How International Students Can Gain Canadian Experience Before Graduating

If you’re an international student in Canada, gaining Canadian experience is a valuable way to build professional skills, expand your network and make yourself more employable. Whether you take on part-time jobs, internships or volunteer roles, gaining Canadian experience before graduation can open doors to exciting job prospects here in Canada. 

Why should international students care about gaining Canadian experience? 

Whether you are sure of your plans after graduation or not, gaining work experience in Canada during your studies is an opportunity to prepare yourself for different life and work environments after graduation. If you pursue options to stay in Canada, you will have a good understanding of Canadian work culture. If you choose to return home or explore other countries, you will stand out wherever you land because Canada provides a multicultural and well-developed work environment.   

What is Canadian experience? 

Canadian experience refers to the professional or volunteer work experience, soft skills and cultural knowledge you acquire while studying and living in Canada. The experience you gain will help you understand the Canadian market, work culture, and business practices, thus making you more likely to work well with other Canadians, and easier to onboard by Canadian employers. 

Here are some areas you’ll develop in your Canadian experience:   

• Soft skills: Soft skills are the personal skills we develop to help us work effectively with others — including communication, teamwork, problem-solving and the ability to adapt. It’s how we relate to each other, work in a team environment, and move the organisation’s goals forward. Soft skills are highly valued in the Canadian job market and are often cited as required skills in job postings. Work and volunteer roles offer exciting opportunities to sharpen these skills. 

• Knowledge of the Canadian market: You will have the opportunity to learn about the Canadian job market’s dynamics and laws. You’ll also see how consumers and clients engage with the products and services your industry offers, as well as industry challenges and opportunities in Canada.

• Work experience: Your paid work or volunteer experience will show employers you are motivated to succeed in a Canadian work environment, and will provide references for your future job search.  

Experience gained while on a study permit in Canada does not count towards the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for permanent residence. Only work experience on a post-graduation work permit counts for this. 

Why do Canadian employers value Canadian experience? 

Although employers in Canada cannot legally discriminate against candidates based on a lack of Canadian experience, they still tend to value it for several reasons:   

• Familiarity with the role or company: Employers can quickly assess your qualifications when they see familiar companies, educational institutions or job roles listed on your resume. 

• Reference checks: Employers frequently conduct reference checks, and may prefer conducting a check with Canadian companies because they can easily communicate and understand the context of your work. Reference checks with a company abroad can pose language barriers, delays in responding and questions about the company’s credibility.   

Work while studying in Canada 

As an international student, if you are hoping to gain Canadian work experience, you must know and understand the rules for working on a study permit. Here are some guidelines: 

Who can work while studying in Canada? 

To work as a student in Canada, you need a valid study permit and must be enrolled full-time at a designated learning institution (DLI) for at least six months. Your study program should be post-secondary, academic, vocational, professional or a secondary-level vocational program in regions like Quebec. Additionally, your study permit must indicate that you’re eligible to work on or off campus. If you meet these requirements, you can work up to 24 hours per week during regular academic semesters and full-time during scheduled breaks, like winter and summer holidays. This information should be available on your study permit document.

Types of work permitted for international students 

International students in Canada can build their resume with work opportunities in a variety of settings:  

• On-campus work: With a valid study permit, you can work for on-campus employers, such are the university, or on-campus stores or cafés. There is no limit on how many hours a student can work on campus. 

• Off-campus work: If your study permit allows, you can work for off-campus employers up to 24 hours a week during school semesters (as of Fall 2024) 

• Internships and co-op placements: Many programs offer internships or co-op placements, giving you practical, hands-on experience in your field of study. 

• Volunteering: This a great way to build your soft skills and connect with individuals in your community and even future employers. It’s also a good way to hone skills you’re learning at school. You can volunteer as much as you want; there’s no hour limit.   

How to find work 

Finding a job after graduation can be stressful for any new graduate. As an international student planning to work in the Canadian job market, you will have a few extra steps to take to effectively prepare: 

Get a SIN

Start by getting your Social Insurance Number (SIN). This is required for you to work legally in Canada and ensures your employer can process your payroll correctly. 

Open a Canadian bank account

Opening a Canadian bank account is essential for receiving payroll and managing your finances. RBC offers specialised banking options for international students that can help you make a successful start. 

Create a Canadian-style resume

Create a resume tailored to the Canadian job market. Make sure it highlights your relevant skills and accomplishments, and format it to align with Canadian employers’ expectations. Use online and on-campus work readiness tools and programs to help you do this effectively. Include your soft skills and customize them to each part-time job you apply to.

Network

Attend networking events, career fairs and industry meetups to grow your professional connections. Your professors, classmates and coworkers from part-time jobs and volunteer work can help you discover job opportunities. 

Look for part-time or volunteer work that aligns with your career goals

Seek part-time or volunteer opportunities in industries related to your career aspirations to gain experience. With part-time work and volunteer gigs, you can learn and practice skills you’ll need in future employment, making you more competitive when applying for full-time positions after graduation. For example, if you are interested in social media management, you can volunteer in this capacity with a nonprofit or small business. It’s a great way to demonstrate how your skills and work attitude can benefit an employer.  

How to make the most of your Canadian experience as a student 

While you are a student, think about how your Canadian experience can benefit your future career. Each opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and skills will have a lasting impact; keep that in mind with each step you take. 

Keep in touch with managers and coworkers

The people you work with can provide references and help you find future job opportunities. Your manager may be that Canadian reference you need, and your coworkers can be part of your Canadian professional network. In the future, when they hear of a role that aligns with your skills, they may let you know about the opportunity, or put in a good word for you.

Showcase your Canadian experience on your resume 

Whether your experience comes from paid or volunteer work, it’s all valuable information to include on your resume. Don’t forget to highlight the soft skills you’ve developed during your student job or volunteer opportunities — employers are looking for well-rounded applicants.  

Leverage your experience in job interviews 

Remember to use examples of your Canadian work or volunteer experience during job interviews to illustrate your knowledge and skillsets. You also can describe how you have applied soft skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication and problem-solving to support the goal of a previous work assignment. 

As an international student, gaining Canadian experience in the job market will help you transition smoothly into the workforce upon graduation. Working part-time, interning or volunteering allows you to develop the soft and hard skills that Canadian employers value, giving you an advantage in your job-search. It is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network, develop work experience and build your resume. 

Learn more: 10 job search mistakes to avoid as a newcomer to Canada

We are here to help. To ease your transition to life in Canada, please visit the RBC Newcomer Hub and learn more about RBC’s International Student Banking offer.

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