08/04/2026
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our Steps for Success session, "From Connections to Careers: Leveraging LinkedIn for Employment Success."
It was a valuable morning of discussion on how LinkedIn is reshaping the way employers recruit talent and how job seekers can use the platform to build their professional brand, expand their networks, and position themselves for success in today's labour market.
A sincere thank you to our panelists, Olya Loshkin, Ryan Seeley, and Joe Hammdan, for sharing their expertise, practical advice, and real-world experiences. Thank you as well to everyone who attended and contributed thoughtful questions that made for an engaging and interactive discussion.
A few highlights from the event included:
• Olya Loshkin reminded participants that LinkedIn is not about bragging. It is about communicating the value you bring to an employer. She encouraged job seekers to build meaningful relationships rather than simply collecting connections and to be intentional about their networking by reaching out with purpose, authenticity, and genuine interest.
• Ryan Seeley emphasized that employers notice candidates who stay engaged with their industry by following relevant news and participating in professional conversations. He also encouraged participants to focus on demonstrating the impact of their experience, particularly when presenting international work experience, so Canadian employers can clearly understand its relevance and value.
• Joe Hammdan highlighted that LinkedIn provides an opportunity to shift the conversation from where you have worked to what you can contribute. He also encouraged participants to use AI as a tool to support their job search, while remembering that authentic relationships, networking, and trust remain essential to getting hired.
The discussion also explored personal branding, LinkedIn Learning, showcasing transferable skills, communicating accomplishments with confidence, navigating Canadian workplace communication and networking expectations, recognizing job scams, and using AI effectively while maintaining an authentic professional presence.
Thank you again to Olya, Ryan, and Joe for generously sharing your time and knowledge, and to everyone who participated. We hope everyone left with practical strategies, new ideas, and greater confidence to strengthen their LinkedIn presence and continue building meaningful professional connections.
