The single most important thing to understand about the Canadian job market: most roles are filled before they're ever posted.
Estimates vary, but studies consistently show that anywhere from 50% to 80% of positions are filled through referrals, internal movement, or direct outreach — not job boards. If your entire strategy is applying online, you're competing in the most crowded, least effective channel available.
Networking is the alternative. And it works — but not the way most people approach it.
What networking actually means
Most people think networking means going to events, collecting business cards, and hoping someone hands them a job.
That's not what works.
What works is building genuine professional relationships before you need them. The people who consistently land roles through their network aren't transactional — they're present, helpful, and known in their field long before a specific opportunity comes up.
This takes time. Which is why you should start now, not when you're desperate.
LinkedIn: the most practical starting point
LinkedIn is the professional operating layer of the Canadian job market. It's where recruiters look, where hiring managers post, and where professionals build visibility.
Complete your profile first. A half-finished profile signals low effort. Your headline should describe who you are and what you bring — not just your job title. Your summary should read like a clear professional introduction.
Connect with people in your target industry. Be specific — don't blast connection requests. When you reach out, include a brief note explaining why you want to connect: a shared interest, their company, a piece of content they shared.
Engage with content. Thoughtful comments on posts by people in your field build familiarity before you ever reach out directly. A well-placed comment is seen by everyone who views that post — it's quiet visibility.
Post occasionally. You don't need a content strategy. A short reflection on something you learned, a project you worked on, or a question you're thinking through shows engagement and attracts connections organically.
Informational interviews
An informational interview is a 20–30 minute conversation with someone in a role or industry you're interested in, where you ask about their experience — not for a job.
Most people will say yes. It's flattering to be asked, and most professionals are willing to spend 20 minutes sharing what they know.
How to ask:
"Hi [Name], I came across your profile and was really interested in your work at [Company]. I'm currently exploring opportunities in [field] and would love to hear about your experience — would you be open to a short conversation sometime? I'd keep it to 20 minutes and respect your time."
Keep it specific, keep it low-pressure, and make it easy for them to say yes.
When you have the conversation: ask genuine questions, listen well, and don't turn it into a job ask. The relationship you build is more valuable than any single job lead.
Community and industry associations
Most industries in Canada have professional associations — and most of those associations host events, webinars, and online communities.
Some examples:
- Engineering: Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), Engineers Canada
- Accounting: CPA Canada
- Marketing: Canadian Marketing Association
- Tech: local meetups, Toronto Tech Week, Vancouver tech community events
- HR: HRPA (Human Resources Professionals Association)
Joining and showing up consistently — even virtually — puts you in the same room as people who are hiring, referring, and building companies.
Settlement and employment programs (if you're new to Canada)
If you've recently arrived in Canada, there are programs specifically designed to help you build local connections:
- ACCES Employment — mentorship and sector-specific programs
- Skills for Change — employment services for newcomers
- Immigrant Services Society (ISS) — British Columbia
- Local Welcome Centres — Ontario-wide employment support
- Menttium and similar mentorship programs — sector-specific
These aren't charity — they're professional infrastructure built specifically to close the network gap that most newcomers face. Use them.
Maintaining the network you build
Networking isn't a one-time activity. The relationships that produce opportunities are the ones you maintain over time.
A few practical habits:
- When someone helps you — with a referral, advice, or an introduction — follow up. Tell them what happened. People like to know their help made a difference.
- Share relevant content with connections when it's genuinely useful, not as a reason to check in.
- Congratulate people on milestones. LinkedIn makes this easy and it keeps you visible.
- Reach out periodically with no agenda. A brief "thought of you when I saw this" goes a long way.
Building a network in Canada takes months, not weeks. The people who get there fastest are the ones who start early, ask for conversations rather than jobs, and show up consistently in the communities where their industry lives.
Want to identify which connections and communities to prioritise based on your specific goals? Start with a free career analysis on Goke.
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