Here are the top 5 most common mistakes that you do not want to make when attending a job interview for your next career move…
Continue readingTop 5 Things You Don’t Want to Say in a Job Interview
How to Create Employee Loyalty within Your Temporary Workforce
One of the leading issues that many employers are facing is employee loyalty. So, that begs the question, how do we cultivate it? Read more…
Continue reading6 Tips to Turn a Temporary Job into a Permanent One
A temporary job is a great opportunity to move into a permanent position within a company. You just need to know how.
Continue readingGetting a Temporary Survival Job in Canada: A Guide to Success
Getting a Temporary Survival Job in Canada: A Guide to Success
Whether you are a highly qualified professional or a student in Canada, there are those times when one needs to turn to ‘Plan B’ as it were. If you have been unemployed for a while and need a job, or you need some extra cash, survival jobs are a great option to consider. These jobs provide you with enough money to get by while you get your ducks in a row. There is no shame in taking a temporary survival job, especially when the job market is tight and funds are needed to sustain yourself.
However, it may be easier said than done. Landing a temp job can be tricky given the level of competition that you might face, especially when the market is down. In this blog, we offer you seven tips on what you should and should not do when trying to find and secure jobs in this line of work.
1) Choose a Temporary Survival Job You Like
Before you get too far down the rabbit hole with your job search, consider which line of work will best suit you. If you are an extroverted person who enjoys conversation and music, then you might want to consider becoming a bartender. If you prefer a quieter setting, then maybe a tutor. Either way, just make sure it is something you can enjoy doing. Another benefit it serves is, if you choose a career you like, you drive up your chances of landing the job, given you show genuine enthusiasm.
2) Try to Stay in Your Niche
Before you take up a temporary survival job like tutoring, bartending or general labour, you might want to consider sticking to your field. Even if you have to take a job at a lower position, you retain the element of consistency. This is crucial when you are working towards the dream job you studied and worked for. However, if you do aim for a survival job outside your field, try and go for something that will give you time to search for your dream job.
3) Tone Down the Resume for a Temporary Survival Job
A long, verbose resume with big-wig job titles and experiences shouts ‘over-qualified’. That is something you want to avoid when hunting for a temporary survival job. Yes, you should be honest in your resume. However, it is okay to de-emphasize things that make you more relatable. Your resume should match the level of work you are aiming for. Consider highlighting your strengths and skills in relating to people, work ethic and other things that will allow you to perform the job better.
4) Stay Positive
A positive attitude has a massive impact on the outcome of the interview. let’s say for example, that you were laid off from a high-level job in the manufacturing industry and you have to take up a job as a barista. The interviewer will feel your disdain for serving customers drinks if you come at it as a step-down. Think of it as an opportunity to stay afloat, a life raft of sorts. A grateful and positive attitude will go a long way.
“We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” – Martin Luther King Jr., American Minister
5) Be Open to Learning New Things from Temporary Survival Jobs
It’s good to be confident in your ability when attending an interview, but humility is also important. Remember, you are trying to land a survival job, for which you may not have any prior experience. Just because you were an expert in the IT department in your old job, doesn’t mean you have the skills to be a top-notch bartender yet. So, be open to learning new things, and communicate that to your interviewer. Let them know that you are very teachable and dependable.
6) Prepare for the Interview
When attending the interview for a temporary survival job, you need to keep three things in mind. The interviewer will be looking for very specific skills, yes, but they also want to know if you have the soft skills it takes to do the job. Specifically, are you a team player, will you cause any problems and are you open to learning on the job. If you can eliminate these concerns coming out the gate, you drive up the chances of landing that job. You can also quench any doubts regarding your over-qualifications by saying things like, “I have always been commended on my people skills.” or ” I know how to calm a situation down.” These statements demonstrate critical social skills that one might need.
7) Don't Get too Personal
Look, you wouldn’t be taking this job if it weren’t for the fact that you are falling on hard times. But, that is no reason to bring that up during the interview unless they ask. Even then just the bare minimum details will do most of the time. Desperation, however real, is not professional, and you should be approaching this job like any other interview. Keep things professional, polite and away from your personal life.
Recent Posts
Canadian Workforce Evolution: Adapting to Its Changing Landscape
The Canadian workforce is undergoing a transformative phase, significantly influenced by factors such as technological advancements, demographic shifts, and globalization.
