Canadian Immigrant - August 2016

AUGUST 2016 | FREE

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

PICTURE

PERFECT

Javan (Atilla) Mukhtarov’s

Publications mail agreement number 40011993

story of community and connection in Alberta’s Bow Valley OOPS! How to save face after a social media blunder ways to tap the hidden job market

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CONTENTS 4

FUSION

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COMMUNITY

PROFILE: Immigrant advocate Svetlana Lazareva NATIONAL BRIEFS CANSPEAK Javanshir (Atilla) Mukhtarov embraces everything his region of Bow Valley, Alberta, has to offer

12 LIVING

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Have you had an embarrassing ‘oops’ moment on social media? It’s time for some damage control!

16 RBC TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANT AWARDS Photos from the ceremonies!

above How to save face after a social media blunder

18 IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE 20 CAREERS & EDUCATION B:11.25”

S:9.75”

T:10.75”

JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: Social media to get the job CAREER COACH: 7 ways to tap the hidden job market

22 SETTLEMENT

PARENTING: Treasuring the older generation DEAR FAIZAL: Having the ‘talk’ with kids

24 MONEY & BUSINESS

Winnipeg media leader Fisher Wang SMALL BUSINESS: Culture of doing business

30 BACK PAGE

HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO TOP TIPS: Advice from our RBC Top 25

Cover photo by Pam Doyle

“Canada was built by citizen immigrants, people who come here permanently with their families to become Canadians.”

- Hon. John McCallum, MP

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Become a Regulated Immigration Consultant Available nationally online.

Contact Admissions at (604) 628-5784 or toll free 1 (844) 628-5784 or apply online. www.ashtoncollege.ca

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canadianimmigrant.ca

August 2016

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FUSION

People. News. Information.

VOLUME 13, ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2016 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri

profile

Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com Editorial Design Terry Lankstead, Anne Nawrocka Courtland Shakespeare Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik

Svetlana

Lazareva No limits

Advertising Sales Sr. Ad Manager (B.C. and Alberta) Alla Gordeeva alla@canadianimmigrant.ca Tel: 778 558 3397 Sr. Ad Manager (Toronto) Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170 National Sales Manager Varun Munjal vmunjal@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8169 Sales, Events & Marketing Coordinator Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com ISSN 1910-4146

Subscription rate in Canada: $47.99 plus HST for 12 issues Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher

Publications mail agreement number: 40065097 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 3145 Wolfedale Road Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 3A9 Printed on recycled paper.

Toronto Circulation 50,000 copies Vancouver Circulation 30,000 copies Calgary Circulation 3,000 copies Canadian Immigrant is published monthly and distributed free throughout Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Canadian Immigrant welcomes submissions, but is not responsiblefor unsolicited material.

Canadian Immigrant is a publication of Metroland Media Group, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Entire contents property of Canadian Immigrant.

canadianimmigrant.ca TORONTO 3145 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga Ontario, L5C 3A9 Tel: 905 273 8111, Fax: 905 277 9917

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August 2016

By Margaret Jetelina

I

t’s been 10 years since Svetlana Lazareva arrived in Canada from Russia, and one of the greatest lessons she has learned in that decade is that there’s no limit to what immigrants can achieve. Her recent book, The Sky is No Longer the Limit, shares this message with other immigrants like herself.

A nurse by profession, and wife and mother living in Bolton, Ontario, Lazareva’s passion is to inspire newcomers, which is why she not only writes, but started up the ImmPress Institute.

Were you able to find work soon after arriving?

It took me 362 days to find my first job in Canada. I spent almost a year learning English first. I got my first job as a school settlement worker, then acquired an RN license and became a public health nurse, then adviser and later a project manager at the York University. For the last five years, I have been working as an educator at the Ontario Nurses’ Association and two years ago I founded the ImmPress Institute.

Why did you start the ImmPress Institute?

I dream big. I see myself being a voice of immigrants in Cana-

da and internationally. The big dream desires the big name.

Tell me more about it.

The ImmPress Institute is a business as well as a lifestyle.

Inspiring people to live their greatest life is what I do no matter where I am: speaking on a stage, travelling around Canada or shopping at a grocery store.

The institute has four streams: education, research, advocacy and publishing. ImmPress projects currently include: a guide for immigrants on succeeding in Canada; workshops for school students; a workshop series for ESL teachers; a book on the ABCs of Canada; and the Faces of Ontario Almanac (essays and art depicting immigrant experiences in Ontario).

How has the response been to all this?

One of the best responses a participant shared with me was: “Five minutes with you changed my life. You showed me a new way of thinking and I want to do more with my life.”

What do you hope to achieve next?

I believe that I can make a big impact talking to school

left It would be Svetlana Lazareva’s dream come true to have her book, The Sky is No Longer the Limit, given to every immigrant upon their arrival to Canada.

Photo by Elena Dolgy Photostudio

students. They just started their life journey and I can help them to understand themselves and show that anything is possible. I am working on the youth edition of The Sky is No Longer the Limit and am inviting youth between nine and 29 years old to share their story via skynolimit.ca. The best submissions will be included in this special edition of the book.

What’s the biggest lesson that you want to share with newcomers?

Remember why you came to Canada. Remind yourself what you had to go through to be here.

Don’t give up and follow your dreams. We were born to be happy. Never let anyone, including yourself, take that away.

