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.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular article! It is the little changes that will make the largest changes. Many thanks for sharing!