who’s inspiring?

Inspiration is a subjective thing, but one of the reasons I have loved being editor of this magazine for almost 11 years now is how inspiring the stories of the people we profile are. For example, we recognize five motivational women immigrant entrepreneurs in our special “Immigrant Women of Inspiration” feature (see page 9), including Carolina Velez, who graces our cover. We picked Velez and four other women who embody the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, which is “Making it happen.”

And, of course, I can’t wait to see the shortlist of 75 amazing people for our 2015 RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards, whose voting phase

begins March 19 and ends May 11 at canadiainimmigrant.ca/rbctop25. The final Top 25 winners will be announced in June online and in our July print magazine.

Who inspires you? I’d love to hear from you if you know an inspirational immigrant you think we should interview or if you have something to share yourself. And don’t forget to vote for this year's RBC Top 25 nominees!

Margaret Jetelina Editor, Canadian Immigrant

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your take Fate brought us together

a model, so that connected us even more because we both wanted to improve. It was a great way to spend time together.

A few weeks after I arrived, he had plans to visit his family near Ottawa and invited me to come along. I guess that was the first time I realized that I was falling in love because I was so nervous. English is not my first language and I was so afraid to speak because of the mistakes that I was making.

We spent two awesome months together. We visited many places and I met his friends, but it was almost time for me to go back home. Rob had cooked a very nice dinner for us with candles, wine and a nice table setting. It was very sad, of course.

He taught me how to use a professional camera the week before that, and I was taking pictures of everything that I saw and wanted to take a picture of this fabulous dinner in front of me. I ran to the other room to get the camera. When I came back I was so excited to take the picture I didn’t even notice the engagement ring in his hand until he said, “Can you zoom in on this?”

By the end of the year, we were happily married.

I guess you can call my journey a Cinderella story.

Although my life was good before I met my prince, it is now more awesome than ever and I can finally say “I am Canadian.” And I would like to share my beautiful story with you.

It was five-and-a-half years ago when I needed a vacation, away from my little home country called Estonia. It is a beautiful little European country with a population of 1.3 million, half of the population of Toronto, which I now call home. While researching for a place to unwind, I had narrowed it down to two countries — Australia and Canada. Since I’m scared of spiders and snakes, I decided to come to Canada.

This sounded reasonable to me since the weather is very similar to back home. I’ve always loved to travel and I’ve been to many countries and coming to Canada all by myself was not a scary thought at all. I’m what you’d call a “lone wolf.”

I have always been interested in modeling and have done a little bit of it in Estonia. I had recently signed up to a website where I can meet industry people around the world. There was this one man from Canada who offered to be a tour guide for the time I intended to be in Canada. At first, I didn’t think much Are you an IMMIGRANT looking about it, but we started to write letters and talk over the internet Our Skills Connect for Immigrants Program: and he seemed like a good person, • connects your skills with B.C. so I accepted.

Employers in all job sectors When I arrived to Toronto, • provides mentorship opportunities he was there to meet me at the and one-on-one coaching airport and helped me get to my hotel, which was a university • helps you plan your career,access dorm. The university rents these job leads,upgrade your skills and rooms out during the off season earn Canadian credentials at very reasonable prices. From the first moment that I met Rob Call Today: 604.575.3800 he was very sweet and thoughtful.

Toll Free: 1.877.277.4832 We had a lot of fun together. We www.skillsconnect.ca found out that we are very similar and that we had a lot in common.

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UPFRONT When I say the end of the year, I’m not kidding. We were married on New Year’s Eve. We chose this day because there will always be fireworks for us, every year. We have been married for five years now.

Our first year anniversary didn’t go so well because my husband had caught the flu and was in bed with a fever. I cooked chicken soup, took his temperature every hour and made sure he was comfortable. I even did vodka socks, which is an Estonian way to bring down the fever. If you are not familiar with vodka socks, here is how you do it. Mix water and vodka in a bowl. Soak thin socks in the bowl and squeeze out excess liquid. Put the socks on your feet and under the blanket you go. It will sweat the fever from your body.

After finally getting my PR card, we started planning our big trip to Estonia. Everything was wonderful and I was happy to be as good a tour guide to Rob as he was to me when I first came to Canada.

I have also found a profession that I really love and so grateful for.

I’m a babysitter. I had never babysat in Estonia, never changed a diaper and held few babies in my lifetime, so you must wonder why I started?

It all happened through good people who suggested babysitting to me. I was pretty skeptical at first, but I agreed anyways. I was so embarrassed at first to tell my friends that I'm a babysitter, because of my age (32 at the time) and previous work history (mostly an office assistant).

I have babysat many Estonian toddlers now and it’s been my pleasure to watch them grow, teach them Estonian and fall in love with them.

The joy and happiness that these kids have given me over the years, you just don’t get from an office job! I am so grateful to have found babysitting! And although friends and family from back home are asking “When are you going to get a real job?” I’m so proud when I say I babysit for a living! I truly love it and that is all that matters!

I’m so happy that I made the decision to come to Canada. I met my husband, my lover, my best friend, my soul mate, my everything!

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Canadian Immigrant

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UPFRONT

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PROFILE

CONSTABLE ANDREW ROSBROOK Revitalized runner

C

linically dead for seven minutes after having a heart attack while running a half-marathon in spring 2013, Constable Andrew Rosbrook recovered and even made it to his wedding just 20 days later. The English-born immigrant speaks about his second shot at life in Canada.

Tell us about the incident at the marathon in 2013.

I have been a competitive runner for most of my life. In recent years I had focused on very long races of up to 50 miles. On May 5, 2013, however, I was attempting to set a new best time for the halfmarathon distance. During the race I felt physically fine, my legs felt strong and my breathing was light and even, but for some reason that I could not fathom, my pace was slow. I vividly remember every step of the race up to the 15-kilometre mark, after that I have no memory.

Somehow I made it to beyond 20 kilometres and with about 500 metres of the race left I blacked out and collapsed, striking the road with my face. My left descending artery had become entirely blocked and my heart had stopped.

Constable Andrew Rosbrook on his New Life Mikey Marathon last year.

Fortunately, there were two doctors, a firefighter and an on-duty police officer in the crowd watching the race. They ran to my assistance and provided CPR and artificial respiration. When the paramedics arrived they managed to get my heart restarted using a portable defibrillator. The first real recollection I have after that is of waking up in hospital and discovering what had happened to me.

That must have been life altering for you ...

I now pay greater attention to my diet and make a special effort to defuse stress by adopting a more relaxed attitude to everyday trials and annoyances. As for running, it is one passion I was totally unable to abandon. I celebrated the one-year anniversary of my collapse by running from Ottawa to Toronto — a venture that took me eight days and saw me covering 470 kilometres.

Why did you run so far?

I undertook this enormous journey [called the New Life Mikey Marathon] to raise awareness for the necessity to have publicly accessible defibrillators commonplace in our communities and to raise funds for the charitable organization, the Mikey Network, which provides these defibrillators.

Tell us about your immigration journey.

I came to Canada in 1997. Ever since I was a child I had wanted to live in Canada having been drawn by my impression of its landscape, its culture and its people. When I first arrived in Canada, I was in awe of Toronto’s architecture and the scenery of Northern Ontario. Shortly after arriving, I drove across the country and up to the Northwest Territories where I lived for a year. This reassured me and confirmed that I had arrived in a truly incredible, beautiful and diverse country.

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Do you ever compare life in England to life here?

I have very fond memories of England, but Canada is where I belong.

I have had such great personal and professional opportunities and successes here. I have thrived since coming to Canada and have done things that I may have been too hesitant to do if I still lived in England. For example, I found that when I suggested that I undertake my charitable run, most people’s attitudes were tremendously positive and supportive; I did not encounter any cynicism or doubts. These are traits that I believe are fostered by Canadian society.

What are some tips that you would give other newcomers?

To newcomers, I say, be prepared to embrace Canadian culture as well as the opportunities available. Educate yourself as much as possible, with Canadian ways, Canadian laws, politics, sports, arts and the environment and plan to become a citizen. The second proudest day in my life was when I became a Canadian citizen; the proudest day was when my wife, who is originally from Taiwan, became one.

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What’s next for you ... any runs for the upcoming second anniversary of your heart attack?

My focus this year has been on family and career, but who knows what the future holds.

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B.C. >> French-born choreographer Serge Bennathan, who ran Dancemakers in Toronto for more than 15 years before relocating to Vancouver, is premiering a new work March 26-28 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in Vancouver. Called Monsieur Auburtin, the dance is autobiographical and follows his life and journey in dance, looking at the places and the people he has encountered along the way.

Ontario >> ReelWorld Film Festival is back in Toronto and Markham, March 2-8, with seven days of films from around the globe, including a majority from Canadian filmmakers. Programmed dramas, documentaries, shorts and music videos will take audiences to Afghanistan, Canada, China, India, Iran, Jamaica, U.S.A., and Trinidad and Tobago. Actress Tonya Williams, Top 25 Canadian Immigrant (2012), is the founder and executive director of the festival.

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March 2015

In time for International Women’s Day, March 8, here are three phrases that are popular in feminist vernacular.

Behind every successful man is a woman

There are variations to this sentiment, but they all generally mean that most successful men have strong, supportive wives or women in their lives, helping them along the way.

