Finding a job in Quebec is more than just sending out résumés. The labour market has its own cultural codes.
The Quebec résumé
No photo (ever). No personal information (age, marital status, nationality, religion). Maximum 2 pages. Structure: professional profile, key skills, experience (most recent first), education, languages. Tailor each résumé to each job posting.
The interview: tell a story
Behavioural questions are common. STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Prepare 5-6 concrete examples. Watch out for the cultural trap: in Quebec, an interview is not the time to be modest. Say "I accomplished" rather than "we did".
Networking: your secret weapon
60-80% of positions are filled without being posted. LinkedIn in French, networking events, CARI activities, volunteering in your field, informational coffees.
Where to look
Emploi Québec, Indeed.ca, LinkedIn Jobs, Jobboom, placement agencies (Randstad, Adecco, Robert Half), specialized sites.
Your first Canadian experience
Accept a related position even below your level, do professional volunteering, explore wage subsidy programs through Emploi-Québec, participate in mentorship programs.
Labour standards
40-hour work week, 2 weeks vacation after 1 year. After 2 years of continuous service, you can contest a dismissal made without just and sufficient cause. But from day one, you're protected against dismissal for a reason prohibited by law (for example because you claimed your wages or took a leave).
