Job & internship resources

Job search

Preparation is the key to any effective job search. Before you begin looking for a job, and sending out resumes, read over the following steps to ensure that you’ve got them all covered. 

Plan and Keep Track of your Job Search with the Job Search Tracking Sheet (typable).

Know what you have to offer

• Skills: make sure they are job-related, transferable and self-management
• Highlight your knowledge or expertise linked to the job
• Interests: identify your ideal work assignment

Check the reality of the job market

• Research employers and careers
• Schedule information interviews to get more information about the job and company
• Compare your skills with what is required
• Prioritize your skills to better fit job requirements

Target jobs and organizations

• Choose places where you would really like to work
• Look at geographical locations
• Look at size of companies and industry sector
• Look at growth potential
• Rank employers in order of preference

Target your resumé and cover letters

• Highlight skills and qualities valued by employer
• Obtain the names and titles of key personnel

Write and rehearse your sales pitch

• Create your concise marketing script
• Focus on how you can benefit employers

Access the hidden market

• Conduct an information interview (meet with alumni or others)
• Network (asking contacts for job leads)
• Place cold calls (requesting a short exploratory meeting)
• Pound the pavement (small business is easier to access)

Practice your job interview skills

• Prepare for difficult questions

External job search websites

A list of websites that are recommended for finding jobs and internships. They are organized them according to your faculty and major.

External Job Search Websites organized according to your faculty and major.

Internship search

The most important thing in the initial phase of planning your internship involves setting your learning objectives / career goals and putting together a job search plan that will lead you in a positive direction and towards an internship opportunity that will best suit your needs. Listed below are a few questions you should ask yourself before you even begin your internship search.

Develop an Internship Target

• What are your career goals?
• What skills do you need to strengthen in order for you to reach these goals?
• How will your targeted internship help you to strengthen your skills?
• What transferable skills do you have?
• What would you describe as the ideal internship for you?

Prepare for your Internship Search

• Register to use the CAPS job bank so you can browse the internship postings or search through directories of internships
• Contact companies directly and ask if there are internships available
• Network with people you know and make them aware of your goals (teachers, friends, family members, etc.)
• Check government Web sites
• Visit and register with Placement Étudiant
• Get suggestions from a Career Advisor

Build your career portfolio

• Take advantage of workshops related to job search techniques and strategies
• Make an appointment to see one of our Career Advisers to get feedback on your CV and cover letter.
• Contact references and make a list available to employers upon request
• If your field of study requires you to have a portfolio, have it organized and available for viewing.

Set your priorities

• Make a prioritized list of desired internships
• Research the possibilities to the fullest extent
• Determine the best way to apply for the internship position
• Inquire if you are uncertain about requirements, eligibility or qualifications
• Find out the contact person
• Follow up on favorable responses

Internship searches

See this link for a list of internship-specific resources and websites.

International students

Part-time work for international students

As an international student at Concordia you may be eligible to work while completing your studies. Check with the University’s International Students’ Office regarding guidelines and restrictions. Read about your options for part-time work as an international student and learn about the resources available to you as you begin your job search.

Work-study program

The Work-study program offers one option for working on-campus and carries many advantages such as having your study and work environments close to one another. If you do not speak French, there is the added bonus of working in an English language setting.

Visit the Work-study program website for more information.

Key job search resources

We recommend exploring CAPS' job search resources to get a full picture of your options and how to go about your search.

You can also find key information on the Housing and Job Bank (HOJO) which is run by the Concordia Student Union (CSU).

Update and adapt your résumé

Make sure you have a strong and up-to-date résumé that reflects résumé writing practices in North America. Check out the CAPS résumés and cover letter templates.

Language requirements

If you do not speak French and wish to work off-campus, you may find job hunting a challenge. If you are considering staying in Quebec long-term, or just want to immerse yourself and practice speaking in French, come by the French language conversation groups.

Not all employment in Quebec requires you to be bilingual in French and English. For example, working in an English-language setting such as on-campus at Concordia or at other predominantly English universities, schools or organizations is one option. Below you’ll find some additional suggestions.

Where to look

Teaching: if you speak languages other than English, consider teaching at a language school. You will find a comprehensive listing of these institutions in Montreal by looking under the heading “schools language” in the telephone Yellow Pages directory.

Tutoring: If you have a strong GPA, you may want to explore the option of tutoring subjects in your academic major or your language(s). Consider advertising your services by posting a notice on bulleting boards around campus or placing an ad in the student newspapers.

