Finding the perfect student accommodation is a vital part of the university experience. But, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. This overview will help you understand your housing options and important factors to consider before you leave for Canada. From determining your budget and location preferences to understanding different types of student housing, you’ll get smart tips to help you choose student accommodation that meets all of your needs.
Whether you’re looking for a dorm room, shared apartment, or private rental, our guide will equip you with the knowledge and resources to make an informed decision. We’ll also highlight important considerations such as safety, amenities, and proximity to campus.
With this guide, you’ll have everything you need to find the perfect student accommodation that fits your lifestyle and preferences and enhances your university experience.
Why is it Important to Find the Perfect Student Accommodation?
Choosing the right student accommodation is more than just finding a place to live. It is about creating a safe and comfortable environment that will allow you to thrive academically and socially. Your student accommodation will be your home for the next few years, and it is essential to choose a place that meets all your needs.
Advertisement:
Your accommodation can impact your academic performance. Living in an environment that is conducive to studying can make a significant difference in your grades. A comfortable and quiet space can help you focus and concentrate on your studies. Your student accommodation can also impact your social life. Living in a place that is close to campus and social amenities can make it easier to participate in extracurricular activities and make new friends.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Student Accommodation
Choosing the right housing can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some factors to consider when choosing student accommodation:
What’s Your Budget?
The first step to help you find suitable student accommodation is to consider your monthly budget. Once you determine how much you can afford, you can start your search for housing. Consider your living expenses, including rent, utilities, groceries, entertainment, and transit costs. It’s essential to budget for all expenses to manage financial stress and focus on your studies.
If you plan to work part-time in Canada, you can generate extra income and help cover your housing costs. However, most students still have to pay close attention to their budget when searching for student accommodation.
International students can work up to 20 hours per week if:
Is the Cost of Student Accommodation Important to You?
✓ Yes, I need the cheapest accommodation I can find
✓ No, I can afford a more expensive place
✓ I have some extra money, but I have to be careful
✓ I’d rather pay a bit more for a nice place to live
Consider how important the cost of student accommodation is to you.
How Much is Student Housing in Canada?
The price of student housing depends on factors such as the city, neighbourhood, type of housing, on-campus versus off-campus housing, etc. Sharing accommodation is likely the most affordable option. Generally, you can expect to rent a room in the range of $500 – $1,000 per month if you are sharing accommodation. However, if you are attending school in a large city such as Toronto or Vancouver, you can expect to pay higher rent. If you’re searching for student housing in a smaller city, the cost will likely be lower.
Is the Location Convenient and Safe?
Location is another critical factor to consider when choosing student accommodation. Living close to campus can be convenient, especially if you have early morning classes.
The travel distance to school may be a critical deciding factor for you. Or, you may be swayed by lower-cost student accommodation located further away from school. However, if the travel time and distance are significant, it may cost you more time and money. Check local public transit schedules and routes to ensure travel time and cost are reasonable.
Living in a safe and secure neighbourhood is essential for your well-being. Consider the proximity of your accommodation to public transit, social amenities, grocery stores, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities
Is Being Near Campus a Deal Breaker for You?
✓ Yes, I prefer to live on campus so I don’t have to wake up too early for classes
✓ No, I want to get off campus when I’m not studying
✓ Definitely, it might be unsafe to live off-campus
✓ I want to live where other students live
Consider how important location and proximity to school are to you.
What Type of Student Accommodation Do You Need?
There are different types of student accommodation available, including dormitories, shared apartments, and private rentals. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Consider your lifestyle and preferences when choosing the type of accommodation that suits you best.
Student Accommodation Options
There are different student accommodation options available. Here are some of the most common options:
On-Campus Housing (Residence or Dormitory)
Dorms usually offer students either a private or shared room.
Living on-campus in a dormitory (also known as dorms) is a common type of student accommodation. Dorms can provide students with a private or shared room. Living in a dorm can be a great way to meet new people and participate in campus life. And, living with fellow students can provide a supportive environment that encourages academic success.
