WORK ABROAD IN CANADA: 2022 RESORT JOB GUIDE

Want to work abroad in Canada in 2022? Canada is the perfect year-round destination if you wish to experience a ski season then spend the summer exploring national parks. It’s a great place to enjoy endless outdoor adventure activities, meet people from all over the world and, if English isn’t your first language, improve your language skills.

Our Working Holiday Resort Programs guarantee you a resort or hotel job with accommodation before you arrive in Canada, many of which are located on the doorstep of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes. Here, discover everything you need to know about securing a resort job in Canada in 2022.

Work abroad in Canada and spend days off exploring iconic destinations at your own pace. It's the dream!

BEFORE GETTING YOUR RESORT JOB IN CANADA

Before coming to Canada on a ski or summer working holiday, you must obtain your working holiday permit (or visa) through International Experience Canada (IEC). Some countries will have better chances of securing their work permits than others due to the demand per country. In any case, if you are lucky enough to get your invitation to apply for your IEC working holiday permit, do not miss it.

Resorts and hotels in resort towns will only interview you if you have your working holiday permit secured (unless you are from countries like Australia that have unlimited working holiday visas available). There are some resorts or hotels that will still be interested in interviewing you without your visa. It is still your responsibility, however, to secure your work permit before they can employ you.

So, if we need to summarize the process, it will look like this:

  1. Secure your Working Holiday work permit (visa)
  2. Job interview from back home to secure your job offer
  3. Travel to Canada!

We have created a specific guide on how to apply for your working holiday permit in Canada. We cover each step from the moment you create your IEC profile, to receiving your invitation, work permit application submission, and biometrics. Additionally, we have information on everything you need to know about the police certificates you need for your IEC work permit application, and what you need to know about insurance to activate your working holiday permit.

If you connect with us before you secure your working holiday visa, we will be able to guide you through every step. From your visa application and full preparation before your trip to Canada to keeping you updated on the latest COVID-19 regulations at the time of your trip to Canada!

Working abroad will give you the opportunity to make friends from all over the world

HIRING SEASONS FOR RESORTS IN CANADA

There are two main hiring seasons in Canada, winter and summer. Each season lasts around six months, but the length can depend on the weather conditions for that year. For both the ski and summer hiring seasons, the closer you get to the season’s start date, the lower your chance will be to get the job you want. That’s why it is important to start planning nice and early.

We typically make the recommendation to our participants not to quit their jobs back home or book flights before having secured a job in Canada. This will make it easier to plan your trip according to your job’s start date. Keep in mind that you do not choose your job’s start date. The resort or hotel employer will arrange your start date according to their orientation days, so you can get started with the rest of your team and get to know your co-workers. If you had booked your flight before receiving your staff accommodation move-in date, you have to pay for your own accommodation while you wait. Therefore, when you book your flight after receiving a moving date, you will save money. Also, not having a flight booked will allow you to be flexible for different roles that have different start date requirements.

We bet you didn't know that you could surf in Canada...

WHAT DO EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING WORKING HOLIDAY PARTICIPANTS AT RESORTS IN CANADA?

It will always depend on the position you are applying for. Overall, the job you land will fully depend on the strength of your resume and skill set. In general, employers look at the following:

  • Previous work experience: Any previous work experience in the hospitality industry will be a plus. Is it mandatory to have experience in this field? Absolutely not!
  • Availability to work in Canada: How long will you be available to work for? The longer the better in most cases!
  • English proficiency: For our non-native English-speaking clients, the better your communication skills are, the higher your chance will be to get a job. But don’t worry, you are not required to have a super high level of English to secure a job. That’s why we offer a FREE assessment before you register for our Working Holiday Programs.
  • Personality and communication skills: This is something we really focus on with our clients. We have helped so many amazing job seekers with zero hospitality experience and low levels of English land a job. The way you present yourself is key! That’s why we coach our participants to rock their interviews with our employers.

CAN I CHOOSE THE HOTEL OR THE JOB POSITION THAT I WANT IN CANADA?

When arranging your interviews, we take your preferences regarding areas in Canada, specific resorts, employers, and positions into consideration. We have been working with our partner employers for over ten years. From this experience, we will guide you in the right direction to improve your chances of being hired by that specific employer.

