Research Money published my op-ed on the Canadian catch 22 of local experience.
"I keep hearing this complaint from tech immigrants who I meet at local accelerators where I talk about storytelling and personal branding.
Without prior local experience the doors are quite closed, no matter how many years they worked in their field of expertise in their country of origin, or the unique practical knowledge they bring with them – at times knowledge that is not available here.
It is a vicious circle: “How will I get local experience if no one’s hiring me?” they rightly ask."
In this text I also offer actionable steps that (tech and non tech) immigrants can take:
Find your unique value proposition
Flip the script – Once you realize the value you’re bringing, you should harness your unique story and share it with the world
Reverse engineer your way – Understand where you wish to land and work your way up there
With a clear story and a map in hand, now work on your personal branding:
Audit your LinkedIn profile (it’s “the online resume” nowadays)
Invest time online – Be active on LinkedIn and share your professional voice and insights
Spend time offline – Go to events and meetups, introduce yourself and connect with people, listen to their story and share your advice
Lastly, take your brand and build your local experience – help others who need your expertise and generate real value to your surroundings. By volunteering, you will also gain a meaningful connection with local organizations and maintain your professional touch.
Read the full text here
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