Looking for Part-Time Work as an International Student? Here Are 5 Key Tips That Can Help

Yes, it’s legal for international students to work part-time while studying in Canada, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements for on-campus or off-campus work. For both, you will need: 

• A valid study permit 

• A valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) 

• Full-time enrollment as a student 

If you decide to work off-campus, you will need: 

• A valid study permit 

• Authorization to work off campus (through your study permit) 

• Enrollment for at least 6 months in a degree, diploma, or certificate program 

• A valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) 

• Full-time enrollment as a student, with some exceptions such as: 

  • If you’re on a break where you won’t be studying  

  • If you’re finishing the last term of your studies 

For more information, check out the Government of Canada’s Work Off-Campus as an International Student page. 
 
If you decide to work on-campus, you will need: 

• Full-time student enrollment 

• A valid study permit 

• A valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) 

For more information, check out the Government of Canada’s Work On Campus as an International Student page. 

Yes, but only if you work on-campus – part-time on-campus work has no restrictions for the number of hours worked. 

If you work off-campus you will need to make sure you don’t go beyond 20 hours per week. Keep in mind that this rule doesn’t apply during scheduled semester breaks when you’re not taking classes.  

How much you get paid for part-time work depends on which province you’re studying in, and what kind of job you decide on. That being said, the federal minimum wage in Canada is $16.65. 

For more information on the minimum wage in your province, refer to the Government of Canada’s Current and Forthcoming General Minimum Wage Rates in Canada page.  

Here’s how to find part-time work while studying in Canada, broken down into five essential steps:  

1. Update your resume 

Review your resume and make sure everything is up-to-date. Make sure to include recent: 

• Jobs 

• Volunteering experience

• Awards and scholarships 

• Degrees and certificates 

• Activities and hobbies 

• Skills 

You will also want to write up a 1-2 line summary or objective highlighting your skills and experience. 

When filling out your resume, include your transferable skills. Harvard Business Review recommends categorizing them into three areas: 

• Systems-oriented - Showcases your expertise, such as communications writing. 

• People-oriented - Highlights collaboration and communication with others, such as conflict resolution.  

• Self-oriented - Typically referred to as “soft skills”. These include time management, problem-solving, and accountability. 

2. Update or create a LinkedIn profile  

Here are some tips for preparing a LinkedIn profile for your job search. Review your profile and make sure you have: 

1. A profile photo where you can clearly see your face. Make sure you look professional in both your dress and appearance.   
    

2. An ‘About’ section that represents you. Include your interests, what you’re like as an employee, and other important info. Be sure to include your personality, not just facts! 
    

3. A list of recent achievements. Include recent degrees, scholarships and awards, publications, etc. 
    

4. Some LinkedIn connections. Network with people you have worked for in the past or people you know on campus. When you make a connection, you may want to send them a personal message and thank them.  

If you’re looking for inspiration, browse the profiles of people you admire or people in your field and industry. Don’t worry about making your profile perfect! What’s most important is that it reflects your personality and skills. When you’re done, include a link to it in your resume. 

3. Decide the type of job you want 

Here are some examples of the types of on-campus and off-campus work that are available for international students:  On-Campus Jobs If you want to work on-campus, your university likely has these positions available: 

• Research assistant 

• Teaching assistant 

• On-campus cafeteria or restaurants 

• Campus bookstore employee 

• Library employee - circulation desk or collections maintenance (shelving) 

• Writing Center tutor 

• Student Ambassador  

• Student Residence - Residence Advisor (RA), Community Leader, Academic Advisor, and more 

• Peer mentor, advisor or guide (for health centres, student life, international centres, student administration, accessibility services, academic success, and more) 

Off-Campus Jobs 

Here are common types of off-campus jobs that international students work part-time: 

• Tutor 

• Barista 

• Dog walker 

• Freelancer 

• Sales associate 

• Nanny or babysitter 

• Server or bartender 

• Call center representative 

• Cook 

• Food delivery 

• Rideshare driver 

• Translator  

Now that you have some ideas of the options available to you, you’re probably eager to start looking for work. But before you jump in, you may want to narrow down your search.   Here are some tips to help you decide the right type of job for you:  

1. What’s the time commitment? 

Student life in Canada can be complicated, but the bottom line is that you need to prioritize your studies. When looking at work opportunities, ask yourself these questions: 

• How many hours and how many shifts are you required to take (if any)?  

