ADAPTING TO THE CANADIAN WORK CULTURE AS A NEW COMER

As a fresh comer arriving in Canada for work, you might have some difficulties that can be called adjustment issues. This is important as Canada is a new environment for you if you are arriving outside Canada & more so, alien if you are arriving from outside North America. The work culture is an ‘Egalitarian Culture’ that is mainly practiced all over Canada. In addition, the environment is hard to adapt to for some people, while it can be comparatively easier for others. In most cases, employers are more likely to hire you if you show some alignment with the local work culture. Your alignment is necessary for the Canadian people as they like to mingle and work in teams. However, once you have started working, indeed, your ability & expertise to adjust and adapt to your company’s organizational culture quickly can actually impact your ability to work well with your team. Apart from this, earning recognition, rewards and career growth.

While working in Canada, obviously a place where the weather stays colder than the countries you might have been arriving from. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you can be cold at work. Your coldness can also be misunderstood as an attitude or anger management issue. Be flexible with your colleagues, and be far more communicative than you might have been in the work culture you belong to. A key reason behind this is that you might even have to initiate to ‘break the ice. A common terminology & an exercise that people in the corporate world use to know each other far better.

These issues are apart from the importance of Time management & being on time with your projects.

BODY LANGUAGE SPEAKS VOLUMES:

In Canada, body language speaks volumes more than in other work cultures. You must train your body language slowly but gradually to show your intent to learn & work together for the company. Your body language must always be optimistic & must always be communicative in good ways. It must demonstrate how you feel about the company & your involvement with the company for mutual growth.

WHY ARE SOFT SKILLS SO CRUCIAL IN THE CANADIAN WORKPLACES?

The importance of soft skills in the Canadian workplace culture, if you are a new comer, shall give you the ultimate edge. These are skills that help you in mingling with people, being communicative & interpersonal skills.

Technical skills related to your career in terms of technological growth are highly acknowledged. Still, the importance of soft skills means that you have the potential to learn together while being communicative. You have demonstrated good command over your communications with your team members and the management. The importance of leadership and decision-making abilities in the Canadian work culture are some handy attributes in the armoury.

Decision-making is seen in the Canadian work culture as something that helps you manage change if you are initiating or starting change. However, even if you are a change mediator, your soft skills and your softness guarantee success in Canada in most circumstances.

SMALL TALK- ‘A VITAL ATTRIBUTE OF THE CANADIAN

Let’s talk small. Are we talking bits & pieces, or what exactly is meant by small talk? It exactly means to be communicative on a far broader & wide scale. It is undoubtedly integral to the Canadian work culture, i.e. both inside and outside the workplace. Make sure that if you are a newcomer in Canada, you allocate some time for small talk. Significantly, while creating your meeting agendas. Don’t just come to the point straight away. However, be more “Small Talkative” or an “ice

Small talk is also a great way to know people you are meeting outside of their professional lives. Also, finding interests, you may have in common. It usually involves talking about a cultural gathering last night, a football match, discussing the weather or any other topic of discussion that might act as a platform for professional talks. Thus, small talk importantly shows the personality of the colleague & the capacity to mingle. Usually, people avoid discussing politics and religion while making small talks or just informal discussions. It also shows your eagerness for the real agenda that

GIVING & TAKING FEEDBACK THE CANADIAN WAY:

Receiving feedback & giving feedback the Canadian way is a different thing that shows the difference in work cultures. In other countries where the management is more direct in giving feedbacks. Relatively & comparatively in Canada it’s a bit different as negative feedback needs to be neutralized first. The aim is not to let down someone & demotivate. An aspect of the Canadian work culture that makes it unique from the rest of the world.