Dorms are usually affordable and include amenities such as common areas, laundry facilities, and study spaces.
However, living in a dormitory can have its challenges. You may have to share living spaces with several other students, which can be noisy and disruptive. Moreover, dormitories can be restrictive in terms of rules and regulations.
PROS
CONS
Affordable
Limited privacy
Convenient location
Noisy and disruptive living environment
Access to campus amenities (library, fitness centre, cafeteria, etc.)
Restrictive rules and regulations
More opportunities to participate in campus life
Limited space
Off-Campus Student Housing (Private Rentals)
Private rentals are another option for students. Usually found off-campus, living in a private rental can offer more privacy and independence. Compared to living in a dorm, private rentals are generally more flexible in terms of rules and regulations.
Apartments are often the first choice when it comes to private rentals. However, you may want to explore other types of housing such as homes, townhouses, and basement apartments.
Living in a private rental can be expensive, and you may have to cover additional expenses for furniture and small appliances. To manage high rental costs, many students opt to share accommodation.
You can also search for rentals in student-friendly neighbourhoods that surround colleges and universities. These neighbourhoods can provide accommodation that is close to campus, and offer easy-on-the-wallet restaurants, pubs, cafes, and shopping. Look for rental listings that indicate how close it is to the school that you plan to attend.
PROS
CONS
More privacy and independence
Expensive
More space
Additional expenses for furniture and small appliances
More flexibility in terms of rules and regulations
Limited access to campus amenities
Greater control over your living environment
Limited opportunities to meet new people
Homestay
A homestay allows international students to live with local families instead of living with other students in Canada. Homestay hosts can include couples, families with children, retirees, and individuals. While there are different homestay options to consider, generally you can expect a private bedroom with room for your clothing, a quiet place to study, internet, laundry facilities, and meals.
Hosts are also expected to provide safe accommodation and introduce their guests to Canadian life and culture.
Universities can pair international students with host families or retirees within the local community who may have space in their homes to rent out at an affordable rate.
PROS
CONS
Opportunity to be part of a family unit
Can be expensive
Supportive environment with home-cooked meals
Won’t be living on campus like other student accommodation
Opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture and activities
Must respect host family boundaries (cleanliness, guests, etc.)
Shared Accommodation
Sharing accommodation off-campus is another popular option for students. ed apartments are another popular option for students. Living in a shared apartment can be a great way n excellent way to live independently while still having the support of roommates. Sharing accommodation can also help you create meaningful relationships and foster a sense of community.
However, living in a shared apartment can have its challenges. You may have to deal with conflicts with roommates, and you may have to manage expenses such as rent and utilities. Be sure to assess potential housemates to determine if they would be a suitable match for your personality, study habits, and lifestyle.
Do You Want to Live with Other Students?
✓ For sure, I can’t wait for group movie nights and parties!
✓ Having housemates is cool, but I want my own room
Finding affordable student accommodation can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips to help you find affordable student accommodation.
Start Your Search Early:
Searching for student housing, or housing in general, takes time, especially if you want to find the perfect student home. It’s best to search for housing about two months before you plan to move in. This will give you plenty of time to browse the market and come to an agreement with the landlord
Check Rental Sites Often:
New rental listings are posted daily on rental sites. You can start your search for off-campus student accommodation that is within your budget at Rentals for Newcomers.
Consider Sharing Accommodation:
Discover how to find shared accommodation with Sparrow and manage your student accommodation costs.
Be Ready to Compromise:
Once you get an idea of rental costs, you may find it difficult to find exactly what you want at a price that fits your budget. A good way to move forward is to list things you’re willing to compromise.
Look for Student-specific Housing Options:
Student housing options are often found in neighbourhoods adjacent to colleges and universities and are often budget-friendly. You may even be able to find rentals that offer incentives, discounts, and gift cards specifically for students.
Questions to Ask When Viewing Student Accommodation
When viewing potential student accommodation, be sure to ask the right questions to ensure that it meets all your needs. Here are some questions to consider:
What’s included in the rent (i.e. cable, internet, heat, water, and electricity)? This can significantly reduce your housing costs.
