Resources to Help with The Search
Many online resources can help international students in Canada with their job search. These are:
- CanadaVisa Job Search Tool — a great place to start, as it provides access to job postings from across the country.
- LinkedIn — is a useful resource, as it allows students to connect with potential employers and learn about job opportunities.
- Indeed — an international job site lists thousands of job postings from across the globe.
- JobBank.ca — a good website to search for jobs, maintained and updated by the Canadian government.
- TalentEgg — is a great website for students who are looking for internships and entry-level jobs, as it provides access to a large database of job postings.
- Magnet — a not-for-profit platform that allows students to search for jobs by location, sector, and job type.
- LeapGrad — a relatively new platform for students who are looking for graduate jobs, as it provides access to a large database of job postings.
Pay, working conditions, and immigration consideration are the main issues international students should keep in mind while they study in Canada.
On April 1, 2022, the minimum wage in Canada was raised to CAD 15.55/hour after a new federal minimum wage bill was voted into law. There is a promise the wage will be adjusted according to inflation. International should ensure they are not paid anything below the minimum wage.
International students in Canada are entitled to the same workers’ rights as Canadian citizens. This means they are entitled to a safe and healthy working environment and should be paid fairly for their work. If a student has any concerns about their working conditions, they can contact their provincial or territorial labor standards office.
International students should also keep in mind the conditions they must meet to be eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada. These are as follows: they must have graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI), have a valid study permit when they apply, and apply within 90 days of receiving their official transcripts. In addition, they must have studied full-time, and their program must have been at least two years in duration. If they meet these conditions, they will be eligible to work in Canada full-time after graduation with under-maintained status. For many international students, the PGWP is a key step in furthering their work and potentially immigrating to Canada.
Finally, since most streams require at least a year of full-time work experience, and work done before graduation doesn’t count towards immigration eligibility, PGWP is very crucial for students who hope to immigrate to Canada permanently.