• How flexible is this work? 

• How does it fit into your class schedule?  

• How does it fit into your workload and study schedule for your classes?  

2. What career do you want to pursue? 

If you’re able to find a part-time job in the same field, that’s great! If not, don’t be discouraged. Even working a service job can help you gain skills that can be transferred to more specialized careers like working in the medical field, such as good communication skills, active listening, attention to detail, and empathy. 

3. What are the benefits? 

Some part-time jobs come with perks that can be helpful to you as a student, such as free food and coffee, discounts on books, and more.  

4. Research open positions and apply 

Now that you have an idea of what kind of work you’re looking for, it’s time to start your job search. You can look for part-time job postings for international students at: 

• Your university’s Career Centre or Student Centre. This is an excellent place to get resume and job interview guidance, as well as available on-campus jobs.  

• Online job posting sites like Indeed, Workopolis, and Monster. Take advantage of job alerts, easy apply and automatic resume submissions.  

• The Government of Canada Job Bank. A tool to help job-seekers find employment across Canada.  

• The National Research Council Student Employment Program. A program through the Government of Canada that gives students valuable part-time, career-development opportunities in research and development, communications, marketing, library sciences, and more.  

• Linkedin. Linkedin allows you to browse available jobs, as well as send messages to your network about part-time work.  

5. Prepare for job interviews 

Applying for jobs can take some time. But with some patience and persistence, you will get calls for positions you’re interested in. Here’s how to prepare for your job interview: 

1. Research the company 

Look at the company website, review their social media, and get an idea of their culture and mandate. You may want to look up recent accomplishments or milestones. Take note of what resonates with you.

2. Prepare for common interview questions 

Review common interview questions while looking at your resume and the job description and see how you can answer them in a way that gives examples of how and when you’ve exhibited the skills and qualifications the company is looking for.  

3. Practice answering the questions out loud 

As tempting as it is to memorize your answers to interview questions, you want to sound natural and less like you’re reciting information. Resist the temptation to write full paragraphs in your answers and stick to bullet points you can keep in mind as you practice. 

4. Think of questions to ask your interviewer 

Remember, you’re seeing if this workplace is the right fit for you too! Prepare 3-4 to ask your interviewer, such as: 

• What’s your favourite part about working at [Company] 

• How do you feel about the culture at [Company]? 

• What do you see as areas of improvement at [Company]? 

5. Choose your outfit  

Prepare your outfit ahead of time. Remember to dress professionally, but also to dress for the part. A good rule of thumb is to dress slightly more professionally than the average employee. For example, if you’re interviewing for an on-campus bookstore where employees dress casually, come to the interview wearing a dress shirt and a pair of slacks or a skirt.  

6. Plan your route 

Know which route you’re going to take the day before, and arrive early so you have time to go to the bathroom, review your notes, and take some deep breaths. Don’t worry if something out of control happens that interferes with your travel, such as subway delays. You’re human and these kinds of things are out of your control. Calmly contact the interviewer or the company, apologize for the delay and let them know what’s happened. How they react will tell you if this role is the right fit for you or not. The right place will be understanding. 

7. Use job interview best practices 

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind during your job interview: 

• Be personable and be yourself 

• Make eye contact 

• Speak clearly and not too fast  

• Listen attentively 

Finding a part-time job as an international student takes some work, but is worth it in the end. We hope that these tips and strategies have helped you feel confident in starting your job search.  

Looking for more support? IDP Education Canada has the resources to help guide you. Check out our Student Services and get help in course selection, scholarships, and booking your IELTS test, plus get free counselling with IDP Canada’s Education Consultants.   

For the latest tips for international students in Canada follow IDP Education Canada on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.