What amenities are available? (i.e. onsite laundry, exercise room, swimming pool, security, etc)
What are the lease terms?
Is the building quiet?
How safe is this neighbourhood?
What to Look for in Student Housing
Whether you visit student homes in person or online, these are helpful tips to keep in mind:
Make sure everything looks clean. If the home is dirty and poorly maintained it may have pests. Especially as a student, pests will give you a hard time around the house.
Make sure all the appliances are working. The last thing you need as a student is to find out that the appliances don’t work right after moving in.
Communicate clearly and effectively with the landlord. Know exactly what utilities and amenities are covered in the rent and which ones you will have to pay for. Look for water, electricity, gas, internet, cable TV, air conditioning, and parking to name a few. There is a good chance that many of these will be included in the rent.
Finding student accommodation that meets your needs is vital to your academic performance, social life, and overall well-being. So, it’s important to consider the factors that will create the right environment for your success. From your budget to the location and type of student accommodation you select, making the right decisions will enhance your university experience in Canada.
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
With rising rental costs, finding affordable housing in Canada can be challenging. For newcomers, this can be a frustrating obstacle to overcome, especially in your first few weeks and months in a new country. In this article, we outline practical solutions to help you stay within your affordability range. With patience and persistence, you will discover options that can help you save money for accommodation in Canada without compromising comfort and quality.
Affordable Housing Statistics in Canada
Facing a declining supply of rental housing, especially in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, costs for rental accommodation are rising at unprecedented rates. According to recent rental statistics from Rentals.ca, average asking rents reached a record high of $2,117 in August 2023. This makes it difficult to find and budget for high rental costs. However, there are still affordable housing options available across the country.
What is Affordable Housing?
Affordability is based on the proportion of your income that you pay for housing. An affordable home will require a smaller proportion of income, while an unaffordable one is larger, for example, greater than 30% of your before-tax household income.
Affordable housing is a broad term that includes housing that the private, public, and non-profit sectors provide. It also includes all forms of housing such as rental, ownership, and temporary and permanent housing.
Affordability At-a-Glance
Advertisement:
According to Aled ab lorwerth, Deputy Chief Economist, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canada needs to dramatically increase the supply of housing to restore affordability by 2030.
In the meantime, the Canadian government is making efforts to address the issue of affordable housing. They have implemented various programs and initiatives to help individuals and families find affordable accommodation.
Canada needs about 3.5 million additional housing units by 2030 to restore affordability
Housing demand varies across the country due to economic and demographic conditions
Housing supply gaps are greatest in Ontario and British Columbia (due to economic growth in these provinces)
Current housing construction shortfalls are contributing to the limited supply of housing.
Renting Options that Can Help with Affordable Housing
Renting is a popular option for individuals and families seeking affordable housing in Canada. In fact, Statistics Canada reveals that about one-third of Canadian households rent their residence. Keeping in mind that rental prices vary depending on the type of housing, location, size, and condition of the property, here are some tips to find affordable rental options:
Advertisement:
1. Look for rental properties in up-and-coming neighbourhoods
Consider searching for rental properties in areas that are undergoing revitalization. These areas may offer lower rent prices compared to more established neighbourhoods.
2. Keep your eye open for rental listings that offer incentives such as:
Free rent for one month or lower rent for the first few months
Free parking
Utilities (heat, water, electricity, internet, and cable) that are included in the rent
Gift cards, student specials, and more!
Incentives, especially like utilities included in your monthly rent can lower your housing costs by a large amount.
These are examples of rental listings in cities across Canada that cover utilities such as heat, water, and electricity (using the “Utilities” filter.)
3. Consider sharing a rental property to help with affordability
Another option to consider is sharing a rental property with others. This can often lead to lower rent prices compared to traditional rental properties. And, for newcomers, home-sharing can be a great way to ease financial pressures, expand your social network, and add to your quality of life!
