Yesterday in our Tips for Job-Hunting in a New Country post, we mentioned the importance of networking. But what if you’re coming to Canada, or you’ve just moved here, and you don’t know many people yet?

Here are some networking tips from my book, Living Abroad in Canada:

Start by asking your colleagues and friends in the States. Do they know anyone living or working in Canada? Do their U.S.-based companies have Canadian affiliates? Do they have college classmates or business associates who grew up in Canada? Do you or your colleagues belong to a professional organization that has members in Canada?

Sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Plaxo can also be sources of connections. Sometimes, all it takes is one contact who can connect you with someone else, and your networking process is underway.

If you’ve arrived in Canada without a job, network in your new community. Talk to your neighbors, someone you’ve met in the local community center, a new acquaintance from the neighborhood coffee shop.

Look for local professional associations in your line of work or online groups that share your interests. For example, Meetup.com has scores of work-related groups across Canada. There’s a Vancouver Graphic Design Meetup, a Toronto Marketing Meetup, a Montreal Entrepreneurs Group, and many more.

Doing volunteer work is another worthwhile form of networking. If you can afford to take on one or more volunteer assignments, it can help you make contacts in your new community. And you’ll be doing some good at the same time. Volunteer Canada can direct you to local volunteer opportunities nationwide.

– Excerpted from the book, Living Abroad in Canada, part of the Moon series from Avalon Travel Publishing. To read more, buy the book.

Photo by AdrianDC (flickr)