Studying abroad often requires economic independence and a means to support yourself. For international students, Canada offers a wealth of opportunities not only in academics but also in part-time employment. Engaging in part-time jobs while studying can be a strategic way to meet daily expenses, gain valuable skills, and build a professional network.
Keep reading to learn more about part time jobs in Canada, and to know how to navigate them being an international student.
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Why Do You Need Part-time Jobs in Canada?
As an international student in Canada, managing accommodation fees, food, and other living expenses can be challenging. Part-time jobs offer a solution to these financial demands and provide numerous additional benefits:
Given below are a few of the benefits of doing a part-time job in Canada for recent graduates:
Learning New Skills
Doing part-time jobs helps you learn new work skills. The skills you learn vary depending on the work you perform. These are skills that cannot be learned from schools and universities. On-field experience can also help you with your future career. This can help you build your resume and hone your professional skills.
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Achieving Financial Independence
On doing a part-time job, it helps you to meet your own expenses. You won’t be required to depend on your family or local guardians. This helps you achieve a sense of financial independence at a much younger stage. In addition, it also helps to acquire financial responsibility.
Time Management Skills
While being a foreign student, it is extremely necessary for you to attain proper time management. You have to maintain your studies, along with your work, and other activities. You have to learn how to manage a proper work-life balance. Maintaining an ample social life, along with work and other daily activities is necessary.
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Building a Professional Network
One of the major benefits of being an international student is achieving a vast and diverse network. This helps you with both your studies and your career. Moreover, doing part-time jobs helps you further develop a proper professional network. You get the chance to meet and get acquainted with a variety of people.
Gaining Work Experience
Working on part-time jobs helps you gain work experience and build your CV. This can make you stand out while applying for internships or any other jobs. Employers tend to hire individuals who bring at least a little bit of work experience with them.
Being experienced, you will get familiar with the workplace culture. Besides, work experience as a part-time employee shows your multi-tasking abilities, since being a student, you manage to work and learn together.
Developing Interpersonal Skills
Skill development does not mean rearing essential work skills alone. It leads to a person’s overall development. You get to achieve better skills in learning, working, and even socialising. The workspace allows you to interact with a variety of people and to deal with them on a daily basis. This helps you to maintain an active social life and a fruitful professional life. Moreover, this will also help with your communication skills.
Part-time Jobs in Canada: Regulations for International Students
International students who have a study permit can work off-campus and do not require a work permit. This indicates that one can work for any employer regardless of location. However, they are entitled to follow certain regulations for work.
In order to work, you need to apply for a student permit, demonstrating your funding needs. The student permit will highlight the employment terms and conditions, stating that individuals can work up to 20 hours per week. In addition, one can also apply for a Social Insurance Number.
Those who are working on-campus do not require a student permit. Nevertheless, if it’s for an internship that your program designates, one needs to have a co-op permit separately. Besides, your spouse can also apply for an open work permit.
Top Part-time Jobs in Canada for Indians
Here are some of the best part-time job options for international students in Canada, including those in cities like Brampton, Ottawa, and Surrey:
- Translator – Most occupants of Canada are bilingual. French and Hindi are some of the most popular languages besides regional English. You can apply for the post of translator, for oral, or written material. You can help the locals understand their newcomer neighbors or help the migrants understand local norms. You can assist in conversation or translating documents. The need for a translator in Canada is abundant. The payment may vary from ~₹852 – ~₹3,045 per hour depending on the client. It helps to make decent money in your free time to meet your needs.
- The Dog Walker – One of the most pleasant part-time jobs in Canada is that of a Dog walker. You can do this job after your college hours and still have enough time to finish your credits. It pays between ~₹974 – ~₹1,522 per hour which can help with basic costs of living. It’ll also help you build a sense of trust with your neighbors and employers which can further help you during your stay.
