Career Musings

Several of my clients are professional immigrants, aka Internationally Educated Professionals. While they are trying to navigate and understand the job search maze, they are either not working or they are working in survival jobs. Invariably, these jobs are not related to their professions, and some prefer not to mention such jobs on their resumes. Those who haven’t yet found a job face the same challenge – how to account for their time away from the job market.

In a recent survey, a group of Canadian HR professionals and hiring managers were asked “How should candidates address gaps in their employment history?” Nearly thirty-six percent (35.9%) said they should include a statement in the ‘work experience’ section and twenty-three percent (23.4%) indicated that they should give an explanation in a cover letter. Sixteen percent (15.6%) said that candidates should explain (in a chronological resume) where the gap occurred, or they should fill the gap with professional development. From this statistic, it is safe to conclude that 75% of respondents want you to account for the gap.

While keeping the hiring managers’ preferences in mind, here are some additional ways to compensate for, or explain gaps in your employment:

1. Prepare to tell stories about what you have learned in the survival job without focusing on the title
2. Register with employment agencies to get some short-term assignments, or look for freelance projects
3. Use the functional resume format to emphasize notable skills and accomplishments gained from a number of jobs
4. Arrange practice interview sessions with a family member or friend and make sure you are prepared to answer the ‘gap’ question
5. Reflect on some activities you have been involved in and see if you can link those activities to the company’s business strategy
6. Remind yourself that unpaid work is ‘experience’
7. Attend industry-related seminars, engage in professional development activities or gain an additional certification

Employers understand that there are various reasons why someone may have gaps in his or her employment history. Just be honest about it, and always steer the conversation back to the value benefits they would derive from having you on board.

Fall is here, and it’s time for a new beginning. You could be starting a job search after a layoff; starting a course to enhance your chances for a promotion, or even starting a business. You are at a crossroad, and it’s decision time. You are asking yourself, “Where do I go  from here and what route should I take?” Before you make a decision, reflect on the following tips. They could  help you move your career forward…one step at a time:

1. Revisit your core values. What is important to you in a job or career other than the pay cheque? What do you enjoy doing? What work or vocation you could easily do for free?
2. Establish your preferences. Do you like working within a group or alone? Does the idea of sitting behind a desk appeal to you, or would you prefer a job working outdoors?
3. Research companies that share your values. Is the company eco-friendly or family-friendly, and are those values important to you?
4. Be Prepared for lateral moves in your company. Climbing the corporate ladder does not necessarily mean moving up immediately. It could mean going sideways sometimes.
5. Expand your knowledge base. Become more literate by formal or informal means. It’s easier than ever these days for you to enroll in courses, attend seminars, read inspiring books and contribute to discussions that will educate and inform. Take advantage of your employer’s tuition reimbursement program if they still have one.
6. Commit to your job 110%. Mediocre performance breeds mediocre results. If you cannot commit to your job, it might be time to start looking for another job or change your career. If you are underperforming, it will be noticed and when it’s time to reduce headcount, the employer will look first in your direction.
7. Retool your skills. Find opportunities to update your skills or learn new ones. In an ever-evolging workplace, you will need to demonstrate that you are comfortable with the latest technology and that you are willing to take risks and experiment with new things.
8. Brush up on your job search skills. Even if you are not thinking of leaving your employer, you should brush up on your skills. When last have you done an interview? Are you familiar with current interview practices? If called on to interview for your current position, how confident are you that you would get your job back? What about your résumé? Is it current and does it have a list of your achievements?
9. Avoid your comfort zone when networking. According to Martin Zwilling of Start Up Booster, if you want to be successful at networking, you must first identify your “comfort zone” (the circle of people you are most comfortable interacting with), then avoid spending too much time with that group.
10. Make it a habit of tapping into and nurturing your network. Once you have your network going, make the relationship memorable. What information can you share with people in your network? Have you read an article or found a website that could benefit someone in your group? Networking is not a one-shot event and must be constantly nurtured. That’s how you’ll be memorable and kept on someone’s radar for the next opportunity.

With these 10 tips, you are ready to take charge and move your career forward! If you would like professional assistance in any aspect of your career, find an experienced career strategist who has walked in your shoe!_

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Daisy Wright is Chief Career Strategist at The Wright Career Solution, a Certified Career Management Coach and author of No Canadian Experience, Eh? A Career Survival Guide for New Immigrants. She can be reached via Email: daisy@thewrightcareer.com, Blog: www.daisywright.com, Websites: www.thewrightcareer.com  and www.nocanadianexperience-eh.com.

I was again quoted in the Toronto Star of June 2, 2007 by Career Columnist, Janis Foord Kirk. Her series deals with the challenges that internationally-educated professionals face during their transition to Canada.

As I said in the article, employers need to get on board in understanding what these highly-educated immigrants are bringing to the table. Conversely, internationally-educated professionals need to be flexible and open to change. Things are somewhat different from ‘back home’.