“We can do it”

This feminist phrase comes from an American wartime poster that shows a woman flexing her muscles. Created for Westinghouse Electric as an inspirational image to boost female worker morale, it has since become an iconic image in pop culture that reflects women’s strength and independence.

A woman’s work is never done

This popular proverb is often used to point out how busy a woman is. Even after a full day of work, she often has children to raise and housework to do. It certainly seems like there’s always something for a woman to do!

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MAKING IT HAPPEN In recognition of International Women’s Day, March 8, Canadian Immigrant presents our second annual “Immigrant Women of Inspiration” special — for 2015, we chose five exceptional women in business who embody this year’s global theme — MAKING IT HAPPEN — with their innovative entrepreneurialism and inspiring determination: Carolina Velez, Sihem Benali, Faten Alshazly, Margaret Adu and Lourdes Gant

CAROLINA VELEZ Exotic business

Photo by Alessandro Shinado

BY LISA EVANS

Walking into the produce section of Loblaws, one can’t help but notice the abundance of exotic fruits that line the produce bins, reaching out to the increasingly diverse Canadian consumer. This is sweet news to young immigrant Carolina Velez. The owner of ColombiaExotic, she launched her business in 2012 importing a fruit from her native country — the yellow pitahaya.

The yellow pitahaya is a cactus fruit that resembles the red dragon fruit, but is much sweeter. “The red dragon fruit is very bland. There’s no taste to it,” says Velez. The yellow pitahaya, on the other hand, is incredibly “refreshing” and tastes like a combination of melon and kiwi.

It’s also known to have many health benefits.

Ironically, Velez had never tried the yellow pitahaya when she lived in Colombia. Her first experience with the fruit was in Canada at a business matchmaking forum organized by the Government of Colombia where she met with the Yellow Pitahaya Growers Association of Colombia. “I just fell in love with it. Right away I had many ideas of how I could introduce it to the Canadian market,” says Velez, who has a business background.

A graduate from one of the best business schools in Colombia, Velez immigrated to Canada in 2003 and immediately tried to find a job in

management, but felt trapped in entry-level positions. When her last contract at a multinational company ended, Velez decided to take the entrepreneurial path.

“I saw the yellow pitahayas and I just fell in love with the project. I did a business plan in one week. That’s how in love I was with the idea,” she says. “I never imagined that I was going to work with fruits. It was just something that appeared,” she says.

So Velez launched ColombiaExotic in 2012 with one product and one major client, Loblaws. Getting Loblaws, the largest food distributor in Canada, as a client was a shocking success, even for Velez. She admits she had no idea what to expect when she walked through the corporate doors of Loblaws. “I thought I’m new, I’m young, I’m a new immigrant.

How am I going to convince them?” she recalls.

Not one to let self-doubt get her down, Velez simply allowed herself to be driven by her passion. “I just had a mindset of I’m just going to be myself and tell them who I am and what my business is, what my product is and just go from there,” she says.

It worked, and Velez landed the client of her dreams. But starting an importing business wasn’t always easy for Velez, who had no prior experience working with fruits or with importing. “My mom sold her car and I sold my car to [my parents]. They took out a loan so they could give it to me because no banks were going to give me any money at all,” recalls Velez.

Working with fruits comes with a host of challenges, she adds. “Every time you ship fruit, they go through QA [quality assurance]. They have to be perfect — the correct size, the correct weight, no scars, no marks,” she says. “They’re also very susceptible to temperature, to how they’re handled, how they’re packed,” she says.

The first time Velez walked into a Loblaws store and saw the yellow pitahaya in the produce aisle, she stood for five minutes in shock. “I saw it and I said to myself I can’t believe it. Now I’m seeing physically what I saw in my mind a year ago,” says Velez.

Velez is now expanding ColombiaExotic to import purple passion fruit, yellow passion fruit and tamarindo. But it’s not the number of products placed on store shelves, or the amount of money her business makes that Velez says makes her a successful entrepreneur. “Success is not an end in the road,” she says. “I believe success is waking up every day and wanting to do what I do. If I were not feeling excited about what I do, I wouldn’t be successful at all.”

March 2015

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SIHEM BENALI Liquid gold

BY LISA EVANS Sihem Benali’s dream is to make Canadians beautiful, while sharing a piece of her culture. The Ottawa-based owner of BioSecrets, a company that sells organic Moroccan argan oil, immigrated to Canada from Algeria in 2003, escaping the country’s decade-old civil war with her family. She had only $100 in her pocket, but was grateful for the new beginning.

Armed with a business diploma from her home country, she eventually scored a job in the field of finance after settling in Ottawa. But Benali had to start over again when the bank announced it was shutting down its centre in the city.

Benali took being laid off as a sign to follow her dream of starting her own business, one that would connect her to her home region of Northern Africa.

Known as “liquid gold” in the beauty industry, Moroccan argan oil has been used by women for centuries in northern Africa. The oil is extracted from the kernels of argan tree seeds from a native desert tree that grows in a small region of Morocco and neighbouring Algeria. It is packed with 300 per cent more vitamin E than olive oil and a high concentration of antioxidants that nourish, protect and improve the appearance of hair, skin and nails.

“It’s well established that north African women age very well. Their skin remains radiant, with very few wrinkles,

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well beyond their 40s and even 50s,” explains Benali.

Benali regularly used argan oil in her own beauty regime back home, but, when she arrived in Canada, she tried a variety of creams, lotions and hair products available in the drug store, but with great disappointment.

“My body wasn’t used to all the chemicals that you find in modern cosmetics, so I started having allergies, skin sensitivities and even developed eczema,” says Benali. She returned to using argan oil on her skin and hair.

In 2012, she cashed out $5,000 of her retirement savings and founded BioSecrets, selling 100 per cent pure, organic Moroccan argan oil to Canadians. Despite warnings from friends who thought she was crazy, Benali was determined that the risk would be worth the reward. “I was one woman with one bottle and a mission,” she says.

That mission was to both introduce Canadian women to the beauty benefits of argan oil, and to give back to her home region by empowering Moroccan women.

Benali connected with a co-operative of Moroccan Berber women, a native tribe that resides in the argan tree forest. “Producing the oil is part of their heritage,” says Benali.

Benali then began knocking on store doors in her Ottawa community to sell her product. “At the beginning, it was very difficult. My English wasn’t very good because I’m French speaking, but the store owners believed in me. They saw the enthusiasm I had for my product,” she says.

That enthusiasm landed BioSecrets Argan Oil on national television last fall when Benali appeared on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. Tears were flowing on set as Benali told her immigration story to the dragons. “It was something bigger than the business deal,” she says.

“It was about telling people that Canada is the true land of opportunity.” Benali landed a deal with investors Vikram Vij, Jim Treliving and Michael Wekerle, and immediately went from a local company to a national one. “Just after the taping, I made a deal with a national distributor,” Benali boasts.

Benali hopes other immigrants can get inspired by her story. “Canada is the true land of opportunity and I am the best example. I arrived 10 years ago with $100 in my pocket and today I am a woman in business, an entrepreneur … If I can do it, anyone can do it.” facebook/canimmigrant

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THANK YOU

For Your Nominations We have received hundreds of nominations sharing the remarkable stories of Canadian immigrants. Our panel of judges have narrowed the list down to 75 outstanding finalists.

Now it’s your turn to choose the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2015.

Voting begins March 19 Visit: Canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25

MichaĂŤlle Jean 2009 Winner

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Presented by:

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FATEN ALSHAZLY Agent of change

“It was quite humbling,” says an enthusiastic Faten Alshazly from the offices of her company WeUsThem in Halifax. The Egyptian-born businesswoman is the co-owner and the chief creative officer of the innovative marketing and communications agency and was recently named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women — the first Nova Scotian to win in the arts and communications category.

“I have always been too busy and focused on my work to think about whether I am an immigrant or that I am woman in this position. I believe that your work should define your identity,” says Alshazly, whose company provides strategic communications services to an impressive client roster including Xerox, Equifax, ESPN and more.

When Alshazly was named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women, she was called an “agent of change.” How important has “change” been to her as an immigrant and entrepreneur?

“Change has had a great impact on me as a person. I am fortunate enough to have lived in cities like Cairo, Cleveland and now Halifax. I carry the best of all these places, their cultures, attitudes and values,” she says.

Alshazly moved as a teenager with her parents and siblings from Cleveland, Ohio, to Halifax in 1994. Although her first impressions of the Canadian city were not too flattering when she compared it to Cleveland, a bigger, more bustling city, the place quickly grew on her and her family.

BY BAISAKHI ROY

“For my parents, our education, a prosperous community and a safe environment were paramount and when it came to deciding where that haven would be, they had no doubt in their minds, it had to be in Canada. Halifax was safe, the attitude of the people was great, they were caring about women, respected family values and was generally the best place for a family to settle down,” she says.

Being an agent of change has also been a consistent theme in her work and community involvement. Alshazly built up an impressive and varied resumé in technology, marketing and academia before venturing out to co-found WeUsThem, which can attribute much of its success to its dynamic corporate culture.

“We want to create a work environment that thrives on active mentorship, produces quality people and gives people working here a unique experience. Simultaneously, we also believe in ensuring this notion of engagement and relationship building translates in our work for our global roster of clients,” she says.

