Insights on Immigrant Career Advancement

Immigrant inclusive career advancement

We know that addressing immigrant career advancement is important. Research shows that immigrant professionals tend not to advance as far or as quickly as their Canadian-born counterparts. However, when barriers are removed, not only are newcomers better able to build meaningful careers, but organizations and teams benefit from their experience and expertise.

We have developed a collection of free resources with practical steps for managers and immigrant professionals to support more inclusive career advancement. These resources are based on insights gained through the development and delivery of TRIEC’s Career Advancement for Immigrant Professionals (CAIP) project, funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre.

Below, you will find resources and tools:

For managers:

To help you with supporting immigrant team members with growing their careers.

For immigrant professionals:

Learn what more you can do to prepare and position yourself for career advancement.

Career Goal Discussions

Oftentimes, newcomer professionals may be unsure of how to initiate conversations on career goals and advancement. Managers who want to support their employees’ career growth may be unaware of their hesitancy or unfamiliarity in having this conversation with them. The resources below will help immigrants and managers prepare for those vital discussions on career goals.

Be sure to listen to Michele Hodder, Technical Product Manager, and Donald Kurangwa, Test Analyst, Canadian Tire, as they share their insights for managers and immigrants below.

Resource for

managers

Learn how to have more effective career goal conversations with immigrant team members.

Resource for

immigrants

Recommendations on how to discuss career goals with your manager.

Preparing and positioning for career advancement

Preparing for advancement in Canadian organizations can be very different from other places in the world. Managers who are aware of this can better support their team members and avoid assuming that someone isn’t interested in stretch assignments or promotions. Immigrants who understand what to do to stand out as a strong internal candidate are better able to take the steps needed access to advancement.

Take a look at the video in which Michele Hodder, Technical Product Manager, Canadian Tire also share her tips for managers.

Resource for

managers

Find out how you can help your immigrant team members prepare for career advancement.

Resource for

immigrants

Learn what more you can do to prepare and position yourself for career advancement.

Networking versus social capital

Networking is important for career advancement in Canada, but the real power of networking lies in developing trusted professional relationships, i.e. social capital. Immigrants who can build a strong social capital will thrive in their careers. Managers can support their immigrant team members by connecting them with others and supporting them in deepening professional relationships.

Resource for

managers

Learn how you can help your immigrant team members in building and deepening professional connections

Resource for

immigrants

Find out how you can develop your social capital

Powering your career

It’s common for employers in Canada to expect employees to figure out where they want to take their careers, what they need to get there, and to ask for opportunities and resources to develop the skills and experiences they need to move forward. It is, therefore, important for immigrant professionals to take control of their career journey and drive their career forward.

Resource for

immigrants

Check out how you can develop and drive your own career pathway to move forward

Making a difference in a newcomer team member’s career

As a manager, you can play a vital role in supporting your newcomer team member’s career journey. There are some simple and effective ways you can positively impact their career in Canada.

Resource for

managers

Discover three easy actions that you can take to make a difference.

Learn More

About the CAIP Program

Career Advancement for Immigrant Professionals project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Future Skills Centre. // Le projet Career Advancement for Immigrant Professionals est financé par le Centre des Compétences futures du gouvernement du Canada.