How do some new migrants secure jobs quickly?
By Mandar Erande | Tuesday, June 16, 2015
As a Career coach for new migrants there are a few common traits that I observe in some new migrants who get jobs quickly
- Belief: This is by far the most important difference between those new migrants who secure a proper professional job in their own line of work and those who keep struggling. Some of them have a deep inner belief which leads them to think and act positively and it shows in terms of their activity. Belief comes from self confidence, education, upbringing, values and knowledge.
- Asking for help: New migrants in various ways lack the knowledge or contact base which is the key to a local industry job. Some of them are ready and willing to reach out and call a career coach to assist them, knowing they have a problem, if they are not getting any results after a period of job searches.
- Attitude or willingness to learn: Those migrants who come well qualified or big degrees are surprisingly the ones that have the biggest barriers to learning something new. They feel they got through the skills assessment and migration process easily, so they know most of the stuff, if not everything. They held senior positions back home in their parent country.
- Don’t rely on thy neighbour or friend: Those that are realistic approach the real experts, collect tips and get results. Copying a resume of a friend who migrated and got a job years ago rarely works. Those who keep struggling are willing to listen to their friends or neighbours career advice but not that of a good recruiter or career coach. My colleague could spot a good candidate among 20, in 2 minute phone call.
- Never give up: Some migrants know not to give up, but at the same time they realise if they are not getting any success in a certain time frame, they need to change their approach. They try something new. I know of a job getter who literally knocked on doors and got his first job in a very old fashioned way. He was determined & keen.
- Retreat: Successful migrants don’t have an easy escape plan or exit door already prepared. They think they have to make it and don’t have any other option. If you leave an exit door half ajar, chances are you are not fully prepared or focused on being a successful migrant. They keep nit picking issues or obstacles in their new life thinking of taking easy way out.
- Learning new skills and working in odd jobs: While some new migrants consider working in odd jobs or smaller companies as a taboo or image detriment, others realise it’s just one step backwards to jump two steps forward. The odd/small job gives them exposure and local communication skills. It solves the money problems and for a temporary period of time these odd jobs provide a foundation for new life.
- When in Rome, do like Romans: Last but most important is this age old saying. V true, but some new migrant job seekers don’t realise they have to implement this in action, act, speak and behave accordingly. You have migrated to a new country you need to understand the work culture, skills requirements and adjust accordingly, not the other way round. Communication skills are a big example in this area.