Work Search for International Students

• Working On-Campus
  • International students registered for full-time study at Trent University may qualify to work on campus without a work permit. If you qualify, your study permit will allow you to work up to unlimited hours. Visit the IRCC website to review eligibility.
  • Students must possess a valid study permit to work on campus in Canada.
  • Please visit the Trent Job Board for information on current job opportunities.
  • Pay attention to funding eligibility, International Students are eligible for specific positions for example positions that directly say ‘open to all students’ and ‘TIP Job Subsidy’.
  • International students are not eligible for TWSP and TWSEP funded positions.
  • In the past, international students at Trent University have found jobs at the library, colleges, athletic complex, alumni office, housing, development office, TI office, food catering company, The Arthur (school newspaper), liaison office and research assistant positions with faculty.
• Working Off-Campus
  • As an international student, you may qualify to work off-campus without a work permit. If you qualify, your study permit will allow you to work up to 24-hours per week during regular academic sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks, such as the winter and summer holidays or reading week.
  • To determine if you qualify, and for current information on the rules and regulations, visit Visit the IRCC website to review eligibility.
• Additional Information
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. To obtain your SIN, please visit a Service Canada Center with your proof-of-identity documents.
  • Visit the Trent International (TI) Office for specific questions regarding your eligibility as a Trent student and for advice about your application for a Social Insurance Number.

The Trent Student and Alumni Job Board

All job postings received by Careerspace are posted on the Student Job Board: trentu.ca/sep. There are on-campus positions posted throughout the year. There are off-campus jobs including: summer, part-time, and full-time roles as well as volunteer and internship opportunities.

There are also academic support positions posted on Trent's Human Resources website 

Advertised jobs are most often on online job boards or on company websites. Advertised jobs are easier to find, but they tend to be more competitive and make up a smaller percentage of work opportunities. It’s OK to look for advertised jobs – but don’t ONLY job search this way.

Here are some tips:

• In addition to the big job boards find company web pages, industry-specific job boards in your field, and job boards targeted to students and new grads.
• Tailor your résumé and cover letter to each position you apply to.
  • Focus on your specific skills as they relate to the job ad and your field.
  • Be sure to include your professional experience from outside of Canada!
  • Ensure you utilize the resources (Tip Sheets & Career Workforce Readiness Modules and supports offered by Careerspace to ensure your application documents are strong).
  • As an international student, you have unique experiences that will be an asset when searching for job.
    • Some examples include: cultural awareness, adaptability, problem-solving, language proficiencies and more! Be sure to incorporate these employability traits into your applications.
• Set up job alerts with employers to be sent notifications of job postings.
• Analyze the ad. Be aware of job scams. Does it sound too good to be true? Contact Careerspace if you are unsure.
• Follow employers on social networks: it’s common for employers to promote opportunities on these platforms.
• Job aggregators such as Hiring Cafe, Indeed, Eluta, Simply Hired and Wowjobs will search company websites and other job boards to find job postings. Some employers will also post jobs directly on these sites. Find strong keywords that get you good search results.
• Specific Job Board and Resources for International Students: Wayble
• Local Job Boards include: Workforce Development Board and Durham Workforce Authority.

An unadvertised job is any opportunity that is not posted publicly. This is referred to as the ‘Hidden Job Market.’ To locate unadvertised jobs in Canada, you will need to consider networking. Networking involves building relationships in an authentic way with professionals in your sector. It’s a way to get career information, advice and support. Spending a significant amount of time on this will help you find a career in Canada!

How to Network?

• Attend career fairs both on campus and in the community, Attend industry events and connect with professionals through online platforms like LinkedIn.
• Tell everyone! Let people know what kind of job you are looking for - contact friends, professors, classmates, former supervisors and colleagues, and relatives.
• Research career paths of Trent grads on the LinkedIn Trent Alumni page and reach out for advice.
• Join professional associations, on campus clubs and attend conferences, meetings and events.
• Volunteering can be a great way to network and build Canadian experience. There are opportunities both on campus and in the community. Check out Volunteer Peterborough and attend Careerspace’s Volunteer Expo which happens each fall!

Print a copy of the Work Search for International Students tip Sheet.