5 ways to grow your network in Canada

2 min readNov 30, 2020

Starting a life in new country is exciting and challenging . Everyone leave behind their support system and jobs . One of the main priorities for newcomers to Canada is securing good employment as soon as possible so you can stop digging through the money you brought with you in the move over.

Successful networking can often be the difference between your dream job and survival jobs.

In this article, we will share a few ways to meet new people so you can settle in smoothly and adapt to Canadian life.

1. Volunteer

Volunteer is great way to give back to the society and building network in Canada .It helps you gain the Canadian experience by learning about Canadian culture and opportunity to meet like minded people.

List of a few websites to find volunteer opportunities in Canada:

In addition, most provincial government sites and major city websites will also list out volunteering opportunities. For instance, here are the websites for Ontario, British Columbia, Toronto, and Vancouver

2. Attending Conferences and networking events

This is best way to connect with industry expert in Canada . Websites like Eventbrite and Meetup can be useful in finding events near you.

Similar to networking events , Linkedin is also great tools to connect with industry professionals directly .

3. Use Networking apps

Now a days dating apps are also used a way to connect with new people and people with similar interest . Shapr is another popular app that you can use to find like-minded individuals.

4. Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs)

Professional Immigrant Networks or PINs is an initiative by Triec. It is a network of professional associations and partner organizations, who support the development of immigrant professionals in their career in Canada.

PINs includes potential employers, immigrant-serving agencies, community groups, government and other stakeholders in the GTA area

5. Newcomer Services

Newcomer Center sometimes provide networking programs for newcomers but it depends on the centre. Time is limited and you have to pick the most effective way to go about this.

As you venture out on the journey to grow your social and professional network in Canada, remember that meaningful connections take time to develop. Keeping in touch regularly, helping out in times of need, and connecting on shared interests and activities will help you deepen the bond and, eventually, develop a strong relationship.