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No Canadian Experience =
You dont have the right soft skills!
Introduction
There is a term youll start to hear quite often now that youre in Canada soft skills. What does
this term mean? Well, to help define it, lets first look at the term with the opposite meaning hard
skills.
Hard skills are all the technical know-how, credentials and experience you have in your field of
expertise. For example, if youre a chef, your hard skills are your cooking skills, know-how with
kitchen equipment and so on. An employer looking for an experienced chef will want to know
candidates abilities in the kitchen, where they studied and trained, and so on.
So what would the chefs soft skills be? They are all the intangible qualities that arent as
quantifiable. For example, how does the chef work in a team? Does he/she have good leadership
skills? Is he/she organized, dependable, punctual, friendly? When we are talking about immigrant
soft skills, perhaps the most important question is can he/she communicate well in English!
Unfortunately, many immigrants dont fully understand or want to accept the importance of soft skills
in getting ahead in Canada.
Skilled immigrants are let into Canada on the basis of their technical skills and often focus on
improving these technical skills after landing to help them get a job in Canada. So many are shocked
when they are told they didnt get the job. And they are confused by the reason they are given: You
have no Canadian experience.
What exactly does this mean? It is actually a vague way of employers saying: you lack the soft skills
I am looking for in an employee. It is often said that hard skills will get you an interview, but you need
soft skills to get (and then keep) the job. That applies to non-immigrants as well, but its even more
critical for newcomers to understand since soft skills tend to be culturally specific. Have you heard
the expression the right fit? Employers want to hire employees who will fit in to the workplace.
And thats what soft skills can help you do.
The job interview process in Canada is, in fact, mostly about determining these soft skills. The
employer has already determined you have the necessary technical skills to land the interview.
The remainder of the interview process is about determining whether you will be a good fit for the
organization.
9 Soft Skills is a copyright of the Nick Noorani Business Group
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Soft skills are the interpersonal, communication, behavioural and organizational skills that cross all
types of jobs and industries. Employers are looking whether you can get along with others, deal with
conflict and handle yourself professionally.
Soft skills encompass a wide spectrum of traits, including being self-aware, trustworthy,
conscientious, adaptable. They are also made up of abilities like critical thinking, attitude, initiative,
empathy, confidence, integrity, likeability, risk-taking, influence, problem solving, conflict resolution,
handling criticism, time management, leadership, organizational awareness and so on.
Soft Skills
Technical Skills
10%
90%
60%
40%
Think to yourself a moment about whether youve ever worked with someone in your homeland who
has been difficult, hard to communicate with and lacked the ability to work as a team? Even if they
were great at what they do, how did their attitude affect the workplace?
So, the next question is, now that youre in Canada, are you willing to accept that not only are soft
skills highly valued here, but the types of soft skills here may be different than in your country of
origin? Are you the type of newcomer who will cling to the ways of your homeland and be resistant
to change, or are you willing to leave old habits behind and embrace the Canadian norms?
If youre ready to take on the soft skills challenge, lets begin with the 9 Soft Skills No Immigrant
Should Be Without!
9 Soft Skills is a copyright of the Nick Noorani Business Group
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1. Communication Skills
2. Local Language
3. Presentation Skills
4. Small Talk
5. Leadership and Initiative
6. Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
7. Accepting Constructive Criticism
8. Flexibility
9. Business Etiquette
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Verbal Communication
Verbal or oral communication skills are critical, whether delivered in person or over the phone. Many
immigrants rely on the same level of language skill they had in their home country, but its important
to keep improving your skills.
If you feel that your English skills are not sufficient, invest in yourself by enrolling in classes to boost
your grammar and vocabulary. And go beyond the basic English you will learn through governmentfunded ESL classes; many colleges and schools offer advanced English or business communication
classes, helping you with both verbal and written English.
There are small strategies you can perform daily, too, such as:
listen to English radio or watching TV
read magazines
watch your Canadian colleagues closely and adapt your skills accordingly
practise with friends or family
give a mock speech
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Listening can be equally important. In a corporate environment, you will be asked to be present at
meetings, and listening here is very important. Follow these listening techniques:
be an active listener by nodding and smiling at appropriate times
jot down key points and show youre engaged
dont interrupt; let the speaker finish
Non-verbal Cues
Another part of communication is non-verbal. Body language differs from culture to culture. In some
cultures, its not as common to smile and make direct eye contact as is the norm in Canada, but if
you dont adapt to such practices, you may give off the wrong impression.
Dos
Donts
Interrogate or preach
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07
08
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Step Up to Success!
Youve made one of the biggest decisions of your life - the decision to
immigrate and come to Canada. Now, Prepare for Canada wants to help
you succeed in this exciting new chapter of your life. We have created and
designed this website with you, the immigrant, in mind; we want to help
you before you come to Canada and after you land. Think of us as your
friend and mentor in your Canadian journey!
Visit us at www.prepareforcanada.com
9 Soft Skills is a copyright of the Nick Noorani Business Group