Addressing Affordability in Major Cities in Canada
Affordability in major cities where the vacancy rates fall below 2 percent, like Toronto, and Vancouver, can be out of reach for many individuals. And, for newcomers trying to achieve financial stability in Canada, securing affordable housing is even more important. However, there are still options if you want to live in these cities without breaking the bank.
One option to consider is micro-apartments or micro-condos. These smaller living spaces are becoming increasingly popular in major cities as a way to provide affordable housing options. While they may have a smaller footprint, they often come with amenities and innovative design features to maximize space.
Another option to explore is purpose-built rental buildings. These buildings are specifically designed for rental purposes and often offer more affordable rent prices compared to privately owned properties. Professional property management companies usually manage purpose-built rental buildings ensuring quality and affordability.
Tips to Find Affordable Housing
It’s important to start your search early and be flexible when searching for housing.
Finding affordable housing can be a challenging and time-consuming process. However, with the right strategies and resources, you can increase your chances of securing an affordable home. Here are some tips to help you in your search:
1. Start your search early
Facing a shortage of affordable housing, it’s important to start your search well in advance. Give yourself plenty of time to explore different neighbourhoods and visit properties. Another challenge you may face is that you’re likely competing with many others in the market for affordable housing. In this case, choice properties may be off the market quickly.
2. Know how to ‘sell yourself’ to potential landlords
In cities with tight rental markets with low vacancy rates, you will be competing with many others in the market for affordable housing. In this case, you need to ‘sell yourself’ as the best possible candidate for the landlord to select.
There are several rental websites and online platforms to help you search for rental properties that meet your affordability price range. And, you can filter your search by price range for greater search ease.
4. Network and seek affordable housing recommendations
Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues who may be able to recommend affordable housing options. People in your network may know of future vacancies that are within your budget and are not yet listed on rental websites.
5. Be flexible
Flexibility is key when searching for affordable housing. Consider compromising on certain amenities or locations to find a more affordable option. Keep an open mind and be willing to explore different possibilities, including basement apartments.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure about the process, consider seeking assistance from professionals such as real estate agents who can guide and support you throughout your search.
7. Explore smaller cities
Smaller cities that surround major cities may offer more affordable housing and provide easy access to amenities and public transit. For example, you can explore smaller cities within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) such as:
With the rise of remote work and flexible schedules, living outside the city center is becoming a viable option for many individuals and families.
While the challenges of finding affordable housing in Canada may seem daunting, solutions and options are available. Remember, finding affordable housing requires persistence and patience. Don’t be discouraged if it takes time to find the perfect fit. By using the available resources, you can increase your chances of finding suitable housing that is within your budget.
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
The Canada Job Bank is an essential tool to research your profession or trade in Canada. It is a service provided by the government of Canada that allows you to search for jobs in your field and apply for them online. Canada Job Bank is a great tool for newcomers both before and after they arrive. Researching your profession before you arrive will help you understand job requirements so you can resume your career in Canada with greater ease. Canada Job Bank will help you do just that. It provides detailed information for each career in Canada to help you develop job search strategies.
Canada Job Bank can provide insightful information about your career in Canada based on your:
Profession
Skillset
Education, and
Experience.
With this in mind, let’s discover how to use Canada Job Bank and kickstart your dream career in Canada!
Researching Your Profession is an Essential First Step
Moving to a new country is a major life decision. While it can be a thrilling and exciting experience, you may also feel uncertain at times. The following questions will likely run through your head before you arrive in Canada:
Will I find a job in my field?
Will I make a good living?
What locations are best for my profession?
Advertisement:
These are very important questions that you should look into before you move to Canada. The answer to these questions for your field will help make your transition into Canadian life much easier. By researching your career in Canada, you can determine how and where you can successfully continue your professional journey in Canada.
Because the labour market in Canada varies, you need to know how your job skills align with the labour market needs. For example, locating in the Atlantic region of Canada when you have experience in the oil and gas sector wouldn’t be wise. Instead, you would want to consider Alberta where there is a strong oil and gas sector. Ideally, you want to identify the provinces and cities that have a demand for your profession, skills, and experience.
