Landing a Dream Job in a Foreign Country
One of the biggest challenges African immigrants face is finding a job where they can apply their skills and talent. It is not lost on many that people back home often associate immigrants with menial jobs such as those that involve manual labor. And this is despite the immigrants having had successful careers in their home countries. Doctors, lawyers, engineers and other such professionals find themselves needing to abandon their fields when they migrate.But this does not really need to happen to you. If you’ve recently moved to a new country or just thinking about migrating, here are some tips to help you land your dream job at your new home.Proper Research and Sufficient Preparation If you’re in a field that needs certification such as careers in medicine or engineering, then it would be best if you prepare before you move. Find out what you need to do to continue practicing in regulated professions and trade.You might be surprised that the requirements to practice your profession may not be as complex as you thought. For example, to practice medicine in Canada, you need to get licensed. This may sound like a complicated process but it’s just a matter of meeting requirements. These range from basic language assessments to getting the necessary credentials.With proper research and sufficient preparation, you may actually get an opportunity to continue working in your field despite moving to another country.Acquiring Language Skills Development and ProficiencyLanguage barrier is one of the common reasons immigrants have a hard time landing dream jobs in their new homes. Employers who are willing to give immigrants a chance are worried that they might lose business over language problems.To avoid any problems in getting a good job, you may want to be more proficient with the language of your new home. You can attend classes or perhaps get the help of friends to become fluent.Most jobs also require that you have a language proficiency test to get a certificate of proficiency. For example, nursing jobs in Canada require applicants to have a TOEFL certificate to be considered for any positions. So even if you already speak the language, it will be beneficial for you to get certified.While knowing the semantics of the language may help you land the job, it doesn’t guarantee your success. So you may want to work on your communications skills as well. You need to learn the colloquial language so you can easily relate to the people you will be interacting with.Expand Your Network and Explore Your OpportunityMost immigrants choose to stay within their own community. This is why there are places such as little Italy and Chinatown in virtually any city in the entire world. African immigrants also have a tendency to gravitate towards others with the same culture and heritage.While staying in touch and socializing with your people who come from your home country is a great way to adjust, it might be detrimental to your professional life. With limited contacts, you restrict yourself to opportunities available in smaller circles.Networking is a great way to improve your chances of landing your dream job. But how exactly do you do it?Most people when they hear the term networking, they immediately think that it’s all about going to social events and rubbing elbows with the who’s who. However, reality is certainly nothing like that.Expanding your network to get more employment opportunities involve putting yourself in contact with recruiters and employers. And with today’s technology, there are numerous ways to do it.You can become a member of social media networks that focus on putting professionals in touch. A good example of this type of network is LinkedIn. If you prefer a more old school approach, you can get in touch with recruitment firms and use their expertise in getting the job you want.When you decided to migrate, your goal was to get a better life for yourself and your loved ones. And getting a job that pays well that allows you to apply your talents and skills is crucial in achieving your goal of a better life. While finding and landing your dream job will not be a walk in the park, it is certainly not an impossible dream.