Career Development and Progression: How Employers Can Support Their Staff
In an ever-evolving job market, career development and progression are not just buzzwords but essential components for retaining top talent and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Effective Onboarding: Laying the Foundation for Employee Success
In the fast-paced world of business, the importance of a structured, comprehensive onboarding process cannot be overstated. Onboarding is the critical phase...
Temporary Staffing: Benefits and Challenges for Businesses
In today's dynamic business environment, temporary staffing has become a critical strategy for companies looking to remain agile and competitive.
Employee Retention Strategies: Keeping Top Talent in a Competitive Market
In today's competitive job market, retaining top talent is as crucial as attracting them. High employee turnover not only costs businesses financially but also impacts the morale of remaining...
The Evolution of Staffing: How Technology is Changing Recruitment
The landscape of staffing and recruitment has dramatically evolved from the traditional methods of yesteryears to a technologically driven approach today. Gone are the days when job postings...
LMIA Work Permit Application: What You Need to Know
LMIA Work Permit Application: What You Need to Know
So, you’re thinking of working in Canada as a temporary foreign worker? Well, that’s all well and good but there are a few things you need to know first. As one might summarize, there are a few I’s to dot and T’s to cross before making your way into the country for work. Enter the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This is an assessment issued by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that allows you to hire foreign nationals. The LMIA work permit is essentially an assessment of the impact that hiring a foreign national has in Canada.
If you get a positive LMIA, it would indicate that there is no Canadian citizen or permanent resident available to fill the position. Hence, it would enable an employer to hire a foreign national. If the LMIA comes out negative, then the position has to be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Who Can Apply for an LMIA Work Permit
Employees, especially foreign nationals, cannot apply for the LMIA work permit. Rather, it is the employer who has to apply for it on behalf of the people they hire. It should be noted that under certain circumstances a Canadian employer can hire a foreign national without a LMIA work visa. However, all the streams of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) mandate that the employer obtains an LMIA to hire from outside of the country.
This rule extends beyond just temporary workers. Many of Canada’s immigration routes to permanent residency mandate that there be a positive LMIA. This is just the surface of what you need to know before acquiring a LMIA based work permit.
LMIA Work Permit Application Process: An Overview
An employer can apply for an LMIA work visa as early as 6 months before the intended start date for their employee. One thing that you should note is that the application process itself may vary. It depends on the wages of the person taking the position and the province they are going to work in. For this reason, the employer should check the median hourly wage for their respective province or territory. If the position is low-wage, then the employer will need to take a few extra steps in terms of the application process.
For instance, they have to address and comply with the cap on temporary foreign workers if they have done such hiring in the past. They also have to provide transportation to and from Canada. Housing for the duration of the work term is another must. Having said that, there are certain specialized streams for employers looking to get the LMIA for specific areas of employment. This includes in-home caregivers, agriculture workers, foreign academics and hiring within the province of Quebec.
LMIA Work Permit: The Checklist of Requirements
The LMIA work permit application is submitted in the form of a hard copy, via mail, to the relevant Service Canada Processing Center. With the application, you need to attach evidence of certain criteria being met. Here is that checklist:
1) Processing Fees – Every application for the LMIA, regardless of the outcome, must include CAD 1,000, non-refundable. Only certain applicants that come under the umbrella of the in-home caregiver category may be exempt from the fees.
2) Business Proof Documents – The employer needs to attach copies of documents attesting to the fact that they are a legitimate Canadian business owner.
3) Transition Plan and Recruitment Efforts: The employer must prove that they made a reasonable effort to hire Canadian citizens or permanent residents to fill the role first. This should be the case before they turned to the temporary foreign workers’ option. They also need to submit a plan of action that shows how they intend to address the need to hire foreign nationals. The plan also needs to show how they plan to move from the temp workers to permanent resident hires.
“Your life doesn’t get better by chance. It gets better by Change.“ – Jim Rohn, American Entrepreneur
4) Wages – Employers need to submit proof of the wages they plan to pay their employees. This will differentiate high-wage positions from low-wages. It will also ensure that the workers are being paid on par with their Canadian resident counterparts who might take up the same role.
5) Workplace Safety – Foreign workers are entitled to the same workplace safety standards as Canadians. Hence, employers need to show proof that the foreign workers are covered by insurance that stands to a minimum to the health coverage offered by the province or territory where the business is.
What Happens After the LMIA Work Permit Application is Processed?
After the LMIA work permit application is processed, employers are given the results. Either you have a positive assessment or a negative. If it is positive, then they can go ahead and hire the foreign national. However, there is a caveat, it is only valid for 6 months from the date of being issued. With the clock ticking, employers must be quick to notify their employees so that they can apply for their work permit or permanent residency.