“Eighty per cent of our business comes through referrals and that is the testament to the trust that the global community has in us,” she continues. “People have given me so much that I want to give back and one of the ways in which to do so is to affect change in the community we live in. When I was pursuing an advanced major in computer science at Dalhousie University, there were only three women in that discipline — two of them being my sister and myself!” she says.

And Alshazly is now a mentor with the Women in Tech program with the faculty of computer science at Dalhousie University. The program is intended to provide for opportunities for women in technology to shape their academic and professional careers. Pursuing her passion in the arts, by furthering her graduate studies in the States, Alshazly today provides opportunities through both direct mentoring and studio time for artists in Nova Scotia as well as providing for work internships and opportunities within her own studio.

Alshazly made it happen for herself in Canada and she just has one piece of advice for others striving toward that goal: “Being genuine worked for me. You can’t pretend to be more or less than what you are,” she signs off.

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MARGARET ADU

Compassionate architect When Margaret Adu came to Edmonton from Ghana to be with her husband who was studying at the University of Alberta, she had no intention of staying forever. They figured they would return home to Ghana after his PhD studies, where Adu had her own architectural practice.

But “even if you live somewhere for a month, you have to make the best out of it,” Adu says. “There was an architecture company very close to where we lived, and I asked them for a job.”

The answer was no. “I told him ‘I’m not going anywhere until I get a job. I’ll work for free,’” she recalls. “I didn’t have any Canadian experience, I had an accent and I was black.

So, OK, I’ll work for free. I had to prove that I was good.”

r your Attend fo IN $2,000 W chance to ur tuition. towards yo

BY MARGARE T JE TE

LINA

She soon became indispensable to the firm. So when Adu decided to find paying work in home care, the architecture firm owner was dismayed. “‘You don’t pay me, remember?’ I told them,” she remembers with a chuckle. They quickly offered her a paycheque, so Adu juggled architecture work during the day, and home care work in the evenings.

Although architecture was Adu’s foundation, she had a newfound passion in working with people and — in between having three children and moving to Calgary where her husband found work — she developed a vision for a company that combined both. Adu founded Aomega Group Ltd., a company that builds and runs personal care homes in Calgary. Different than a nursing home, these are real houses designed to accommodate four to six clients, and 24/7 staff.

Adu started her first home in Calgary, by buying a small bungalow.

She didn’t actually have the funds to buy the house, but the seller was so taken with Adu and her vision, that he let her assume the mortgage.

The provincial health authority then gave her a contract and she started to build and renovate additional custom care homes, using her architectural skills with the clients’ needs in mind.

“We are the gap between a nursing home and no longer being able to live on your own … Many do much better in a community-based environment,” says Adu, who adds that her clients are not just seniors, but people of all ages who need care. Adu now owns six care homes, manages 12 for another company and is president of the Personal Care Homes Council of Calgary.

“The best advice I can give is you have to believe in who you are. Don’t take no for an answer,” says Adu, who is also president of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Calgary and was named a Compelling Calgarian of 2014. “You got to really persist and prove who you are.”

Sunday, March 22

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• Learn more about your program from faculty while meeting future fellow students.

• Visit and tour the campus where your program is offered.

• Connect with our Student Service departments that will assist in your success at Centennial.

• Attend for your chance to win $2,000 towards tuition at Centennial College.

Please visit centennialcollege.ca/connect for further details. Parking for this event is complimentary.

Directions: centennialcollege.ca/maps.

March 2015

Canadian Immigrant

13

LOURDES GANT

Transforming business

BY MARGARET JETELINA A business consultant, coach, auditor, entrepreneur, CPA and MBA, Philippines-born Lourdes Gant is all of those things and much more.

Since immigrating to Canada as a single woman 11 years ago, Gant has been building an exciting life for herself, now settled in Courtenay, B.C., on Vancouver Island. Although her original idea was to start a purse distribution company, the entrepreneurial immigrant turned toward consulting, working with clients to improve their business with her own special holistic approach, focusing not just on the bottom line, but on quality of life, too.

But it wasn’t perhaps until she got married and became an integral part of her new husband’s company that she really came into her own in Canada. In fact, as vice-president and shareholder

of Manatee Holdings, Ltd., she helped the company see a big growth in revenue using the strategies she had honed over the years. In recognition of her work at Manatee, she was listed among the W100 Ranking of Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneurs, produced by Profit and Chatelaine magazines.

“I have put all my energy and skillset of what I’ve learned in the last 11 years, to the company,” says Gant. “Basically, I oversee the marketing, the money, the management and the business model.”

The company exports two ocean species — geoduck and sea cucumber — mainly to China. “There is a big demand, but not enough supply,” says Gant, adding that the company is expanding, looking at the European market and focusing on aquaculture instead of simply harvesting the species.

One of the biggest improvements Gant was able to bring to the company was using her quality of life audit to improve corporate culture.

“The industry was very traditional. When I brought my quality of life audit in, it got employees involved in the vision of company rather than just doing their work. This attracted better people,” she explains. “It’s more of a holistic — now the term is integrative — approach, that focuses on lifestyle not just the bottom line.”

With a five-year-old at home, Gant understands exactly the need for an integrative approach. “For a while, I was spreading myself too thin, so I let go of some my consulting clients,” she says. But always looking toward the future, she recently underwent a branding exercise, positioning herself as the “Integrated Business Doctor.”

Gant’s advice to other immigrant women? “There’s really no magic formula to success,” she says. “The main thing is be true to yourself and know that what you believe in, you can achieve.”

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Immigrant

Settlement

Guide 2015

To list your agency in the “Immigrant Settlement Guide,” please contact: ONTARIO LISTINGS Ricky Bajaj: 905-273-8170 or John Zhang: 416-803-3931

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Alla Gordeeva: 778-558-3397 or alla@canadianimmigrant.ca

UPFRONT Are you a newcomer to Canada? You no doubt have many questions. Immigrating can be a challenging process, with many unknowns, but the good news is that there are many resources available to help you. Seeking help at an immigrant settlement agency is going to be your most important first step in Canada. And many services are free, from English as a second language programs to settlement counselling to career help, including mentorship and retraining opportunities. The services are all aimed to help you overcome the challenges you’re facing and succeed in Canada.

Here are just some of the agencies ready to serve you in the Greater Toronto Area:

Agency

General Services and Specialty Programs

Languages

Brampton Multicultural Council

Not for profit, registered charity providing multilingual, culturally sensitive free programs & services to help clients enhance their community engagement while integrating into Canadian society. Programs: Initial settlement support, resumés & employment readiness workshops, advocacy with solution-focused counselling, interpretation & translation, services for youth and youth at risk, volunteer opportunities, seniors program and mental health support services in multiple languages. Reference to instructor-led LINC classes with child-minding & transportation subsidies, violence against women program and community engagement programs.

Email: salima.tejani@bmccentre.org www.bmccentre.org

• English • Punjabi • Gujarati • French • Spanish

• Hindi • Tamil • Urdu • Arabic • Farsi

Settlement Services, Family Counselling, Senior Services and Volunteer Opportunities. Specialty Programs: English Language Training & Citizenship Classes, Job Search Workshops, Adult Day & Seniors Wellness program, Services for Women, Children and Youth, Supportive Mental Health Services Email: info@indiarainbow.org www.indiarainbow.org

• English • Punjabi • Gujarati • French

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• English

Settlement Services, LINC Classes (level 1-6) with child minding, Counseling, Job search, Citizenship & Immigration, Groups for Youth, Seniors & Women and Volunteering. Specialty Programs: Bridge Training Program for International Mental Health Professionals, Community Engagement Program, Community Mental health Program and Anger management.

Additional locations at Scarborough and Toronto.

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• English • Spanish • Mandarin • Bengali • Turkish

Cultural and Inter-cultural services and activities, Services for seniors, ESL Classes & mentoring programs for newcomers & immigrants.

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Settlement Services: assist immigrants to integrate and become established and contributing members of Canadian society. English Language Classes are instructor-led, and supported by a computer lab. Job-specific, advanced-level Enhanced Language Training available. Supports to assist in developing the skills needed to find work: resumé/cover letter preparation, interview readiness and information about accreditation, workplace practices, Canadian employer expectations. Other services available.

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March 2015

Canadian Immigrant

15

CORPORATE PROFILE

Understanding certified translations in Ontario

A

re you a new immigrant or a returning Canadian who has lived, worked or studied abroad? Then you may need a certified translation of various personal documents, references and qualifications.

This short guide provides you with useful information that will help you decide on the right translator for your needs.

What is a Certified Translator?

Under the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario Act, “Certified Translator” is a reserved title. Only members of the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) who have passed the certification examination and subscribed to ATIO’s code of professional ethics may use this title. Translations bearing the stamp and signature of a Certified Translator in the relevant language combination are accepted by most federal and provincial government departments (such as immigration, driver and vehicle licensing) without any need for additional certification by a commissioner of oaths or a notary public.

What kind of documents require certified translation?

• • • • • • •

driver’s licences vehicle registrations birth and marriage certificates, foreign passports divorce decrees educational qualifications employer’s references legal documents

Remember: it is important to clarify with the institution to which you are submitting your translated documents about its submission policy for translated documents.

What is ATIO? ATIO is the first translators’ association in the world whose certified members are deemed professionals by law. In February 1989, the Province of Ontario granted a reserved title for certified members of ATIO through the Association of Translators and Interpreters Act,1989. ATIO is the only certification body in the province of Ontario for translators, court interpreters, confer- ence interpreters and terminologists.

