One of the advantages of working with graphic design, social media, marketing, and communication in general, is being able to work from anywhere in the world. Many people have chosen to be digital nomads, and some countries have even adopted a new visa modality for these candidates.

Additionally, there are people who want to establish themselves in another country, with Canada being a great option due to its quality of life, public health care, better purchasing power, and the opportunity to develop their lives and families in one of the G7 countries with a strong economy.

Since social media work is not a regulated profession, it is possible to work in this area even without specific training. However, your portfolio and experience will count a lot in the interview.

See below for some tips on how to work as a Designer and Social Media professional in Canada

Can I get a job in Canada while still in my home country?

I won’t say it’s impossible, but it is really challenging to get a job in social media, marketing, or graphic design in Canada while in your home country. In general, professionals who are already in the country, international students, or even spouses of international students, are able to fill the positions advertised here.

LMIA for Design, Social Media, and Marketing jobs in Canada

LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) is one of the processes that a Canadian company can go through to hire an international worker. In this process, the employer proves to the government that they are unable to fill the position with Canadians, hence the need to hire from outside the country.

You may have visited the Job Bank website and noticed some job openings with LMIA in process or even approved for communication and marketing opportunities. But there are cases where companies are in the process of LMIA for a professional who is already on their team. Due to the bureaucratic process of an LMIA, the company needs to advertise the position for a long period. This may be the reason why you apply for positions on the Job Bank and receive no response.

How to get a job in social media, marketing, or graphic design in Canada

• Have a good portfolio with real and/or experimental projects. Your portfolio can be published on a platform or even on a personal website.

• Organize your resume in the Canadian format and clearly describe your skills on the first page.

• Having experience in a Canadian company will put you ahead of candidates who have not yet had an opportunity in the country.

• Participating in volunteer projects can be a great option to start and demonstrate Canadian experience.

In summary, being in Canada with a work permit will be the best option for you to get a job in the design, social media, or marketing field. The strategy may vary from person to person. If you are single, perhaps studying in Canada while being able to work for 20 hours could be a good path. Maybe during your PGWP period, it will be easier, as you can work full-time. Being the spouse of an international student and having a full-time work permit can also be an option, after all, you will be able to work more hours than a student right from the start.

Are you already working in your field here in Canada? Share your opinion or question in the comments.