There is an option that allows the employer to qualify for a more expedited process but for that, the business has to be located outside the province of Quebec. It also has to meet one of three requirements. For one the employer needs to be giving wages that are in the top 10% of wages earned by Canadians in the province or territory.
If not that, they need to be paid at least the median of the provincial or territorial wage for the position. They can also give proof that the position is for 120 days or less. Lastly, they can use the LMIA to apply for express entry for the candidate.
Recent Posts
Canadian Workforce Evolution: Adapting to Its Changing Landscape
The Canadian workforce is undergoing a transformative phase, significantly influenced by factors such as technological advancements, demographic shifts, and globalization.
Career Development and Progression: How Employers Can Support Their Staff
In an ever-evolving job market, career development and progression are not just buzzwords but essential components for retaining top talent and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Effective Onboarding: Laying the Foundation for Employee Success
In the fast-paced world of business, the importance of a structured, comprehensive onboarding process cannot be overstated. Onboarding is the critical phase...
Temporary Staffing: Benefits and Challenges for Businesses
In today's dynamic business environment, temporary staffing has become a critical strategy for companies looking to remain agile and competitive.
Employee Retention Strategies: Keeping Top Talent in a Competitive Market
In today's competitive job market, retaining top talent is as crucial as attracting them. High employee turnover not only costs businesses financially but also impacts the morale of remaining...
The Evolution of Staffing: How Technology is Changing Recruitment
The landscape of staffing and recruitment has dramatically evolved from the traditional methods of yesteryears to a technologically driven approach today. Gone are the days when job postings...
Top 10 Part-Time Jobs in Canada for Students
Top 10 Part-Time Jobs in Canada for Students
In recent years, Canada has been one of the most popular destinations for international students to travel to and study. It has great infrastructure, a strong economy, highly-regarded educational standards and so much more. While it does have a lot to offer, it may not always be the most affordable to students who have to fund their day-to-day lives out of their pocket. This is why many international students get part-time jobs to offset the cost of their studies.
As a foreign student, you might wonder if you can work while studying in Canada, as in, would it be viable? The answer to that is a resounding ‘yes’. While you do need a government permit or legal approval, it is doable. Certain part-time jobs in Canada might only require you to work weekends or evenings. Some might be even more flexible, allowing you to plan your schedule around them. In this blog, we explore 10 such part-time jobs in Canada for international students looking to support themselves.
1. Teacher’s Assistant
This is by far one of the most convenient part-time jobs to have when studying in Canada. Many schools and teachers hire teaching assistants to help them with various tasks throughout the term. Some of these duties might include tutoring, helping students, formulating lesson plans, administrative work and even grading student papers.
There are some requirements for the candidates who take up this role. Applicants should have completed at least a year of university or college. They should also have exceptional organizational skills and experience in a relevant course with which they will be assisting. What makes this job so convenient is that you don’t even have to leave campus frequently. There is a caveat though, you have to stay on top of your studies while helping others stay on top of theirs.
2. Server/ Bartender
If you’re a little more inclined towards the service industry and prefer to work in shifts or nights, then this might be more to your liking. Serving or bartending is usually done at night, be it weekdays or weekends. While the hourly wages of this job don’t quite keep pace with the other jobs on this list, it does give you more room to breathe in terms of time management. You get more time to focus on your studies with this part-time job, and hey, there are always those customers who tip well. At the end of the day, how much you earn depends on the establishment you work at, your customers and your people skills.
3. Uber or Lyft Driver
If you’re not much one for sitting behind a desk or waiting on customers, and if you much rather prefer a little movement in life, then this is a part-time job you should consider. This is a rather popular part-time job for students in Canada as they get to drive around, it’s more accessible and flexible as well. All you need is a driver’s license, be 21 years of age, a car and a phone. What’s great is you get to set your work timings with this job.
4. Tutor
This is sort of in line with what we mentioned about the teacher’s assistant. Tutoring is a great part-time job for students who excel in certain areas of study. As long as you have the qualifications, knowledge and patience to teach others, you will succeed at this job.
5. Freelancer
Here we have yet another job that allows you to set your timetable. If you are someone who enjoys working from home or remotely, a freelance job like freelance writing, web designing, copywriting or even graphic designing can be good options for students in Canada. What’s more, often you can set your rates, have a diverse range of clients and have complete control over the quality of work that you produce. This is one of the better part-time jobs if you need more time on your hands.