Many elementary and secondary schools maintain lists of tutors (e.g. for subjects like math). Visit the English Montreal School Board for a complete list of English elementary and secondary schools in Montreal.

Restaurant and kitchen help: Restaurants are numerous in Montreal. To be a waiter or waitress you will need to speak French; however, kitchen jobs may not have this requirement. Check your telephone yellow page directory for a listing of restaurants and note that restaurants are listed alphabetically and by type of cuisine e.g. Indian, Italian, and Japanese. You may increase your chances of success by approaching restaurants where your language skills are an asset.

English neighborhoods: Areas such as Westmount, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG), Côte-Saint-Luc, and the West Island tend to have a larger concentration of English people than others. In these areas several streets such as Greene Ave., Monkland Blvd., and Sherbrooke St. W. have many coffee shops and retail stores that might provide employment.

Canadian importers from abroad: Consider working for a Canadian company that imports goods into Canada from your home country. Search the Canadian Importers Database for companie listings.

English press and media: There are many newspapers and publishers in Montreal such as The Gazette, Reader’s Digest, The Hour, Montreal Mirror, and The Suburban.

Try English radio stations such as CJAD Radio 800, CHOM FM 97 7, Q 92.5 FM, 98.5 FM, or English television stations such as CFCF, CTV, Global Montreal etc.

Consider contacting English language movie theatres such as AMC or Banque Scotia Montréal. Both are within walking distance of Concordia.

Predominantly English language bookstores in Montreal such as Chapters, Coles, Indigo, Nicholas Hoare and Paragraph might also provide opportunities.

Community centres: There are many centres in Montreal that offer services to new Canadians (e.g. Hirondelle) and local ethnic groups and associations (e.g. The Greek Labor Association, Chinese Family Services, and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre). They often offer after school programs, language classes, arts & craft courses for seniors or children and more where you may find part-time employment.

For a complete listing of organizations for immigrants and ethnic groups consult the “Directory of Community Services of Greater Montreal.” 

Specialized care: Home care workers assist people and families with special needs such as caring for children with disabilities, and helping seniors with errands/small tasks around the home. To locate jobs in this area, check CAPS website, HOJO, and classified ads in English newspapers such as the Gazette, the Suburban, and the Mirror.

Be sure to check what is written on your study permit as most carry restrictions on working with children or providing medical care.

Computer science: If you are a computer science major or technically savvy you could explore opportunities in website design, programming and game testing/development on the CAPS website. Consider also advertising your services on bulletin boards around campus, and on notice boards in public places like local libraries etc.

Warehouse work: Warehouse workers replenish stock on shelves in large wholesale stores such as UPS, Costco, Reno Depôt or even local grocery stores and pharmacies. Check with stores in your area.

Part-time/summer jobs

Concordia resources

CAPS Online Job Bank: the CAPS job bank is continuously with opportunities from employers in large variety of fields. You can sign up for job alerts and upload your résumé to the CAPS résumé bank. If you need to update your résumé, check out our résumé and cover letter templates. Note that the job bank is available for Concordia students and alumni only.

HOJO Classifieds: run by the Concordia Student Union (CSU), HOJO is an online job bank for Concordia students. For full access to the resources, you'll need to register online and confirm your student status.

What can I do with my degree in ...?: find out what jobs and/or career paths you can access with your degree. This is a great place to get more ideas on what to look for and where based on your personal studies and interests.

Jobs at the Student Success Centre: the Student Success Centre hires mentors, tutors and student career advisors every year. You can contact the department or unit directly to inquire about job opportunities.

External job sites for summer or part-time work

Yellow Pages Tutoring Companies: use the yellow pages to search for tutoring companies in the greater Montreal area.

Summer Jobs.com: this site lists various types of summer student employment options including internships. You can search according to location and keyword.

Emploi Quebec Student Jobs: browse student and summer jobs in the province of Québec. You can narrow down your search by city.

Part-Time.ca: this site lists part-time jobs in Québec and across the country

Callcentrejob.ca: interested in working at a call centre? Check out this site for available positions in French or English. 

On campus

Jobs on campus can be a great way for students to balance work and academic studies. There are several different types of positions out there, through many of the student services at Concordia such as the Student Success Centre, the athletics team, the Concordia Student Union and the many companies operating on campus.

Though most positions are for the fall and winter semesters, some begin or carry through the summer. Check out Jobs on Campus at Concordia for a full list of resources.

On the web

Navigating online job sites is one of many important ways of diversifying your search and getting an idea of what opportunities might be available to you.

Check out our external job search websites organized by Faculty.