As every year, companies ask you to write your performance review. At the same time. you were supposed to focus your efforts following some corporate guidelines. While I was reading a document to prepare my self evaluation document, I realized that there were many things that, as an immigrant, I also needed in my life in Canada.
The immigration process, regardless of why you are immigrating, requires the best of you. Whether you are immigrating because a certain degree, such as a social work degree, is easier to obtain in a certain area, or maybe just for a simpler way of living, all your skills must be focused and sharp. You must be ready to act and, at a certain point, you will have to do it blindly.
You will be part of a new environment. You may probably not have much idea on how things are run here, what must be done at certain situations on how to act under some circumstances.
How I discover what I needed
During my first days in Gatineau, QC back in 2005 everything seemed awkward. Even worst, it was not my language or one I felt comfortable with. From going with the car to get some gas to doing the groceries, everything seemed strange and hard to accomplish.
Your paradigms also change. Did I tell you the “stroller story”? When we left Argentina our youngest at the time was less than 2 years old. We decided to take a small, flexible stroller with us so we could avoid running after him around the airport. When we had to enter to the plane, one of the employees in Buenos Aires gave us a tag to identify our stroller and be able to proof it was ours and no someone else’s. Twelve hours later, when we arrived to Toronto, an employee was waiting for us with the stroller in his hand. He looked at me and asked “Is this yours?” I said yes but instead of taking the stroller I started to look for the tag. I was not able to find it and I apologized to the guy. He just handled the stroller to me and said “If you say it’s yours there’s no problem”. That was my first change in paradigms. Do you think anyone in BUE would have gave me the stroller back with no tag? Not without a fight at least!
10 competencies for the top performing immigrant
Now that you got the point, let me share with you what I think are those competencies or skills you will need to highly develop and be the top performing, successful immigrant you deserve to be.
- Building Partnerships: Find people you can help and that can help you. Give to others and allow the others to give you. Find new partners for life and strength partnerships you already have.
- Collaboration: Once you established the partnerships, collaborate with them. Collaborate with others and provide help and value to those in need. Share information with those following you in the immigration process.
- Cultural Awareness: Be ready to find different people, different colours, different languages. Understanding that multiculturalism is what makes Canada what it is, will help you speed up your integration process.
- Developing Others: If you notice your family and friends are playing catch up with you, that their immigration and integration process is not going as well as yours, give them a hand by teaching them how to get up to speed. Help them develop!
- Flexibility: Be ready to change directions rapidly. Shift your focus and resources to achieve the results in a dynamic way. You will have to adjust to a new environment and, who knows, your initial assumptions could be wrong.
- Influence: be ready to persuade or convince others, in particular those employers that will say you may have the qualifications but not “the Canadian experience”. There are lots of wrong assumptions you will have to fight against.
- Initiative: Don’t expect to be “spooned” No one will knock your door to offer you the opportunity you think you deserve. Just do it!
- Innovation: Be innovative when facing every new challenge. There will be so many in the first few months!
- Leadership: This is not only your project. It’s your family project. Motivate them! Help them! Keep them focused!
- Resilience: Remain persistent towards your goals despite the obstacles and setbacks.
Do you have all it takes? Are you ready?
Let me know in the comments what other abilities you may need to succeed as an immigrant.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
there are two thinks that want me to relocate to canada
(1) i want to continue my education there becaus italian is very difficult to me to write and speak’s
(2) to fine job, any person how dos not speaks itanian very well it’s difficult to fine jobs here in italy
Who says you will not have the same issues in Canada?
I would add patience because sometimes no matter how hard you work things take their time to fall into place. So I think the ability to be patient can make a difference in the process of adapting and evolving in a new country.
Good point Rosely. Thanks.
Hi Guys
Is it easy to get a job in Canada as an Electrician without having a work permit? If I apply for a work permit, they ask if I have a job offer. Most companies ask for a work permit, or they will not hire you. So no go. My sister was born in Canada, and currently lives in Vancouver. I am South African and have a South African passport.
Thanks
Merdock
As far as I know, electrician is a demanded trade but as you know it requires a special permit for the province you plan to work at.
Is my understanding that you can immigrate as a Permanent Resident and look for a job as an electrician or also start your own business in the trade.
Anyways, my recommendation for you is to contact an Immigration professional. If you need it, I can recommend you one.
This is a great and very informative blog, my hats off to you! My husband and I went through the immigration process here in America and it is a nightmare. Finally, after a few years worth of paperwork and lots of money, my husband is a legal permanent resident. He is from New Zealand. I really enjoyed the 10 competentcies for top immigrants, they seem to hold true no matter what country you are immigrating to. Thanks for sharing.
Pam, Linked In Bloggers
Thank You Pam for dropping by