Your resume is updated for Canada, you have applied to a dozen jobs, and the same question keeps coming back in interviews: "Do you have any Canadian experience?" Volunteering is one of the most practical answers. It gives you a local reference, current examples to talk about and a reason to speak English every week, while you keep looking for paid work.
Volunteering is part of Canadian life
In 2023, 73% of Canadians aged 15 and older volunteered in some way, and about 32%, close to 11 million people, gave time through an organization, according to Statistics Canada. Hospitals, sports clubs, food banks, festivals and settlement agencies all rely on volunteers.
That means employers recognize volunteer work. A hiring manager who coaches their child's soccer team on weekends will not dismiss your role at a food bank. To find openings, start with the volunteer centre directory from Volunteer Canada, which lists local centres across the country, then check the volunteer pages of organizations in your own field.
Choose a role that builds Canadian experience in your field
The best volunteer role is one you could describe in a job interview. Look for tasks close to your profession: an accountant can keep the books for a small non-profit, a marketer can run a charity's social media, an engineer or IT specialist can help with a community organization's systems.
On your resume, list the role like a job: the organization, your title, the dates and two or three results. For example (adapt it to your own role): "Volunteer Bookkeeper, Eastside Community Food Bank, Vancouver, March 2026 to present. Reconcile monthly donations in QuickBooks; reduced month-end close from five days to two." Our post on getting your first job experience in Canada shows other ways to present it, and our resume review service checks the whole document against what Canadian recruiters and applicant tracking systems look for.
After a few months, ask for a reference. A simple request works: "I've enjoyed volunteering here since March. I'm applying for bookkeeping positions; would you be comfortable being a reference for me?" A Canadian supervisor who can confirm your reliability is often what an employer is looking for.
Check what your permit allows before you start
Permanent residents and citizens can volunteer wherever they like. If you are in Canada as a visitor, a student or a temporary worker, the question is whether the activity is genuine volunteer work or unpaid work. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) does not treat as "work" volunteer activities that people would not normally be paid for, such as being a big brother or big sister to a child or sitting on the board of a charity. It does count unpaid activities that compete with Canadians and permanent residents for jobs, including unpaid work to gain experience, such as an internship (IRCC, "What is work?").
In practice, a weekly shift at a food bank or helping at a community festival is volunteering. A full-time "volunteer" role doing the bookkeeping of a private company, which it would otherwise pay someone to do, is work, and you need a work permit that allows it. An employer-specific work permit only covers the employer named on it, so be careful with unpaid roles at other businesses. If a role sits in the grey zone, ask the organization whether the position would normally be paid, and check with IRCC or a licensed immigration consultant before you start. This is general information, not immigration advice.
Your network grows with every shift
Volunteering puts you next to people you would not meet otherwise: board members, other volunteers, staff and partners. Some of them work in your field or know someone who does, and they now know you as reliable rather than as a stranger asking for help.
When conversations come up naturally, say what you are looking for: "I'm a project coordinator and I'm looking for my first role in Canada." People cannot refer you if they do not know you are searching. For more on building relationships the Canadian way, read our guide to the art of Canadian networking.
Practise English in real situations
If your English is your main barrier, pick a role where you talk to people every week: welcoming visitors, answering phones, helping at events. You will learn workplace phrases, small talk and local expressions faster than in a classroom, and you will gain confidence for interviews.
Volunteering is also a low-risk way to test a new direction. If you are thinking of changing careers, a few months in a related role will tell you whether you enjoy the work before you invest in training.
Start this week, a few hours at a time
You do not need to give every evening. A few hours a week in a role connected to your goals is enough to answer the "Canadian experience" question with a real example. Pick one organization this week, apply, and track what you learn so you can talk about it in interviews.
You can also volunteer with us: Canada Talents welcomes volunteers who want to help French-speaking professionals build their careers. See our volunteer opportunities, and if you want help choosing a role that fits your career plan, book a career consultation.
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