- Tutor – If you are good at subjects taught at school, you can tutor students of lower classes or even your classmates. Many students face challenges in school because they can’t keep up. You can help them and earn some extra money while doing so. This is also an ideal choice to revise all your lessons. Additionally, it gives you hands-on experience, if you wish to build your career in teaching. The earning potential is abundant, as you can earn ~₹1,827 – ~₹3,654 per hour for each student. So if you choose to tutor a class of multiple students, you can earn quite a good amount of money.
- Writer or Content Editor – Have you always been passionate about writing? Do you express yourself better in writing than you do vocally? Well then, this job is perfect for you. You can look for content creation, content editing and proof-reading jobs in your free time. This job will enhance your skills as a writer. It will also help you connect with more people in the publishing industry for future job opportunities. You can earn anywhere between ~₹2,436 to ~₹3,654 an hour for doing something you love in your free time.
- Charity Fund Raisers (Profit and Non-Profit) – Canada is always looking for people who contribute to social causes. Find a cause you are passionate about, from animals to economic stability, arts and crafts to culture. You can work as a fundraiser for different charities. This helps you get some perspective into social dynamics. It also helps build connections and expand your network. Often you may get to work with charities conducted by elite societies where you can forge professional relations with leading organisations. You can earn up to ~₹1,827 per hour. You also get the added advantage of real-world experience. You can use your connections later in life as a public agent, social worker, public relations officer, or work in a company’s CSR program, etc.
- Waiter, Cafeteria Worker or Bartender – This job seems a little hectic after hours of education, but it is far more beneficial to earn a sufficient amount of extra cash. Not only do you get paid around ~₹913 to ~₹1,827 for waiting and working at the cafeteria, you also earn in tips. For a skilled bartenders, the best pay structure offered is ~₹60,915 for working three nights a week. You can practice your skills at your work and apply for a full-time position if you find it to your liking.
- Researcher – If you wish to work with esteemed research institutes in the future, then this is the perfect job for you to practice. You can hone your skills by researching materials for other companies and get paid around ~₹1,827 to ~₹2,436 an hour. You can also add this to your experience in your resume. Based on your qualifications and experience, you can apply in various research institutes for permanent placements, once you have completed your education.
- Driver – If you like driving, get a license in Canada and you can work as a ride-share driver, uber-driver, etc. You can choose your working hours as per your classes and assignments. You can get paid anywhere between ~₹913 to ~₹1,827 per hour and work as many hours as your schedule permits.
Apart from the above mentioned jobs, these are some other popular and high-paying part-time jobs in Canada for Indian students.
Part-time Job | Average Hourly Payment in INR (Approx.) |
---|---|
Customer Service Representative | ₹852 |
Cook | ₹791- ₹913 |
Clerk | ₹791 |
Sales Associate | ₹730 |
Teacher | ₹1,218 – ₹1,340 |
Web Designer | ₹1,218 |
Merchandiser | ₹791 |
How Can you Find Part-Time Jobs in Canada?
In order to get an edge, it is essential that you start with the right strategy and frame of mind.
- Do your research – Survey the market to know the potential employers, what compensation they are offering and most importantly what skills they are looking for.
- Networking – Effective network will allow you to gain important contacts both professionally and socially. Get the word out that you are looking for a suitable opportunity and build your contacts around it. Linkedin is a supreme example of this. You can contact your faculty and networks to suggest a good opportunity for you. These are the best people to suggest as they have already been living there for a longer time.
- Strong Endorsements – It is advised that you have at least two strong references from your previous employers. These employment references will play a huge part in the job interview.
- Stellar CV – Work on your CV clearly and make sure it states strong points. Please note that your resume is your first impression and hence the impact it will make will directly influence your chances of getting part time jobs in Canada. Prepare your CV according to the job specifications and understand the objectives of why you want to apply for the particular position.
- Bridging Programs – Look for courses and assessments that will help you upscale and make you readily available for the kind of job you are looking for. Identify the areas in which you might need training for and get a certification or a license for the same.
