How One Conversation Can Change Your Job Search in Canada

Here's something most newcomers discover too late: a significant portion of Canadian job openings are never posted publicly. They're filled through conversations, referrals, and professional networks; before a single ad goes live. If you're relying solely on job boards, you're competing for a fraction of what's actually available.

That's where informational interviews come in. And no, despite the name, they have nothing to do with formal interviews or putting yourself on the spot. Think of them as guided conversations; a way to learn about a field, gain local insight, and start building the kinds of relationships that lead to real opportunities over time.

For newcomers navigating an unfamiliar job market in 2026, this strategy is more relevant than ever.

An informational interview is a short, relaxed conversation—typically 20 to 30 minutes—with someone who works in the industry or role you're exploring. You're not asking for a job. You're asking for perspective.

The questions you ask are things like: What does your week typically look like? What skills do employers in this field actually prioritize? If you were starting fresh in this industry today, what would you do differently?

That last question often unlocks some of the most valuable advice you'll hear. Because the honest answer from an industry insider beats any job posting, any career website, and most of what you'll find in a formal job description.

Canada's professional landscape has its own rhythms, norms, and unwritten expectations; things that take time to absorb when you're new. Informational interviews let you fast-track that learning in a low-pressure setting.

Beyond knowledge, they help you build something just as important: familiarity. When a hiring manager eventually sees your application and recognizes your name from a mutual contact, or remembers a thoughtful conversation you had months ago, you're no longer a stranger in a pile of resumes. You're a person they already know.

That kind of recognition doesn't happen through job boards. It happens through people.

You don't need a large network to get started. You just need to be intentional about finding the right people. Here are a few places to look:

You're looking for people who are doing the work you want to do, or who work at companies you're interested in. They don't need to be senior; sometimes a peer two or three years ahead of you offers the most candid and practical advice.

Keep your outreach short, specific, and respectful of the person's time. A long message with lots of background rarely gets a response. Something like this works well:

“Hi [Name], I’m a newcomer to Canada with a background in [field]. I came across your profile and was really interested in your work at [Company]. I’d love to learn more about your experience in the industry. Would you be open to a 20-minute call at your convenience? No agenda, just genuinely curious about your perspective.”

Note what the message does: it names the person specifically, gives a brief context for why you're reaching out, and makes the ask easy. A vague or overly formal request tends to go unanswered.

Once someone agrees to chat, come prepared. A few questions that consistently generate useful, honest answers:

Avoid asking directly for job leads or referrals; that pressure tends to close people off. The goal is a genuine exchange, not a pitch. If a connection develops naturally into a referral later, that's the reward for having built something real.

Within 24 hours of your conversation, send a brief thank-you message. Reference one specific thing from the chat that you found useful, this shows you were listening and that the conversation mattered.

Then, keep in touch. Every few months, share something relevant: an article you read, a development in the industry, a quick update on your own job search. You're not asking for anything; you're maintaining a professional relationship over time.

The payoff from these follow-ups often comes months later, when an opportunity opens up and the person you spoke with thinks of you before anyone else.

One conversation rarely changes everything. But five conversations, followed by consistent follow-up, can completely transform your job search trajectory. Each chat expands your knowledge of the local market, adds a name to your network, and increases your visibility in a job market where who you know matters as much as what you know.

If you're newer to Canada, give yourself permission to start awkwardly. Most professionals are genuinely happy to help; especially those who remember what it was like to navigate unfamiliar territory themselves.

Start with one person this week. The conversation doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to happen.

Until next time,