Immigran Friendly Employers - Part 4

How can we all create more immigrant friendly environment in our business community? Here is what we can all learn from the top 20 immigrant friendly employers.

• Advising internationally-trained jobseekers in-person at networking events
• Providing work placements to new immigrants enrolled in bridging programs at local colleges
• Mentoring immigrant professionals to help them access professional networks and develop their careers
• Promoting the issue of immigrant employment in Canada to other local employers
  
• Educating other employers about the benefits of hiring immigrant employees
• Teaching other organizations how to create mentoring programs for immigrant jobseekers or employees
• Promoting immigrant employment to other employers and government
  
• Working with community organizations to help internationally-trained professionals adjust to the Canadian hiring process and job market and find employment
• Training recruiters to hire and advise immigrant jobseekers
  

Immigran Friendly Employers - Part 3

Getting a job is one thing. But working in a culturally & socially new environment can be challenging. Here are how the 20 top employers are supporting their internationally trained employees.

• Offering paid internships to internationally-trained professionals with little or no Canadian work experience in their fields of expertise
• Helping internationally-educated professionals obtain the professional license
• Supporting the educational costs of new Canadian employees who are pursuing further training
• Providing special training and educational programs on business communication skills, English language, cross-cultural training
• Creating workplaces that accommodate employees from different cultures
• Pairing immigrant employees with a workplace 'buddy' who helps them adjust to Canadian culture
• Helping the spouses and partners of immigrant employees find work
  

Immigrants Friendly Employers - Part 2

Finding a job in a new country is not always an easy process. What are the 20 best employers for new immigrants (see Part 1) doing in a hiring process?

• Nominating a newcomer employees and supporting their permanent relocation in Canada
• Reaching out to internationally-trained professionals at special events and through community employment agencies that provide employment services to immigrants
• Evaluating international credentials in partnership with credential assessment agencies
• Participating in a unique "speed mentoring" program that allows new immigrants to meet recruiters in-person
• Expanding their recruiting practices to source new immigrant for jobs
• Using on-site skills testing to eliminate cultural barriers during the hiring process
• Recognizing international undergraduate degrees, credentials and experience during the hiring process
• Developing new online recruitment tools to attract new Canadians to their organization

Immigrants Friendly Employers - Part 1

Canada is indeed a country of immigrants. A growing number of permanent residents, temporary foreign workers and international students are coming here every year. Immigrants have been an important contributor to Canadian economy. However, the high unemployment rate among immigrants is an undeniable fact. (Unemployment rate of very recent immigrants - 10.16%; recent immigrants - 6.5%; established immigrants - 5.2%; Canadian Citizens - 4.9%, Statistics Canada 2006) "Not enough Canadian job experience," "no connections in job market" and "foreign experience or qualifications not accepted" are top reasons for job search difficulties for new immigrants.

While a high percentage of new immigrants is facing these challenges, there are companies in Canada that recognize the advantage of hiring skilled immigrants and provide ongoing support services and programs.

Each year, a blue-ribbon Academic Advisory Board selects Canada's Best 100 Employers, 20 of which are the best employers for new Canadians. The next 3 posts will introduce a summary of how these companies are committed to supporting internationally skilled new Canadians. This information is from the website: www.canadastop100.com/immigrants/

20 Best Employers for new Canadians 2008 are (Alphabetical Order):
Associated Engineering Group Ltd., Business Development Bank of Canada/BDC, CAE Inc., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce/CIBC, Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc., Enbridge Inc., Ernst & Young LLP, i3DVR International Inc., Island Hearing, KPMG LLP, Keane Canada, Inc., MDS Nordion Inc., Manulife Financial Corporation, Providence Health Care, Replicon Inc., St. Michael's Hospital, TD Bank Financial Group, Toronto Transit Commission/ TTC, University of Saskatchewan, Wardrop Engineering Inc.

Is your glass half full or half empty?

On a hot sunny day, you are sitting at a patio, reading a book. It is getting very hot. You reach down to a glass of water on the table. Then you notice it was half the glass. Now, would you see it as "half empty" or "half full"?

This is an expression used to find if you see a situation negatively or positively. What happens when we see the world as "Half empty"? No matter how much we make an effort, it is never enough and we get frustrated. During 15 years of my life in Canada, I spent so much energy to fill my glass by being like a native speaker. But my English was never good enough. My glass was always empty, only filled with frustration.

We tend to forget that we all start from "0" and walk step by step towards our goal. We just cannot wait to get "the final result". We forget to embrace how far we have come. This is one of many reasons why people give up on their goals.

Over 20 years ago, I could not speak a word of English. When I was 12, my sister took me to an English Conversation School to introduce me to her teacher. On the way to school, she told me that if he asked me "how are you?", I should say, "I am fine, thank you. And you?" We practiced. We got to the school, and I met her teacher. He then asked me the famous question with a great smile: "Oh, how are you?" Despite my 5 minutes of practice, I got so nervous and replied "How are you? " I could only hear them laughing, and I just wanted to run away.

Today, I can say more than "How are you?" People actually understand what I am talking about. Yes, my English is not perfect yet, but I have come a long way.

Instead of regretting how empty the glass is, celebrate how far you've come. What helped you fill your glass to where it is now? What steps are you going to take next to fill your glass a little bit more?

Amazing Leadership

This is a brief summary of a short documentary "Pinecrest Diaries" aired on CBC The Lens (March 18, 2008).

In Ottawa was a small town called Pinecrest with the largest concentration of refugees and immigrant, suffering from lack of funding and low resources. Its elementary school was being threatened by poor academic performances and bad behaviours. In fact, 400 students were attending the school and there were more than 500 suspensions. Students were having many personal issues and were at risk. Not understanding English was indeed one of the major issues.

Principle Charles Austin was brought to bring back its life. In 2 years, he and all the teachers and staff members reduced the suspension number to under 40. From this documentary, I found their 10 main strategies that led to its success.

1. Goal oriented
2. Provide a strong support system to the students and teachers
3. Pay attention to every student
4. Show kids at risk a role model whom they can look up to
5. Build a bridge among students, parents and school - actively involving parents
6. Time, money, energy and commitment
7. Action oriented: Do it now!
8. From head to toe: Principle himself getting involved - greeting every student every morning
9. Never blame the students but show how much they care
10. Set high expectations

These strategies and values that Charles Austin and his teachers have demonstrated are important principles that we can all follow and adopt in every aspect of our lives.

Visit the Pincrest Elementary school website to learn more about them.

Just be YOU.

There are a lot of reality TV shows with 3 judges these days. Choosing the best dancer, singer and model in the country. All the contestants put their heart and soul to impress their judges. Top contestants are absolutely beautiful. They got an amazing voice. They got stunning techniques. But the judges are not impressed. They can see if they are trying so hard to impress them, acting or trying to be someone else.

No matter what show it is, all the judges tell them: JUST BE YOU!
They want to see their passion. They want to see their true colour. They want to see who they are.

Show your own character into whatever you do because people want to see YOU.