My catch - 22 in searching new opportunities cross-borders

In todays day and age, especially in Sri Lankan context many, including myself have sorted for immigration as a last resort to get away from the innuendoes of the socio-economic challenges we had to go through in the past 24 months. In such a context, Immigrants looking for a better life frequently embark on the risky and life-changing journey of searching for new chances in a foreign place. But this journey is sometimes tainted by a difficult dichotomy - a situation where one can be turned down because they don't have enough local experience or because they have too much international experience. While this is neither my or recruiter's fault, I have struggled with this confusing conundrum as a recent immigrant, and it has a big influence on the cross-border job search process. While I am still trying to overcome this challenge myself, here are some thoughts that I believe would help me overcome the obstacles of this catch-22 scenario.

The Catch-22: Rejection on Both Sides

Rejected Because of Experience Abroad

As a new immigrant, A SKILLED MIGRANT, i am able to bring a plethora of knowledge from my native nation. My career path has been characterised by perseverance, skill growth, and a dedication to quality. But I quickly found out that not all employers were willing to value or acknowledge this foreign experience. They raised issues with disparities in industrial norms, work cultures, and even the suitability of foreign degrees in the regional setting. I therefore experienced rejection in spite of my professional background's advantages.

Rejected due to insufficient local experience

Conversely, I am getting rejected from jobs since I didn't have any local experience. Candidates who were already familiar with local customs, laws, and networks were highly sought after by employers. This prejudice towards newcomers presented a conundrum: how could I learn about the area if I wasn't initially given the chance to do so?

Navigating Around the Catch-22: Game Plan

This catch-22 situation has been difficult and educational for me to navigate, being a strategist this leads me to do what I know best, strategise and plan. The following are some tactics and insights I've planned to implement;

Networking

As soon as I understood how important networking was, I have started to reach out to experienced industry leaders. If I am successful in making those connections, I believe that it would help me to establish local connections which would eventually lead me towards a career.

Putting a Focus on Transferable Skills

I started emphasising my transferrable talents in job applications and interviews to get over the stigma associated with having lived overseas. I highlighted as valuable assets traits like problem-solving, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication.

Looking for Guidance

Seeking guidance from experts who have effectively entered the local workforce has proven to be extremely beneficial. Their advice and insights have given me a road map for overcoming the difficulties I encountered.

Making the Case for Inclusivity

I developed became a champion for inclusivity, lending my support to initiatives undertaken by companies dedicated to equity in hiring. It's critical to combat prejudices towards immigration and provide fair chances for everybody.

The paradoxical feeling of being rejected for both my foreign education and lack of local experience has characterised my journey as a recent immigrant. Although this paradox poses a difficult task, it has also provided a chance for resilience and personal development. As I continue to traverse this territory, I am optimistic that immigrants like myself can not only overcome these challenges but also make valuable contributions to our new home with perseverance, strategic efforts, and the support of a welcoming community. Recognising the importance of varied backgrounds and experiences, we may endeavour to develop fair and inclusive labour markets that benefit immigrants as well as the general public.

#skilledmigration #publicrelationsjobs #australia #sydney #jobleads #permenantresidensy