Starting a new life in Canada as an international student is exciting but it can also be overwhelming. And so, for this reason, it’s easy to lose track of your family goals and financial goals especially when you are swamped with school projects, part-time jobs, looking after your kids, and the whole process of obtaining a PR. (Side note) This post is long over due. I was supposed to post this last November but life got in the way (big time!).
Anyways, I’ve list down some steps you can take or probably assess to get your life in Canada right onto a good start. I hope you will find these tips helpful.
Remember the sleepless nights, anxiety, all the emotional turmoil and financial stresses you had to go through to make it here in Canada as an international student with your whole family? Make the journey all worth it. Goal is there for a reason. Goal experts say that if you don’t write your goal, then it is merely a wish. So, take the time to write your goals on your notebook or in the notes of your phone if you are not the type of person who likes writing down in notebook. What are your goals apart from obtaining a PR?
2.Keep track of your Numbers.
It doesn’t matter what happens in the past or if you feel you are not good at managing money. It’s important to know the $$$ that’s coming in monthly but is also equally important to know the $$$ that’s coming out. Having a financial tracker or a budgeting app is helpful. If you are new in the budgeting or money management, you can start by using an excel sheet or a notebook. Write down the following:
3. Build up your emergency funds.
You can’t run away from financial obligations. Whether it’s paying for the survival necessities, debt or loans, or gifts/gratuities. Money continuously flows. As an international student or a new immigrant, the best financial step you can take if you want to start your life on a good ground is to build up your emergency funds. If you already have an emergency funds set aside, well and good for you. Otherwise, take this opportunity to start. It doesn’t matter if you are holding a free health card or not paying any tuition fee for your kids. Emergency funds is for unexpected things so you don’t have to touch your investment money for your retirement and home.
4. Avoid unnecessary spending.
You don’t have to buy a new sofa or a new phone if your current one is still good and working. You don’t have to buy a lot of winter coats. Having two coats are enough. But you might be thinking of investing in a few good quality innerwear. Saying no to something you want when you know you don’t necessarily need it will serve you well later on. You should learn how to pep talk yourself when these circumstances happen.
5. Talk to your Bank or Financial Advisor.
Building a new life in Canada is a huge deal. Dreams will begin to realize when you have a few support group and mentor you can trust. I am sure you are thinking of buying a house sooner rather than later. You are also thinking of preparing for your kid’s college education, and your retirement. It is best to begin your financial journey in a new country off the good ground. Seek the advice from your banker or financial advisor or a trusted friend whom have experience or success you are also aiming. There are tax-free investment vehicles offered by the government. Explore, research, and seek advice regarding the following:
6. Monitor your Goals and Finances regularly.
The ability to monitor your goals and finances is a skill. If you are not yet good at it. You must start with the habit of doing so. Scientific studies say that it takes 90 days for a human being to develop a new habit. This means that, to be able to consistently track your goals, you need to be looking at it and monitoring it daily if not weekly for the next 90 days until you develop this good habit of doing so.
7. Discuss plans with your Accountability Partner or Trusted Advisor.
If you are not confident you can stick to your goals and trackers, then it’s best to engage with an accountability partner. Your accountability partner could be your spouse, or your trusted advisor. The intention of discussing your goals and action plans is for you to arrive at your desired state in the timeline you have set for yourself and your family.
8. Adjust actions plans if needed.
Don’t change your goals simply because things didn’t work out the first time or the second time. Look and asses at your action plans instead and ask yourself, why it didn’t work and what you need to improve or do to reach your goals. Know when to seek outside help when the circumstances require you to do so.
9. Look around and outside your comfort zone.
You can make your new life in Canada an enjoyable one. Don’t be afraid to go out there and meet new people. Don’t limit yourself into knowing only your co-international students. Meet other people like the locals, friends you know who have successfully settled down in Canada. By expanding your views, your horizon widens, and inspiration ignites.
10.Never neglect your spiritual growth.
Your biggest stronghold is your faith. Don’t get the busyness of life get in the way of enriching your body and soul. Enjoy the journey as an international student and a new immigrant. Learn to smell the roses along the way.
This post may contain affiliate links, which at no cost to you, Wanderer Mom may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please read full disclosure here. Thank you for choosing to support this blog, Wanderer Mom.
