Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Work in Ottawa?

  'Work in Ottawa' is a talent program from Ottawa's economic development organization 'Invest Ottawa'. 

  As a city-funded program, we promote Ottawa's tech employers and support talent looking to work in Canada's capital. As part of this initiative we partner with Ottawa based tech employers who can post jobs on our job board and reach out to jobseekers in our talent pool. 

• What happens after I submit my application?

  After you apply directly to a role, the hiring manager will review your profile. If selected for an interview, they will contact you directly. 

  If you are in our talent pool, your profile may be automatically suggested for matching roles, and hiring managers can search for your resume based on your skills and experience.

• What happens after I submit my profile in your talent pool?

  If you apply to a role directly on the Work in Ottawa site, only the employer listed in the job description can view your profile. However, if you join our talent pool, several Ottawa-based tech employers will have access to your profile. While we strive to maintain your privacy, we cannot guarantee that your current employer will not see your profile if they are a part of our network. You can remove your profile from the talent pool at any time.

• Do you use AI in your application process?

  We use Co-pilot integrations to screen resumes, recommend job seekers for certain job opportunities, and to automate certain communication processes. If you have any questions about our use of AI, please reach out to our team at talentteam@investottawa.ca

• Who can see my profile?

  We are partnered with several Ottawa tech employers who have access to the profiles in our talent pool. Please note that we cannot guarantee that your current employer in Ottawa won't see your profile if you join the talent pool.

• What is a security clearance, and do I need one?

  A security clearance is a tiered status required for individuals working in Canadian government roles or organizations handling sensitive national security information. The process of obtaining a clearance requires a background check which examines information like your criminal record and credit history to ensure you demonstration suitability to access and protect classified information. For roles requiring a clearance, an employer will often help guide you through the process and status must be obtained before starting a role. Note: Some employers have their own security clearance processes. (EG. RCMP, CBSA, DND)

  Not all positions represented by the Work in Ottawa program require a security clearance, so don't worry if you don't have one. For more details on security clearances, please visit the Government of Canada website.