Work in Canada as a Customer Service Agent

Did you know that customer service representatives are at the top spot for in-demand jobs for 2021? This puts the occupation at the top for two years running. Even through COVID-19 and technology constantly advancing, there seems to be no slowing down for this occupation.

Learn how you can earn a competitive salary and work in Canada as a customer service representative.

Top Programs to Work in Canada

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) would be one of the best programs to go through if you’re looking to work in Canada within a specific career field or occupation. There are over 80 different Provincial Nominee Programs in Canada, all you need to do is find the program that best suits you.

How can I apply for a PNP?

You have two options when applying for a PNP. You could either apply via the Express Entry system or directly to a province or territory of your choice.

1. Express Entry Process – with this option there are two ways of applying. You can express your interest in a province through your Express Entry profile. This allows the province to choose you directly from the pool if you’re what they’re looking for. The other option is to apply to a Provincial Nominee Express Entry Stream.
2. Direct Application Process – this option means you’ll need to submit a paper application either through the mail or by courier. Please note that this route does take longer as the process can take between 15 to 19 months.

To increase your chances of working in Canada, you should apply to provinces or territories where your job is in demand. In this case, apply to provinces that need customer service representatives. Below are a few provinces and territories where the occupation is in demand:

• Newfoundland & Labrador
• Prince Edward Island
• British Columbia

Express Entry is a great immigration pathway to take if you want to work in Canada as a customer service representative and you don’t have a job offer yet. If successful you could move to Canada as a permanent resident, on your own or with your family.

How do I apply for Express Entry

1. Check that you’re eligible

You can find out if you’re eligible either by answering a few questions or by reading the detailed requirements for each program.

2. Submit your profile

Your profile requires documents such as proof of funds, medical exams, language results, a job offer if you have one and other additional documents. Please note that you’ll need to be truthful in your profile as you will be asked to submit proof.

Be sure to submit your profile as soon as you can, as you’ll only have 60 days. There is also a tie-breaking rule, the rules state that if more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles. This means that the sooner you submit your profile, the better your success rate is.

3. Receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA)

In the Express Entry pool, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score is calculated by factors such as your skills, education and language ability, amongst many others.

To obtain an ITA you’ll need to meet or exceed the qualifying score for a particular draw. When you receive an ITA it means you have the opportunity to apply for Canadian permanent residency. An advantage of Express Entry is that the draw happens as frequently as every two weeks.

Express Entry Facts

• If you don’t receive an ITA the first time around, your profile will remain in the pool for one year.
• Your CRS score isn’t final, there are several ways to improve your score while waiting for the next draw.
• The processing standard for applications sourced via Express Entry is 6 months for 80% of cases.
• Securing a nomination almost guarantees an ITA because a nomination secures 600 points. That’s half of the total CRS score achievable.

What are the duties and responsibilities of a customer service representative in Canada?

The NOC code for a customer service representative is 6552. Duties for this occupation include answering enquiries and providing information regarding an establishment’s goods, services and policies, providing customer services such as receiving payments and processing requests for services.

You can be employed by Canadian companies such as retail establishments, call centres, insurance, telephone and utility companies and other establishments throughout the private and public sectors.

Here are some of the daily tasks of a customer service representative:

• Offering assistance to customers to ensure they find the right product or service;
• Communicating with customers by email, phone, and face-to-face;
• Investigating and solving customer problems;
• Learning about your company’s products or services and remaining up to date with any changes;
• Refer customers to senior staff when necessary;
• Meeting with management to discuss possible improvements to the company’s customer service; and
• Creating a new feedback procedure for clients or improving upon the existing model

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required;
• Completion of some college or other post-secondary programs may be required; and
• Clerical or sales experience may be required.

What is the salary of a customer service representative in Canada?

Customer Service Representative Salary in Canada
Province	Average Salary
Alberta	$62,221
British Columbia	$61,695
Manitoba	$51,136
New Brunswick	$50,903
Newfoundland and Labrador	$48,564
Nova Scotia	$53,040
Ontario	$58,009
Prince Edward Island	$52,907
Saskatchewan	$62,655

Top Benefits of Working in Canada as a Foreigner

1. Working in a first-world country

Canada has the tenth-largest economy in the world which plays a role in making the country one of the wealthiest with a high quality of life to offer the people living in Canada.

It also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. Together this creates a great environment to live and work in as a foreign national.

2. Great employee benefits

When you’re working and receiving more than just your salary at the end of the month, then you’re in a good place. Canadian employers offer many working benefits to their employees.

If you’re working in Canada for longer than six months it’s possible to receive free medical care in Canada. Not only that but you’ll receive pension plans and workplace insurance, which allows you to receive a stipend every month if you’ve hurt yourself on the job.

Did you know that both parents are able to take leave when the baby is born? Canada’s maternity and parental benefits offer financial assistance to parents when they’re away from work.

3. Competitive salaries

Canada is one of the top countries when it comes to paying high salaries, even passing salaries in the United States. The median salary for a customer service representative in the United States is $34,710 whereas Canada’s lowest median salary in Nova Scotia is $53,040.

4. Obtaining permanent residency

Once you’re in Canada you won’t want to leave. Well, we’ve got great news, you won’t have to! You can apply for Canadian permanent residency via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

The CEC is designed for foreigners who have Canadian work experience and want to live and work in Canada permanently.

The great advantage of you applying for the CEC is that you won’t have to show any proof of funds as a requirement. This is because you’ll already be settled into the lifestyle of Canada and have the support you’ll need.

Work in Canada as a customer service representative and you could qualify for all of the above benefits. See if you qualify today!