Searching for a job in Canada: How not to fall for scammers

Employment in Canada is one of the most reliable ways to immigrate, but foreign job seekers often give money to scammers in an attempt to get a coveted job offer. Data from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre shows that in 2021 there were more than 68,000 cases of fraud and victims lost up to $231 million CAD cumulatively. That's double the figure for 2020.

How to avoid fraud

First and foremost, job seekers should remember a simple rule: if you think a job posting is too good to be true, it probably isn't. In addition, there are several signs by which you can spot scammers:

• you have received a job offer for a position you did not apply for or from a company you did not send your resume to;
• you are offered a high salary and unclear terms, because of which it seems that anyone is suitable (for example, people older than 18 years without work experience are required);
• the email is sent from a suspicious address or from free domains (such as gmail) — it is more likely that the company will have its own domain name in the email address;
• there is no contact information in the letter;
• you are asked to pay for the paperwork or for the job offer — remember that all costs associated with hiring a foreign employee are legally required to be paid by the employer.

If you need help finding a job and you are already in Canada, you should use the services provided by your municipality or province. If you are an international student, you can contact your university.

Canada also has government online resources designed to help you find a job. Immigration and Citizenship Canada provides these services to foreigners, whether the job seeker is in Canada or back home. You can find information on the Ministry's website.

If you are looking for a job on your own, however, it is advisable to send resumes and cover letters directly to companies through their official websites, as well as to look for information about employers who post vacancies.