With that said, it is important to note that you still need to get hired by the employer. You will need to try your best in the interview to convince the employer you are the best candidate for the position. Even though we will provide you with our expert tips and insight for succeeding in the interview with the specific employer, it’s still a job interview! You still need to prepare for the interview and try your best to sell yourself. If the employer decides you are not the best candidate, we will work with you to arrange your next best option. Our team will work with you until you succeed!

WHAT ARE THE HOTELS OR RESORTS THAT I WILL BE PLACED IN DURING MY WORKING HOLIDAY IN CANADA?

We work with many hotels and resorts in Alberta and British Columbia. Depending on your preferences we will do our best to find the perfect employer for you. We take pride in helping our participants find jobs that will give them an unforgettable experience in Canada. We do not work with hotels that are not well known, are not in nice locations, or are too small. All hotels that we work with are three, four or five-star hotels.

When you are provided with the hotel’s details in preparation for your interview, you can read the company’s reviews on various travel websites. Take some time to check their own website as well to learn more about them. The most important thing to remember is that each hotel or employer will have different requirements, no matter if you are applying for the same type of position.

Tick off your bucket list seeing Canada's natural wonders

CAN I CHOOSE MY START DATE FOR WORKING AT A RESORT IN CANADA?

When you organize a free consultation with us, we ask you for your start date preferences. We will always make sure to inform each employer about your desired start date. This includes the extra time you will need to get settled in Canada before moving to the resort. Normally we recommend our participants set aside at least one business day to get their bank account, SIN number, cell phone, and a few more items sorted out with our team.

When hotels and resorts interview our participants, we will have previously notified them of your start date availability. Therefore, they can offer you a predetermined start date. These predetermined start dates are great because you will be starting at the same time as other workers for an orientation. This means you won’t be the only new staff member on the team!

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I MAKE WORKING AT A RESORT OR HOTEL IN CANADA?

Each province in Canada has its own minimum wage. Depending on the job you get, the salary might differ. Depending on your level of previous work experience, there is the potential to earn more than the minimum wage. You can be sure that you will be making more than enough money to pay your expenses and enjoy your experience in Canada, as you will be working full-time hours.

Remember that your staff housing will be subsidized by your employer, that’s why it will be quite cheap compared to the rental rates in the area. To give you an idea of the minimum wage rates in Western Canada:

  • Alberta: $15 CAD per hour
  • British Columbia: $15.20 CAD per hour
We can secure you a job in Whistler with staff accommodation for the upcoming ski season...

MY FRIEND AND I GOT OUR WORKING HOLIDAY PERMITS. CAN STEPWEST FIND US JOBS AT THE SAME RESORT OR HOTEL IN CANADA?

Yes! We have placed many groups of friends and couples at the same resort. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you must both be open to a few different resort locations, but we can indeed guarantee placements together in resorts.

WILL I GET MY ACCOMMODATION GUARANTEED OR DOES IT DEPEND ON THE RESORT OR HOTEL?

On our program, your accommodation will be ALWAYS guaranteed! We will not offer you a position or job in Canada if the employer is not committed to secure your accommodation at a discounted price. For you to have an idea, rates for a shared room begin at $13 CAD per night and normally a deposit is required when you move in! This deposit can be between $200 CAD and $300 CAD, and you will be able to get it back when you move out, if you leave the room in good condition. Basically like a regular rental!

Your rent for staff housing will be paid via bi-weekly payroll deduction, so everything is taken care of. Easy peasy.

WHAT IS STAFF ACCOMMODATION LIKE?

Every hotel will offer different types of housing. Prices will also differ depending on the accommodation type and location. Commonly, employers will have on-site and off-site housing where staff will typically share rooms – which is great as it will be the best way to meet friends when you arrive! In both situations, you will share a kitchen and bathroom. On-site laundry facilities are always available for the staff to use, with washing machines and dryers.

All staff housing will be connected to the hotel or resort so you will be able to connect with your workplace either by transport or walking. Don’t worry, you do not need a car to work at a resort in Canada!

Also, all hotels and resorts will have a staff housing team who will be there to support you and make sure you have a smooth transition to your new home!

Want to learn more?

Interested in working abroad in Canada? Get in touch to speak to our team about our Working Holiday Programs and how we can help you plan the trip of a lifetime.