Neema Careers

If you plan to make a career transition, this is for you. Not all career transitions require returning to school for another degree. Regardless of how trendy or promising a field might seem, it's crucial to make informed decisions. Here are some steps to guide you: 1. Connect with people in the field you're transitioning to. Seek advice from those already working in the industry. Ask about their experiences, challenges, and what it’s really like to work in their field. 2. Focus on personal development rather than just accumulating certifications. It’s not about the number of certificates or online courses you complete. For example, if you’re hiring a driver, would you choose someone with experience or someone with a certificate from the best driving school? Similarly, practical experience often trumps theoretical qualifications. 3. Look for volunteer opportunities to build experience. Consider working alongside the relevant department in your current job or volunteering with an organization that aligns with your new field. If you want to move into HR, could you collaborate with the HR team in your organization or volunteer with an NGO to start gaining hands-on experience? 4. Be cautious with bootcamps, especially in tech. Signing up for the flashiest bootcamp isn’t always the best strategy. A few of these programs make inflated promises. Tech is a vast field with many specialties—ensure that the path you choose aligns with your long-term goals. I’ve seen people attend multiple bootcamps in a year and still be unclear about their next steps. 5. Don’t overlook the transferable skills you already have. Your current experience is valuable. Leverage the skills you've acquired over the years to make a smoother transition. For instance, if you're in healthcare and considering cybersecurity, focusing on cyber roles within the healthcare sector could be a natural fit for you. Wishing you all the best in your career transition. I pray that God guides and supports you through this journey. 🙏

We are excited about the success of the two bridging programs we hosted this year for newcomers to Canada. Each of the 50 participants found the sessions highly insightful, and we are deeply grateful to Grace Efezokhae and all our guest speakers for their invaluable contributions. The heartfelt testimonials we've received have been truly inspiring. A special thank you to Desjardins for making this vision a reality through their generous business grant. We look forward to organizing more sessions for internationally trained professionals in Canada. If you're interested in partnering with us, please email consult@neemacareers.com.

Neema Careers Bridging Program Recap #5 Session: Financial Planning 101 for New Canadians by Andre Glean Key Takeaways: 1. If you recently moved to Canada, financial planning is not something you leave for when you are fully settled. 2. Learn as much as you can about how credit cards and credit scores work especially if you are coming from a cash-based country. Don’t fall into the debt trap by paying only the minimum balance. 3. Get all the information on how you can maximize your TFSA and RRSP. 4. Create a monthly budget and be proactive about knowing where your money goes. 5. Building wealth is possible for all. Nothing is out of reach for you as an immigrant. #neemacareersbridgingprogram #neemacareers

Matt Adolphe, author of the Canadian workplace culture, spoke about how to thrive in the Canadian workplace. The participants found this session insightful and we look forward to inviting him again. Key Takeaways: 1. Canadians find conflict uncomfortable so be cognizant of indirect communication and other unspoken rules in the workplace. 2. In indirect communication cultures like Canada, there is not a lot of room to make mistakes. Be aware of the cultural nuances before starting your first job. 3. Small talk is a big deal and your ability to have a natural flow in this conversation can be a game changer for you. 4. Be inclusive in your communication especially during interviews. For example, when asked behavioural questions, try not to call out people’s names and race in your responses. You can also try to be gender neutral in your responses when asked to speak about difficult team members or former bosses. 5. We advise that you buy Matt Adolphe’s book😉. The others sessions so far have been great and we will be sharing more recaps shortly.

Neema Careers Bridging Program Recap #3 Session: How to Build a Network After Relocating to Canada Key Takeaways: 1. The first step to networking is understanding that you are the value. 2. Networking is accessible to all personality types. Don’t count yourself out. 3. Networking is the exchange of value. Always seek for ways to add value to others and value is not always in monetary terms. 4. Being an immigrant is a unique advantage and not a setback. Your diverse background offers unique perspectives to people you meet and your employers. 5. There are three layers in networking - personal, operational and strategic networks. You need to understand where everyone is in your network to manage expectations.

Neema Careers Bridging Program Recap #2 Session: Creating your Job Search Strategy by Sylvia A. Uzonwanne Key Takeaways: 1. No company in Canada is taking a chance on you by hiring you. Hiring is a transaction. You have the skills and experience a company needs and they pay you in return. Approach your job search with this mindset and from a place of value. 2. Have coffee chats with people. Look beyond just getting a job with these chats. You can use this to build your network and learn more about the Canadian workplace. 3. Narrow down your job search. Your resume should be targeted for each position. The Canadian workplace does not support generalists. 4. Find a job search rhythm that works for you. 5. Look out for internship opportunities by the Canadian government to get some local experience.

Neema Careers Bridging Program Recap Session: How to Write a Compelling Resume for the Canadian Job Market by Grace Efezokhae Key Takeaways: 1. Write your resume from a place of value. 2. Your resume is a function of the value you add at work. You don’t need to have the most well paying job in the world or even like your job to have a good resume. 3. That your experience is labelled as “non-Canadian” does not diminish the value of what you bring to the table. 4. Make sure your resume can connect to a Canadian e.g. stating dollar amounts >>>> your home currency. 5. Your resume should be laser focused on the role you are applying for. If you are applying for a Project Manager job, it has to be tailored to PM roles from top to bottom. 6. Add a one liner about your previous employer especially if they are not global household names. 7. Prioritize storytelling using numbers,%,$ and qualitatives. 8. Avoid using resume buzz words such as goal getter and self starter. 9. Make use of strong active verbs to start a bullet point. Avoid words like assisted, helped, supported, responsibilities and tasks. 10. Always get someone else to proof read your resume. The others sessions so far have been great and we will be sharing more recaps shortly.

Application for the bridging program closes today. Application Link: bit.ly/neema_careers

Application for the Neema Careers Bridging Program closes tomorrow. If you are new to Canada, this program is a game changer as you build your career. Application link - bit.ly/neema_careers

Application closes in 2 days. If you newly relocated to Canada, you don’t want to miss this value packed program curated for you. Application link - bit.ly/neema_careers