Breaking Barriers: Navigating the Workforce as a New Immigrant

Introduction

As an immigrant, my favourite question to ask other immigrants is “What made you leave your home and decide to relocate to move countries?” Responses over time show that immigration is often driven by a desire to improve one's life, the quest for new opportunities, improving living conditions, seeking security/safety, the quest for better jobs, education, adventure and love. 

In Canada, the government sets annual immigration targets for economic, family, and refugee classes. Canada's immigration target for 2022 was 411,000 new permanent residents. In the United States, the number of new immigrants hired is not tracked specifically, but data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that immigrants are a significant part of the workforce. 

It's important to note that these numbers do not necessarily reflect the full scope of immigrant employment, as many immigrants may work in informal or low-paying jobs that are not officially tracked.

The Challenges New Immigrants Face While Trying to Land Jobs

New immigrants can face challenges in landing jobs, particularly if they lack language proficiency or experience in the job market of their new country. Some of the reasons why new immigrants may find it difficult to land jobs include:

• Language barriers: New immigrants may not be fluent in the language spoken in their new country, which can make it difficult for them to communicate with employers and colleagues and limit their access to job opportunities.
• Lack of local work experience: New immigrants may lack experience in the job market of their new country, which can make it difficult for them to compete for jobs with candidates who have more experience.
• Credential recognition: New immigrants may have obtained their education and professional credentials in their home country, but these may not be recognized or valued in their new country.
• Discrimination: New immigrants may face discrimination in the job market based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. 
• Navigating cultural differences in the workplace 

New Immigrant Philosophy: Work Twice As Hard to be Successful 

Immigrants may believe that they have to work twice as hard as nationals due to a variety of factors, including:

• Cultural expectations: In some cultures, there is a strong emphasis on hard work and perseverance, and immigrants may feel a greater pressure to live up to these expectations in their new country.
• Bias and discrimination: Immigrants may face bias and discrimination in the job market based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. As a result, they may feel that they need to work harder to prove their worth and overcome stereotypes and biases.
• Financial pressures: Immigrants may face financial pressures to support their families or pay off debts, which can lead to working harder to succeed in their careers.
• Limited opportunities: Immigrants may perceive that there are limited opportunities available to them in the job market, particularly if they lack language proficiency or experience in the job market of their new country. As a result, they may feel that they need to work harder to compete for the available jobs.

Tips On Navigating Cultural Differences In The Workplace 

• Be open to learning: Be curious and open-minded about the culture of your new workplace. 
• Observe and listen: Pay attention to how your colleagues communicate, etiquette, the tone and content of conversations.
• Build relationships: Seek to connect with your colleagues on a personal level and find common ground.
• Seek feedback: Ask for feedback on your performance as this can help you improve your skills and in turn build stronger relationships with your colleagues.
• Respect cultural differences: Respect the cultural differences of your colleagues and avoid making assumptions or judgments based on cultural stereotypes.
• Adapt and adjust: Be flexible and adaptable in your approach to work and be willing to adjust your behaviour and communication style to better align with the cultural norms of your new workplace.

The Role Employers Play In Creating An Inclusive and Supportive Workplace For Immigrants 

It is important for employers to create a space where immigrant workers can thrive and contribute to their fullest potential. By doing so, employers can benefit from the diverse skills and perspectives that immigrant workers bring to the workplace. Employers can first of all show support for diversity by celebrating diverse cultures and heritage. Also, provide language support, offer cultural training sessions, recognize foreign credentials, make a conscious effort to address bias and discrimination as well as career development opportunities through mentorships etc

From Struggle to Success: Inspiring Stories of Immigrants in the Workplace

Immigrants can achieve great success in the workplace and contribute to the success of their adopted country. 

• Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Alphabet Inc and a subsidiary of Google and one of the most successful immigrants in the tech industry. He immigrated to the United States from India in 1993 to pursue a degree in engineering at Stanford University. He started his career at Google in 2004 and worked his way up to become CEO in 2015.
• Chinua Achebe is known as the father of African literature. He became the first African author to achieve mainstream success in the Western world with his first novel, Things Fall Apart, in 1958.e immigrated from Nigeria to the United States to teach at Bard College and later Brown University, and continued to publish his fiction and poetry.
• Ginella Massa: She’s originally from Panama and a familiar face as the host of Canada Tonight on CBC News Network. She is a Canadian Screen Award winner, and best known as Canada's first hijab-wearing television news reporter, local anchor, and national host. 
• Luis Carlos Auilar: Communications Advisor with the Government of Alberta. He first arrived in Canada from rural Mexico as a 22-year-old engineer on a visitor visa, language was the biggest obstacle for him.“He faced tremendous professional and linguistic challenges as an immigrant who did not speak the official languages of Canada,”
• Katya Echazarreta immigrated to America with her parents from Mexico. She worked four jobs in college and contributed to her family’s income in high school, including by working at McDonald’s. She became the first Mexican-born woman in space as part of Space for Humanity's Citizen Astronaut Program, launched on June 4, 2022.

In conclusion, immigrants face unique challenges. As an immigrant who experienced these challenges first-hand, I believe that by understanding these challenges, we can begin to examine the realities immigrants face in pursuing career progression/success. As a New Immigrant, remember that relocating to a new country can be a challenging experience, but it can also be a rewarding one. You can overcome obstacles and build a fulfilling life in your new home with patience, persistence, and a positive attitude.

Do not stop believing that someday, somehow, victory will be yours!