Through networking events, you can meet new people and develop professional connections that can help you in your career.
As a newcomer, networking is a good way for you to begin to make connections in your new community. In addition, networking can help you get advice on your career and find a job. There are a number of associations, and tools to help you search for networking events.
Given the value of networking, you will find that there are many networks representing various industries and fields. For example, you can choose to attend networking events for young professionals or events focused on careers in the non-profit sector. Many professional associations, like Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) Ontario, also hold networking events for individuals completing the designation or alumni interested in making new connections.
While you may be asked to pay a fee to attend some events, they are generally affordable. The main goal of these events is to share insights with a smaller community of professionals and make connections to help you through the job search. You can find out about these networking events through association websites or through Eventbrite and Meetup.
You can meet employers in these job fairs who are interested in connecting with jobseekers to fill existing and future opportunities. If you are planning to attend a job fair, remember to dress professionally and bring an updated resume with you. Whether you are currently looking for a job or are simply trying to make new connections, you can also ask for employers’ business cards in case you want to reach out to them in the future.
Although networking events are often in person, you can also engage in networking on social media platforms. You can join LinkedIn and search for groups that are of interest to you, or you can also create an account on Ten Thousand Coffees to meet people in your community who can share career knowledge of your field. This is a good option when you have been able to narrow down your interests and the types of questions you would like to ask other professionals.
If you live in the Toronto area, you can also join a Professional Immigrant Network to meet other skilled immigrants like you. These associations hold networking events where you can also meet employers in your field. In addition, these events may also include leadership development workshops, where you can strengthen key professional skills.
