Canada Finance Job Opportunities for Undergraduates

Undergraduates can consider the following pointers to get finance jobs in Canada

• Internships: One of the easiest ways to gain an edge over others in entry level jobs is to do an internship. Several financial institutions offer training to students that equips them with sound practical knowledge. During internships, you will not be doing the core job, but get learning experience and build a network. Additionally, you will get paid for doing simple tasks. So, start early before the positions get filled.

• Obtain Diversified Experience: Instead of doing all the internships in equity trading, diversify your experience. Consider doing an internship in bonds, one in fixed income and another in portfolio management. This will not only enhance your résumé, but also improve your confidence and awareness.

• Gain Financial Knowledge: Broaden your knowledge horizon by reading finance magazines and books that are not a part of your course. Stay abreast of the latest financial news and updates on the world economy, through websites, such as EconomyWatch.com. It is crucial to improve your financial vocabulary by reading tutorials from such financial websites.

Once you graduate, you can also consider studying further. Appearing for competitive exams, such as the Canadian Securities Course Exam, puts you in a better position to get a lucrative finance job in Canada. You can apply for positions such as that of a broker or underwriter. You can work with banks, financial services institutions, investment or insurance companies. One can also opt for stock brokerage in a corporation.

The government of Canada has taken a number of steps to encourage skilled manpower to settle in Canada and leverage on the rising number of university students. This has enabled international students to easily apply for higher studies in the country and later on get a part-time or full-time job in the country. However, non-citizens are required to obtain a work permit to get employment in Canada. Job seekers should not provide their credit card number, banks account or driver’s license in their résumé.

Canada Banking Job Opportunities

The 2008 economic meltdown strongly impacted Canada banking jobs. It was quite visible with big shots like National City Corp and Wachovia Corp going bust. Moreover, Citigroup posted losses of $23 billion on bad bond bets. However, the impact of the recession started retreating by mid-2009, bringing new hopes for job seekers in Canadian banks.

The following are the top five banking institutions in Canada:

The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC): Founded in 1864, RBC in the biggest Canadian bank in terms of market capitalization, deposits and revenues. The bank is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, and has over 80,000 employees globally. Due to its broad array of business activities, many jobs are available in administrative, audit, sales, customer service, IT and risk management. A majority of the vacancies exist in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

The Toronto-Dominion Bank: This bank was launched in 1955, as a result of the merger of the Dominion Bank and the Bank of Toronto. In terms of deposits and market capitalization, it is the second largest bank in Canada. There are more than 1,100 branches of the Toronto-Dominion Bank in Canada. The bank has over 74,000 employees worldwide. Those interested in working with the bank can enquire at the bank’s official website for the most recent updates regarding Canada banking jobs.

The Bank of Nova Scotia: Started in 1832, the Bank of Nova Scotia is headquartered in Toronto. More than 57,000 people are employed by the bank at various positions. A majority of the jobs available can be found at Ontario, Montreal and Quebec.

The Bank of Montreal: Incepted in 1817, this is the oldest bank in Canada and operates under the name of BMO Bank of Montreal. There are over 900 branches of the bank in Canada, with 36,000 employees (2008) worldwide. A number of jobs are available in various categories, such as direct banking manager, customer service representative, project coordinator and financial analyst.

The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce: Founded in 1867, the bank has its headquarters in Toronto, Ontario. Its workforce of 40,000 globally vouches for its widespread operations. Currently, there are vacancies at Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver and many other branches. One can apply for IT, sales, customer service, mortgages and portfolio management.

Canada banking jobs can be found with other banks in the nation as well. A search on the internet as well as newspaper advertisements regarding vacancies will help narrow down the search for suitable banking jobs in Canada.