There are a few matters you need to do in your first two weeks in Canada as an international student or a new immigrant. First and foremost, congratulations as you made it to Canada! A new life in Canada awaits! Before you begin an exciting journey as a newcomer in Canada, you need to tackle a few tasks first, and I highly recommend completing these things during your first two weeks in Canada.
Disclaimer:I am not an immigration consultant or lawyer. I am simply sharing information based on my personal experience and research. Please do your own diligence as information contained may be outdated or may not be applicable to your personal circumstances.
Here are seven things you need to do during your first two weeks in Canada:
1. Get a SIN number
A SIN number is a short-term for Canadian Social Insurance Number. It is a nine-digit number that a government will issue to you as a form of identification. It will be associated with you when you transact in government agencies. Once you have this, please keep it in a safe place and never show or give your SIN number unnecessarily. Treat your SIN as one of your precious personal ID much like your passport.
Why do you need a SIN number?
To give you an idea of why you need a SIN number, I have listed down below some of the scenarios that you will require a SIN number:
• You will need a SIN number when you apply for a job. If you plan to work part-time while studying in Canada, the employer will ask you for your SIN number for tax and insurance purposes. You need not give your SIN number when you are only being interviewed or applying for a job. However, once you get a job offer and accept it, you will have to provide your SIN number to your employer. • You will need to provide your SIN number when you file your taxes and or apply for personal benefits like employment insurance • Some banks ask for a SIN number as part of their requirements when opening a bank account with an interest or an investment account.
You can obtain your SIN number from Service Canada. You may find a Service Canada upon your arrival at the airport and directly apply there if you have ample time. Otherwise, you may visit other branches near your place and apply in person. You may also apply for a SIN number via online and mail application.
What are the requirements when applying for a SIN number?
The requirements for online, by mail, or in-person application for SIN numbers are here.
Have all your primary documents, secondary documents, and supporting documents ready.
Just a note here as it can get confusing with a lot of information, for temporary residents (Study Permit, OWP holders),
the primary documents issued by IRCC or CIC include:
-Study Permit
-Work Permit
-Visitor Record
Secondary document example includes:
-Passport
Supporting document example includes:
-marriage certificate or record of solemnization of marriage
It was the very first thing that we did on our first day in Canada. You need to have your local cellphone number and a data plan to prevent the high cost of roaming services. Never rely on WiFi alone. You will need a data plan, especially when navigating unfamiliar places. For sure, you will need Google as your friend. Also, you will be asked for a cellphone number when you apply to open a bank account. So, make sure you have your local cellphone number as one of your priorities on day one. Also, you would want to immediately update your loved ones and friends back home of your new number in Canada.
Can you bring your own phone and buy a sim card?
The simple answer to this question is, yes, you can buy a sim card with a prepaid plan.
My first local cellphone number was a prepaid too from Chatr. My monthly charges back then were $35 with 2 GB of data at 3G speed. It also includes unlimited Canada-wide talk time and unlimited text to Canada. I find Chatr considerably offers lower than other Canadian mobile phone providers like Roger and Virgin Mobile. Other known mobile providers are Fido, Telus, Freedom mobile.
It’s Fall season, get up to 50% discount from Reebok’s Seasonal Sale. Use my coupon code: FALL
How much does a mobile data plan cost in Canada?
A mobile data plan probably costs around $50 per month to $60 per month or more. Price varies with mobile plan providers.
If you are an international student, you may want to start with at least a 5GB plan that will allow you to use and check your e-mail accounts and social media accounts.
In general, the Canadian mobile phone plan is pricier than other countries. I came from Singapore and used Circles. I got a 20GB for only $18 per month with a free 100 minutes plan talk time and a free caller ID. But this type of mobile plan seems unlikely here in Canada. So be careful in your data usage as it could cost you a lot if overused.
TIP: Check the mobile data provider’s coverage in your area first and the place where you will be frequent. It would be good to research as some mobile data providers might not have good coverage in specific areas or locations. For this reason, I opted for a prepaid plan first rather than a contract plan. While it is not easy to change mobile providers, it gives me the flexibility to move to a new provider when I am not happy with the coverage or want to do so for other reasons such as price and features.