What does the ATIO stamp of quality represent?

The only officially recognized certification in Ontario is a Certified Translator’s ATIO number, seal or stamp and signature. With this, you can be confident that the translation will be accepted by the authorities as the work of an appropriately qualified professional.

Contact a Certified Translator You can find a Certified Translator in many language combinations in ATIO’s online directory at atio.on.ca or by calling the toll-free number (1-800-234-5030) for ATIO’s referral service.

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March 2015

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4

U

SUCCESS BOOTCAMP IN CANADA

Fit for a job Part 3 of our ‘Success4U in Canada Bootcamp’ breaks career planning down into 4 parts

By Margaret Jetelina

I

f you’ve been following our “Success4U in Canada Bootcamp,” you’ll hopefully already have a solid foundation for success, including in the English language (Part 1), and a good understanding of the importance of soft skills in Canada (Part 2). (Just joining us?

See the first two instalments, online at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Community>Bootcamp.”)

Now comes time to put some of your preparation into action — sort of like having warmed up for a big race. In this case, the finish line is a job! Yes, Part 3: Career planning is all about the practical steps you need to take to find a job in Canada. The advice is useful not just for newly landed residents, but for those hopeful newcomers looking to score arranged employment that will allow them to immigrate under the new express entry immigration system.

Bootcamp in 6 parts 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Building a solid foundation Behavioural and soft skills Career planning Lifelong learning Health and wellbeing Relationships and community

PART 3:

Career planning You’ve been in Canada for several months, maybe even years, but you still haven’t found a job in your field.

Maybe you’ve sent out hundreds of resumés in response to job postings with few replies from employers. Or maybe this is your first attempt. Either way, let’s look at your job search in four parts: 1. Preparation and research 2. Resumé writing

3. Making connections 4. The interview

1. Preparation and research

One of the biggest mistakes newcomers make is jumping ahead too fast in the career search process.

Often, newcomers — or potential immigrants looking for arranged employment in Canada to qualify for immigration — start applying for jobs in Canada without doing sufficient preparation and research, particularly on their career in the Canadian context Barbara Lindstrom, career consultant with the B.C. Skills Connect Program at Douglas College, says she tells her newcomer clients to back up for a minute and focus on some preparatory basics.

“The first thing newcomers should do is actually to sit down and look down at their budget; how long do they have before they have to have a job. Someone who says ‘I can last six weeks [on my savings]’ versus someone who says ‘I can last two years' makes a big difference in what they choose to do,” she says, including whether they have to get a transitional job. “And most usually find it’s more expensive, harder and it takes longer than they imagined.”

Lindstrom also ensures her clients take a hard look at their English skills, because without that essential foundation, a career search will be much more difficult (see Bootcamp Part 1: Building a foundation at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Community>Bootcamp”).

“You need proper grammar and capitalization when you send emails to potential employers, for example” says Lindstrom. “Also, a Canadian

email address, like gmail.ca; not an international extension and no foreign characters.”

Related to that, newcomers need good skills on an English-language keyboard and business software.

“Many people will come with a twofinger hunt-and-peck keyboarding style. That looks very bad to employers. They really need to know Word, Excel, Outlook and type with all their fingers.”

In terms of starting the research on your career in Canada, government labour market websites such as Work BC’s Labour Market Navigator (workbc.ca/navigator) are a great start, as they often provide occupational outlooks and links to professional associations. If your industry of choice isn’t in demand, look at related fields that are hot where you could transfer your skills.

Lindstrom further recommends going to the library for additional research, and seeking help from the librarian, who can point you to resources like employment guides that you might not be able to find on your own.

Part of your research should be finding out what skills and certifications employers in your field are looking for, and, of course, determining if the job is regulated or unregulated.

If regulated, your next step in the preparation and research process is to connect with the provincial regulatory body (see this article online at canadianimmigrant.ca to link to our list of professional bodies). You will have to determine how to assess your current credentials and how much time, effort and money it will take for you to be relicensed in that profession in Canada — for a plumber it could be months; for a doctor, it could be years.

“If you’re in a regulated profession, keep in mind that an alternative job in a lower level might not be so regulated. So you can start your licensing process, while at the same time try to get into something related,” says Lindstrom. “For example, an internationally trained nurse can get a job easily as a caregiver or care companion. If you’re an architect and have basic drafting skills and knowledge of local codes, you could move into a drafting role. An accountant could do some entry-level payable/receivables. There are many degrees of responsibility.”

As part of your licensing, you may also have to consider getting some additional training or education, and there are many bridging programs designed for newcomers in many professions (see this article online to link to our extensive list of bridging programs across Canada). Even those in unregulated professions often benefit from some continuing education or professional development. (Because the topic of furthering your education is so broad, we will dedicate Part 4: Lifelong learning to the topic in our March 2015

Canadian Immigrant

17

4U

SUCCESS BOOTCAMP IN CANADA

April 2015 issue.).

But more than the availability and requirements of the job in Canada, newcomers really need to understand how that job actually works here, says Lindstrom. “It’s often very different than in their home country. What does that job look like on a day-today basis,” she says, advising to look at job ads to start to understand what a person in that job actually does.

Overall, as you’re preparing for your job search, Lindstrom recommends drawing a plan of what steps you need to take. “Most newcomers have not done that kind of planning,” says Lindstrom. “They are actually very worried it won’t happen for them.

But with a plan, it makes it a faster, easier transition into the Canadian market.”

2. Resumé writing

With all this preparation done, the next step is to start presenting yourself to potential employers. Whether you’re seeking a lower-level job for now or going for the gold, there are some Canadian resumé basics to understand.

Go to any resumé workshop at any settlement agency

across Canada, and the counsellor will tell you a few basics: • Delete your age, marital status, weight/height, and photo off your resumé.

• Keep the formatting clean and simple to read; bold is preferred over underlining.

• Don’t list your references on your resumé, but you can still add the notation “References available upon request” at the end if you like, although it’s not necessary.

• Keep it short — two pages is con sidered the maximum. If you have more to show and say, consider creating a personal website with examples of your work and put that URL on your resumé. Or, more simply, include extra details on your LinkedIn profile, and include the URL for that.

Beyond such basics, our astute “Job Search Strategies” columnist Silvia Di Blasio offers her 10 tips for a better resumé (link to it from this article at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Community>Bootcamp”).

When it comes to resumé organization, Lindstrom says she still recommends a chronological format.

While for a newcomer with no Cana-

dian experience, a skills-focused resumé seems like a good idea, she says employers prefer the tried-and-true chronological style. “You should still talk about your skills and experience, but in relation to each specific job,” she says. “And if you don’t have Canadian work experience, parachute that volunteer experience or internship up at the top. With a skills-based resumé, it’s hard to know where you go that experience.”

But before you get into your “Work Experience,” she says having a strong “Highlights and Qualifications” section in bullet form is important to show what you’ve done and how it relates to the job you’re applying for.

“It has to go beyond buzzwords, however,” adds Lindstrom. “For an employer, reading that you’re a teamplayer, detail oriented with excellent communication skills becomes meaningless after 50 resumés. Show how you do it and what outcomes you’ve created.” (Go to this article online to see a few examples.)

You also have to customize your resumé for each job. Lindstrom offers a great tip, when she suggests creating a longer, master resumé, which you then shorten and adapt it to each particular job. “It’s like a closet full of clothes; you have things for spring, summer, fall and winter. A targeted resumé is like going on hot vacation and just taking a few things.”

Customization is also key for the cover letter. Here you can talk about how you will apply your skills to the job in question. It’s also a chance to discuss openly the “elephant in the room” — that you’re new to Canada, have no paid Canadian work experience or may seem overqualified on paper. “Just deal with it,” says Lindstrom. “It goes a long way to getting an interview.”

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18 canadianimmigrant.ca

March 2015

A great resumé and cover letter are important tools in your job search, but they are often not enough to secure an interview and then a job.

Whatever field or country of origin you come from, it’s critical to make connections in Canada that can help you in your job search.

Lindstrom says, “It’s quite daunting for a newcomer rebuilding their network, but they should start right away, and not just among their ethnic enclave.” She advises to start on LinkedIn by joining its professional groups and getting involved in discussions.

But there’s still nothing quite as

effective as face-to-face networking, whether you’re: • attending an industry event or tradeshow • becoming involved as a member of an industry association • going to general networking group events • volunteering for an event or organization in your field • volunteering for a non-profit or community event • chatting with others in a hobby group or class • talking to other parents while watching your kids play sports “The trick here,” says Lindstrom, “is having something to say. You can’t just say, ‘Here I am, here is what I’ve done, I’d like a job.’ You have to have something to contribute.” Read some industry magazines or take some continuing education to add something of value or interest to the conversation.

4. The interview

And take those conversational skills right into the interview setting. Once you get an interview, it generally means you are one of a handful of candidates being considered for the job in question. And all candidates will have similar skills and qualifications as you, so the interview becomes a way for the employer to assess your personality, your communication and English skills, and your soft skills (see Bootcamp Part 2: Behavioural and soft skills). In quick summation, be friendly, polite and confident. Don’t be afraid of a little small talk about their offices or the weather. Dress professionally, smile, make eye contact and give a firm handshake.