“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.“ – Vidal Sassoon, British hairstylist
6. Nanny
Many students often take up au pair work due to its flexible timings and generally easy-going nature of the job. If you enjoy working with children and have experience caring for them, then this is a good role for you. Many parents seek assistance taking care of their children, from picking them up at school to preparing meals, entertaining them or just simply babysitting. Typically, the hours are flexible and the added advantage here is that you can do your assignments while they sleep. You drive up your chances of landing jobs in this department if you have first-aid and CPR training.
7. Barista
Studying and caffeine go hand-in-hand most of the time. How can you say no to a job where you work with caffeine all day? It is generally very easy-going and enjoyable. Coffee shops love to hire students for their flexible schedules. However, if we are being honest, this is not one of the higher-paying part-time jobs on this list, but it has its upsides. For example, if you work for a big brand like Starbucks, then you get impressive benefits, perks and a decent day’s wage. Fair to say, it is a worthwhile part-time job to have.
8. Salesperson
This job is all about people skills. While nothing can be said for certain when it comes to working as a salesperson, there are benefits. There could be flexible timings and a decent income in it for you, but that all depends on where you work and the kind of role you take on. Some stores might offer you a commission-based salary or a general monthly income. So, choose wisely based on your schedule and studies.
“Studies serve for delight, for ornaments, and for ability.“ – Francis Bacon, Former Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain
9. Dog Walker
If you’re an animal lover, this is one of the best part-time jobs you can have. Keep in mind that, while this job does sound relaxing, it is a little more time-consuming at times. Some dog walkers may be on-call so there is that to consider. You may also have to walk certain dogs, for a certain amount of time, and it varies. There is also the weather to consider, which may not always be ideal. All things considered though, it isn’t that time consuming compared to most jobs. What’s ideal about this is, you can charge higher prices depending on the services you offer and the number of dogs you walk. This could be turned into a free-lance job if you were so inclined. You could add on service offerings like dog-sitting and even grooming if you had the time and facilities.
10. Translator
If you are someone who speaks more than one language, you might be in luck! In Canada, the demand for translators is quite healthy. However, to be a translator, you need to be able to speak, read, and write the language fluently. You need these skills as you may be asked to work on documents, facilitate communication between two or more parties and so on. You could work with a company, or you could do it as an independent agent too. Either way, there is a good scope for this part-time job in Canada for students.
Recent Posts
Canadian Workforce Evolution: Adapting to Its Changing Landscape
The Canadian workforce is undergoing a transformative phase, significantly influenced by factors such as technological advancements, demographic shifts, and globalization.
Career Development and Progression: How Employers Can Support Their Staff
In an ever-evolving job market, career development and progression are not just buzzwords but essential components for retaining top talent and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Effective Onboarding: Laying the Foundation for Employee Success
In the fast-paced world of business, the importance of a structured, comprehensive onboarding process cannot be overstated. Onboarding is the critical phase...
Temporary Staffing: Benefits and Challenges for Businesses
In today's dynamic business environment, temporary staffing has become a critical strategy for companies looking to remain agile and competitive.
Employee Retention Strategies: Keeping Top Talent in a Competitive Market
In today's competitive job market, retaining top talent is as crucial as attracting them. High employee turnover not only costs businesses financially but also impacts the morale of remaining...
The Evolution of Staffing: How Technology is Changing Recruitment
The landscape of staffing and recruitment has dramatically evolved from the traditional methods of yesteryears to a technologically driven approach today. Gone are the days when job postings...
10 Job Search Platforms in Canada You Need to Start Using Today
The job market can be an overwhelming place. That’s why we here at Pure Staffing Solutions put together a list of the top 10 job search platforms in Canada to make the hunt easier!
Continue readingEmigrating to Canada as an Electrician: Explore Your Options
If you are thinking of emigrating to Canada as an electrician, then you have a few different options in front of you. Read more on how you can go about it.
Continue readingDoing an Apprenticeship in Canada?: 6 Easy Steps for You
Undertaking an apprenticeship in Canada can be a challenging task. That’s why we here at Pure Staffing Solutions have put together a series of steps that give you a simplified view of the process.
Continue readingHow to Get A Canadian Work Permit
Getting your career jump-started in a country like Canada through a work permit can be a lengthy process. This blog breaks down the process into more manageable phases to give you a more holistic understanding of the same.
Continue reading