A contract plan, on the other, is a plan where you are tied to pay for a minimum of one year or two years, and you are paying the monthly charges. Choose a mobile plan that is most suitable for your monthly budget, useability, and functionality.
3. Open a Canadian bank account
As an international student, you can open a bank account in Canada. Your spouse or common-law partner can also open his bank account even if he has no job yet.
Types of Canadian bank account you can open:
a. Chequing account – this type of account usually comes with a debit card. In most cases, many people utilize chequing account for their day-to-day banking needs. When you open an account, you will be issued a debit card associated with your chequing account. Most Canadian banks offer a promotion for newcomer or international students. Bear in mind, some banks have associated monthly fees for a chequing account, and some waived the monthly charges for the first year. Be sure to check this out before signing.
b. Savings account – A savings account offers a slightly higher interest rate than a chequing account. If you intend to save up a portion of your money, you may opt to open a savings account as well and gain from a higher interest offer.
c. Investment account – As an international student, this may not be your priority yet the first time you open an account. However, you may be thinking of apportioning some of your savings or money to an investment soon. In this case, it is best to schedule another visit to your bank and talk to a personal banker to assist you.
Commonly used banks for international students that may offer lower monthly transactions fees are:
Can International students apply for a credit card in Canada?
As an international student, you can obtain yourself a credit card in Canada. Most banks offer promotions for international students. Owning a credit card is an important decision. Bear in mind that a credit card allows you to borrow money from the bank, and you will have to pay for the borrowed money with interest.
Having a credit card in Canada is essential if you are thinking of migrating here for the long term. It will help you build your credit score early on, and this is crucial if you are planning to buy a house and apply for a mortgage soon. With a high credit score, you will get easy approval on a loan or mortgage. So, use your credit card as a tool only to build up your credit score.
Our banker mentioned that it is advisable to utilize and not exceed more than 30 percent of your credit limit each month to build a good credit score.
Disclaimer:I amin no way a financial expert or banker. I am merely sharing based on my opinion and personal experience. It is best to consult your bank to get accurate information and financial advice.
TIP: Take advantage of the high rewards offered by credit card companies. Watch out for some cashback rewards and ask your bank how you can obtain them. Some banks offer up to $300 cash back when you apply for a credit card for the first time. You can go back to the Canadian banks I mentioned here and check if they have such offers.
4. Register your son or daughter to school.
It’s one of the priorities my husband and I settled during our first week in Canada. Initially, we registered our daughter to TCDSB (Toronto Catholic District School Board).She was turning grade four then.
Choose a school that is walking distance from your home so it will be convenient for the whole family as it can be challenging during wintertime. If you are in Toronto area, you can find a school in the previous link provided here or simply search Google maps on nearby schools around your home/apartment.
What are the requirements to register your child in public school (in this case at TCDSB):
It is best to contact the TCDSB directly here and contact their staff who handles international students and ensure all requirements are complete before heading down. They usually accept registration by appointment only. You can find the TCDSB contact here and hover down to their homepage footer under Admissions/Registration.
We were required to produce the following documents for the school registration of my child:
a. Proof of Identification (child and parents) b. Study Permit (child) c. Work Permit and/Study Permit of the parents d. Proof of Address
e. Immunization Record f. Report Card from the previous schoo
5. Familiarize yourself with your local city, neighbourhood, and local services.
Once you have your local mobile number, time to go out, obtain a map, and navigate your local area. It can be a little intimidating if you are in an unfamiliar place. So, the first thing you need to do on your first week in Canada is to get familiar with your local surrounding and the local services available. Figure out the nearest grocery shop, pharmacy, school, medical clinic, etc.
Familiarize yourself with the places you will need to go frequently and figure out the fastest route when available. If you researched online and still find it hard to figure out your way, there is no harm in asking the officer-on-duty in the train station or bus station. You may also call their hotline number. It is better to know your way to commute rather than get lost.
In your first few months in Canada, you will need to commute unless you choose to obtain a driver’s license soon. In both cases, you still need to be familiar with your local city area.
If you are Toronto-based, you can buy the Presto Card monthly transportation pass for use on the train and bus. If you are Vancouver-based, they call the train pass Compass Card.
