By Michelle Both
Madhavi Manian brought six years of professional experience with her when she immigrated to Canada. Yet, securing employment came with challenges that surprised her.
Each year, Canada welcomes nearly a quarter of a million permanent residents, one of the highest rates among developed countries. Fifty-seven percent of these are internationally trained professionals who have hopes of continuing their professions as doctors, engineers, administrators, and skilled labourers on Canadian soil.
However a quick ride in a Hamilton taxi can show you, their successful careers do not always follow them, despite their expertise. Gaps in knowledge of job search resources and a new workplace culture can complicate entering the labour market in Canada.
“It is tough to know and understand the job market when you are here as a new immigrant,” says Madhavi Manian.
After applying to over twenty jobs, Manian didn’t hear back from a single one, despite over six years of professional human resources experience abroad.
Manian is not the only one. The Conference Board of Canada even noted that, “Underutilizing the skills of internationally-trained individuals is estimated to cost Canada between $3.4 to 5 billion per year in lost productivity.”
“Underutilizing the skills of internationally-trained individuals is estimated to cost Canada between $3.4 to 5 billion per year in lost productivity.”
However, this economic loss can be mitigated by institutions.
“Our message is that Canada’s doors are open to economic immigration,” said Minister of Citizenship and immigration, Chris Alexander, during a conference earlier this year in British Columbia. “We must, all of us – the federal government, provincial governments, employers, educators, service providers, other stakeholders work together to ensure […] Canada remains competitive in the marketplace for skilled immigrants.”
For the Immigrant Women’s Centre, ensuring newcomers have the tools they need for success is crucial to ensuring that Hamilton and Canada are attractive to skilled workers.
For the Immigrant Women’s Centre, ensuring newcomers have the tools they need for success is crucial to ensuring that Hamilton and Canada are attractive to skilled workers.
One of the ways the Immigrant Women’s Centre has found success in this area is through programs like the Job Search Workshop, which offers pre-employment training to newcomers in two four-day sessions. The workshop helps new immigrants understand the job search process from the very beginning through one-on-one job search coaching, interview tips and techniques, and customized action plans.
For Manian this type of program was crucial.
After completing the program, she secured a job after sending out only two more applications. In her first interview, she was prepared, confident, and had a grasp on Canadian business etiquette.
“When I got my first job related to my field in Canada, I was very much excited and happy that my patience and efforts have paid off eventually. I was looking forward to be able to put my experience and skills to work and learn about the work culture and work environment in Canada,” she says.
Manian is now working as a Workforce Effectiveness Coordinator at the Royal Bank of Canada.
Job Search Workshops are available to permanent residents, convention refugees and live-in caregivers. Men and women are welcome. Care for newcomer children is available.
Michelle Both works as the Communications Coordinator at the Immigrant Women’s Centre and is Managing Editor for Unpack Magazine. Follow her on Twitter: @MichellelBoth.