It’s also your chance to reiterate why you’re the right candidate for the job. Why do you want to work for the organization? What can you offer? How does your past work prove your ability? “Prepare some really good examples of what you’ve done in the past to share at an interview,” says Lindstrom. “Using a storytelling approach, demonstrate what you can do. If you’re asked about being a teamplayer, talk about your part in a specific project, how it worked and what was the outcome.”

And when the interviewer turns the tables on you and asks you if you have any questions, take that opportunity to really shine. “You want to show your interest in the job and that you want to be hired,” says Lindstrom.

“As a newcomer, you could again address the elephant in the room and ask if they have any concerns about

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your experience or ability to fit [in the workplace].”

(Our “Career Coach” columnist Murali Murthy has written some of the best ways to answer an interviewer’s most common questions, and the best strategies for asking your own.

See this article online to link to them.)

Finally, have a list of references prepared for the interview, but wait to be asked for them. If you have past employers from your country of origin

as references, note down their email addresses in addition to their phone number, and add how many hours they are ahead, says Lindstrom.

“Pick three to four references who can really discuss your qualifications.

They can’t be a relative or a friend,” says Lindstrom. “And after your interview, prepare them and tell them what you discussed in the interview.”

Hopefully, you will nail the interview and get the job!

BOOTCAMP EXERCISES

The bootcamp experience is all about doing something often, repetitively and with intensity. Here is a sampling of exercises for Part 3: Career planning. Find our full list of exercises and worksheets at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Community>Bootcamp.”

Preparation and research Exercise no. 1 Spend one afternoon this month at the library and read up on the Canadian labour market as it relates to your field of work. Ask the librarian about any hidden-gem resources about employment, labour market outlooks and your industry in particular.

Exercise no. 2 Through your online research, determine if your profession is regulated or not in Canada and specifically in your province of residence.

Resumé writing Exercise no. 1 Find and attend a resumé workshop at a local settlement agency this month.

Exercise no. 2 Find an active or inactive job posting in your field of work, and in a table format list all the skills and qualifications that the employer is seeking. Then list examples from your past experience for each.

Making connections Exercise no. 1 Make a master list of any associations or member groups relevant to your field. Attend one event (e.g., workshop, tradeshow) per week for the next month if possible.

Exercise no. 2 Choose at least one professional association to become an official member. Members receive many benefits and opportunities that non-members do not.

The interview Exercise no. 1 Prepare and practise five anecdotes and/or examples that demonstrate your specific skills.

Exercise no. 2 Time to review and refresh your soft skills. Go back to Part 2: Behavioural and soft skills and review the “12 verbal and non-verbal communication soft skills newcomers should consider.”

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HERE COMES

THE BOOM W

e’ve heard it for years now, from the federal government, to professional associations, to economic think thanks — Canada is facing a future shortage of skilled workers in engineering- and trades-focused industries such as construction, mining and manufacturing.

The Conference Board of Canada estimates at least one million trades and construction workers will be needed in the country over the next 15 years. The Skills Canada non-profit organization has estimated that one million skilled trade workers (e.g., plumbing, masonry, and, automation and control) will be needed by 2020. Meanwhile, the Canadian Technology Immigration Network predicts Canada will need 100,000 engineers and technologists before the end of this decade.

Adding urgency to the demand for such workers is simple demographics. For example, the average age of today’s construction worker is on the rise, and a huge segment of this worker group is set to retire over the next 15 years. The Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario says that with high retirement rates and an aging workforce, Canada’s construction industry will need to recruit more than 320,000 new workers before 2020.

Is there a jobs bonanza for skilled trades and engineering professionals in areas like construction, mining and manufacturing in Canada?

By Mike Mastromatteo

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Opportunities to fill

These labour market opportunities have risen to the top of the federal government’s immigration and employment agendas in recent months.

In late November, Employment Minister Jason Kenney announced new funding for investments in skills training and apprenticeships. The announcement coincided with the launch of Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s express entry program, designed to speed up the job matching process between newcomers and employers in Canada in areas of labour market need.

And opportunities for engineering professionals and skilled trades are definitely not limited to the Alberta oil patch — the most popular location of choice for such skilled workers until the recent dip in oil prices and the related talk of recession. With urban infrastructure renewal coming into vogue, opportunities in construction will continue to arise in practically every major urban centre. Meanwhile mining and extraction industries are poised for new growth. In northern Ontario particularly, the much talked about Ring of Fire development could see thousands of new positions created for mining, transport, road

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multi-billion-dollar investments in the extractive industries that will require tens if not hundreds of thousands of skilled workers who are not currently available,” Kenney said in November.

Demand for skilled trades

Assuming economic conditions stay strong, the demand for skilled workers will remain high, but will vary from region to region.

Provincial governments and agencies, along with the federal government, are promoting a number of apprentice and internship programs to encourage and support more Canadians into these fields of work. The federal and provincial governments are also collaborating to improve mobility of trades workers between provinces, to allow people to more easily go where the work is.

The Red Seal program, for example, sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespersons across Canada. Tradespersons who meet the Red Seal standards (there are currently 57 designated Red Seal trades, from boilermaker to machinist to welder) receive an endorsement on their provincial/territorial trade certificates, allowing them greater job mobility across Canada without having to retrain or recertify in that province.

But what about newly landed immigrants who have yet to be certified in their trade in Canada at all?

Jeff Ritter, chair of the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship, which manages the Red Seal program, encourages “new immigrants with skills related to the trades to take steps toward becoming certified in a Red Seal trade. By becoming certified, the new immigrant as fully licensed professional engineers (P.Eng.).

Engineers Canada, the national association of Canada’s engineering has the advantage of obtaining a qualification that is industry-supported and recognized across Canada.Immigration Certification facilitates mobility and associations, recently completed a five-year study, From Consolidation matters could be tricky helps good job matching between employers and employees.” to Integration (FC2I), on the needs of internationally educated engineerAlthough Ritter says, “there are many instances where employers ing professionals in Canada and uncovered a host of problems, with the are having difficulty finding people with the skillsets that match their lack of a centralized information resource for immigrants, hoping to needs, particularly in high-demand trades such as welder, steamfitter work in engineering and related fields, high on the list. and pipefitter and construction electrician.”

The study also found that newcomers are poorly informed of the Ritter goes on to explain that there are two main paths that newcom- licensure process in Canada and are unaware of how long it takes or that ers can take toward certification in the trades. “First, they can seek an requirements can differ from province to province. Many newcomers apprenticeship with a Canadian employer. This will allow them to gain also lack the communication skills needed to successfully pursue an enguided experience in the Canadian workplace as well as the specific gineering career in Canada. Engineers Canada aimed to alleviate some technical training for a Canadian trade. The second way is for new of these hurdles by introducing its Roadmap to Engineering website, Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants immigrants to directly challenge the Red Seal ofexam, but, even with the necessary information at hand, the engineering reliand Members CSIC, CMI,after CapIC having unGraduates of the UBC Immigration dertaken an eligibility process that is based on assessing their previous censing process can still be a lengthy endeavour. So many internationpractitioner Certificate program Member CSIC M064140 hands-on experience and how closely it matches to what is required ally trained engineers have been looking at alternative career pathways. for a Red Seal trade.” We provide all immigration services While some immigrant engineers consider a move to the skilled trades arena, Ritter suggests that may not be the best fit since trades Engineering alternatives careers involve more hands-on practical work than in the engineering Federal Skilled Worker uld b Internationally educated engineers, however, might have to show more profession. More valid alternatives are to find entry-level work under Arranged Employment patience if they hope to find positionsCertified in Canadian theirImmigration fieldConsultants of expertise in the supervision of an engineer or consider an alternative career path Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants Experience and Members of CSIC, CMI,and CapIC Members of CSIC, CMI, CapIC Canada, even if there is demand inCanadian the labour Due toClass licensing as aImmigration technician or technologist — i.e., C.Tech (certified technician), Graduatesmarket. of the UBC Immigration Graduates of the UBC Neera Agnihotri practitioner Certificate program practitioner Certificate program Provincial Nominee Programs Member CSIC M064140 A.Sc.T CSIC and M064140 and Canadian experience requirements in all provinces, internationally (applied scienceMember technologist) CET (certified engineering Business and Investor trained engineers have many hurdles to overcome to work in Canada technologist).

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These alternate routes to employment are backed up in a recent study by the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) on underemployed engineers in Canada, indicating “that for every 100 immigrants arriving in Ontario with an engineering degree, 44 of them can expect to work in a job not requiring a degree, let alone an engineering degree.” The OSPE study also noted that almost 10,000 internationally trained engineers in Canada worked as engineering technicians, jobs which do not require a degree, but still fall within the engineering field.

In fact, several provincial technologist/technician associations have stepped up their outreach to new Canadians with engineering backgrounds.

Sharron Leonard, director, professional affairs and services for Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), says her organization for one, values the experience and knowledge that internationally educated professionals (IEPs) bring to the workforce. “We work with several agencies to deliver presentations on the benefits of OACETT certification and how beginning the certification process as soon as possible will contribute and aid [newcomers] in their job search,” Leonard says. “The employers we work with are always looking for OACETT certification, the best talent and they do value the skills and experience that IEPs bring to the workforce.”

