Building your professional network is essential when you’re seeking a new job.  And, if you’re moving to Canada you can start building your network even before you arrive. A strong network can help you to access the Canadian job market by building and developing relationships. Effective networking is a critical job search activity that you can begin while still in your home country. Discover six helpful tips to develop your networking skills!

Until you arrive in Canada, your online network will be key. But, when you arrive in Canada, make an effort to network face-to-face to build relationships. It may seem difficult but most people are eager to help, even those who may not be closely connected to you.

Networking can open many doors to jobs that are not yet advertised, but first, you must have the right connections. So, how can you build your professional network in Canada when you live abroad?

1. Create a Network Action Plan

Building an effective network takes time and effort. Take time to create a plan of action to build your professional online network. Set some goals and know what you want to accomplish. When you’re clear about what you want to achieve you can have the right conversation.

Possible goals might be to:

• Find out how to get work in a specific sector
• Find out how to prepare to get work in the sector (ie; training or certification)
• Learn how your experience and skills would be relevant to Canadian employers
• Discover job prospects for an industry and which organizations may be expanding
• Find out who else you can speak to, to gain more information.

2. Start With Who You Know

“You are not ever a genius all by yourself. Your ideas are a function of the people you are connected with…”

Carol Dweck, Author, Mindset

The people you know can likely introduce you to others in their network. Start connecting with your contacts in a meaningful way. Reach out to the people you already know to build your professional network. Chances are that they know someone who has moved to Canada before you and can connect you to them. Whether or not they are in the same profession as you, they may be able to offer professional insights and introduce you to others.

Research shows that close to 80% of available jobs are not advertised. This represents what is known as the hidden job market.  You can access the hidden job market through your professional and personal contacts and network.

Actions:

Start by listing your current contacts:

• Personal contacts:
• Include family, friends and acquaintances, clubs and organizations, and community groups
• Work contacts:
• Include co-workers (current and past), supervisors/managers, peers, subordinates, and other associates such as clients, and vendors
• Education contacts:
• Include alumni (high school, college, university), teachers and professors, coaches, instructors, and classmates
• Professional group contacts:
  Include industry or trade groups, online forums, and websites

3. Use the Power of Social Media to Build Your Professional Network

A thoughtful approach to using social media can help you make connections quickly, and build relationships over time.

Actions:

• Join relevant Social Media groups and participate in online chats
• Share articles on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to increase your visibility
• Use relevant industry hashtags to share content and engage with others
• Follow relevant individuals, groups, and industries in Canada relevant to your profession

4. Give Back to Your Network

“The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity”

Keith Ferazzi

One way to build relationships with your network is to create value. Be someone who provides, information, and support to others. Your network partners will remember your effort and be willing to return the favour.

Consider:

• How can you add value to others?
• How can you help others solve their problems?
• Can you introduce people within your network?
• How can you take initiative to help others?

5. Create Your Social Media Elevator Pitch

An elevator pitch is all about you: who you are, what you do, and what you want to do. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to hiring managers and other connections. Your social media presence is your elevator pitch and it represents your professional brand. So, carefully craft what you want to communicate.

Actions:

• Define what expertise you want to profile
• Think about why someone would want to follow you on social media and build your brand
• Select articles, images, and other resources that convey your brand as relevant and informative
• Identify your professional strengths.

6. Stay in Touch

Building an effective network is all about the quality of the relationship. So, it’s important to keep in touch with your network. In that sense, think quality of contacts over quantity. Keeping an active network takes time, planning, and effort to maintain the relationship.

With friendly rapport, when your contacts hear of job opportunities, they’ll think of you and be excited to help you.

While networking may seem like a lot of effort, it’s essential to build your professional network before you leave for Canada. With the right connections, you’ll be on your way to landing the right job in Canada and meeting exciting new people.

If you’re moving to Canada, you’re likely thinking about how you can start your job search before you arrive. And that’s smart!

When you start your job search before you arrive, you’ll improve your chances of landing a job in your chosen field.

So here are four activities to help you get focused!

1. Start your job search by researching the Canadian job market
   You likely have plenty of skills, knowledge, and experience that Canadian employers will find attractive. But, if there is little labour demand in your field, it may take longer than you expect to find a job that you will find satisfying.
   
   When you start your job search, it’s important to conduct labour market research. That way, you can learn what provinces and cities have a greater need for your skills and knowledge. For example, you may find that smaller cities or northern communities have a greater demand for skilled labour. Larger cities such as Calgary, Toronto, or Vancouver will likely have jobs in your field, but the job market may be more competitive. In addition, smaller cities may offer other benefits such as:
   
   – Lower cost of living
   
   – Reduced competition for jobs
   
   When you conduct labour market research, find out about the:
   
   – Workforce overview for your profession
   
   – Labour market trends
   
   – Demographics that may be affecting your industry (for example, more people are leaving the workforce as the population ages, creating a labour demand in many industries).
   
   Some important questions to consider:
   
   What trends that may impact the industry?
   Are there new growth areas within the industry in Canada?
   What skills, knowledge, or experience do you have that will be highly valued or in demand?
   Are there skills and knowledge that you may have to acquire or develop?
   
   
2. Take advantage of pre-arrival settlement services to start your job search
   There are many pre-arrival services designed to help immigrants to Canada. Settlement services help newcomers adjust to life in Canada, and this includes help with employment services.
   
