Hannah Vickars, Employment consultant with Build ON
Hello again readers! Thank you for taking the time to read our newest blog entry. Today we will be focusing on Canadian Workplace Culture and how to best integrate yourself into the Canadian workplace. Oftentimes we underestimate some of the differences between cultures, and many of these differences are subtle and not easy to observe. This blog entry will cover some ‘food for thought’ when entering a new workplace in order to ensure a smooth transition. We also have a webinar on the same topic, which you can access here.
Communication
When learning about Canadian culture in the workplace, one thing that is important to understand is the difference between someone’s intention and the way it is perceived. Intention is the motivation behind an action, whereas perception is how a symbol or behaviour is understood within a cultural context. Every culture is unique and the intention behind an action and how it is perceived can be very different depending on where you are in the world. It is therefore important to understand the cultural context of your new workplace in order to make and develop relationships.
Organizational Culture & Values
One of the most important things when starting in a new workplace is to understand the organization’s values and organizational culture. Every workplace has a different culture and work environment, and this is important to observe when first starting. You can also find out this information by doing some research on the company and thoroughly reading their website. Oftentimes a company will list their values and mission online; these are great indicators of what kind of atmosphere you can expect. This can help determine if they are a good fit for you, and to prepare yourself for when you start working.
Hard skills vs. soft skills
Both hard and soft skills are valued in the Canadian workplace – but what exactly do we mean by this? The Balance explains that hard skills are the “teachable abilities or skill sets that are easy to quantify” and that soft skills are “also known as ‘people skills’ or ‘interpersonal skills’”. Both hard and soft skills are valued in the Canadian workplace. When hiring, employers often place 40% emphasis on a candidate’s hard skills and 60% on their soft skills. Canadian workplaces put a lot of emphasis on soft skills for a number of reasons. The Canadian work environment is very team oriented and the work structure is “flatter” than most. This means that there is less importance put on hierarchy; your supervisor or manager is more of a “coach” than a “boss”.
Now, what exactly are the soft skills that employers look for? Punctuality and time management is highly valued in the Canadian workplace. It is a way to demonstrate respect for your coworkers’ time, and shows that you are organized and actively engaged in the work at hand. Another important soft skill is your communication skills. This involves both verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication involves being able to properly explain yourself, using specific terminology for your field, using polite and respectful language and listening with attention and asking questions when speaking to someone. Non-verbal communication involves demonstrating respect for others’ personal space, maintaining eye contact, smiling and nodding, giving a strong and confident handshake and being aware of your body language.
A final important soft skill in the workplace is being open towards others. This is relevant because Canada is a multicultural society and you will have to interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. As a Canadian worker it is important to be open to difference and to not judge others. Diversity is a Canadian value, and as such, Canadian workplaces strive to be culturally diverse environments. These are just some of the soft skills that Canadian employers look for when hiring!
Take Home Tips
In conclusion, while having the hard skills and relevant qualifications is necessary for a job, it is also important to be aware that Canadian employers are looking for communication and interpersonal skills above all else. Check out the following tips to guide you on this new Canadian journey:
- When starting a new job, it is best to be reserved and professional until you get a feel for what is “normal” in your workplace
- A firm handshake is common practice when first meeting an employer, new business associate or co-workers. Both men and women greet with a handshake
- In conversation, direct eye contact shows that you are interested and paying attention. People who avoid eye contact may be considered unfriendly or lacking in confidence. When taking to someone, looking them directly in the eye is respectful, but be careful not to stare
- Pay attention to your body language and tone of voice. Body positioning such as slouching, crossed arms or fidgeting can give the wrong impression that you are bored or angry
- Become familiar with your company’s dress code and make sure to avoid wearing any perfume or cologne
- Don’t use you native language when in a group of people of other nationalities as this may come across as impolite
- Don’t stereotype people and make sure to treat everyone with equal respect.
Culture is a broad topic that influences every aspect of our life, including the workplace as we have learned today. It is an evolving topic and it is important to understand as a newcomer to Canada. At Build ON we can help you prepare for this, and in many other areas such as labour market information, job search strategies, interview preparation, resume writing and much more.
We encourage you to register for our services today, and meet with an employment consultant to jumpstart your preparation for Canada. After registration, please visit our website for information about our upcoming webinars and to visit the great workshops available.