Part-Time Jobs in Canada for International Students
Did you know that part-time jobs in Canada can help your chances of acquiring your Permanent Residency (PR)? While part-time jobs do not necessarily account towards the needed work experience for the Canadian Experience Class express entry programme, working part-time will instil the necessary skills and understanding that can make you an attractive candidate for different jobs across the country.
In addition to helping you gain valuable work experience, part-time jobs in Canada are also a popular choice among international students looking to subsidise their costs of studying and living expenses in Canada. Moreover, compared to its neighbour in the south, Canada does not require students to wait one year before applying for part-time jobs and does not restrict students to their field of study when searching for job profiles.
Let’s dive deeper into the benefits and types of part-time jobs in Canada for international students, and everything you need to know before you travel to Canada for your higher studies.
Benefits of Doing a Part-Time Job in Canada
As an international student, there are many benefits to part-time jobs in Canada that they can avail to make their lives better and easier. Here are some of those benefits:
- Subset Your Costs: Part-time jobs help alleviate some of the financial commitments that students face while completing their studies. While the pay may not be enough to cover all the costs of living and the cost of studying in Canada, part-time jobs can help students reduce some expenses or even create a safety net for a rainy day.
- Gaining Valuable Work Experience: One of the strongest reasons to do part-time work in Canada is the invaluable Canadian work experience that can boost your academic and career prospects after graduation. Additionally, the skills and knowledge gained through part-time work also tell employers that the candidate possesses the necessary work ethic followed in Canadian work settings, allowing for an easier integration into the work culture.
- Networking and Professional Connections: Working part-time in Canada will offer you the opportunity to create your personal network of professional connections that can help you apply for or even earn a job after graduation. Furthermore, these connections can also help you jump the career ladder to greater positions and job profiles.
- Developing Soft Skills: While different jobs and industries require the appropriate qualifications, soft skills such as teamwork, communication skills, time management, adaptability, and many more are also crucial. While employers understand that fresh graduates need to start somewhere, graduates with sufficient experience are often preferred.
- Work Full-time During Official Breaks: A key feature of the opportunities that Canada provides international students is the ability to work full-time during officially recognised vacation periods or breaks.
Also Read: Why Canada is a Preferred Study Destination
Types of Part-time Jobs in Canada for International Students
From on-campus jobs to off-campus jobs, there are different types of part-time jobs in Canada for international students that you can consider if you qualify. Listed below are some of the types of part-time roles for international students:
On-Campus Part-time Jobs in Canada
| Job Role | Average Hourly Pay (in CAD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistant | CA $17 - $24 | To assist professors and faculty with certain tasks, like grading, holding office hours or running lab sessions. |
| Research Assistant | CA $19 - $25 | To assist faculty or research scholars on certain tasks related to research projects like data collection, laboratory support, literature reviews and more. |
| Library Assistant | CA $15 - $17 | Assisting library goers in finding the right books, stacking, and performing other tasks in a library. |
| Campus Food Service Worker | CA $15 - $18 | Works in campus cafeterias and university-run coffee shops, and other food centres. |
| Student Administration | CA $17 - $24 | Assisting a university department in clerical support, usually requiring high organisational skills. |
Off-Campus Part-time Jobs in Canada
| Job Role | Average Hourly Pay (in CAD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Barista | CA $16 - CA $18 + tips | Working at local or popular coffee chains |
| Retail Assistants | CA $16 - $19 | Working at department stores, clothing shops, or grocery stores as cashiers, inventory management or other roles. |
| Waiter/Server | CA $15 - $17 + tips | Working at restaurants, cafes or bars. |
| Delivery Driver | CA $17 - $22 | Working as a delivery driver for different food services, however, may require an investment in your own mode of transportation. |
Eligibility Criteria for Part-time Jobs in Canada
As an international student, it is necessary to understand the legal requirements and restrictions that students need to abide by to avoid violating the terms and conditions of their Canadian student permit. Listed here are the requirements for part-time jobs in Canada for international students.
- A valid study permit
- A Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Enrolled as a full-time post-secondary student at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- The programme must have commenced before you started working
- The programme must last more than 6 months and lead to a degree, certificate or diploma.
Visa Requirements for Part-time Jobs in Canada
- You can work off-campus up to 24 hours per week during school terms/semesters, and certain eligible students can also work full-time during official vacation periods.
- Your student permit will state whether you are permitted to work off-campus.
- Students enrolled in general interest courses, English or French as a second language courses, or courses that are pre-requisites for a full-time programme, will not be permitted to work off-campus.
- Students working as self-employed persons also need to track their working hours and are only permitted to work up to 24 hours per week.
The permissible working hours include any time used for earning wages or collecting commissions, or on call, and are counted as working hours.
Note: All the regulations will be stipulated in the study permit that you will receive upon entering Canada through one of the different ports of entry
How to Find Part-Time Jobs in Canada?
International students have several resources and platforms available to them to find appropriate part-time jobs in Canada that align with their study permit requirements as well. Some of the different platforms and resources that international students can use include:
University Resources
Every university in Canada will have a career centre dedicated to helping students, including international students, to prepare for and find the appropriate part-time jobs in Canada. From workshops on resume writing and interview skills to strategising the job search, the university’s resources are a gold mine for students.
Most universities in Canada will also maintain a job board or a bulletin board highlighting the different part-time jobs available in and around the campus that international students can apply for.
Networking with Academic Departments
Contacting the university’s administrative department or the faculty/professors within the department you are enrolled in is one of the best ways to find appropriate on-campus jobs. Certain jobs, like Teaching and Research Assistants, are usually highly in demand among students, as they boost their academic prospects and pay well, compared to other on-campus jobs.
Career Fairs and Events
Universities often conduct several career fairs and events where students can find information about different employers looking for freshers to work with them. Students can also use these events and fairs to connect and build their professional network, opening them up to opportunities, both for part-time and full-time work after graduation. Students should also consider connecting with their alumni on different platforms to help build their network even more.
Job Bank by the Government of Canada
This is the official national platform that international students can use to access information about the different job opportunities that await them. This portal allows students to find part-time jobs in Canada, specifically in areas close to their university and in the city where they live. With access to a large database of job openings, both government and private, students can find jobs that match their skills and profile.
Popular Online Platforms
Popular online platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed and Glassdoor are also renowned for connecting aspiring students to different part-time jobs. However, students will have to constantly monitor these platforms to find the appropriate jobs. Students are advised to ensure that the job they are applying for aligns with their study permit requirements.
Tailor Your Resume According to the Canadian Job Market
Using the university’s resources or friends and families that already have experience in finding, applying and securing a job in Canada to help you build our resume and online professional profile that attracts potential employers. It is advisable to focus on quantifiable and specific achievements, rather than general responsibilities, to be seen as a potential employee.
If you are planning to study in Canada this year, it is advisable to learn everything you can about working while studying in Canada, as this is an unique opportunity that many students can miss out on. Part-time jobs in Canada have several benefits that can significantly help students financially, professionally and even academically. In comparison to its neighbour in the south, the rules and regulations regarding working while studying as an international student, Canada offers better opportunities and flexibility, allowing students to earn while studying with greater ease. To learn more about working while studying in Canada, or if you have any questions regarding studying in Canada, then connect with AECC Counsellors today and get expert guidance tailored to your needs.