6. Settle Your Health Card and Health Insurance
If you are coming to Canada as an international student, you would have already paid your health insurance together with your school tuition fee before your arrival. Otherwise, you would need to settle your health insurance and that of your dependents coming with you. It is recommended that you get a separate health insurance for the first 3 months for your dependants from another insurance company if your OWP is not working yet.
You can also add your dependents in your school insurance if you want to. Check your school coordinator or your school insurance provider for details. In my case, I opted in getting from another insurance company. Anyway, all these will save you the trouble of incurring unexpected medical costs in case an emergency happens. (knock on wood)
If your OWP (Open work permit holder) already got a job offer of at least six months in length by contract or full-time employment from a Canadian employer, you as the SP holder and your child dependent will be able to obtain the health card. In Toronto, they call it OHIP, and here in Vancouver, they call it MSP. The health card is essential as it will allow you and your family to utilize the medical insurance benefits from the government.
You may be able to drive around British Columbia up to 90 days if you are holding a driver’s license from other Canada provinces and/or from another country. Do inquire and check how you can obtain a driver’s license at their website here.
It is recommended to obtain a driver’s license or convert your home country driver’s license as soon as you can and even if you have no intention to buy a car yet. If you are living in Vancouver city and the train station is just a few blocks away, you may find it unnecessary to buy a car. But if you are living in a suburb area, having a car would be a convenient option as traveling by bus and train in and around Canada in general could take a huge amount of your time.
In Summary,here are the seven things you need to do during your first two weeks in Canada as an international student or a new immigrant:
Get a SIN number
Get a local sim card and mobile data plan
Open a Canadian bank account
Register your son/daughter to school
Familiarise yourself with your local city, neighbourhood, and local services
Settle your Health card and Health insurance
Apply for a Driver’s License
Do youhave other “to do’s” that are not listed above. Feel free to share in the comment box so that many international student families will benefit.
This post may contain affiliate links, which at no cost to you, Wanderer Mom may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please read full disclosure here. Thank you for choosing to support this blog, Wanderer Mom.
When you’re pressed for time, you probably are searching for CELPIP tips and tricks to help you obtain a high score on the exam. Of course, you know that you need to give time to prepare and review. I took the CELPIP general exam end of June this year as a language proficiency requirement for my express entry profile to obtain my PR here in Canada. If you are like me vying to get at least a 9+ score in CELPIP but you cannot find time to review because of all the reasons you can think of, you might find my advice and tricks can work for you.
Probably like me, you will find it very challenging to do the CELPIP review especially when you have a part-time or full-time job weekdays and you have a tween or kids to look after. Work and chores are endless. However, if you cannot find a specific time for the CELPIP review, you might find that days are passing by. You might find yourself rushing to review for an exam that can cause you and your family a future.
Here I share the easy tips, tricks, and the best CELPIP advice on how you can achieve a high score even if you have no time and/or super busy.
Please know that these CELPIP tips and tricks may or may not work for you as I know that we all have different circumstances in life. I am simply sharing my CELPIP experience and my own pointers and tricks as they did work effectively for me. By understanding and working on these tips that I will share, I achieved 8 in Listening, 9 in Reading, 8 in Writing, and 10 in Speaking tests.
My hubby on the other hand, got a better score. He scored 11 in Reading and Listening, 9 in Writing, and 8 in Speaking. I shared my CELPIP General Test score not to brag but to prove that it is possible to achieve a high score even if you think you are busy and have no time. I did not get all 9 but imagine if I allotted at least a month in seriously reviewing for it, I probably would have scored all 9+ or 10+.
I had only two weeks to seriously review before my CELPIP test. Why? Because I always reason out to myself that I am tired from work, I need to prepare dinner, I deserve a break, I will not be able to focus when I feel tired. Stop the excuses! It’s time to get down and be serious in studying for your exam.
Get done with your review for CELPIP Test even if you have no time and are super busy with these tips and tricks I followed:
1. Get a Notebook and write down your CELPIP Goal Score.
It is great to achieve your goal. If you cannot write it down in your notebook, have it on your mobile phone in notes. After you write down your CELPIP score goal. Write down WHY you need to have that score. Why is it important? This will remind you that reviewing for CELPIP is equally important as brushing your teeth before going to bed. You need to read your goal every single day or night to remind yourself of your commitment.