Fortunately, the Canada Job Bank can provide you with the information you need to make your important career decisions.
What is the Canada Job Bank?
The Canada Job Bank is a useful tool to conduct research related to your profession or trade in Canada and apply for jobs for which you are qualified. This portal provides vital labour market information that allows you to:
Research market trends for occupations, wages, and job prospects
Learn about different occupations using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code
Access career planning tools
Browse jobs in Canada
Identify what skills and experience Canadian employers want.
Directly apply to jobs by submitting your resume
Get a better understanding of specific industries as well as the entire labour market in general.
Canada Job Bank is a free resource that the Canadian government manages in partnership with provinces and territories. You’ll discover that both the website and mobile app are simple to use, convenient, and provide information that you can trust. Canada Job Bank can help you find jobs in your field and plan your career by making use of its thorough research tool. As someone looking to continue their professional journey in Canada, Canada Job Bank is the perfect place to start.
Advertisement:
Understanding Trends in Your Profession
The trend analysis section of the Canada job bank is filled with useful information about job prospects all across Canada. You can also find a 10-year analysis for your occupation. So if you’re researching the Canadian job market, this is a helpful resource to learn about your occupation. With this information, you can:
Identify the job prospects for your industry (good, fair, limited, undetermined)
Assess how your occupation is performing throughout Canada
Identify growth at the provincial and community (city) level
Compare how much you can make in different parts of Canada
Find labour market news in your industry
Obtain other statistics regarding your profession as well as the general labour market in Canada.
Questions to Consider:
When researching the trends, consider these questions:
Is the outlook strong for my occupation?
What changes are happening that will impact my career decisions?
Are there growth areas?
Which provinces have the greatest job prospects?
What cities have the greatest job prospects?
Considering the trends, what skills, knowledge and experience are in high demand?
Consider average wages against the cost of living and housing affordability in the cities you are considering.
Another useful section of the Canada Job Bank is the information you can find about wages. You can find the average wages per hour for your occupation including the following:
The national median wage in Canada
Provincial wages per hour, ranging from low, median, and high
Community/area wages (i.e. city level).
This information can help you identify what you can expect to earn in Canada. For example, some sectors such as technology generate strong incomes. It’s a high-wage sector that also attracts highly skilled immigrants. However, when considering average wages it’s also important to consider the cost of living and housing affordability versus salaries.
For example, British Columbia has a strong technology sector. And while technology wages are high, so is the cost of living and housing in Vancouver, BC. So when choosing a city to locate it’s helpful to consider the cost of living versus average wages. Or, you may want to explore job prospects in a small or medium-sized city. Because while the average wages may be lower, you’ll likely discover it’s also more affordable than a larger city such as Vancouver or Toronto. Our Rentals for Newcomers site is a practical and easy-to-navigate site to help you find housing and make an easier transition to life in Canada! And you can even determine the average cost of renting in each city. This is helpful since rental prices change often.
Questions to Consider
How do wages compare across Canada for my occupation?
What are the job prospects?
What is the cost of living versus salary in the region that I want to locate?
Answering these questions can help you decide how you want to move forward. Many newcomers decide to get extra certifications or take a new course. This will help you transition better into the Canadian labour market. And if you strategically get the correct certifications, you will ultimately get paid more as well.
By understanding the trends in your profession and accounting for wages, you can make an informed decision about your next step.
Using the Job Search Tool
With more than 80,000 jobs listed on the job bank, you can browse jobs based on:
Job title
Job category (management, finance, health, sales and service, and more)
Location (province and city)
In-demand jobs
Employment groups including newcomers to Canada.
The Canada job bank search tool is quite helpful if you are currently located in Canada and ready to work. This is because employers want to fill job vacancies as quickly as possible.
Can I Apply for Canada Job Bank Jobs Before I Arrive?
If you are still in your home country, you can apply for Canada Job Bank jobs before you arrive. The Job Bank services and tools are available to help job seekers find employment opportunities Canada-wide, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. However, some jobs will require Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a work permit visa. You must carefully review the job description to ensure you meet any of the immigration requirements before you apply.