   Some examples of pre-arrival services related to working in Canada include:
   
   – Finding job search tools and resources
   – Preparing your resume for the Canadian workplace
   – Getting your credentials recognized
   – Finding labour market trends for your industry in Canada
   
   You can find information about occupation, or sector-specific organizations that can help you with your job search. For example, the British Columbia Construction Association Integrating Newcomers program matches people with a construction background to jobs across the province, even before you arrive in Canada! There are many free programs like this that are funded by the Canadian government and are free to join.
4. Improve or enhance your language skills
6. Canada has two official languages: English and French. If you can communicate in either one or both of these languages, that’s a huge asset. However, you may need to improve or enhance your language skills to be more effective in the workplace.
   
   You may want to take language classes before you leave, and continue after you arrive in Canada. Most professions use jargon that can make it difficult for newcomers in the workplace. When you arrive in Canada, you can take language training that is specific to your job or occupation. Language training is available for different occupations including:
   
   – Health care
   – Information technology
   – Business, and
   – Other occupations
   
   Your language skills will be essential to find work in your field and to perform well in the workplace. When you complete language training that is specific to your occupation, you’ll be able to communicate effectively with your clients, co-workers, and managers.
   
7. Use LinkedIn to approach recruiters to help you start your job search
9. 
11. While it can be a little more difficult to search for a job when you haven’t yet arrived in Canada, it’s still possible to begin the process. One way to begin is to reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn to make initial contact. To work in Canada, you’ll need a Social Insurance Number and you can only apply for that once you have arrived.
    
    If you connect with recruiters in Canada, be clear about:
    
    – when and where you expect to arrive in Canada
    – what industry and types of jobs you’re searching for
    – your career goals and professional strengths
    
    Recruiters may be willing to work with candidates who have not yet arrived, especially for job fields that are in high demand such as IT and the financial sector. This is where your labour market research comes into play. If you know where labour shortages exist, you can use this to your advantage.
    
    Recruiters may want to conduct an initial screening interview by video conference to assess your:
    
    – strengths, skills, and knowledge
    – communication skills
    – body language and professional style
    
    As with any job search, it takes time, persistence, and effort. You may find it easier to start your job search once you have arrived, but at least you can start to make connections.
    
    So while it may involve more work to land a job from abroad, you can start your search before you arrive in Canada. And when you get a head start, you’ll reduce the length of your job search and set yourself up for career success!

You can get ready to work in Canada well before you even arrive.  Researching the job market, and understanding what Canadian employers are searching for is vital.  At Prepare for Canada, we provide tools, resources, and information to help you get ready for your job search! Here are four activities that will help you to get ready to work in Canada.

1. Devote Time to Your Job Search

It takes effort to find a great job, so be sure to devote time to important job search activities. You may have to spend time revising your resume to include information that Canadian employers look for.

When you know what employers look for, you can tailor your resume so that employers notice your skills and experience. Preparing a well-written resume takes time, but it’s worth the effort because it may reduce the time it takes you to find a job. 

You will also have to apply for many jobs. One application will likely not be enough to get the job that you want in Canada. But, by applying for jobs on a frequent and regular basis, you’ll start to get responses from employers. It takes patience and focus to land a job that you are best suited for.

Join our free webinar to learn helpful strategies to accelerate your job search:

2. Make Yourself Stand Out

This is easier said than done, but many great programs are available to newcomers to help with job search activities to help you stand out. One way to stand out is to get your credentials assessed. This is helpful because it shows Canadian employers you have the skills and knowledge to perform a similar job in Canada.  The Government of Canada can provides valuable information that explains how to get your credentials assessed. 

By taking this step, you ensure you can work in Canada. You may discover that you require more training to get ready to work in Canada. But when you know what’s required, you’ll be in a better position to get the training you need.

3. Be Responsive and Professional

Once you start to hear back from potential employers, make sure to respond to them as quickly as you can.  This shows your interest and professionalism. Make sure that you put your best foot forward with each point of contact that you have with an employer.  Use formal language and provide any additional information that they may request.

 4. Stay Positive

You may have heard this tip often, but it’s always a good idea to stay positive and not get easily discouraged.  If you don’t hear back from your first few Canadian job applications, then just keep applying until you succeed.

When you’re positive, you’ll make a great first impression. A positive attitude combined with a strong skill set shows Canadian employers that you’re motivated, talented, and eager to start your first job in Canada.

Moving to Canada is a rewarding and exciting experience. But, it can come with challenges. One challenge is adapting to the Canadian workplace. Continuing your career in Canada can be difficult, but bridging programs can help you prepare and succeed. The programs help you transfer your international work experience and education to the Canadian workplace. In Ontario, there are more than 30 bridging programs for newcomers in Ontario. Many of the programs come with bursaries of up to $5,000 to help you cover direct education costs, such as tuition and books.

Discover how you can benefit from enrolling in a bridging program!

1. Your job belongs to a regulated occupation

If you work in a regulated profession in Canada, you may need support to complete the credentials assessment and recognition process. A bridging program can help you build on and develop the skills you need to meet Canadian standards for a particular occupation. Find out if your occupation is regulated in Canada here.

2. Bridging programs help you gain Canadian work experience

Employers look for Canadian work experience. Ideally, employers want you to understand how Canadian workplaces operate and display the soft skills you require to succeed. The right program can fill this gap and help you ease your way into the Canadian workforce.

3. You are struggling with language requirements in your trade or profession

Some occupations can use technical language that you might not be familiar with. Bridging programs can help you build your language skills specific to your occupation.

4. A bridging program can you prepare for licensing exams

You can get the help you need to prepare for exams and certification for your specific occupation.

5. You are missing specific skills to meet the requirements for your occupation

Bridging programs provide training to help you acquire the skills that stand between you and your dream job. After you complete an assessment of your skills, credentials, and experience, you can participate in a program specific to your goals. That alone makes it attractive for the new Canadians.