Why should you look for a better-paying student job?
If you’re a student, your financial needs will vary depending on a number of factors: Do you live with your parents or in an apartment? Do you have a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) (external link) or a scholarship? Are you a full-time international student? There are a number of ways to finance your studies, and a student job can certainly help, if only by reducing your student debt.
It may seem like the cost of living is constantly rising while the minimum wage never budges. With rent, groceries, school fees and other expenses, it can be hard to make ends meet. A good first step is taking the time to draw up a budget. If you then find that your current job isn’t covering all the bills, it may be time to look for one with better pay that will leave you enough time and money to devote to your studies.
→ Check out our article about making a student budget
How can you start your job search?
To avoid becoming overwhelmed by the numerous job offers, you should first consider what type of work would suit you best. Ask yourself the following questions:
Would you prefer a summer job, a part-time position or flexible hours?
Your studies are likely to take up a lot of time and energy. Between reading, group work and exams, a job with full-time hours wouldn’t be realistic. By taking on a well-paid student job during the school holidays, you could earn enough money to concentrate on your studies for the rest of the year. You could also opt for a part-time job or one with flexible hours, such as an on-call job, which would make it easier to balance your work and education.
Would you like to work in a field related to your studies?
It may be a good idea to choose a job related to your field of study. This will help you gain valuable skills and decide if your chosen career is right for you (or discover that it’s not). Ask your faculty about summer or part-time jobs in a field related to your studies. Your college or university may have an employment office that can help you in your search.
But don’t limit your job search to your field of study. You can gain experience in other areas and develop skills that are useful in everyday life as well as in your academic life. Many large companies, including National Bank, focus on personal skills when recruiting. For example, a job as a banking advisor requires interpersonal skills above all and can help you gain useful knowledge, particularly when it comes to managing your own budget.
What are the best-paid student jobs?
Once you have a better idea of what you’re looking for, you’ll be in a better position to identify suitable job offers. There are a number of full-time and part-time jobs for students that pay well. Here are a few options to consider:
A student job at a financial institution
Financial institutions like National Bank offer internships and jobs for students in various sectors, including technology, whether at a branch or a call centre. This is an excellent way to develop skills – in customer service, for example – while enjoying good pay, a flexible schedule and benefits.
→ Check out National Bank’s Students and Internships page and create a job alert on the Career page
A student job with the government
There are a lot of well-paid student jobs in the public sector. Browse the various government websites for a list of jobs in your field of expertise, and submit your CV to the application banks.
→ Check out the Government of Canada’s Student Employment page (external link) or the one for your province
A student job with a transit company
Transit companies, including the STM in Montreal, also hire young people, especially during the school holidays. If you aren’t interested in driving a bus or metro, there are other jobs available in communications or accounting, for example.
A student job at a park or municipal swimming pool
Want to work outdoors and have a stable schedule? You could work in a local park during the summer. If you’ve taken a lifesaving course, you could also put your skills to good use by supervising a local swimming pool or beach. This doesn’t have to be a seasonal job, as most indoor pools are open all year round.
A student job at a national park
Do you consider yourself to be outdoorsy? Imagine spending the summer in the middle of a forest or on a historic site. A job with a provincial park or with Parks Canada would be a great way to spend your school holidays. In addition to a good salary, you could even discover another part of the country.
→ Check out the Parks Canada Summer Jobs page (external link)
A student job with a Crown corporation
During the summer months, Crown corporations often hire young people to ensure continuity of service while their staff are on holiday. Manitoba Hydro offers more than 200 summer job opportunities, and Hydro-Québec even offers positions as tour guides at its power stations and interpretation centres.
A student job in the hotel or restaurant industry
Summer is the peak season for most bars, restaurants and hotels. These are usually well-paid jobs with flexible hours. This experience will help you develop customer service and interpersonal skills that will serve you well in a variety of career options.
How do you get a well-paid student job?
If you want to stand out from the crowd, it’s a good idea to be prepared when applying for a job. This will increase your self-confidence and reduce your stress when you go for interviews. Here are a few tips to stack the odds in your favour:
Research the job and the organization
Before submitting your application, take the time to read over the job description and learn about the company in question. Visit its website to learn more about its history, values, customer base and the products or services it offers. This valuable information will help convey your commitment in your cover letter or interview.
Include a cover letter with your CV
If you want your CV to attract attention, you need to include a cover letter. Explain why you’re interested in the job and what you could bring to the company. Personalize each cover letter and avoid copying and pasting proposals from ChatGPT.
If necessary, consult the advisory services or placement office at your college or university. You’ll have access to a wealth of advice, sample letters and CV inspiration.
→ Here’s some practical advice for writing a cover letter (external link)
Prepare for the interview
Reread the job description carefully and ask yourself how you meet the requirements by finding concrete examples from your previous work experience. You should also highlight your technical skills, values and personality traits such as your sociability, rigour or discipline – especially if this is your first job.
Good luck in your search!
To apply for a job at National bank, visit this page: