3 Unique Ways International Students Can Get Help Finding Part-Time Jobs in Canada
Updated: Mar 3, 2021
Canada has a strong reputation for providing excellent education. As a result, thousands of people come to study here, from all parts of the world. While completing your studies, you might want to get a part-time job, to financially support yourself. However, landing a part-time job can be more difficult than it appears. Thankfully, there are plenty of support services available to make this transition easier. Let’s take a closer look at three of the methods that you can use to find part-time jobs in Canada as an international student.
1. Access The Programs Available Through Universities & Colleges
Many institutions have extensive program offerings to help students attain employment during their studies. This can range from helping you to create a resume that’s sure to grab the attention of an employer and potentially land a job that can help you gain practical work experience. They might be able to do this by helping you find places that you can volunteer with or even apply for, as a candidate. In other cases, they can structure their courses to help you meet professionals in your field, helping you grow your list of contacts.
For example, Algonquin College provide career readiness support and resources to help students with their job search. You can speak to their advisors to learn how to increase your employability skills and make meaningful connections with employers. Algonquin College also provides full-time, part-time, and summer employment opportunities in a variety of industries and career fields for their students and notifies you about any job fairs, job vacancies, networking events, and employer information sessions on their Upcoming Events/Workshops Calendar. You can also meet with their employment officers for support with your job search including:
Targeted resume and cover letter reviews
Interview skills and mock interviews
Job search coaching and strategies
Labour market information and trends
LinkedIn profile advising and use
For more information checkout:
https://www.algonquincollege.com/employment/
You can also register for a free virtual information session for international students which will help answer all your questions and guide you through information on applications, programs and support services. Click the image below to register.
Another great way institutions can help students get part time jobs is by running events, such as job fairs. This can present a great opportunity to meet dozens of employers and find out what they are looking for. If you show that you are interested and approach opportunities strategically, many will be willing to give you a part time job to help you gain more experience. Attending a job fair can be a great way to get a better understanding of the Canadian job market. The services offered will vary by institution. As a result, you might want to get in touch with your institution to find out what programs that they have to offer. Best part of it all, it’s free!
2. International Student Recruiting & Training Agencies in Canada
Often one of the most difficult elements of finding a part-time job is not knowing where to look for assistance. The best place to start your search is by looking at listings online. There will often be several job search sites for you to explore – Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, Kijiji etc. Many universities & colleges will offer a job board, where you’ll be able to see jobs posted by local employers or even the institution itself. You should also talk to student recruitment agencies in your area. They will be able to talk to you about what type of employment you are looking for and connect you with employers in the area on your behalf, telling them about the skills you can offer them. This can make it easier for you to get an interview if you prove to be a solid candidate!
There are dozens of student recruitment agencies around Canada. Many of these specialize in providing part time jobs in Canada for students. Often, these will be close to your institutions. In some cases, you might be able to find flyers for their services on campus. In other cases, they might come to the Job Fairs. Two of the most prominent options are Talent Egg and Youth Employment Services. If you still don’t know how to find a recruitment agency, talk to your university or college. They’ll often be able to refer to a few agencies. As there will often be many options to choose from, don’t be afraid to move to a new agency if your existing one is no longer working for you.
3. Researching Job Hunting Techniques Online
While it can help to make sure that you are using some of the tools available, through your university or recruitment agency. However, it’s still important to invest in building job hunting skills yourself. There are dozens of ways that you’ll be able to do this.
First, you might want to watch some YouTube videos from those in the job-hunting niche. This can be a great way to learn more about how to find a part-time job. For example, you might be able to do some research on what are the trending skills employers are looking for based on your niche and they might also be able to give you some tips on how to format your resume to make sure that it stands out. These channels might also be able to discuss some techniques that you can use to master interviews, leaving a good impression with the interviewer. Some of the best Youtubers to follow are Professor Heather Austin and Linda Raynier.
It might also help to read some books about job hunting, such as What Color Is My Parachute. Generally, they will contain a wealth of information that you can use to land a job. They will also contain some advice about work-life balance, which will help you balance your studies, work commitments, and social life.
But most importantly keep in mind to not get too stuck with the job searching process, make sure to take action. Frequency results to success. The more jobs you apply for, the higher the chances you have to land an interview!
Working In Canada
Once you’ve found a part-time job, there are some things that you might need to know about working in Canada. First, you might want to check your visa requirements. This will set out whether you will be able to work while you’re in Canada. In most cases, though, you should be able to have a part-time job while you are studying. However, there might be a few conditions about the places where you will be able to work. For example, your visa might state that you will only be allowed to work 20hrs/week or full time during semester breaks.
You’ll also need to apply for a Social Insurance Number, you can either do this online, through the mail or in-person. This will make sure that you can access government benefits. Only you will be able to use this number. You’ll need to make sure that you keep this document safe.
Conclusion
Living and studying in Canada can be an amazing experience. This can be a great way to gain some work experience before heading into the workforce. As we’ve seen, there are a few ways that you’ll be able to make landing a job easier. So, use these tips to land your first part-time job as an international student in Canada. Best wishes!
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