Are you a student seeking a rewarding and meaningful career in public service? Do you want to work with people in Canada and worldwide to help build an inclusive and diverse society? If so, you might be interested in working at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
IRCC is among the National Capital Region’s Top Employers and Canada’s Best Employers by Forbes. This department is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism in its people management, client service, and policy and programs. IRCC’s vision is to build a stronger Canada—a safe and secure country with a shared bond of citizenship and values, a country that continues to support its humanitarian tradition and draws the best from the world to help build an economically, socially, and culturally prosperous nation.
As a student working at IRCC, you can contribute to this vision and gain valuable experience in various fields, such as policy, research, data management, program delivery, communications, human resources, and more. You will also have access to multiple networks, professional development opportunities, and wellness initiatives supporting your growth and well-being.
So, how can you get a job at IRCC as a student? Here are some tips and resources to help you with your job search.
Table of Contents
1. Create a Job Applicant Profile on GC Jobs
GC Jobs is the official website where all federal government departments post job advertisements. To apply for any job at IRCC or other departments, you must create a Job Applicant Profile on GC Jobs. This profile will allow you to upload your resume, cover letter, and other documents, track your applications, and set alerts for new jobs.
To create your profile, register on GC Jobs with your email address and create a username and password. You must also provide personal information, such as your name, date of birth, citizenship status, and education level. You can also indicate if you belong to equity-deserving groups, such as Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, or women. This information will help IRCC achieve its diversity and inclusion objectives and may give you access to job opportunities limited to candidates from these groups.
2. Apply to the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)
The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) is one of the main ways that students can get hired by IRCC or other federal departments. FSWEP program offers full-time or part-time paid work opportunities for students across Canada in various fields and locations. FSWEP is open to secondary school, college, technical, CEGEP, and university students.
To apply to FSWEP, log in to your Job Applicant Profile on GC Jobs and complete an online application form. You must provide information about your education, skills, work experience, and career interests. You must also answer some screening questions that will help match you with suitable job opportunities.
Once you submit your application, you will be entered into an inventory of eligible candidates that federal departments can access when they have student job openings. You may be contacted by IRCC or other departments for further assessment or hiring processes. You can also update your application anytime if your situation or preferences change.
3. Participate in a Co-op Program
Another way students can get hired by IRCC or other federal departments is through co-op programs. Co-op programs are academic programs that allow students to alternate between periods of study and periods of paid work experience related to their field of study. Many post-secondary institutions across Canada offer co-op programs.
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To participate in a co-op program, you must be enrolled in an eligible program at an accredited post-secondary institution with an agreement with the federal government. You also need to meet the academic requirements of your program and obtain approval from your co-op coordinator or advisor.
Once approved for co-op placement, you can apply for co-op jobs at IRCC or other federal departments through GC Jobs or your co-op coordinator or advisor. You must follow the same steps as applying for FSWEP jobs, except for selecting “Co-operative Education/Internship” as the type of work experience program on GC Jobs.
4. Send Your Resume Directly to IRCC
If you already have experience working in the federal government as a student, you can send your resume directly to IRCC for consideration for future student job opportunities. This option is available only for students who have previously worked at IRCC or other federal departments through FSWEP or co-op programs.
To send your resume directly to IRCC, email it to [email protected]. You must include your name, contact information, citizenship status, education level, previous federal work experience, and availability. You must also indicate your preferred work location, language, and field of interest.
By sending your resume directly to IRCC, you will be added to a pool of potential candidates that IRCC can access when they have student job openings. IRCC may contact you for further assessment or hiring processes.
5. Search for Job and Inventory Postings on GC Jobs
In addition to applying to FSWEP or co-op programs, you can also search for specific job and inventory postings on GC Jobs that are open to students. Job postings are advertisements for positions with a defined closing date and selection process. Inventory postings are advertisements for multiple positions with ongoing needs and continuously accepting resumes.
To search for job and inventory postings on GC Jobs, log in to your Job Applicant Profile and use the search filters to narrow down your results. You can filter your search results by keyword, work location, salary, department, etc. You can also set alerts for new jobs at IRCC or other departments that match your criteria.
To apply for a job or inventory posting on GC Jobs, you need to follow the instructions on the posting and submit your application before the closing date. You must provide information about your education, skills, work experience, and career interests. You will also need to answer some screening questions and assessment tools that will help evaluate your suitability for the position.
If you are selected for further consideration, you will be contacted by IRCC or other departments for additional assessment or hiring processes.
The Bottom Line
Working at IRCC as a student can be a rewarding and meaningful career choice that will allow you to make a difference in the lives of Canadians and newcomers. To get a job at IRCC as a student, you must create a Job Applicant Profile on GC Jobs and apply to various work experience programs, such as FSWEP or co-op programs. You can also search for specific job and inventory postings on GC Jobs open to students. By following these tips and resources, you will increase your chances of landing a student job at IRCC and gaining valuable experience in public service.