In any case, the job bank search tool can give you an idea of the types of jobs available, job duties, and requirements including:
This information can help you assess if you have the skills that employers require.
Carefully review the job description to ensure you meet the requirements before you apply.
You can also browse online job boards and read the job postings for your profession. Make a note of the types of skills and experiences that Canadian employers seek. Assess whether or not you possess similar skills and experience. If you have any skills gaps, make a plan to close or narrow the gap if possible.
Questions to Consider When Using the Job Bank Search Tool
Do I have the skills and experience that Canadian employers are seeking?
What skill gaps do I have? How can I close the gaps? (i.e.; more training, licensing, etc)
Researching the Canadian job market is an essential first step to ensuring that there is a strong job market for your profession, skillset, education, and experience. A good place to start is with the Canada job bank to help you research your profession in and apply for jobs where you meet the requirements.
For more information, tools, webinars, and more visit our finding a job in Canada resource page. Get the help you need to achieve your career goals in Canada!
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
What is mentoring? In the context of your career, a mentoring relationship can be an important tool to help you develop new skills, become more confident, and achieve important career goals. In simple terms, it’s a process where someone shares their skills and knowledge (the mentor) to guide another (the “mentee”). For newcomers, finding a mentor from your profession or trade can provide many benefits, for example, a mentor can help you to:
Learn what’s happening in your industry in Canada so that your on top of recent changes or developments
Meet others within your profession so you can build your professional network
Increase your knowledge of the Canadian workplace to help you understand expectations.
With help from a mentor, you’ll become familiar with work-related culture, questions, and issues that may be quite different in your home country. And, while you could likely complete these activities on your own, a mentor can help you to quickly get started. And with a quick start, you can:
Discuss your job search goals
Learn about the hiring process in Canada
Build confidence for job interviews
Discuss job search strategies and problem-solve together
Secure a job more quickly with the help of a mentor.
Mentoring can be an effective and rewarding relationship when both the mentor and mentee understand their roles. To achieve an effective outcome, here are some of the roles and qualities of mentors and mentees.
What are the Skills & Qualities of a Good Mentor?
A good mentor:
Is positive and enthusiastic:
A good mentor is someone who is excited to help you achieve professional success in Canada. They’ll maintain a positive outlook about your existing skills, knowledge, talent, and experience and appreciate what you have to offer.
Advertisement:
Values learning and helping others:
A good mentor is someone who has experience and knowledge that they want to share with you. A mentor doesn’t have to be an expert. Rather they should be able to help you access resources to find the answers to your important questions. In fact, you’ll likely be able to share your knowledge with a mentor as well.
Recognizes your strengths:
You have many strengths, skills, and knowledge that you bring to your profession in Canada. A good mentor will encourage you and believe in your ability to continue and excel in your career in Canada.
Provides feedback:
Providing feedback is an important skill for a mentor. And, providing feedback in a genuine, empathic, and constructive manner can help you to learn, grow, and develop your skills. A good mentor will provide feedback that is specific, honest, and clear. A good mentor will provide feedback to help you with your job search or provide career guidance if you have already landed a job in Canada.
Is understanding:
Often, newcomers are frustrated when it takes longer than expected to find a job in their professional field or trade. If you belong to a regulated profession, it can take time to complete the licensing requirements, and it can also be expensive. A good mentor will understand your frustration while encouraging you to keep moving forward despite the obstacles. A good mentor will recognize your career challenges and empower you to achieve your goals.
Has great listening skills:
A good mentor will listen to you carefully. You may have concerns and issues about your job search and career development in Canada. However, you also have your own ideas about how to overcome obstacles. A good mentor will listen to your concerns so you can jointly create options.
What a Mentor is Not
While a great mentor can provide benefits and guidance it’s also important to understand what a mentor will not do. For example, a mentor will not:
Offer you a job
Have all the answers, or
Provide support unrelated to your career goals.
Their primary role is to share their experience and provide guidance.
What are the Qualities of a Good Mentee?
