5 Important Things International Students Looking for Job Should Know!

Last Updated On 3 November 2022, 2:21 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Most international students work throughout their college/university to help cover some of their expenses. Moreover, it also helps them get Canadian experience. As an international student, you can now work more than 20 hours per week, effective November 15, 2022.

This is excellent opportunity for international students as it means that they can now earn more money. However, finding a job under a study permit can sometimes get difficult. But don’t worry, we have got you covered.

5 Things International Students Looking for Job Should Know!

1. Understand your study permit

As an international student, you need a study permit to study in Canada. You get this at port of entry when you arrive in Canada for the first time. The permit lists all the information about your working conditions in Canada. You can work under a study permit if you-

Are a full-time post-secondary student
Hold a valid study permit
Have a Social Insurance Number (or SIN)

Once you meet all of the requirements, there are two types of work you should know about:

On-Campus Jobs: You can work as many hours as possible, as long as they are not interfering with your school time.
Off-Campus Jobs: You could work a maximum of 20 hours a week in the past, but the cap has now been temporarily lifted from November 15 till the end of 2023.

2. Make full use of school services

All schools and colleges/universities offer International Student Support services. Make sure to check them out. These services help you with building your resume and cover letter. Also, they help you understand your ability to work on/off campus.

They can also help you build connections with other students. This can make it easier to make friends. Even if you have any questions about job hunting, student services can help with it.

3. Networking Is The Key

One of the most important things you should do while job hunting is network. Networking helps you find better job opportunities and develop lasting relations. There are different ways to do this. Firstly, you can search online for networking events happening in your industry.

You can also speak to your friends, professors, or relatives to see if they could connect you to any valuable contacts. Though this sounds daunting, once you start doing it, you will realize it’s pretty easy to network here. You might get in touch with someone who is looking to fill a role that you might be interested in. Find more ways to network here.

4. Volunteer

Another thing that you should do, as a student is, volunteer. This not only helps to expand your network but also looks good on your resume. Moreover, you can gain many valuable skills while volunteering.

You learn a lot about Canadian corporate culture. You can volunteer at a student association, a campus club, an off-campus festival, and so on. Though volunteering may sound discouraging at first, it is definitely worth it.

5. Avoid any kind of “cash” jobs

A lot of times employers lure you into jobs that are underpaid. They tell you that they are paying you “by experience”. In most of these cases, the salary is below minimum wage. Also, the employer will pay you via cash, money order, or cheque. Such jobs are called “cash jobs” or under-table-job.

Never say yes to such kinds of jobs. In such jobs, there is no legal contract present. So, your labor rights can be violated. Also, your study permit status can be in legal trouble. Though finding a job in the initial days might be a little difficult, but wait for the correct job.