Kimberly McDonald, director of marketing and communications for Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET), says provincial technologist associations are becoming especially appealing to internationally trained workers. “ASET membership offers many benefits that may be of value to internationally trained candidates,” McDonald says, including mentoring programs, job searching networks and the ability to apply for membership prior to obtaining the two years’ work experience required for certification.

ASET likes to cite the example of its member Mohammed Asqui, an engineering technologist who is now working as a construction engi-

neer in Alberta. Asqui arrived in Canada in 1988 with an engineering degree from his native Pakistan. Rather than delaying his job search while qualifying as a professional engineer, Asqui obtained his CET designation in Ontario. This left him well suited for a technologist employment position that became available in Alberta in 2005. Five years later, Asqui obtained his professional engineering licence from Alberta’s engineering association.

While it took 22 years for him to finally become licensed as a full engineer in Canada, Asqui’s decision to pursue the “alternative path” not only provided work opportunities, but also kept him focused on his original career ambitions.

Another promising initiative steering internationally trained workers toward the high demand areas is Path2Work, a free, national job matching program geared to the manufacturing sector in B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

“It’s projected that by 2020, 88,000 new workers will be needed in the manufacturing sector in British Columbia alone,” says project manager Lori Akiyama. “Companies need skilled talent to ensure they remain competitive and are able to continue to keep pace with future economic growth. Through Path2Work, employers can take advantage of a pool of talented, highly skilled engineers and technical professionals who are job ready and eager to contribute to a company’s future success.”

Cloud on horizon?

There’s a cloud on the employment horizon, however, with the fall in the value of the Canadian dollar and the decline in the world price for oil. Critics suggest that tying the economy too closely to the oil and gas industry could slow growth and undermine the anticipated bonanza in skilled jobs, especially if the value of oil stagnates or continues to fall.

But, given the immense push for Canadians to consider trades careers from government and industry, hopefully, it’s just a short-term drop in a long-term outlook.

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| J O B S E A R C H S T R AT E G I E S |

Language lessons

L

How to improve your English on a budget

ack of professional English is probably the no. 1 reason why newcomers don’t get commensurate jobs; it is reflected in your cover letter and resumés, and even more during phone and in-person interviews.

It shows in the way you write emails (or don’t), how you use social media (or don’t) and how you communicate with others.

Some newcomers live years in Canada without improving their English: financial barriers, childcare issues, clashing work or family schedules, and even cultural beliefs keep them from attending classes, even in cases when these classes may be offered free of charge Without professional (also

known as “business”) English, however, the chances to obtain and keep a professional job are narrow: you may get stuck in “survival” jobs or no job at all for months or years.

Up your English

Here are some ideas to help you improve your English on a budget: • Take advantage of public libraries: they offer books, movies and CDs not just to learn English, but to dig further into your profession and learn its jargon (specialized words that belong to your industry).

Many public libraries also offer advanced conversation groups, community events, job-search workshops and speakers’

sessions, most of which are free!

• If eligible, you can attend free English classes that are govern ment-subsidized.

• Join a Toastmasters group; Toastmasters coach people to speak well in public. They are not generally ESL focused, but they will help you to become more comfortable with your English public speaking skills.

You will also meet people from diverse backgrounds and this will boost your English. Most Toastmasters are free or charge a low annual fee.

• Explore adult and continu ing education courses at local secondary and post-secondary schools. Many educational in stitutions offer not only business English, but other useful courses, such as computer applications, accounting, cooking or garden ing for free or for a low fee. If you have an agricultural back ground, for example, taking a gardening course will help you learn related vocabulary at the same time as you relieve stress and network with new friends.

• Some colleges and universities have low-cost courses in business or technical English.

You may also consider taking a strategically chosen course in

your profession instead.

Although they are not free, they cost less than a full program, and you’ll be exposed to the English directly connected to your profession.

• Consider joining a MOOC (massive open online courses)

in a subject related to your work experience or profession. These are free courses offered by well known universities and contain video-lectures, forums, read ings and assignments that will help you learn jargon and key words in English while you are also updating your skills.

• Join community groups and volunteer. You will improve your vocabulary and fluency, and may meet a mentor who is willing to help you improve.

• Speak your home language at home. This advice may sound contradictory, but speaking a new language all day can be stressful and your home has to be your space. You can immerse in English outside the home by joining clubs, courses and so on, but at home, just relax.

Overcoming barriers

Even when given all the options above, many newcomers are still unable to use them due to different barriers. The most affected by this situation are women with small children, the elderly and people who need to work changing shifts at survival jobs.

The barriers, in most cases, are more attitudinal than real; if you don’t make an effort to learn professional English, you will be stuck where you are for a long time. When discouraged, look deep into your reasons for coming to a new country. Blaming others never works; the extra effort of being proactive and improving your English will pay off.

Argentine-born Silvia Di Blasio studied and worked in Venezuela for many years. She currently works as a certified career development practitioner in Surrey, B.C., and volunteers for many community organizations in her spare time.

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| C AREER COACH |

Crack the code

W

Get your resumé in front of recruiters by getting past the applicant tracking system

ith the sheer volume of resumés that recruiters receive each day, many use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to filter them before they even look at any resumés. An ATS is a specialized software highly favoured by employers, which literally filters through thousands of resumés before it submits the top most recommended ones.

ATS make recruiters’ lives easier, saving them hours and days’ worth of time by narrowing down the candidate pool from hundreds of resumés to the top 10 candidates.

But the more employers depend on the ATS, the more chances that qualified candidates may get filtered out. And your only hope for breaking through the ATS barrier is to understand exactly

how the system works and effectively format your resumé to get through.

How it filters

Regardless of your stellar qualifications, if the resumé isn’t formatted in the right way — which means if the right keywords and phrases are missing — the ATS will simply misread your resumé and rank it as a bad match with the job opening.

The most important criteria used by the ATS to determine a match includes the appearance of a keyword or phrase in the document, as well as the number of times the keyword or phrase appears.

Plus, the ATS contains different database fields for information such as an applicant’s name, con-

Are you:  An Internationally Trained Professional wishing to return to your field of work in Canada?  A Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident residing in BC?  A recipient of foreign credentials or designations?  Lacking affordable financial support to cover:  Tuition fees for short-term training  Professional Association Fees  Qualification Assessment  Examination Fees

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tact details, work experience, job titles, education, employer names and periods of employment, so it’s important that you format your resumé to fit these criteria.

ATS-friendly resumés

Here are some tips on ensuring your resumé is ATS-friendly: • Always submit your resumé in an ATS-approved file format [.doc, .docx or .txt.]. PDF, RTF and JPEG formatted resumés may not be ATS-friendly.

• List your contact information at the top of the document, with each piece of information labelled, “Phone,” “Email” and “LinkedIn.” • Simplify and streamline section headings “Qualifications,” “Summary,” “Work Experi ence” and “Education.”

• Avoid the temptation to use fancy dingbats, design tem plates, shading and borders and opt for simple bullets instead.

• Ensure that the content is set in a simple single column format by minimizing the use of tables, multiple columns and text boxes.

• Write your resumé using safe, ATS-accepted fonts like Verdana or Arial.

• Do not include images or graphics because the ATS can’t read them and, worse, they could clog the system.

• As always, thoroughly check for spelling errors as the ATS may not recognize misspelled words.

• If you are using abbreviations, like “PM,” make sure you also spell out the full version —“Project Management.”

• Customize your resumé for the individual job using key words from the job position itself.

• Keep the section around your name clean. If you intend to add your credentials like PhD, CPA, etc., make sure that you list them separately, but not along with your name as that may confuse the ATS.

Work it in your favour

In summary, the ATS can be a very powerful ally if you understand how to make it work in your favour. If you can research jobs and optimize your resumé wisely with the right keywords and in accepted layout and design formats, you may be sitting face to face across the table with your potential employers in no time.

Indian-born Murali Murthy is owner of Vantage Copy, as well as a speaker, coach and best-selling author of The ACE Books — The ACE Principle and The ACE Awakening.

He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. See poweroface.com.

March 2015

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WELCOME TO CANADA

Financial First Steps

Brought to you by:

MANAGING YOUR MONEY Be financially sound on your Canadian journey with these 5 tips

I

n addition to the challenge of settling into a new home, perhaps learning a new language and finding employment, you also need to consider securing your financial future in Canada. Follow these five simple money management tips to start off on the right financial foot.

1. Establish your credit history. In order to borrow money in Canada — such as getting a mortgage for a home, a car loan or a credit card — lenders will want some assurance that you can pay the money back. For this, they look to your credit score. So start building your credit history as soon as you arrive in Canada by paying your phone and utility bills in full, on time.

When you set up your bank account, ask for a credit card with a small limit or a secured credit card (for which have to pay a deposit upfront and will only be able to access credit up to that amount). Paying off your credit card in full before the due date will help you establish a good credit score, allowing you to borrow money when you need it.

2. Use credit cards sparingly. Yes, credit cards are the easiest way to establish a credit history in Canada, but they can also be damaging if used improperly. Credit cards have high interest rates and can quickly land you in a cycle of debt. Only use your credit card for items that you can pay off in full at the end of the month and avoid the “interest trap.”

3. Track your spending and follow a budget. These days, there are plenty of apps such as Mint and Pocket Express that allow you to track your spending so you know exactly where every dollar you spend is going. Old-fashioned pen and paper work just as well, too.