2. Decide the date, time, and place for your CELPIP exam and book it!
You can directly book here. Previously, I delayed my exam date. I reasoned I would just waste my money if I booked it early without practicing and reviewing for it. The truth is, you and I will never be ready for it. It will be much easier to get yourself focused on the exam if you already committed to doing it, which means you already have a date, time, and place for your exam. When you already booked it, you know you will be committed to it no matter what. It’s not the other way around.
3. Follow a course of CELPIP review program from one or two people only.
There are tons of free CELPIP resources and CELPIP mock tests for Listening and Reading on YouTube and the internet. All of them are sharing their format to get a high score in CELPIP. You will get overwhelmed if you keep on jumping from one resource to another each time. It may even intimidate you if you keep on searching for the best tricks or format. And so, in my case, I just consistently follow two people on YouTube. I find their content helpful. If you are interested, here are their YouTube links. The other Youtuber who provides CELPIP Writing & Speaking mock tests is here. Please know that I am not in any way affiliated with them. I just want to share because their way of teaching works effectively for me and it might work well for you too.
4. Take the free 2 ½ hours CELPIP Practice test.
I got a free practice test from Paragon Testing because I scheduled my exam from them. Before you bombard yourself with YT videos, I suggest that you take a free training test first. This will help you gauge the areas you would like to improve. In my case, the Speaking Test is my weakest. Therefore, the majority of my review time is granted to improving my speaking skills. But guess what, I got a score of 10 on my CELPIP exam! You see, it pays to focus on what you need to do (first and foremost). Imagine if you could allot your review time well on each module. I am sure you will do very well.
I either block 30 minutes before I go to bed or 30 minutes in the morning right after I pray. Those are the only time that works best for me. I could only review CELPIP when everything around me is peaceful, which means everyone is sleeping or not at home. A time with no destruction or anything similar to that. So, find a time that works best for you every day and block it on your schedule on your phone. Remember to set a reminder alarm for it, and there is no way for you to neglect it.
6. Watch English news (CBC, CTV, CNN, and others too).
The good thing about watching the reports is that you can do this while spending time with your husband or having dinner. The idea is to get used to hearing a native English speaker’s tone of voice and learn unfamiliar colloquial and local terms.
7. Listen to English Podcast.
Whether you are driving or commuting to work, I am sure you have at least 20 minutes or 30 minutes listening to your favourite Podcaster, right? The more you listen to native English speakers, the more you become familiar and comfortable hearing them. Repeat out aloud of terms you want to remember or repeat silently if you are commuting. Hearing English speakers and how they speak, react, and comment naturally on conversations will support you to become more confident along the way.
8. Read the online articles and news on broad topics such as climate, politics, education, etc.
Instead of browsing through your Facebook and Instagram account, why not open Yahoo News or Bing News or read worthy articles online. You don’t need a lot of time for this. You can spend time reading for at least ten minutes, and the good thing is that you can read the news while commuting to and from work.
9. Have a list of Canadian local terms handy.
Use idioms to score high in your CELPIP test. Download the free pdf of the most commonly used idioms by Canadians here. You can practice using those terms while doing your daily tasks. And you can only practice it when you are mindful of your CELPIP goal. So, when you know you cannot allot a 30-min review before going to bed, you need to make some adjustments to review without having to sit down in front of your screen.
10. Take this mindset with you: “CELPIP Language Tests are a great way for me to improve and adjust to the Canadian life”.
If all or anything, having the right mindset of why you should do well and get a high score for CELPIP is this reason. Your language proficiency tests don’t end after taking the CELPIP exam or IELTS exam. If you’ve decided to live and migrate here in Canada, you have to get used to English because you are in an English speaking country. So why not, take this exam as a way to prepare yourself on the real life out there.
Is CELPIP test hard and how much time do you need to review for it?
The answer to that really depends on the level of your readiness for each module and how well you prepare for your test. The ideal length of time for CELPIP test preparation would probably be at least one or two months.
I will not recommend that you review half a day or the whole day one week before your test! For me, it will not be effective at all. The intention of why you need ample time for review is to get used to the kind of questions and answers, find the most effective way to answer them correctly with the correct format that will get you a high score. The intention of the review is for you to remember the tips, tricks, and structure. That way is much easier for the brain to store all the information you watched in your subconscious mind. This is especially true with CELPIP Speaking and Writing tests.
