Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone: Networking Through Experiences

Written by Sam Wright, Employment Counsellor

Moving to a new place can be overwhelming, especially when you consider the variety of reasons why people move in the first place. Several factors could be at play such as:

• financial reasons, 
• humanitarian disasters, 
• re-connecting with family, 
• or searching for increased prosperity. 

In Canada we have welcomed millions of newcomers in the past few years. Many people have come into this country alone, with few connections to family and friends. There may be confusion around the best way to start a life in this unfamiliar place. The same can be said for the hundreds of thousands that migrate inter-provincially throughout Canada each year. Most people face new challenges when they move to a different place, whether it be a new country, province, city, or town.

In Calgary we have observed an historic increase in newcomers, from across Canada and abroad (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-newcomers-programs-demand-population-projection-1.6816845). With those migrations we see increased demand for solid employment, housing, and other services. 

When it comes to employment in 2024, there are vacant positions out there but many people that we see at the Youth Employment Centre have experienced challenges entering the work force. When it comes to employment, one of the biggest factors that can play a role in someone being hired or not, is networking. LinkedIn published an article that highlighted that approximately 85% of jobs are filled via some form of networking (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-survey-reveals-85-all-jobs-filled-via-networking-lou-adler). 

It is important to note that networking is about developing legitimate connections with others, not simply meeting people and asking if they can get you a job. Focus on the relationship and establish genuine mutual interests as it will increase the likelihood that you will be introduced to others who may be hiring. What can you do to make it easier?  

In most of my meetings with young people, I typically spend some time highlighting the importance of building connections, and my usual advice is to get connected to your community in some manner, via an activity you enjoy. 

Networking and relationship building can happen anywhere. Places you can meet people include:

• an organized sports league, 
• volunteering, 
• art meet-up,
• or cultural event. 

While you may not be connecting with employers while doing this, you are establishing a network with other individuals you have things in common with. These relationships will result in shared knowledge and access to information that you did not have before, including potential job leads. 

Developing relationships and belonging to a group is crucial for development, mental well-being, and overall satisfaction in life, not just to help you get a job. (https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/is-having-a-sense-of-belonging-important ).  

Check out some of the events going on in your area, you never know who you might meet, and what you may discover!

Links for Calgary Events:

Art & Culture Events: https://www.meetup.com/find/ca--calgary/art/

Sporting Events: https://www.calgarysportsclub.com/leagues

Tech Meetups: https://www.livetechlovelife.com/