Whichever medium you use for your budgeting, your overall goal is to ensure you’re spending within your means and saving for the future.

That means, figure out what your key expenses are in relation to your income.

4. Make a financial plan. A financial plan looks at where you are today and where you want to go. Set short- and long-term financial goals and priorities for your first years in Canada. You may want to speak with a financial adviser who can guide you as to the best ways to achieve these goals.

5. Establish a relationship with a bank. Many Canadian banks, including TD Financial, allow you to open a bank account even before you arrive in Canada. Establishing a relationship with a financial institution as soon as you land can help speed up the process of getting access to credit when you need it and can help you get a head start on your short- and long-term financial goals, such as planning for retirement or your child’s education.

March 2015

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WELCOME TO CANADA

Financial First Steps

Brought to you by:

WHERE TO PUT YOUR MONEY Investment tools explained income earned in the previous year (typically 18 per cent). For new immigrants who are not yet employed in Canada, you cannot open an RRSP as your contribution room will be zero, but this will change as you become employed and begin to earn contribution room.

A registered education savings plan (RESP) helps parents save for children’s post-secondary education. To open an RESP, the child requires a social insurance number (SIN). For every dollar contributed to the RESP, the government provides a 20 per cent grant up to a maximum of $500 per year. When the student withdraws the funds for educational purposes, the withdrawals are taxed in the student’s hands, typically at a lower rate.

P

utting away money for a rainy day can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have a lot of flexibility in your budget. Fortunately, Canadian banks offer plenty of savings and investment tools to help you not only save, but even grow your money.

A mutual fund is a portfolio of bonds, stocks or other investable assets that are selected and managed by a professional on behalf of many investors. It pools your money with other investors so that you can gain access to more underlying investments than you would normally have access to.

A stock is a type of security that signifies ownership in a corporation. These typically come with greater risk and, as a result, higher potential returns.

A savings account is for extra money that you don’t need access to on a day-to-day basis. These accounts earn a small amount of interest, but are a great way to save up for a short-term goal such as a car or a trip back home.

A bond is a low-risk investment that pays a fixed amount of interest on specified dates.

A guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) is a low-risk investment where you lend banks money for a defined period of time and get a certain interest rate in return. This interest rate is slightly higher than a savings account and is based on the length of time you lock in your money.

A tax-free savings account (TFSA) is a flexible savings vehicle that allows you to earn tax-free investment income. As of Jan. 1, 2013, Canadian residents, age 18 or older, can contribute up to $5,500 annually to a TFSA. Investment income is tax-free and you can withdraw your money at any time. Unlike money put into an RRSP, TFSA contributions are not tax-deductible, but the good news for newcomers is you don’t have to have earned income to be able to contribute to a TFSA. You can start contributing to a TFSA on the day you land in Canada.

A registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is a retirement savings vehicle with several tax benefits. Contributions are tax-deductible and your money is allowed to grow taxdeferred, meaning you will be taxed only when you withdraw the money. Contribution room is based on a percentage of

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@canimmigrant

“Taking those first steps was easier than I thought.”

We’ve been serving newcomers to Canada for more than 100 years.

The TD New to Canada package1 can give you the financial foundation you need to help you settle successfully.

Open an account with no monthly fee.2 Get a TD Credit Card even with no credit history.3 Enjoy no fee money transfers.4 Get peace of mind with Pay-As-You-Go Overdraft Protection.5 And get a savings account with a bonus rate.6 It’s our way of saying welcome, you’re going to like it here.

For details, visit a branch or tdcanadatrust.com/newtocanada 1 You must meet the eligibility requirements and provide the required identification to qualify for the New to Canada Package. We reserve the right to change, extend or withdraw this offer at any time. 2 Unlimited Chequing Account or All-Inclusive Chequing Account (the “New Chequing Account”) must be opened in order to waive the monthly account fee. The monthly account fee will only be waived for the first 6 months that the New Chequing Account is open and is limited to one account per person and the type of chequing account cannot change during the 6-month period. The monthly account fee waiver only applies to the regular/pro-rated monthly fee; all other fees will continue to apply.

If the minimum monthly balance is maintained in the New Chequing Account in any given month during the first 6 months that the account is open and the monthly account fee is not charged, no monthly account fee waiver will be applied for that month. 3 Applicant must meet all TD credit granting criteria to be eligible for a TD Credit Card. For complete details, please visit your local TD branch. 4 Offer only available to the New Chequing Account. Offer is limited to one account per person. Customers will receive a full rebate of one TD money transfer fee per month commencing the end of the following month, following the month the account was opened and will be effective for 6 months thereafter.

The rebate only applies to the outgoing TD money transfer fee and not any other applicable fees. TD will rebate the most expensive TD money transfer fee that occurred in the applicable month. 5 Subject to TD’s credit granting criteria.

6 Savings Account bonus offer only applies to a TD Every Day Savings Account or a TD High Interest Savings Account that is opened on or before the day the New Chequing Account was opened. Bonus offer is limited to 1 savings account per person and the type of savings account cannot change during the Offer Period. The bonus rate is in addition to the posted rate on the savings account and will be applied to the savings account commencing no later than 10 business days after the New Chequing Account was opened and will be effective for 6 months thereafter (“Offer Period”). Regular posted interest rates will apply after the end of the Offer Period. Bonus interest will be calculated separately and paid monthly. Interest rates are subject to change without notice. ®/The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

March 2015

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WELCOME TO CANADA

Financial First Steps

Brought to you by:

CONFUSED BY CANADA’S FINANCIAL SYSTEM? Help is on the way

By Lisa Evans

N

avigating Canada’s web of financial systems can be daunting for newcomers; from tax rules to savings vehicles, and investment tools to budgeting, there’s a lot to know. Fortunately, there are many financial services experts who can help you learn about Canada’s financial system and help you find your place within it. Here are a few of the experts who can guide you along the way.

Tax accountant

While there are many do-it-yourself tax software programs that allow you to file your own personal income taxes, newcomers may benefit from the services of a tax accountant, especially the first time you file taxes. A tax accountant can explain all of the credits and deductions that may be available to you and can help make sure your tax return is accurate. Storefront tax preparation firms charge around $70 for a simple personal income tax return, while professional accountants like CPAs will charge more, but the money invested can be a great way to learn about Canada’s tax system from a trained professional.

Personal financial adviser

Financial advisers and certified financial planners (CFPs) work with

clients to help them achieve their personal financial objectives. They provide advice around retirement planning, investing and wealth management, and help you put together a plan to save and grow your money. You can choose to speak with a financial adviser at your bank or financial institution, who will be able to offer you products and services that the financial institution offers. Or you can opt for an independent financial planner who is not employed through a bank or financial institution.

Money coach

A money coach is a financial expert who has no ties to a specific financial institution and doesn’t sell any financial services. They are simply available to offer advice around budgeting, saving and investing. They can help you set up a budget, offer strategies for staying out of debt and help you with savings strategies that can set you on the right financial foot in Canada. Money coaches work one-on-one with clients and tailor their advice to the needs of the individual. Money coaches may charge by the hour or offer you a package rate and may conduct in-person consultations or phone sessions.

| MY T WO CENT S |

Spend or save

Even if you earn a good, steady income, you should save for your future goals

H

ave you ever noticed that many people tend to spend all of what they earn? So even if someone makes more money, they aren’t necessarily better off; they just have bigger and nicer stuff? Just because you’re happy with your job and income, that doesn’t mean you should spend everything you make.

Even if you’re satisfied with things right now, what if the job market changes? What if you get injured or have a long illness or are simply let go because of budget cuts within the company? By saving money, you’re in control of your future.

Let’s say that you are the manager of a restaurant, and you make $48,000 per year. For all of your hard work, you will get about $4,000 per month (before taxes). At the end of the month, that’s it — if you want

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another $4,000, you have to give up 160 hours a month (40 hours a week for four weeks) of your life to get it. And if you stop showing up for work, you will get $0. But what if you are faced with a huge expense or unexpected bill?

your favour).

Even if you haven't been successful at putting aside money in the past, it's never too late to start, and the sooner you begin, the more time your money will have to grow.

Save for your future

Did you know that you’re more likely to accumulate wealth by saving small amounts regularly than by winning the lottery?

When you have a good-paying job, that’s when you really have to save since you actually have the cash flow to do so.

Making a budget outlining income and expenses is an important part of knowing where

There are many reasons you should start saving your money: 1. To cover emergencies without taking on any debt.

2. To pay for college (for yourself and/or your kids!).

3. To make a down payment on a house.

4.

To go on an extended vacation.

5. To start your own business.

6. To save for your retirement.

7. To accumulate wealth (the longer you save, the more compound interest works in

Strategies for saving

your money goes and setting a portion aside into savings, The biggest trick that wealth experts will tell you is to “pay yourself first.” In other words, make sure you put aside some savings each paycheque as if you are paying a bill. Increase the amount as your income increases. And with sufficient savings, you can then look at investment options beyond a simple savings account, such as stocks.

If you have never saved money in your life, it can be challenging at first, but once you start, it gets easier as you begin to see money growing in your account.