Reviewing for the CELPIP exam need not be overwhelming and time-consuming for you. You have a gazillion of tasks to do apart from doing a review. But you can get better at preparing and improving every module of the CELPIP exam when you consistently follow your CELPIP goal and review the commitment outlined above. I hope the tips I shared here can help you.
Do you have any tips and tricks that can help our readers get a high CELPIP score? Or do you have other questions concerning CELPIP that you wish to learn more about? Feel free to write in the comment box.
This post may contain affiliate links, which at no cost to you, Wanderer Mom may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Please read full disclosure here. Thank you for your love and support to this blog.
This is a continuation of my previous blog. Here, I share how you can maximize your time as an international student by obtaining a high-paying part-time job in Canada. If your goal is to have a rewarding job or career (apart from having quick cash), you may hopefully benefit from the tricks (strategy) I used. While I understand that each student has unique situations, I am merely sharing information based on my experience and the experiences shared by co-international students.
When I was hunting for part-time job, I was only aiming for remote work because of certain limitations I have as a tween mom (and due to Covid restrictions). The job sites I frequented then were: Indeed, LinkedIn, Jobs Bank, and WorkBC. I got my job through WorkBC, a provincial job site of the government of British Columbia.
Some of the popular sites for remote job for full-time or part-time are:
There are HR and Outsourcing Companies available as well that help international students land a job. You can get a part-time job that range from service type of job, trade job to high opportunity occupations. If you are eyeing to work in British Columbia, a good job source is WorkBC.
Some organizations accept international students as part-time or full-time employees, and they only accept applicants during specific periods. Make sure to check the company website of your target companies so you won’t miss the opportunity. In addition, many of them also offer internships and apprenticeships like global banks and big I.T. firms. Again, if you can’t find a job opening in the popular job sites, you can directly search their company website.
How Much Can You Earn from Part-time jobs as an International student?
You can earn around $1,000 to probably $3,000 in a month. Of course, this will depend on a few factors like the number of hours you worked and how much your wage is. Some students earn more by taking two part-time jobs. You can do this as long as you don’t exceed the allowable 20 hours per week restriction off-campus.
Typically, international students in Canada earn the minimum wage. It is also possible to get above the minimum wage or earn the median wage or more. You can earn more than $20 per hour or even more than $30 per hour. I know some people are also earning in this range.
So, in a month you can earn around $1,000 to probably $3,000. This can be achieved and all depends on how well you deliver and communicate your value to your employer during the interview process. My advice is to prepare well and don’t settle for the minimum. I never settle, and so I got to take home more.
How can you quickly obtain a part-time job in Canada?
That’s probably the next question you have in mind now.
Aside from the more popular job sites mentioned earlier, below are some of the sources (and tricks) that worked well for many international students:
1. Through referral and/networking
2. Attending job fair and virtual job fair
3. Through joining volunteering activities
4. Joining organizations in your school
5. Posting your most valuable piece of work on LinkedIn and getting noticed
6. Showcasing your digital resume on popular job sites
7. Directly messaging the recruiter or HR in LinkedIn
8. Asking available opportunities in your community center
9. Submitting your resume to your target companies
10. Attending church or religious activities to get to know people
11. Engage in outdoor sports to meet new people
So how can you get a rewarding and high-paying part-time job in Canada?
Apart from seeking through job sites, tailoring your resume to the job qualification and requirements, and following the Canadian resume template, I guess the best advice is to be genuinely interested in people. It’s ok to ask the people you meet if they know of any opportunity. Ask, and you’ll have the answer. Knock, and the door will open to possibilities. Find a career mentor. Be brave.
Ultimately, how quickly you can get a part-time job is dependent on how well you plan, your determination, and your effort. Importantly, try your best to obtain a part-time job which will complement or boost your chosen long-term career in Canada.
Are there any other tactics that worked well for you that are not in the above? Let me know in the comments below, and I would gladly add them here so other student moms can benefit from them.
This post may contain affiliate links, which at no cost to you, Wanderer Mom may earn a small commission to fund this blog if you click through and make a purchase. Please read full disclosure here. Thanks very much for your support.
You can have the best part-time jobs in Canada as an international student. If you want to know if you are eligible to work off-campus and what documents are required, I recommend checking the rules and regulations in working off campus . It provides everything you need to know.
