Today’s content is intended for clients who have a basic knowledge of TEER and NOC codes. If you need to understand the basics, I am happy to share my selection method.

The principle in identifying your TEER and NOC code is simple: you classify the work actually performed, not the title on your business card.

The occupation code sits underneath every economic immigration file. The aim is not a code that looks good on paper, but a code you can stand behind when an officer tests it against the evidence.

For example, a small team “sales manager” who carries no real management responsibility usually lands in a supervisory or specialized TEER, not TEER 0.

So the magic starts with taking your actual day to day tasks, searching them on noc.esdc.gc.ca, and pulling the two or three unit groups that plausibly fit. Then apply IRCC’s actual matching test: read the lead statement first, then the main duties. IRCC’s standard is that the applicant must have performed the actions described in the lead statement and a substantial number of the main duties. If the lead statement does not satisfy, the code is wrong no matter how many bullet points match.

The claimed NOC also has to be supported by what the employer will actually put in writing and confirm. If the reference letter can’t carry those duties, or the employer won’t attest to them, the code doesn’t hold. Align the letter to the NOC duty language, but don’t paste the NOC verbatim. Officers recognize boilerplate that mirrors the classification word for word and may read it skeptically.

Multi employer histories get one classification per role, and for Express Entry you then name a single primary occupation, which needn’t be the most recent one.

But be careful here. 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀. An officer may look beyond the job title and reference letter and assess whether your education, training, certifications and previous work history make sense with the occupation you are claiming.