Gokul Jayapal has a master's degree in biological sciences and works and lives in Toronto. A writer on money and finance, he is an investment junkie who trades stocks and options part time. Email gokultoronto@yahoo.ca. facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

SETTLEMENT

| D E A R FA I Z A L |

Cross-cultural relationship confusion Dear Faizal: I am a 24-year-old Chinese woman, relatively new to Canada, and I’ve been in a cross-cultural relationship for three years, dating a Punjabi man. When we are alone together, everything’s wonderful, but when we are with his Indian friends he speaks in Punjabi and seems distant. He seems to feel proud that he has a “hot” girlfriend, as his bhais continue to label me, but I’m starting to think he may just be playing me, until he is ready to return to his “roots” and marry an Indian girl that his parents arrange for him. How can I confront him to see if he wants a future with me or if he is just using me? — From Cross-culturally confused Dear Confused: You ask a popular question, one that I’ve been asked many times by my female clients in cross-cultural relationships. To help you gain deeper insight into your relationship, I have created a set of questions that you may casually ask your partner to help determine whether he is sincere in dating you or if he’s a “player.”

Ask him the following questions: 1. What are some of the challenges that partners in a cross-cultural relationships experience?

2. What are some possible solutions to these challenges?

3. Why do you think some parents oppose cross-cultural relationships?

4. How would you react if your parents objected to you dating outside of your culture?

In asking your boyfriend these questions, you are watching out for responses that are extreme. The man who is a “player” will deny that

there are any challenges with your relationship. “Everything’s great!” he may reassure, or “How can there be a problem? I love you.” He may end the questioning here.

Don’t let him off the hook; he must respect your efforts to determine the future of this relationship. Do not allow him a few days to gather his thoughts and formulate the answers he thinks you may want to hear.

Press on. Memorize some of the challenges that are explored in my book, Dating the Ethnic Man: Strategies for Success (e.g., family obligations, peer pressure, religious prohibitions, sexual interests, to name a few) and, one at a time, list them, asking your boyfriend if this is an issue that he thinks is a factor in your relationship.

If he persists in refusing to discuss any of the various challenges (all cross-cultural relationships have a few), or if he displays a facial expression of guilt, like you caught him with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar, this is a sign that your man needs to grow up Or if your boyfriend gives what seems like an endless list of reasons why his parents may oppose his relationship with you, without supplying an equal number of convincing arguments to counter them, he may already be considering dissolving your relationship.

Only if his answers seem authentic and independent of his familial and cultural expectations, is he likely to follow his heart and have a possible future with you.

Faizal Sahukhan, PhD, is a couples counsellor and the author of Dating the Ethnic Man: Strategies for Success.

Visit him at multiculturalromance.com or call him at 604-899-0102.

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Canadian Immigrant 1/23/2015 4:10:25 PM 31

SETTLEMENT

| PA R E N T I N G |

Art of conversation

Teaching kids to speak well is important even in this age of texting

W

ith the widespread use of electronic devices nowadays, texting and messaging online are no doubt the preferred ways of communication, especially for youth. With a few key strokes on a computer or smartphone, using acronyms and emoticons, we have convinced ourselves we are communicating. However, without real, live conversations, it is easy to forget what real connections with others feel like.

Why we need to learn to talk

The ability to master the art of face-to-face conversations is beneficial in all areas of life. It can build healthier and stronger relationships with others, as well as improve your self-confidence. Whether you are making new friends, influencing others or broadening your knowledge, they all require mastering the art of conversation.

Through in-depth dialogues, we can learn more about each other, and decipher what people are saying or not saying through non-verbal communication. Most importantly, having real conversations with others allow us to work through conflicts, build trust, and connect and share with each other on a deeper level.

Teaching conversational skills

Conversation skills are a complex art that cannot be taught through lectures, textbooks or the internet. While some people are naturally talented, others need to be taught some strategies to learn this important skill. But children nowadays lack the opportunity to learn and

practise the art of small talk, as they tend to communicate via texts or emails. As a result, children often avoid engaging in face-to-face conversations.

Strategies that can be taught include learning to carry conversations so that they don’t fall flat; knowing how to introduce new topics; active listening; asking for opinions; sharing stories; reading body cues, turn-taking in conversation, asking questions or clarifications; and being able to enter, extend and end conversations.

How do children learn?

It is up to us as parents to be good role models, setting good examples by regularly having conversations with our kids. Start by paying attention to your children’s interests and talking to them about topics that excite them. Ask open-ended questions; be creative and have fun.

Today, it is more important than ever to share and connect with each other through everyday conversations. Remember, it is never too early or too late to start teaching children the art of conversation, so put aside all the technology and distractions, and just enjoy a good chat with your family.

Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education and family programs.

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DRIVING Sponsored by:

Car shopping Time to purchase a vehicle?

Here are some tips

By Ronald D’Souza

B

uying yourself a car? There are many factors to consider when purchasing a vehicle, whether it’s your first car in Canada or you’re just ready for a new model. Keep reading for some tips.

New or used?

First decision: new or used? Consider your needs and budget when deciding whether to buy a new or used vehicle.

A brand-new car is certainly the dream, and it will have the latest features and fewer maintenance headaches, but you will be paying substantially more than for a used car. You can choose to lease or finance a new vehicle on monthly payments to make the cost more manageable. Leasing is often considered a good option if you’re self-employed as you can write it off on your income tax return. But if you want to keep the vehicle for the long term, it’s a better option to buy it by financing it for a few years, and then it’s all yours.

You can pick up a used car for a lot less, but depending on the age and condition of the vehicle, you may be in for some maintenance and repair costs sooner than later.

Vehicle type

Many people make vehicle purchases impulsively, based on emotion. But it is important to rationalize your car choice by considering the following: • how many people you carry around regularly (is a five-seat sedan sufficient, or do you need a minivan or seven-seat SUV for your large family?)

• expected terrain that your vehicle is likely to traverse (do you need a sporty vehicle with all-wheel drive for tough terrain, or are you a city driver who can rely on a smaller hatchback?)

• the car’s fuel economy ratings and whether it is designed to run on regular octane • your annual budget for mainte nance and repairs (parts, service and even oil changes are higher on luxury vehicles, for example) • how does the car feel on the test drive (will you enjoy driving this car for years to come)?

Also, don’t forget to compare the insurance rates of the vehicles you are considering: the difference in premiums between

certain models can be quite substantial!

Featured options

If purchasing a newer vehicle, you’ll have plenty to consider when it comes to car options.

Rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors, navigation systems, sunroofs and leather interiors are just a few of the features that are popular these days. In fact, some manufacturers like Buick are equipped with 4G LTE in vehicle Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing you to “stay connected” from just about anywhere. Having the opportunity to enjoy features that were limited to luxury vehicles less than a decade ago is certainly something to smile about.

For comfort and resale purposes, make sure that your vehicle is equipped with power windows, locks, and mirrors, as well as air conditioning. Keyless entry is also a feature that many people have come to expect. Having these features will make your vehicle much more desirable when it comes time to trade in or sell your vehicle, and thus help maintain its resale value.

Safety first

Whether you travel alone or with your loved ones, make sure your vehicle also has a high safety rating, and is equipped with the most safety features your budget can permit. Anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, as well as side and curtain airbags are important options to have, as they aid in accident avoidance, as well as protect the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a collision.

Shop around

For many, purchasing a vehicle is the second biggest purchase they make, after buying a home.

Take your time, do some research online and visit different dealerships to negotiate the best deal possible. Keep an eye out for low financing rates, manufacturer’s rebates and special promotions as well.

Purchasing a vehicle can be an exciting experience, just remember to consider carefully what you really need in a vehicle and how you’re going to pay for it before you drive it off the lot.

8 tips newcomers need to know

1. Do not rush your vehicle purchase. Do research and evaluate your options.

2. Add up all your expenses on a monthly basis, including fuel, maintenance, insurance and car payments when deciding on how much car you can afford.

3. Shop around. Once you’ve picked a vehicle you like, visit two or more dealerships and compare pricing. Don’t be afraid to negotiate the MSRP. 4. Consider the time of year that you wish to purchase your car; manufacturers will have various incentives throughout the year. Generally speaking, the best deals are in the fall, as dealers aim to clear out any remaining inventory in anticipation of next year’s models.

5. All sales are final: whether you’re purchasing a new or preowned vehicle, it’s important to understand that, as a consumer, there is no “cooling-off” period, and that you are entering a legally binding contract when you sign on the dotted line.

6. Once you’ve found a vehicle of your choosing, be sure to call at least three insurance companies and compare their quotes.

7. If you’re buying a used vehicle that is out of roadside assistance coverage, consider buying some for peace of mind.

8. If English isn’t your first language, don’t fret! More auto dealerships than ever before have personnel on hand who speak various languages.

Disclaimer: The content is produced and owned by Canadian Immigrant magazine. All content provided here is for informational purposes only.

March 2015

Canadian Immigrant

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Newcomer tips from our RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2014!

Tips

Arlene Dickinson

“

Embrace all that Canada is and offers you. All opportunities come from somewhere and this country provides its citizens a safe, free and peaceful environment to live and do business in.

”

Alan Diner

“

Once you as an immigrant have successfully integrated into Canadian life, don’t be scared to help others, because you will only be enriched and gratified in return. Nothing feels better than helping someone out, and we all know that there is an endless stream of immigrants that need a helping hand.

”

VOTE FOR AN INSPIRING IMMIGRANT FOR THE RBC TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANT AWARDS OF 2015 AT CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA/RBCTOP25 FROM MARCH 19 TO MAY 11.

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