To ensure a successful mentoring relationship, a great mentee:
Has a professional goal:
With a clear goal in mind, your mentor will be able to help you reach your career goal.
Is open and honest:
To reach meaningful outcomes, it’s important to be open and honest with your mentor. So it’s helpful to share your professional goals, issues, and concerns. When you can openly discuss issues and obstacles, together you can create options and a solid plan of action to jump those career hurdles.
Is committed to the relationship:
Mentors are usually volunteering for a professional association or community-based group. So it’s important to respect their time and effort. For example, it’s helpful when mentees:
prepare for and are punctual for the meeting, and
follow through on commitments after the meeting.
Respects boundaries:
A mentor’s role is to provide you with professional guidance. So it’s best to focus on professional and career-related topics. Also, it’s important to respect their time. For example, you may want to set how and when you can contact your mentor to avoid any misunderstandings.
As well, it’s helpful to set the length of your mentoring relationship. Mentoring relationships can be anywhere from 4 – 12 months depending on the organization.
Is receptive and open to feedback
While a mentor must be able to skillfully provide feedback. it’s equally important that the mentee is open and receptive to feedback. When delivered in a constructive manner, feedback is a gift that can help you to grow both personally and professionally.
The Fundamentals of Mentoring Success
There are key elements that contribute to a successful relationship. Here are some factors to consider to ensure success:
The Mentor & Mentee Match is Compatible:
A successful partnership is based on a great match between the mentor and the mentee. When you connect easily and have a genuine interest in each other, you’ll work together well. The partnership can be formal or informal.
There are Clear Expectations:
Realistic expectations and goals will guide the mentoring partnership in the right direction. A mentor is not there to tell the mentee what to do, but rather to help them along. Mentorship involves more than just devoting a set time period, it requires buy-in and commitment from both sides.
It’s a Two-Way Street:
A strong partnership will flow both ways. Mentees should expect to contribute to the relationship in a meaningful way. In other words, don’t just expect professional advice without giving back. For example, you can share a book title or article that you think your mentor may be interested in. Sharing and exchanging ideas can show that you appreciate their effort and that you are interested in their growth as well. You’ll also have the added advantage of cultivating a great relationship!
Mentorship Goals:
Defining the goals of the mentorship relationship is the key to a successful partnership. Each partner should be accountable for success. Setting goals early in the process can help you achieve concrete outcomes together. A goal can be as simple as: “I’d like to become more confident in job interviews.”
Or, a goal can be to develop a specific skill that would help you to achieve a career goal.
As well, many professional associations provide mentoring programs specific to your career field.
To learn more about associations related to your profession in Canada, check out our Career Pathways articles for more than 20 occupations in Canada. For each occupation, you’ll discover associations and immigrant networks that can help you to find a mentor in Canada.
A successful mentoring relationship can make a big difference in your career life in Canada. And with a strong commitment, you’ll develop and build essential skills, become more confident, and achieve career success. In time. your success may even encourage you to become a mentor to help future newcomers thrive!
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
Self-awareness is the key to unlocking a world of job opportunities and leading you to personal and professional excellence. With an increased understanding of your strengths, areas to improve, and values, you can make well-informed career decisions, navigate challenges, and enhance your self-confidence. Self-awareness can also boost your job search and career success. With self-awareness, you’ll have the confidence you need to influence and persuade employers that you’re the right fit for the job. Also, when you have a clear understanding of your personality, it can help you to define what type of work you find most satisfying.
Self-awareness can also provide you with a clear sense of:
Who you are
What skills you can bring to the job
What type of work do you value, and
Aspects of work that motivate you.
This information is essential to showcase your capabilities and strengths on your resume and in job interviews. As well, when you know your strengths, you can use this information to your advantage to prepare for your job search.
Advertisement:
The best way to approach a job interview in Canada is to know as much as you can about yourself and your work style.
When you complete the free Drake P3 personality assessment, you’ll receive a profile report that measures five fundamental behavioral dimensions:
Dominance
Extroversion
Patience
Conformity
Conscientiousness
With an understanding of these building blocks of your personality, you’ll identify what contributes to your job fit and career success.
