Canada is a renowned study-abroad destination, attracting a large number of international students. These students are well aware of their part-time working rules, making them prepared for job fairs. However, the significant inflow of international students also leads to increased competition for jobs, exacerbated housing issues, and high living costs.
The recent Canada Job Market Report shows a net increase of 27,000 jobs, with part-time positions rising by 62,000 and full-time positions falling by 36,000. While part-time jobs can help students cover their living expenses, relying solely on part-time salaries is not a feasible solution for funding their education.
How to identify relevant part-time work opportunities in Canada?
For newcomers in Canada, it is going to be a fresh experience with zero guidance as to how to find a part-time role in a specific sector. Here are some key areas that students can consider:
- Campus-based Jobs: Universities and colleges offer various part-time roles to students. These roles are usually in the administrative departments, international marketing departments, libraries, and campus facilities. The best part about these roles is that students are not required to leave campus.
- Call Centres: Of course, how can one forget about the part-time roles in call centres? Anyone with strong communication skills has a good future in the field of call centres. These roles often come with flexible shift hours and the possibility of working remotely.
- Tutoring and Academic Assistance: Any student who has a strong academic background and an interest in teaching can find a part-time role as a tutor or teaching assistant. These positions are usually made available by private tutoring services or university departments.
- Technology and computer skills: Anyone who is a programming, IT, or other technical skills enthusiast can find part-time work in tech support. More often, these roles are available in tech hubs but are also easily available in smaller cities.
Regional and Demographic Trends:
For a better job search, it is important for an individual to understand regional and demographic employment trends for part-time work. There is a significant difference in the trends in regions like Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. However, the trends show that Tier 2 cities like Ottawa, Halifax, and Winnipeg offer more part-time work opportunities.
It is often noticed that there are lower unemployment rates and growing demand for part-time workers in different sectors, including customer service, hospitality, and retail. Moreover, a positive trend has been witnessed in the hourly wage for part-time work in Canada. In May 2024, the average hourly wage spiked by 5.1 percent, followed by a growth of 4.7 percent in April.
Some secret tips to find part-time work:
- Leverage Local Resources: Utilise local resources such as employment agencies, community organisations, and newcomer support services that offer resume writing workshops, job search assistance, and interview preparation.
- Customize Your Applications: Keep your resume and applications updated for each job, emphasising relevant skills and experiences. Highlight any volunteer or intern experience to demonstrate familiarity with the Canadian work environment.
- Build Networks: Create extensive networks by attending industry events, joining professional associations, and engaging in other networking opportunities.