Preparing & Applying for Jobs
Finding a job as an international student can be hard. Canadian employers
tend to favour students who are Canadian students,
permanent residents, or speak the official languages of Canada (English/French).
"Most jobs want permanent citizens. This was a problem as my degree is related to law enforcement but [the] majority of them have a requirement of residency for hiring which makes it impossible to get a job in my field."
There are many positions available in Canada that international students could potentially fill, but there are several factors that decrease the success of acquiring a job. Language barriers, lack of experience, and not having the right resume and cover letter all affect the perceived suitability of an applicant.
"Being an international student precluded me from many jobs - some were available for Canadians or permanent residents only. Some jobs were reserved for international students only, and when I found them, my chances of getting a job increased exponentially. A big barrier was not having a job board that was dedicated to international students."
While there has been a shift to the job market and continuous lobbying in recent years to open up more opportunities to international students, there should also be greater recognition for the invaluable wealth of knowledge and cultural diversity international students can bring to the workforce
In order to make sure your talents as an international student does not go under the radar, this article will give tips and tricks to present yourself as the best candidate for whichever job you apply for.
Resume Components
To begin preparing and applying for jobs, proper resume building is the first step. Building your resume can be done through joining clubs, volunteering, doing internships, and learning different skills.
A resume typically includes:
1. Experiences
education
work positions
volunteer positions
extracurricular activities
2. Attributes
skills
values
personality traits
3. Accomplishments & Achievements
scholarships
GPA
These details can be given in a point-form, bulleted list written in active voice. Use action verbs such as “I designed” rather than''I was responsible for”, which keeps the audience engaged and directly shows the actions you took. When discussing your accomplishments, give quantifiable values, such as the number of hours worked or length of time spent in each experience.
Finding experience to build your resume can be through volunteering, joining student clubs, or learning new skills, like a language.
"Try different things through volunteering to find what you enjoy, and focus on building a skillset(s). Once you learn how to show that you bring value to a team/company, getting hired becomes easier."
Resumes should be easy to read, including the font chosen and the page length. Readers may lose interest if they have to read anything longer than two pages.
Language Skills
Resumes are a good way to communicate which languages you are proficient in. Highlighting English language skills, including reading, writing, and speaking, demonstrates your communication skills, a key element that many employers will look for in potential job candidates. Consider using a rating system, such as beginner, intermediate, and advanced to describe your proficiency.
There are formal tests you can take for official recognition of language skills, such as the DELF B1 test that examines French language skills (DELF, n.d.). Listing this credential will give your employer a standard scale to measure language skills. For international students considering jobs with the government of Canada, passing the DELF B1 exam is an asset. For testing English proficiency, the IELTS and CELPIP are exams you can take to show your skills.
If you know multiple languages, such as taking French courses at university, highlighting these skills on your resume may be considered an asset. For example, jobs offered by the Government of Canada often look for candidates who are fluent in both French and English. This is also good to highlight when jobs may require communication with international clients.
You should also make sure written communication includes proper grammar and spelling, has a formal tone, and succinctly conveys information.
Customization
It is important to customize your resume so that it adheres to the job description (Hu, 2021). Only show the skills and experience relevant to the job, adding in key words from the job description so the employer does not have to search for qualifications and credentials. Many companies have begun using artificial intelligence, and applicant tracking systems, to scan through resumes, filtering out the ones that don’t align with the job description. To catch the recruiter’s eye, personalize your resume like through the layout or the style to set yourself apart from other candidates.
The Career Centre at the University of Alberta can help with tailoring your resume.
Cover Letters
Like your resume, cover letters should be specific to the job you are applying for . Cover letters should be written in structured paragraphs, totalling one page. Your cover letter should match the tone and format of your resume so the two pieces flow.
A cover letter is where you discuss your suitability for the role you are applying for and how your presence will benefit. This is not just a summary of your resume; it should incorporate specific examples and stories from your past experiences to convey the transferable and applicable skills to the hiring manager.
"How much [I had to] speak highly of [myself] - made me uncomfortable!"
Create a narrative surrounding your qualification, that demonstrates your understanding of what the audience is looking for. For example, if you were applying to be a camp counsellor, you would want to show your enthusiasm for working with children. This makes your letter easier to read and shows what you can do for the future employer to help the business achieve their goals. Include quantifiable details here, such as “I increased sales by 22%”.
