Networking Interview Questions to Help Your Career

Networking is a crucial way to research and learn about your profession in Canada. And asking the right networking interview questions can help you to make professional contacts, speed up your job search, and grow your career. Another key to successful networking is being authentic.

Linda Ryan is the National Program Manager with BCCA-Integrating Newcomers, a government funded, Canada-wide, pre-arrival career coaching service for high skilled construction professionals immigrating to Canada (*BCCA-IN). A career and certified performance coach, she and the BCCA-IN team specialise in helping newcomers plan for, and achieve, employment success, no matter what city or province they are moving to.

When it comes to networking, Ryan provides great insights and advice to newcomers on the importance of authenticity. Read more to learn why networking is important, how to create a network, and how to network while being yourself.

Grow Your Contacts through Effective Networking

Networking provides a chance for newcomers to connect with others from a range of professions. It’s also a vital way to achieve career success in Canada. When networking to build a genuine relationship, it can help you to:

• Meet other professionals in your industry 

• Build confidence

• Grow your network contacts

• Access the hidden job market.

And when you connect to ask networking interview questions, you’ll gain helpful information about labour market trends, job postings, and training and skills development.

And as Ryan points out, you’ll achieve success when instead of ‘trying’ to network, you commit to building a genuine relationship by being curious, present, and authentic. In doing so, you’ll benefit by learning from their career experiences.

Join Canada’s Construction Workforce | BCCA

Do you want one-on-one coaching to help you continue your construction career in Canada before you arrive? The Integrating Newcomers program is for you if you’re a technical professional e.g. tradesperson, engineer (in any discipline), architect, technician, technologist, project manager, estimator, or analyst. This Canada-wide service can help you get started!

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LinkedIn Profile Tips to Build Your Network in Canada

Three Truths About Networking

Prepare for Canada asked Ryan for her best networking tips. Here’s what she had to offer about being genuine, authentic, and present:

1. You don’t build rapport, you erode it

You’ve heard it before, and it’s true, first impressions count! Ryan advises against entering a room with a “me, me, me” agenda. “Even if it’s only in your head, you’ll inadvertently push people away. They may not be able to put their finger on it, but on a primal level, they’ll sense an ulterior motive. As a result, they subconsciously see you as a threat and quickly and quietly move towards the exit or a less threatening professional animal!”

2. You can’t fake a smile

Another one of her favourite truths, you can’t fake it ’till you make it’ especially with a smile! As she explains, it’s all to do with muscles, tendons and exposure of the teeth. “You actually engage a different set of muscles to force a smile. So, your best efforts to force a smile (even if well-intentioned) are more like getting ready to bite. And guess what this does? It triggers another subconscious fight or flight instinct in your ‘prey’. I mean peer network!”

3. You can’t listen if you’re waiting to talk

Ryan explains that this pearl of wisdom was shared with her early. “It was like the heavens opened and the light shone for the first time. I always felt uncomfortable with my approach to networking, but I never knew that simple lever to pull. As a result, I got stuck every time when trying to create a meaningful networking connection.”

When you’re waiting to talk, you’re in your own head (so people feel unheard). If you’re waiting to talk, you’re not truly listening to what the other person is saying. Instead, you’re trying to find something intelligent or insightful to broadcast (so people feel undervalued). And, if you’re waiting to talk, you’re not allowing yourself to experience the human connection (subtle body language, energy, pitch/pace/tone of voice) that’s possible.

Why Networking in Canada is Important

Networking is about connecting with people who have similar interests. And a key element of your network is to provide mutual help and support. Strong networking skills can help you to find a job. As well, these skills will also help you to achieve success in the workplace after you land a job. So building and nurturing your network contacts is an essential part of your career success!

An important benefit of networking is that it can help you learn about jobs that are not yet advertised, also called the “hidden job market”.

To understand the hidden job market think of it as an iceberg. The top of the iceberg represents the visible job market or jobs that are widely advertised. The bottom part of the iceberg represents the hidden job market. This is where you can learn about jobs that are currently only posted internally.

When a company advertises a job externally, it’s common for employers to receive hundreds of applications for one position. And that means more competition for you. So networking is a helpful way to access the internal hiring process.

How Do I Create a Network in Canada?

Building a wide network of contacts is key to accessing the hidden job market. A helpful way to create a network is to make a list of people who can help you. This can include:

  

• Friends and family

• Former managers, colleagues, customers, and clients

• Contacts from professional associations

• Teachers, professors, and classmates.

You can also identify contacts from:

• Volunteer activities

• Professional events

• Online networking groups (LinkedIn Tips)

• Outside activities (social groups, sports activities, athletic clubs).

When networking it’s good to start with who you know. However, that can be hard if you recently arrived and know very few people. So connecting with professional associations can be a great place to build your network and meet new people!

If you’re not used to networking for business purposes, it can feel uncomfortable. But, remember that other people want to help you to succeed in Canada. And one day, you’ll be in the same position when you can help others arriving in Canada.

You’ll become more comfortable when you ask the right networking interview questions. These networking questions are thoughtful and lead to useful information to conduct your job search. And by asking thoughtful questions you’ll leave people with a good and lasting impression. And like Ryan stated, “first impressions count”.

How to Ask Good Networking Interview Questions

1. Ask open-ended instead of closed-ended questions (require a yes or no reply). Open-ended questions encourage more discussion. For example: “How did you get started in this field when you arrived in Canada? Or, ” What job search activities did you find most helpful?”

2. Ask questions that will make people think and share their opinion.

• Lead with a question about an article you read or other industry news. This shows that you are current and like to stay informed.

• Listen actively and show that you have a keen interest in what your contact has to say.

Sample Networking Interview Questions

You’ll likely have your own questions that you would like to ask. And here are some other questions that you can add:

• What skills were most valuable to help you achieve success in this field?

• Where do you see this industry/sector going in the future?

• What are some of the key changes affecting the industry in Canada?

• Who are some of the most important leaders in the industry in Canada? Who should I follow?

• Are there opportunities for self-employment in the field?

• What changes are happening in the field that will affect future job opportunities?

• What further training would help me to stay current in this field?

Listen actively to their responses and probe for more information with related networking interview questions.

Tips for Networking in Canada

Networking is a great way to propel your job search. But it’s also important to maintain and nurture your relationship. A strong relationship based on mutual support will go a long way to advance your career. These tips can develop and enhance your networking skills.

• Share articles that would be of interest to others in your network. 

• Send a short note to congratulate your contacts when they changes roles, are promoted, or move to a new company.

• Become known for helping others.

• Offer to introduce your contacts to other professionals that you know.

• Follow up with new contacts and thank them for helping you or sharing their ideas and time.

• Invite your contacts to lunch or even tea or coffee to practice your networking skills and build your relationship. 

Building relationships with other professionals is important when networking. And asking thoughtful networking interview questions can help you build rapport and reach your career goals.

Learn More about BCCA-IN

*The BCCA-Integrating Newcomers program is a free, Canada-wide service, focused on helping high-skilled newcomers explore and build successful construction careers. Services include one-on-one career guidance, tailored resume, cover letter, LinkedIn advice, and an in-depth skills and education assessment to help newcomers focus on the best career, credentials and connections activities. The Integrating Newcomers team not only has multi-industry experience but are also immigrants who have built successful careers in Canada.

WRITTEN BY

Corinna Frattini

Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada

Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content Director for Prepare for Canada. She contributes articles to help newcomers achieve their goals in key areas related to living, working, and settling in Canada. With an extensive background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.

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