Networking app matches graduates with influential connectors in Nova Scotia

If you’re a soon-to-be or recent graduate looking to launch your career in Nova Scotia, there’s an app for that.

The new Connector Plus app is changing the face of networking

by matching eager job seekers with those who have the experience and connections to help them out.

“It’s very challenging to launch a new career right now. Businesses aren’t able to hold career fairs or visit

universities to meet with graduates, and job seekers aren’t able to attend the networking events that would normally be happening,” says Robyn Webb, Director of Labour Market Development and Executive Director of the National Connector Program with the Halifax Partnership, Halifax’s economic development organization. “Luckily, the Connector Plus app is making it easier to tap into the business community virtually and make those important connections.”

The Connector Plus app builds on the success of the Halifax Partnership’s face-to-face Connector Program launched in 2009, which matches new immigrants and recent graduates (Connectees) with established business and community leaders (Connectors). So far, it has matched more than 4,000 Connectees with more than 1,500 Connectors, resulting in more than 1,600 jobs right here in Halifax — a 40 per cent success rate.

Available on the App Store and Google Play, the new Connector Plus app invites university and college graduates in Nova Scotia to fill out their profile to describe their

field of study, education and skills. The app’s algorithm will then match them with established business and community leaders who have volunteered to help graduates make local business connections.

Once the Connectee and Connector are notified they’ve been matched, they set up a half-hour meeting to talk about the local job market and the graduates’ skills and career interests. At the end of the meeting, the Connector refers the graduate to three additional people

that may be able to help, too — giving the Connectee a total of four solid connections to help build their local business network and boost their job search.

“If each of those referrals passes along three more referrals, you can see how quickly the Connectee’s

professional network can grow,” says Webb. “That’s how jobs are found.”

160+ JOBS SECURED DURING PANDEMIC SO FAR

While the pandemic has meant in-person meet-ups must take place over the phone or via video call, Webb says they’re still seeing incredible success from the Connector Program.

“We worked with more than 400 participants over the last year, and more than 160 found jobs in their field — and that’s during a pandemic. It’s proof the program works.”

It’s a win/win situation, as Connectees get help building professional networks that could jump-start their career, and Connectors enjoy having access to a wealth of diverse, pre-qualified and loyal talent ready to take their business to the next level.

“We have so many small- to medium-sized businesses doing amazing global work, but not everyone knows about them and their job openings,” says Webb. “The Connector Plus app is showing graduates that there are opportunities here, and this is a way

to connect with the people who can help them.”

In PRE-COVID times, Webb says it wasn’t unusual to see hundreds of people at networking events or career fairs, with businesses trying to oneup each other in the competition to hire promising new grads.

“One company promoted four marketing positions highlighting their bring your dog to work perk and another company responded ‘You can bring your dog to work with us, too, and we’re hiring for six positions.’ There was a lot of fun competition,” says Webb

Even if a Connector isn’t in a position to hire a Connectee right now, Webb says they find it “enjoyable and rewarding” to know they’ve helped someone who’s just starting out.

FROM HUNDREDS TO THOUSANDS

Attracting and retaining young professionals is one way Halifax Partnership is helping to reach the city’s economic goal of growing Halifax’s population to 550,000 by 2031.

The Connector Program has been so successful in Halifax that it’s gone on to launch in regions across Nova Scotia (Valley, Western, Northern, Cape Breton) as well as more than 30 communities across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.

Now with the Connector Plus app up and running, Webb expects

they’ll be able to turn hundreds of in-person connections into thousands of virtual networking opportunities.

“Our universities and colleges have done a great job of marketing Nova Scotia. Wouldn’t it be great if we could keep more talented

students after they graduate?” says Webb. “This is a chance to retain talent by putting up your hand and saying ‘Hey, there are opportunities right here for you.’”