The shit job leads to the dream job?

Hello, new local👋

In today’s Newsletter:

• Must I do the ‘shit’ job before the real job?

• The best platforms to network as a newbie

• Specially curated resources for you 🤝

So I was talking to a couple of friends over the weekend and we had this long argument about “how you have to most definitely do a ‘shit job’ before you finally land your ‘dream’ - or at least ideal - job in Canada.”

And I was like, I will share this with you today.

First, let me put this out there — landing a corporate job offer as a green-eared immigrant in Canada is not impossible but it can be tough.

Why?

• The Canadian job market values Canadian-related work experience over Canadian degrees or foreign work experience. If your degree is from a non-Canadian or US school, it means nothing to most employers unless you went to Harvard or the Global Ivy Leagues.

What can you do about it?

I’ll share advice + resources that work. Please bear in mind that nothing is set in stone and you will have to build resilience and flexibility as you go.

• If you know you’re good at your job and it’s a needed role in Canada, go guns blazing for the roles you want. Step up your game, build a badass resume, put your best foot forward and you might get a good role. | Learn how to write a Canadian-style resume here.

• Leverage referrals over just cold applying. This method works globally. Most immigrants I’ve met find it hard to build a strong network. If you think graduating from a Canadian school and sending out a few resumes will land you your dream job, you might be in for a shock.

  Trying to do things solo is the most assured way to fall flat on your face. | Sign up to MeetUp to network and connect with people.

• Now when you’ve been on this for a month or two and things are not looking up, be open to starting from the bottom of your career and then scale up. While it’s usually complicated to get a good job right away, it’s more feasible to scale up and even grow into better positions faster than you were in your home country.

• You might have to flip burgers or serve drinks for a while (sorry). I don’t recommend staying at home for months till you get “the dream” job. You’re wasting time + most employers would like at least 12 months of Canadian work experience no matter your education.

Most importantly, don’t lose hope. Rejection stings but most times it’s not your fault, you just need to know how to navigate the system. The job market globally is in a weird place right now and you have to adapt fast.

Did you recently relocate to Canada? How has your job search experience been so far?

Tell me about it.

INSPIRE ✨

“To me, the social construct of “Black” is limiting and I want people to visit Africa for this reason. That’s why I created Celebrate Africa. I want to give Canadians the opportunity to experience African life through connecting with the land, culture and food.” 

Njeri’s story of impact and purpose builds up from Kenya and blossoms in Canada. From starting a business in Canada to being appointed to Canada’s National Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector, Njeri shows us where the path of resilience leads for Africans in Canada.

COMMUNITY CORNER 🔗

Transitioning into Canadian professional life comes with its fair share of surprises. From workplace customs to everyday interactions, the cultural journey is full of eye-opening moments. As people who have navigated the rollercoaster of cultural transitions, we know firsthand how impactful those 'aha' moments can be.

We are eager to learn about your own experiences – the good, the bad, the unexpected, and the downright hilarious! Reach out to us below 👇

LOOK WHO’S HIRING! 💼

Assent

• Training and Engagement Specialist

• Senior SEO manager

• Director, Global Support

Borrowell

• SR. Business Analyst

• SR. Software Developer [RoR]

• Manager, Digital Marketing Business Intelligence

StackAdapt

• Senior Product Manager

• Senior Product Designer

• Staff Engineer, Audiences & Customer Data Platform

See more jobs

HERE’S WHAT’S UP 🤝

• New Minimum Wage in British Columbia: Effective June 1st, 2024, British Columbia raised its minimum wage

• New Program for High-Tech Workers: This Innovation Stream Pilot Program offers a new work permit option for skilled workers in high-tech sectors

• Path to Permanent Residency for International Students: The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) offers an International Student Stream for permanent residency.

• How to extend your stay in Canada as an International student post-graduation

TOP RESOURCES FOR YOU 🗃️

• Still struggling to settle down in Canada? This free course by the immigrant learning centre is so helpful

• You need to meet other women of colour. Plan to attend this networking event next week.

• Meet with potential employers looking to hire immigrants. Register for this virtual employment summit [Almost full]

• Missing your Nigerian Jollof or Ghanian Wanke. Here are the top 5 African restaurants to visit in Canada

DON’T MISS THESE! 👔

• Embrace Change: Structure for Women of Colour | Learn More

• Analytics Week Virtual Job Fair / Career Networking Event | Toronto | Learn More 

• Health Hires Virtual Hob Fair| Learn More

• Elevate Networking Night with Women4Change | Learn More

• MFG Virtual Job Fair| Learn More

SOME TOOLS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT! 👔

• Originality - the most accurate AI content detection tool.

• AI Apply - AI-fueled job-search companion

• Ownr - Start, manage, and grow your business with Ownr's all-in-one platform for business formation and legal documents

• AroundDeal -  Grow your business by driving quality prospects!

• Resume.io - is one of the most advanced & easy-to-use resume builders on the web.

You definitely know someone else who’ll benefit from this newsletter 😌