In this blog, I will share more about the considerations you need to know before applying for part-time jobs. I will also share my best tips to get a rewarding, high-paying part-time job in Canada.
What are some of the part-time jobs available for international students?
There are many available part-time jobs for international students in Canada. You can check my post here for some of the popular job resources. Choosing a part-time job that will work well with your school schedule is always a challenge. Getting used to commuting, work around my program schedule, and overall, just getting the hang of what I needed to do as a full-time student, a wife, and a mom.
I took a part-time job only during the last term of my program. I did not want to stress myself with too many responsibilities in the first few months in Canada.
My first part-time job in Canada was in an IT firm as a sales associate cum account manager. While in Toronto studying full-time, I was also working part-time for my employer based in Vancouver. Yes, it is possible to work remotely even when your employer’s address is in a different province provided there is no restriction on your study permit.
How to get a rewarding, high- paying part-time job as an international student?
Here I will share some of the steps you can follow. These were the exact actions I took while I was job hunting. As I need to attend to my daughter, I only considered remote jobs available for international students in Toronto and Vancouver.
Tips for international students before applying part time jobs in Canada
Here I share the steps you can follow to get a rewarding, high-paying part-time job as an international student in Canada.
These were the actions I took while I was job hunting. As I need to attend to my daughter, I only considered remote part-time jobs available for international students in Toronto and Vancouver.
1. Decide which province you want to settle down.
Other important factors to consider: the ease of pathway for obtaining your permanent residency in a particular province, the cost of living, the job opportunities available in your chosen career, the company stability, and lastly, the community safety (and this is just my preference).
2. Decide which industry and career you want to pursue and be in for the long term.
It may as well be your first on the list if not the second. Why did I say this? Based on my experience, I recommended you be very clear about what you want your career life to be. As an international student, you need to be strategic in your plans and approach while given the opportunity to work part-time. And do your best to find a part-time job that will help you or lead you to the career you want to pursue after graduating from your program.
Most of thetime, I hear many international students don’t take this approach, and they end up working part-time in a field they don’t like to earn extra bucks to pay the bills. While I understand some circumstances force you to gain money quickly, you need to look at the bigger picture beyond your life after graduating. The truth is, it’s hard to focus on getting a rewarding career if you are doing other jobs that don’t contribute to your long-term career aspiration.
3. Plan and plan well.
Once you figure out what career you want and the province you like to settle in. The next important thing is (and this is mostly not given so much emphasis by many students when exactly you need to hunt for jobs. What I mean by this is that your goal is to obtain a job immediately after your graduation.
As I mentioned earlier, I only applied during the last term when I was already about to graduate. Our professors then told us to hunt for jobs at least six months before graduating. Then, I thought six months way too early to find a job. There must be a logical reason why they recommended the six-month time frame.
Six months before you graduate, you need to have a firm decision of what kind of job or career you want. You should already know this even before you decide to take the program you chose. You will then have a better sense of the market and industry you want to be in, trends in hiring, the specific requirements they are looking for in a candidate, etc.
There can be certifications or qualifications you need to do to get a new job in any role and industry. You can arrange in advance and fulfill the qualifications the companies are looking for in a particular position you want to pursue.
4. The next best thing to do is to get yourself organised.
You can do this by having a tracking sheet with important details such as the job positions you are targeting, the source or links where you found them, etc.
5. Leverage your past work experiences (even though you gained them overseas).
As an international student and a newbie, you probably have some limiting beliefs such as:
– you need to start at an entry-level position because you don’t have Canadian work experience yet
– you may be thinking you are just a student, and companies may not take your past work experiences and credential overseas seriously.
Those types of thinking are not very helpful and will only put you in a position you probably will not like in the future.
Lastly, the best mindset in job hunting is to have that 100% trust and confidence in yourself and what you can offer. Never discount your past work experiences in your home country or outside Canada. Those are valuable experiences that you can offer to the company. During the interview, your job is to highlight that to your prospective employer.
If you have relevant training or experience in the role you are applying for, then convincing them on why they need to hire you will be easier for sure.
“Don’t be afraid to start over again. This time you are not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.”
Are there any other advice that worked well for you? Let me know in the comments below so that more tween moms can benefit.
