Researching your occupation will help you learn about job opportunities and find the job that is right for you.

Job Titles and Job Descriptions

Follow these four steps before you begin looking for a job in Canada:

1. identify the name of your occupation in Canada;
2. determine if your occupation is regulated or non-regulated;
3. research the prospects and opportunities for your occupation in different parts of Canada; and
4. research potential settlement locations in Canada.

Step 1) What is the name of my occupation in Canada?

In China, my occupation was called Engineer. Am I an Engineer in Canada?

Job titles and descriptions are not universal. What your occupation was called in your home country may be different than what it is called in Canada. Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to classify the over two million job titles in its labour market.

The Working in Canada Tool can help you find the name and a description of your occupation in the NOC system. The Tool will tell you what the main tasks of your occupation are and what skills are needed.

Step 2) Is my occupation regulated or non-regulated?

What does regulated mean?

There are two types of jobs in Canada: regulated occupations; and non-regulated occupations.

Jobs that are regulated require you to have a licence before you can begin work. In Canada, some provinces and territories regulate certain occupations and trades while others do not. Some regulated occupations are nurses, engineers, and physicians.

Are the requirements to be a teacher the same in Toronto and Vancouver?

Each Canadian province and territory has its own standards, laws and requirements for jobs. This means that the requirements to be a teacher may be different in Toronto and Vancouver because these cities are in different provinces. With a specific city or region in mind, you can focus your job search on the specific standards, job opportunities and working conditions in that location.

For more information, please consult the Occupations in Canada section.

What does non-regulated mean?

You do not need a licence to work in a non-regulated occupation. These occupations range from entry level to management level. The majority of jobs in Canada are non-regulated.

The non-regulated job market is an excellent place to begin your career in Canada.

For more information, please consult the Occupations in Canada section.

Step 3) What are the prospects and opportunities for my occupation in different parts of Canada?

The Labour Market Information in the Working in Canada Tool can help you make an informed decision about your future. Through the tool, you will learn:

• average hourly salary rates for an occupation in a given location; this information can be compared to other locations;
• what jobs are currently available (as reported in Canada's National Job Bank);
• lists of potential employers;
• what the prospects for your occupation are; and
• which associations and unions are related to the field.

This information can help you decide where to live and find a job.

Step 4) How do I find more information on communities?

You can visit the Choosing a Place to Live and Work or the Provinces and Territories section of the Going to Canada Web site for more information.