Career growth hinges on optimizing one’s approach to the job market, and one of the top ways of doing so is by networking with like-minded professionals in various industries.
Building a strong professional network can provide newcomers to Canada with ample opportunity to find their first job.
It also helps them to understand labour market trends, Canadian workplace culture, and career planning strategies that they were previously unaware of.
Networking is promoted by career coaches worldwide to achieve success in most industries.
This article lays out six simple networking strategies to grow one’s business network and achieve career success as an immigrant in Canada.
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1. Leverage Your Local Immigrant Support Organizations:
Canada’s local immigrant-serving organizations offer a wealth of resources and tools to newcomers to integrate in Canadian society, and their services often include networking opportunities.
For example, these institutions host workshops and seminars focused specifically on professional development, and networking skills are covered under their teachings.
Newcomers are thus taught the fundamentals of introducing themselves via Canadian tradition, making meaningful connections, and following up with potential contacts.
The organizations also offer networking events that bring together both aspiring and current workers. The informal setting they foster allows for a comfortable introduction to Canadian etiquette and business culture, which allows foreign professionals to form connections with local workers.
2. Use Social Media Effectively
Using online platforms for the purpose of professional networking is a must. LinkedIn is one of the most widely used professional networking services in Canada, and allows skilled workers to showcase a holistic view of their worker profile.
It achieves this by allowing them to present their resume, previous work experience, honours or special commendations, and hard and soft skills to potential employers.
Displaying all these qualities on one page makes it easier for employers to contact workers for job opportunities in Canada, and LinkedIn’s job search engine allows skilled workers to find jobs suiting their role and profile.
3. Go Out and Volunteer
Volunteering is a natural medium for networking, as it brings together like-minded individuals together to work towards a common goal.
Moreover, volunteering can put one in touch with professionals in a particular industry. For example, volunteering at a local veterinary clinic would allow one to network with veterinary doctors and nurses, and could open job opportunities for one in that field.
Being in a setting where one is allowed to display their dedication and skill to potential employers is exactly what newcomers to Canada require, and volunteering presents the perfect opportunity for just that.
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4. Attend Industry-Specific Events
An industry-specific networking event involves working professionals gathering in a casual social setting and sharing their insights regarding the industry they work in.
At these events, professionals also detail their own work profile and responsibilities and make elevator pitches to other skilled workers in their industry to possibly foster a professional relationship.
Networking events are perfect for gaining valuable contacts that could be used to boost one’s job search process.
This is because employers are often looking for potential candidates to fill open roles at their companies when they attend these events, making them hot-spots for both employees and employers.
5. Join a Professional Association
These organizations exist to promote a certain occupation, and most professions have their own associations.
Joining one of these bodies opens people up to networking opportunities, and allows them to get in touch with the right employment information and job leads.
For newcomers to Canada, learning about the industry they want to work in is also paramount. Professional associations are extremely helpful for that, as they host guest speakers regularly, have online blogs, and let you network with industry leaders through seminars or live conferences.
6. Improve Both English and French
Solid communication skills are the key to effective networking. In Canada – which is a bilingual country – newcomers need to develop both their English and French skills to be able to achieve that.
The government offers classes for free to immigrants looking to improve their capability in both languages, and many universities and colleges also provide courses for the same end.
Are you ready to live and work in Canada? Fill out our free evaluation form to find out if you are eligible.
Become the right candidate with the job you always wanted with our online IELTS and EECP packages at skilledworker.com.
