Decide What You Want to Achieve
Before contacting someone, distinguish among three goals: learning about a career, finding a job that fits with your studies, or looking for an internship related to your program. Your opening question will be different in each case.
| Your goal | First step | Question to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Explore a career | Identify someone or an organization whose work interests you | “What does a day in this field look like?” |
| Look for a student job | Read a few postings and note the skills they ask for | “What types of positions are suitable for someone who is studying?” |
| Find an internship | Clarify your program’s requirements with your institution | “How does the selection process for an internship work?” |
Choose two or three organizations to start with. Read about what they do and, if they post relevant opportunities, look at the duties and skills they are seeking. Then prepare a question specific to each one. This selection is a practical starting point, not a limit on the number of contacts you can explore.
Make Your LinkedIn Profile Easy to Understand
If you use LinkedIn, your profile can present your education, interests and what you have already accomplished. You do not need to invent extensive experience: a course project, group activity or personal accomplishment can help explain what you can do. Describe your role accurately and share only information you are authorized to make public.
As you review your profile, ask yourself: would someone who does not know me understand what I study, what I am looking for and one concrete example of my contribution? A straightforward headline such as “Communications student interested in community media” may be more informative than a vague phrase.
Check your visibility settings before posting. LinkedIn lets you adjust the visibility of your profile and some information; depending on your settings, some profile information may also appear outside the platform. These settings do not automatically make everything private. Avoid posting identity documents or sensitive contact information.
LinkedIn generally sets the minimum age at 16; a higher age may apply depending on the jurisdiction. If you are younger, you can explore careers and events with your school or a trusted adult, without creating an account.
Start a Conversation Without Immediately Asking for a Job
An initial message can be short: introduce your situation, explain why you are writing to this person and ask a specific question. For example:
Hello, I’m studying communications and I’m interested in your work in community media. What skill would you recommend I develop to learn more about this field? Thank you for your time.
Adapt your message to your situation rather than sending the same one to many people. A response can help you better understand a field or identify a next step; it does not replace a formal application. The person you contact is free to decline or not respond.
After a helpful conversation, make a note of what you learned and what you would like to do next. Avoid sharing your contact’s contact information or private comments without their permission.
Prepare for a Job Fair in Three Stages
A job fair is easier to approach when you know who you want to meet. McGill’s preparation guide recommends researching organizations in advance and preparing an introduction and questions.
Before the event, check with the organizer about registration, access and accessibility arrangements. Identify a few employers and prepare a brief introduction: your education, your interests and what you are looking for. Bring a tailored résumé if the event instructions call for one or if you would like to be able to hand it out.
During the fair, introduce yourself, ask a question that shows your interest in the organization and listen to the answer. You could ask: “Where can I find your student job postings?” or “What is the next step if I’m interested in a position?” Then note the person’s name, the topic you discussed and any steps they suggested.
After the meeting, send a personalized thank-you when appropriate. Mention where you met and one point from your conversation:
Hello, thank you for speaking with me at the job fair. Our conversation about your team’s projects helped me clarify my interest in the field. I’ll look at the job postings you mentioned.
Also follow the application process specified by the employer. A thank-you message does not replace any requested documents or forms. If you do not receive a response, respect their silence rather than sending repeated follow-ups.
Check Your Right to Work Before Starting
Looking for information at a job fair and starting a job are two different things. The immigration checks below apply to international students; they do not describe the conditions for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
According to information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) consulted on November 7, 2026, an eligible international student may work off campus for up to 24 hours per week during regular academic sessions. This limit is not a general authorization: among other things, you must have started your studies and check the conditions of your permit, the eligibility of your institution and program, and whether you need a Social Insurance Number.
For internships, do not assume that the same rule applies to every opportunity. Since April 1, 2026, eligible international post-secondary students have no longer needed a separate co-op work permit for a required and approved internship as part of their program. This does not automatically apply to every internship found at a job fair. IRCC states that secondary school students still need a co-op work permit for a student internship.
An unpaid activity may nevertheless be considered work. Before accepting or starting an activity, check the current IRCC rules and discuss the internship arrangements with your institution. This information is general and does not replace a review of your situation.
Recognize a Suspicious Job Offer
A request for payment to get a job, an invitation to transfer money or a request for identity documents from a contact you have not verified are warning signs. A warning sign alone does not prove fraud, but it does warrant checking before going further.
Look up the organization’s official contact information yourself, independently of the message you received, then ask whether the offer and the person who contacted you are actually associated with it. Do not pay to get a job or send identity documents to an unverified contact.
Universities: Use Career Services
Your institution can be a good starting point for preparing questions and finding employer events. Check directly with its career services office to confirm who is eligible, the schedule and the arrangements for activities that interest you.
For example, Université Laval describes career support for its students and graduates. McGill University describes, among other things, job fairs and meetings where employers can connect with its students; you can consult the McGill profile to learn about the institution. These examples do not guarantee access to a particular event or a job offer.
To take a step today, choose just one action: review your profile, prepare a question for an employer or check the arrangements for an upcoming job fair. Then keep a record of the conversations and applications you want to follow up on.