- Be Enthusiastic – Ensure that you follow up regularly with the company as it shows your interest and your eagerness to join them. A thank you email after the interview will definitely set you apart from the crowd and also add marginal games in getting the job.
Conclusion
In order to search and apply for part-time jobs take the help of numerous ways and not one. Do extensive research on the company that you want to work for, check the websites and the pages where they post their jobs, and contact their employers directly if they are hiring. Browse through job hunting websites and go to job fairs so that you can meet employers and discuss jobs.
It might take a while for you to land a good and comfortable job but it is worth the wait. Do not lose hope and continue to learn about your profession or industry while looking for suitable part-time jobs in Canada.
Working when studying is a good way to earn some hands-on experience and build self-confidence. Let us take a step towards building our careers independently.
Also, if you wish to learn more about the living expenditure, and other expenses of studying in Canada, try to read more materials that help you navigate the Cost of Studying in Canada for Indian Students.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. What are the highest-paying part-time jobs in Canada?
A. Bartender job gives the highest salary as a part-time worker in Canada. the average payment is ~₹791 per hour. This varies based on your level of experience, work expertise, and location.
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Q. What are some of the top part-time jobs in Canada?
A. Top part-time jobs in Canada include bartender/server, sales assistant, barista, dog-walker, tutor, ride-sharing driver, teaching assistant, freelancer, translator, and nanny.
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Q. How much does a part-time Sales Assistant earn in Canada?
A. On average, a part-time sales assistant earn ~₹852 per hour. A sales assistant works in retail establishments, selling items such as clothing or groceries. Being a sales assistant, you might also receive commissions for the sales you make.
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Q. Is being a nanny a good part-time job in Canada?
A. Yes, being a nanny is a good option for foreign students, to earn extra money. The job is relatively easier, and also reasonably paid. You can work flexible hours, and your payment varies according to the responsibilities you have. On average, a nanny in Canada makes ~₹852 per hour.
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Q. How much does a Customer Service Assistant make in Canada?
A. Being a customer service assistant gives you an average payment of ~₹791 per hour. Being a customer service assistant, you will have to answer customer inquiries, complaints, provide them with the necessary information, and help customers resolve their problems, sell products and take orders, arrange services for customers, and resolve complaints.
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Q. What are the working hours for international students in canada?
A. International students can apply for a work permit, after completing their first six months of studies in Canada. The working hours allocated for international students in Canada are twenty hours per week. During semester breaks, students can work up to 40 hours per week. However, students enrolled in intensive courses can only work up to 12 hours per week.
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Q. What is the minimum wage in Canada for international students?
A. International students are entitled to the minimum wage legislature of Canada. This ensures fair wages for all students, irrespective of their country or ethnicity. The minimum wage assures a least payment ranging from ~₹697 to ~₹1,370.
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Q. What are on-campus and off-campus jobs in Canada?
A. Being a foreign student in Canada, you have to be aware of the various work options you are eligible for. You can choose to either have on-campus or off-campus part-time jobs. In order to do an off-campus job, you need to apply for a work permit. On-campus jobs are offered within the campus premises. Off-campus jobs are other casual tasks you can apply for, outside of campus and class hours.
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Q. What are the various requirements for an on-campus job in Canada?
A. On-campus jobs are much easier and safer, since you have to work within the premises of your own campus. in order to apply for an on-campus job, you need to have a work permit and a social insurance number. You must also be enrolled as a full-time post-secondary student at a public or private secondary college. Also, you cannot work more than 40 hours a week during the semesters.
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Q. What are the eligibility criteria for off-campus jobs in Canada?
A. In order to apply for an off-campus job, you have to be enrolled in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) for a full-time course. You must be at least 18 years of age. You have to be enrolled in a course that is at least 6 months long for a degree, a diploma, or a certificate. You should have a student permit and a social insurance number.
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