Sections to Include:
At the top of the page- include your contact information: full name, email address, and phone number
Greeting-it is best not to use a generic greeting, research the name of the employer who will be reading your letter
Opening paragraph-state the gap you can fill that addresses the needs of the employer
The following two paragraphs- discuss your experiences, give a maximum of 3 succinct examples that highlights relevant skills for this job
Closing- end with a call to action, such as “I look forward to hearing from you” or “thank you for taking the time to read my letter".
Resources for Mock Interviews
Preparing for an interview can be a daunting task. You should start preparing ahead of time even before an interview invitation. Databases of interview questions, like those on The Balance Careers website, can give you an idea of what the interview may ask. Furthermore, scheduling a mock interview session will build your confidence and ease your anxiety when it comes to the real interview.
The University of Alberta offers mock interview sessions. Visit the Career Centre to book an appointment.
Websites to Apply for Jobs
Websites for Volunteer Work
Jobs can also be found through search engines like Google and networking.
"If you want a job, it's best to create word of mouth. Most people land good jobs through networks. Make more connections and get in with their referrals."
Advice from International Students
Applying for jobs can be a frustrating experience. When asked what was most surprising about the process, one international student responded:
"The fact that some of them ask what nationality and race we come from. I understand nationality might be important if we are international since there [is] more paperwork in the process but to ask it even before we are interviewed; just to apply is absurd. Feels like it's an easy way to filter people they don't want."
Other international students lend their support and offer their advice:
"[The job application process] can be really fast at times, but also a lengthy process at times."
"Fail once, try again!"
"Practice makes perfect - don't expect to get the first job you apply for. Keep trying, test out different resumes and interview approaches, and don't give up!"
Please stay tuned for the next edition of our series where we will explore how to set up your life in Canada!
Need a quick recap? Check out our infographic!
References
Chaudhury , A. (2018). A continent away: Challenges faced by international students. OUSA. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.ousa.ca/blog_continent_away
Cheng, L., Im, G.-H., Doe, C., & Douglas, S. R. (2020). Identifying English language use and communication challenges facing “entry-level” workplace immigrants in Canada. Journal of International Migration and Integration, 22(3), 865–886. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-020-00779-w
DELF. (2022). Delf B1. DELF B1: French studies diploma level B1. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from http://www.delfdalf.fr/delf-b1.html
GlobalExam Blog. (n.d.). Celpip vs IELTS (updated September 2021). GlobalExam Blog. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://global-exam.com/blog/en/whats-the-difference-between-celpip-and-ielts
Government of Canada. (2022, May 5). Job bank. Job Bank. Retrieved June 25, 2022, from https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home
Hu, J. (2021, July 14). Learn how to tailor your resume to a job description. Jobscan. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.jobscan.co/blog/tailor-resume-job-description/
Indeed Editorial Team. (2021). How to feature your language skills on a resume. Indeed Career Guide. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/resume-language-skills
International Staff. (2019, October 9). Removing the barriers for international students to work and settle in Canada. Study International. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.studyinternational.com/news/work-permanent-residence-international-students-barriers-canada/
Study International Staff. (2022, June 15). Canadian open work permit update: What int'l students should know. Study International. Retrieved June 25, 2022, from https://www.studyinternational.com/news/canadian-open-work-permit-sponsorship/
Ollieching.com. (2021, September 1). All you need to know to prepare for your B1 delf exams! Olliechinny. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://olliechinny.com/french-b1-delf-exams/
University of Alberta Career Centre. (2022). Job postings from Career Centre. Job Postings | Career Centre. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.ualberta.ca/career-centre/job-postings.html
University of Alberta Career Centre. (2022). Resumes and cover letters. Career Centre. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.ualberta.ca/career-centre/resources/resumes.html
Wheatman, D. (2020, December 30). How to write a highly effective cover letter. LiveCareer. Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://www.livecareer.com/resources/cover-letters/how-to/write/effective-cover-letter?utm_source=google&utm_medium=sem&utm_campaign=13175117958&utm_term=&network=g&device=c&adposition=&adgroupid=121306106334&placement=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhLKUBhDiARIsAMaTLnFDNqcZOtoWIWpSEUhr7R_goBzGuKsIH5iE5BCT4N4E_tjJZcz1BogaApgdEALw_wcB
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