What is Job Fit?
Job fit is a measure of what your likes and dislikes in a job and work environment. For example, if you think about a job you held in the past where you were extremely satisfied, you likely had a good job fit. That means that there was a high match between your job likes and the degree to which those elements were present in the job.
With self-awareness, you can identify your preferences, and you can search for jobs that provide those elements. For example, you may prefer jobs that provide a high degree of flexibility and freedom versus jobs that are highly structured. And when there is a great fit, you’ll achieve greater career satisfaction and success!
Advertisement:
Job fit is also important to employers. Employers know that when the job fit is high, you will stay with their company and contribute to its success. It’s a win-win situation for you and the employer!
Canadian Employers Evaluate Four Areas
You may have the right skills, knowledge, education, and experience that the job requires, but lack job fit. With the absence of a job fit, employers will be concerned that you will not enjoy the job and you will leave. This can be costly for employers, so that’s why they focus on evaluating job candidates in four key areas:
Knowledge
2. Competencies
3. Experience, and
4. Job fit (personal attributes and motivators).
Complete the free Drake P3 Assessment® to understand your personal attributes
Self-Awareness: A Critical First Step
When you truly understand your personality and key strengths, you set yourself up for personal and career success. You may have completed a personality assessment in the past. If you have, it’s helpful to pull out your report and review it. Again, this is helpful information to have when you are:
Writing your resume
Preparing a cover letter, or
Getting ready for an important job interview.
If you have not completed a personality assessment, you can complete the Drake P3 Assessment® right now!
Your results from the Drake P3 Assessment® will allow you to know and understand your personality and how you approach your work and colleagues. This is an important first step to achieving career success in Canada.
The assessment process is simple, and you can complete it online in less than 15 minutes.
How Self-Awareness Can Help You in Your Job Search
There are many benefits to having a better understanding of your strengths, and here’s how it can help with your job search efforts:
1. Self-awareness will help you to identify jobs that are a good fit for you.
Some jobs naturally appeal to each of us. And when you truly know yourself, you’ll understand what makes some jobs more attractive than other jobs to you. For example, if you are introverted, you may be more attracted to roles that require less personal interaction. On the other hand, if you identify as extroverted, you’ll likely excel in a job role that requires more interaction with customers, vendors, and other employees.
When you know yourself and your attributes, it can help you to identify roles that will allow you to achieve success. However, you’ll still need to evaluate the role and the company to determine if both are right for you. Each role and company will be unique.
2. Self-awareness will improve your performance in job interviews.
When you know your strengths, you’ll show confidence when responding to questions that speak to job fit. Job fit refers to how well-suited someone is for the position. This is an important aspect that recruiters evaluate because it can reduce costly turnover if someone isn’t suitable for the job. To assess fit, an interviewer may ask: Describe a job you most enjoyed and what you liked about the job.
With self-awareness and a clear understanding of your strengths, you can share elements of the job that aligned with your strengths. For example, someone applying for a sales and marketing role can convey how their strong communication and leadership attributes allowed them to build trusting relationships with clients that led to achieving sales targets. And if these attributes are key components of the job, an interviewer will have greater confidence in their ability and fit for the role.
3. Self-awareness will help you to develop more quickly on the job.
With self-awareness of your strengths and motivators, you can focus on your strengths to accelerate your career development. Self-awareness is less about fixing flaws, rather it’s about knowing and playing to your strengths. However, if you have a weakness in an area that is critical to the job role, this will likely lead to job dissatisfaction and lower performance. Again, understanding your strengths will allow you to do your best work with confidence and authenticity.
Increasing Your Self-Awareness
When you complete a personality assessment, you’ll understand your dominant personality strengths and be able to harness them to achieve job search and career success in Canada. It’s an essential first step to unleashing a world of opportunity in both your professional and personal growth and development.
For more information, tools, and resources related to finding a job in Canada visit our resource page today!
Corinna Frattini is the content marketing strategist at Prepare for Canada and contributes articles related to working in Canada. With a background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
