How to Build a Professional Network from Scratch: A Guide for Newcomers

Publié le 13 December 2023 Par Jobillico

For newcomers and immigrant workers, it is very important to learn how to build a professional network from scratch as part of the foundation for their career.

One of the challenges when you start a new life in a new country is figuring out how to build a professional network from scratch as an immigrant. After all, to build a strong foundation for your future, you need to make certain you achieve solid career growth.

Networking as an immigrant can present a range of hurdles. You don’t benefit from the local or cultural knowledge that citizens have access to. You also have no roots in the area, so you’re essentially building a network from scratch. It’s important, then, to establish measures that help you make inroads with other professionals.

So, let’s take a closer look at networking for immigrants. What should you consider and how can you best approach this challenge?

Recognize Your Value

One of the hurdles to networking for immigrants is simply putting yourself out there. After all, you might not feel entirely comfortable in your surroundings or with local customs. Nevertheless, one of the most critical networking skills is having a sense of confidence. You can start by taking a step back and recognizing your value.

Some things to bear in mind include:

Your skill set: Review what technical and transferable skills you have to offer. These are not just things you need to communicate when building a network from scratch. They’re also characteristics that boost your sense of self-worth.

Your background: When you’re networking as an immigrant, one of the most valuable things you have is a more diverse range of perspectives. You’ve likely had different experiences with the majority of locals. This means you have something fresh and dynamic to offer businesses and other potential network contacts.

Understanding your value isn’t going to make you immune to confidence wobbles. Having some social anxiety isn’t unusual, but it doesn’t have to derail your networking as an immigrant. Learning grounding techniques can help you maintain calm and focus during periods of anxiety. For instance, the 5-4-3-2-1 technique is recognized for counteracting internal feelings of panic by shifting your attention to tangible parts of your surroundings. These types of techniques can strengthen your resolve to make the professional contacts you need to thrive.

Head Out to the Community

Networking 101 tends to involve finding fresh opportunities to meet people regularly. When you’re networking as an immigrant, your efforts here have various benefits. They’re not just chances to boost your career prospects. They can be additional ways to make friends and integrate. So, head out to your local community.

Talk to Local Business Owners

Local entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the business landscape. This can make them fantastic resources for information and introductions. They might also give you the most relevant tips on how to start networking locally. Take the time to have conversations with them and develop mutually beneficial relationships.

Join Expat Groups

When you’re looking at how to build a professional network as an immigrant, one of your best resources is other immigrants. They’re likely to have faced similar challenges to you and can help find solutions. Not to mention that they can provide support during difficult transitional periods. Look for regular meet-ups that cater to newcomers in your area either in person or online.

Leverage Events

Learning how to build a professional network as an immigrant tends to involve meeting as many potentially valuable people as possible. One efficient approach to this is finding multiple people in a single space. Therefore, identifying and attending professional events is among the most important networking tips.

Attending an Event

Perhaps the most convenient form of networking for immigrants is to attend an existing professional event. These may be networking events aimed specifically at expats or more generalized meet-and-greets in your target industry. It’s important to make a good first impression at these, so base what to wear on the expected vibe of the event. However, if in doubt of the formality of the occasion, opt for business casual.

Hosting an Event

If you’re starting or upscaling your own business as an immigrant, hosting a networking event can be a powerful tool. This can introduce you to new contacts while also promoting your company. To get the most from it, though, you need to take steps to collect valuable data during your event. Optimize processes for gathering networking contact details and the nuanced interests of attendees. Digitize registration forms so you can analyze them more easily. Make sure guests have clear name badges with job titles. When you’re learning how to build a professional network, the easier you can organize your data, the better you’ll be able to use it afterward.

Utilize Digital Marketing

Establishing how to start networking isn’t just about finding ways to “press the flesh.” The rise of the digital landscape has made remote networking feasible. You’ll find that developing a professional brand for yourself through digital marketing can generate networking contacts.

Some solid methods include:

Creating content: Networking for immigrants needn’t be a dull process. Indeed, creative approaches when you’re just starting out can be both effective and enriching. Start a regular schedule of creating and posting online content in your field of expertise. This might include blogs, YouTube tutorials, or even podcasts. Content enables other professionals to recognize your skills and connect easily with you.

Engaging on social media: Social media has become a primary tool of how to build a professional network as an immigrant. Take the time to regularly share information of interest in your field. Look for groups that focus on expats in Canada. Don’t forget to also respond to other professionals’ posts. You can engage via general channels, like Instagram, or professional-focused platforms such as LinkedIn.

As with any other kind of digital marketing, your efficacy tends to depend on consistency. It doesn’t have to take a lot of your time, but acting regularly tends to be impactful.

Conclusion

One of your most important steps as an immigrant is establishing how to build a professional network from scratch that can influence your success. In some ways, the usual networking 101 steps can be useful with a little expat-relevant twist. You can attend events designed for immigrants and spend time reaching out to your local community of fellow expats. That said, it’s important to go beyond these networking tips. As an immigrant, you have different perspectives to offer. Use them to find others who appreciate your individualism and can support you on your journey.