How to Get Canadian Work Experience Without a Job Offer

It can feel frustrating, especially if you’ve spent years building knowledge, skills, and leadership in your home country.

You are not alone. Newcomers across Canada face this challenge every year. A recent Statistics Canada study found that newcomers with university degrees still experience higher unemployment than people born in Canada, even when their education level is the same. Your experience is valuable, but the Canadian job market often expects knowledge of local communication styles, workplace norms, and industry expectations.

The good news is that you can start building Canadian work experience even before you get your first official job offer. Here are practical, low-pressure ways to get started.

Why Canadian Work Experience Matters

Many Canadian employers still prefer to hire candidates who already have some experience in Canada. Part of this is familiarity. Employers want team members who understand workplace communication, time expectations, and local norms. Another part is trust. It is easier for employers to understand experience from a Canadian reference than an international one.

Is this fair? No. Is it biased? Absolutely. Many newcomers have skills equal to or above those of their Canadian peers. But, despite the bias, it’s worth considering ways to get the valuable Canadian work experience that will satisfy certain employers.

As well, this does not mean your international experience is less valuable. Globally trained professionals often bring new ideas, strong technical knowledge, and wider perspectives. Canadian experience is simply one way to help bridge the gap between the skills you already have and what employers expect to see on a resume here.

If you want to learn more about how work norms differ, you can read our guide on Canadian workplace culture.

A Note About Immigration Requirements

This article focuses on ways to build experience that will help you get hired. It does not focus on earning the type of work experience required for immigration programs. For example, if you hope to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, the experience must be:

• Paid;
• completed in Canada; and
• obtained under the correct work authorization (usually a work permit).

Volunteer roles, internships, and unpaid positions generally do not count toward immigration, even though they can help you become more employable.

Option 1: Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to build Canadian work experience when you are new to the country. You can give back to your community, meet people, learn the culture, and build confidence all at once.

Try to find a volunteer role that connects to your field. If you are an aspiring accountant, consider helping at a free tax clinic. If you work in marketing, look for volunteer roles at festivals, arts organizations, or small non-profits that need help with events or communications. If you are in tech, some community organizations need support with data entry, websites, or digital skills.

Volunteering is not the same as paid work. However, many Canadian employers respect newcomers who show initiative and community involvement. It can also introduce you to people who may later recommend you for paid opportunities.

Volunteering and your immigration status

If you are a permanent resident, worker, or student, you can volunteer freely. Visitors need to be more careful. You can volunteer, but only in roles that are truly volunteer-based. You cannot replace a paid employee or complete a structured work placement for a school program. Short-term or event-based volunteer roles are usually the safest option for visitors.

If you want to explore volunteer opportunities near you, get started by checking out Volunteer Canada.

Option 2: Short Study Programs With Work Placements

If you recently arrived in Canada and you are having trouble securing your first job, you can consider enrolling in a short study program. Many programs at public colleges or private career colleges include hands-on work placements or practicums.

These programs help newcomers:

• build local references;
• gain Canadian communication and teamwork skills;
• learn updated industry tools; and
• make real-life connections that can lead to employment.

Some programs are designed specifically to bridge the gap between education and employment. The key is choosing a program that has a built-in placement or networking component. There are many programs to choose from. Something shorter, like the Code to Career subsidized tech bootcamps, to something longer, like Humber College’s Business Management program offering work-integrated learning.

You can explore more about studying in Canada here.

Option 3: Internships

Internships can be a very effective way to gain Canadian work experience, especially if you are new to the country or new to your industry. In the past, internships were often unpaid. Today, most provinces require internships to be paid unless they are part of an official academic program.

Internships often have a lower barrier to entry than full-time jobs. This means you can apply even if you don’t have Canadian experience yet. You do, however, need to showcase your transferable skills. Think about teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and the industry tools you already know.

Some companies offer internships year-round. Others run programs in the summer or fall. If you are interested in a specific company, check their website to see whether they accept newcomer or entry-level interns. Internships are offered across many industries: from CBC’s Journalism Internships, Deloitte’s Business Internships, and even the Parliamentary Internship Program for those looking to work in Canada’s Capital City.

For more job search support, see our guide on how to find a job in Canada.

Remember: Experience Is Only Half of the Puzzle

Getting Canadian work experience is important, but building your network matters just as much. In many Canadian industries, jobs come through recommendations, referrals, and casual introductions.

You do not need a job offer to start networking. You can begin right away by attending local networking events, settlement agency events, conferences, and career fairs. These spaces help you learn how people in your field communicate, what employers expect, and what opportunities exist. You may meet someone who knows of a role that is not posted online or who can introduce you to a hiring manager.

Networking in Canada is about real conversations. It is about showing interest, asking simple questions, and following up. Every interaction helps. If you want to strengthen your communication confidence, you can read our guide on soft skills in Canadian workplaces.

How to Get Started

To get started, begin by choosing one option that feels manageable for you. Look for a volunteer role in your field or attend a networking event. Try to connect with someone and send them a short follow-up message on LinkedIn. And remember to be patient, it takes time to build connections, but with patience these connections will pay off.

Every shift you volunteer, every class you take, every event you attend, and every conversation you have helps you understand Canada’s job market better. Your international experience already matters. Your Canadian experience will help bring it to life in a way that local employers can understand.