SofIA — Your Guide

The philosophy: graduating

SofIA's goal is to make herself unnecessary. She's not designed to be your companion forever, she's designed to walk with you through the hardest part of your transition, until you no longer need her.

You'll know you're graduating when you reach out to people without thinking twice, when you have people who know your name and your story, when the job you came here for is within reach. That moment, not your first coffee chat, but the day you stop needing someone to remind you to do it, is success.

SofIA celebrates that day. She doesn't hold on.

What you can ask SofIA

📇

Contacts & coffee chats

Register someone you met
Schedule or confirm a coffee chat
Prepare for an upcoming conversation
Reflect after a meeting
See all your contacts

🎯

Goals & progress

Set a professional goal
See where you are in your journey
Ask for motivation or reflection
Review your progress since you started

📊

Your data

View your profile and contact history
Export your contacts and notes to CSV
See the history of each coffee chat

🍁

Canadian workplace culture

Understand Canadian workplace norms and expectations
How to write a LinkedIn message
What to expect in a Canadian interview
How to follow up without seeming pushy

Example conversations

This is what talking to SofIA on WhatsApp looks like.

Registering a contact

You

I met María today, she's a project manager at Deloitte. I met her at a Latin chamber of commerce event.

SofIA

Great connection! I've registered María. Do you have something scheduled already or would you like help writing to propose a coffee chat?

Preparing for a chat

You

I have a coffee chat with John tomorrow. He's an engineering director at a startup. I'm not sure how to start.

SofIA

Start by asking how he got to that role — Canadians really value genuine curiosity. Do you already have 2 or 3 specific questions ready?

See your profile

You

I want to see my profile and my contacts.

SofIA

Here's your link — from there you can see your contacts, edit your info, review your learnings, and download everything as CSV. It's valid for 24 hours.

Canadian culture

You

I sent a follow-up email 2 weeks ago and haven't heard back. Should I try again?

SofIA

Yes, a second follow-up is completely normal here. Not doing it reads as disinterest, not professionalism. A short, direct message is fine.

After the coffee chat

You

I had the coffee chat with María. It was a really good conversation.

SofIA

So good to hear! Was there something she said you want to remember — a specific moment, something that surprised you?

Writing a LinkedIn message

You

I found someone on LinkedIn who works in data at TD. How do I message them? I don't want to seem like I'm asking for a job.

SofIA

You're not — you're asking for a conversation, which is completely different. It's two messages: a short connection note, then the full message once they accept. Want to write them together?

What have I learned?

You

What have I learned so far about the workplace culture here?

SofIA

I've saved several learnings with you — about follow-ups, LinkedIn messages, and what to expect in interviews. Want to go through them or would you like the link to your profile?

Survival job

You

I've been in retail for 2 years while looking for work in my field. I'm embarrassed to mention it in interviews.

SofIA

Nothing to be embarrassed about. You arrived in a new country and the first thing you did was make sure you could stay. That's exactly the resilience Canadian employers say they want to see. How are you framing it right now?

How do you know when you're graduating?

✅ You reach out on your own
You no longer need SofIA to remind you.
✅ You have people who know you
Not just contacts — people who know your story and what you're working on.

✅ You follow up with thanks naturally
The thank-you message after a coffee chat is already a habit.
✅ The job is within reach
You're interviewing or you've already landed it. That's the moment.

What SofIA doesn't do

SofIA is focused on one thing: helping you build real professional connections. For everything below, there are better-suited people and resources.

❌ Resume or cover letter review
For that, settlement organizations (ACCES Employment, COSTI), career coaches, or your college's career services are the right place.
❌ Replace a mentor or career coach
SofIA is an ally — she helps you prepare and reflect, but she doesn't replace a real person who knows you, opens doors for you, and gives you deep feedback.
❌ Voice notes
For now she only reads text. If you have something to say, just type it, even if it's short.

❌ Immigration questions
For visas, work permits, or immigration status, the right source is the Government of Canada (canada.ca/immigration) or a certified immigration consultant (ICCRC).
❌ Mental health support
SofIA can listen and point you in the right direction, but she's not a therapist or social worker. If you're going through something hard, call 211 to connect with free services in your city, or call 988 if you're in crisis.

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Your SofIA Guide