Networking Guide for Newcomers to Canada

Building professional connections to achieve your career goals in Canada

Networking is an essential part of Canadian culture. No matter where you are in your professional journey, you’ll need a strong network to support and guide you throughout your career in Canada.

Even as a newcomer, your professional network will be one of your most valuable assets in the Canadian job market. Besides helping you find your first job in Canada, networking will give you an opportunity to understand the employment landscape, plan your career path based on insights from other professionals, and identify mentors who can guide you and offer moral support during your job search.

In Canada, between 65 to 85 per cent of job positions are never publicly advertised. Instead, they are filled through the recruiter’s network — this is called the “hidden job market”. Building a strong network can help you tap into this hidden job market for your first and subsequent career opportunities.

However, networking does not come naturally to everyone. This guide will explore the channels and platforms newcomers can use to build their professional networks. It will also help you understand the skills that you may need to develop and best practices you’ll need to follow in order to build strong, lasting professional connections.