Student work options in Canada

After you begin your degree programme, you can work both on and off-campus. As an international student, you are allowed to work under the following conditions:

• part-time (up to 20 hours/week) during semesters
• full-time (40 hours/week) during holidays

You can also apply for an internship or you can add a special light to your CV by volunteering.

These options can be easy to reach even for an international student, thanks to a large number of support programmes that the state of Canada has. The most widespread of them is the Youth Employment Strategy, which focuses on three streams: Skills Link, Career Focus and Canada Summer Jobs.

In the third quarter of 2017, 468,000 job vacancies reported by the Canadian businesses. It is up to +15.1% from the third quarter of 2016. This shows that job opportunities in Canada are increasing each year. If you study in Canada particularly in the field of Information Technology, Engineering, Science and Mathematics, you are more likely to get a high paying return.

In comparison to the last year in the same quarter, the job opportunities have now increased in nine provinces, with Quebec and British Columbia being the leaders. The number of job vacancies in Alberta rose by 9,400 (+21.3%) in the third quarter whereas Newfoundland and Labrador reported 500 fewer vacancies. But to look at the overall Canadian economy, it has an uncertain outlook as it is currently an employer’s market.   

How to get jobs in Canada for international students

In Canada, a large number of job opportunities are never advertised in newspapers or on the Internet. So, how can one search for a rewarding job being an international student?

• Company’s websites: Apart from writing your CV, cover letter and preparing for the interviews, check out the websites for career opportunities.
• Referral: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) survey regarding recruitments indicates that 76% of employers rely on employee referrals as a recruitment strategy.  
• Social platforms: LinkedIn is a fast-growing social media tool. Employers and recruiters are using this tool everyday to source employees. You can set up your resume online and network there. 

Probability of getting a job in Canada for an international student

The number of international students in Canada is increasing at all levels of education. It is very important for foreign students to know about the potential opportunities there. To get experience in Canada, gaining experience of at least a year will be helpful to get integrated into the Canadian job market.  

‘My dream is to be a network administrator; I am still searching for that’. Navpreet Singh is an international student alumnus of the University of Windsor. Even after three years of graduating, he was facing challenges finding the job he wants.  

It is important for international students to understand that Universities cannot promise them jobs. They need to work hard in the right direction to find a suitable one for themselves.

Jobs for international students in Canada after secondary school

There may be chances that you may not find a job in your field of study, but may benefit from a well-paid opportunity in Canada. Some of the most promising jobs in Canada for international students are given below:

• Bookkeeper: 25 CAD/hour
• Educational interpreter: 13 CAD/hour
• Customer service assistant: 11 CAD/hour
• Aquarium interpreter: 13 CAD/hour
• Sales assistant: 12 CAD/hour
• Cook: 13 CAD/hour
• Office assistant: 13 – 15 CAD/hour
• Human resources assistant: 13 CAD/hour
• Lifeguard: 12 CAD/hour

Summer jobs for students in Canada

• Painter: 13 CAD/hour
• Festival coordinator: 10 CAD/hour
• Camp counsellor: 12 CAD/hour
• Programme facilitator: 13 CAD/hour
• Recreation facilitator: 15 CAD/hour
• Reading program leader: 14 CAD/hour
• Entertainment activities coordinator: 15 CAD/hour
• Baker: 11 – 22 CAD/month

Jobs in Canada for international graduates

A lot of international students are likely to stay after graduation as permanent residents. Also, many international students studying in the US also now look up to working in Canada as a good option. To work in Canada, an international student must have a job offer from a Canadian company. For this, it is important for an international to first identify which industries want them. Given below are some job news in Canada for international graduates:

• Canada’s federal government will allow an additional 500 immigrants to settle in Atlantic Canada through a pilot program. The program allows employers to fill labor needs in the public administration industry by offering jobs to newcomers or recently graduated international students.
• An Irving Shipbuilding program to train Indigenous students as metal fabricators are expected to soon result in the hiring of 12 graduates at the Halifax Shipyard. Irving is currently running similar programs for women and African Nova Scotians in Manufacturing industry.

Off campus jobs in Canada for international students

Apart from these, as an international graduate, you may also work off-campus. You can work up to 20 hours per week if the work is during regular school sessions.

To work off campus, international students are required to have either a valid work permit, or all of the things given below:

• a valid study permit
• must be a full-time student at a designated learning institution (DLI) who is enrolled in a
  1. post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program. or
  2. secondary-level vocational training program (offered in Quebec only)

• must have started studying
• a study permit with a condition printed on it that permits working on or off campus.
• you are in a program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate and that is at least 6 months long
• you have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)

If you are no longer a full-time student, you can still work off campus if you meet both of these requirements:

• you have been a full-time student since you started your program in Canada
• you are now studying part time only because this is your last semester, and you do not need a full course load to complete your program

Jobs in Canada for international students after post-graduation

Canada is fast emerging as an upcoming destination for many Indian students. Counselors and universities have witnessed an increase in the number of international students in Canada over the years. This is because a post graduate degree/diploma from a Canadian institute is globally recognized. Some of the jobs in demand in Canada for international post graduates with median salaries are:   

• Product Development Research Scientist-$70.28-$78.08 an hour
• Senior Manager, Analytics and Reporting-$130,000-$190,000 per annum
• Junior Staff Scientist-$53,353-$64,553 per annum
• University Lecturer-$80,000-$110,000 per annum
• Research Data Centre Analyst-$81,858-$94,219 per annum
• Policy Analyst-$57,426-$65,838 per annum

Challenges faced by international students in Canada while searching for a job

Understanding the marketplace

Students should understand the marketplace in order to know where to find the jobs suitable for them. They should then learn to market themselves for the employers. The students are also able to excel at the workplace if they have good knowledge about the market they are catering to.  

Prepare to succeed

Planning helps new immigrants to find the best employment in their industry. If it is taking you long to find a suitable job in Canada, then you are less likely to work in your profession. You must plan your career in such a way that after completing studies, you have a lot of things sorted out when it comes to work front.

How to overcome these challenges?

Carefully plan your Resume

Even after having experience and education to excel, the students might not be able to present themselves fit for the job that is credible by the employer. Students should know how their resumes should look like in order to preset themselves better. They must know what defines good interview behavior and what language they should use to describe themselves. Planning resumes will help you to create an impact.

Be selective

Applying for jobs anywhere and everywhere would not land you to your dream job. Applying to 30 companies with the same resume and cover letter is a bad idea. Cold calling, networking and informational interviews are more effective ways to distributing your resume.    

Be enthusiastic

Never miss to follow up with the companies you have applied to. ‘Thank you’ e-mail after the interview sets you apart from other candidates applying for jobs in Canada. this helps in showing the recruiters your interest in getting hired.

The number of foreign students in Canada has been increasing at all the levels. The international students should know that there are potential opportunities which may lead to quality employment and PR status after graduation or post-graduation. Choosing the program wisely will be the first step towards getting their dream job. Therefore, plan sincerely about which study program is suitable for you, your career goal, and what skill you develop. Then analyze the market value of that course and if there are enough jobs awaiting in the desired industry for you or not.