To access a free e-book version of Svetlana Lazareva’s The Sky is No Longer the Limit, see this article at canadianimmigrant.ca.

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canspeak...

Words, expressions and sayings

A hot potato — A controversial topic that is being heavily disputed is often called a “hot potato.” It’s too hot to handle!

Beat around the bush — Are you trying

to have a conversation with someone who is avoiding the topic? You could say they are “beating around the bush.”

Barking up the wrong tree — If someone

says you’re “barking up the wrong tree,” you’re looking in the wrong place or accusing the wrong person.

See more words at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Work & Education > Language.”

NATIONAL

BRIEFS

B.C. >> DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society is now accepting applications for the Maria Celaje Bursary for 2016. The $500 bursary was created in memory of Maria Celaje, a respected, long-term employee and workplace facilitator in DIVERSEcity’s Future Leaders Program. It will be awarded to an exceptional immigrant young adult between the ages of 19 and 30 who has worked hard to pursue their career goal. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 19, 2016, and the recipient will be announced on Sept. 6. Learn more at dcrs.ca.

Alberta — Former Citizenship and Immigration Minister and Alberta member of Parliament Jason Kenney has left federal politics to throw his hat into the ring for the leadership of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party.

Ontario — Ontario is launching community meetings across the province to engage with the public and organizations on addressing systemic racism and eliminating barriers for indigenous and racialized communities. The province’s

new Anti-Racism Directorate will host nine public community meetings to hear from Ontarians about how to address systemic racism and implement meaningful change. The first meeting took place in Toronto on July 14. Meetings will also take place in Scarborough on Sept. 13, Mississauga on Sept. 27, as well as in Ottawa, Sudbury, London, Windsor, Thunder Bay, and another in the Greater Toronto Area. Dates and times for these meetings will be posted on ontario.ca/antiracism.

Atlantic — Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship John McCallum was in St. John’s last month to sign the first bilateral framework immigration agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The new agreement sets out joint objectives and defines the roles and responsibilities of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador in relation to how we work together on immigration. It establishes the same formal relationship on immigration issues that Canada already has in place with most other provinces.

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August 2016

In Ontario, despite all the progress we’ve made to build an inclusive and equal society of people from all backgrounds, systemic racism continues to create barriers for racial minorities and indigenous groups. To build a better Ontario, we need to confront racism and the barriers and hardships it creates. It is why we created the new Anti-Racism Directorate.”

— Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wynne facebook.com/canimmigrant

Embracing Canada

Javanshir (Atilla) Mukhtarov lives in one of the most picturesque parts of the country, but it’s the people who have made the biggest impact on his journey so far, with a little help from social media

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August May 2016 2016

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COMMUNITY

By Margaret Jetelina

J

avanshir (Atilla) Mukhtarov came to Canada for love.

Known as Javan Atilla to his friends, he was working at the Fairmont Baku in his home country of Azerbaijan in 2012, when he met Sonya, one of several Canadians working at the luxury hotel along the Caspian Sea. Falling in love was the easy part, however; staying in the same country was the challenge.

“I got a job at another Fairmont hotel in Dubai, but she didn’t get offered a job there,” says Mukhtarov. Instead, Sonya was offered a job at another Fairmont property back in Canada, at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff National Park in Alberta.

Although Mukhtarov did not get offered a job at the hotel himself, he had no hesitation about choosing love over his career. He came to Canada on a tourist visa in fall 2014, and the newly married couple settled in Canmore, about half an hour away from Banff and Lake Louise, which are part of the Bow Valley region.

Mukhtarov wasn’t able to look for work initially as he didn’t have a work visa, but he wasn’t the type of guy to just sit around. He decided to make the most of his free time by trying to forge connections with people in the community.

Talking to new people was a strength of his, after all, given his years in the hospitality industry.

“I didn’t have a work permit, so I was like ‘OK, what am I going to do if I can’t work?’ So I started to walk by myself every morning. I would just walk around the town for about two hours,” he says.

“I then thought what if I created a group so likeminded people can walk in the morning together?” Upon the advice of a friend, he turned to social media and launched a Meetup group: the Canmore Social Morning Walk. About 80 people joined. “Every morning I would have anywhere from four or five to 15 people joining me on a walk.”

It seems like such a simple way to meet new people, but it was just the beginning of more things to come for Mukhtarov.

“This is how I started building my network,” he says. “I would call it a good Canadian welcome.”

Noticing how much litter was often on the trails he walked, he started a Facebook group called Canmore Cleanup focused on cleaning up the trash. He then took over another Canmore Social Meetup group that brought people together for social events. He also started volunteering for various organizations in the community, including as a lead in welcoming Syrian refugees to the area.

“I think because of my culture and my background in hospitality, I love to talk to people — I love to make

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Photos by Pam Doyle friends,” he says.

Thoughts of what his future career would hold weighed on his mind, however, as he had decided that he wanted to try something other than the hotel business. Once his work visa came through, he didn’t have many options initially and took a job at Tim Hortons.

Things were sometimes challenging, as he faced overt discrimination from some customers, who made assumptions about his immigrant background. “Maybe because of my looks and accent, some of them thought I was less educated,” he says. “I realized I couldn’t work there anymore when a customer started screaming at me. He was really rude and I was really upset.”

He quit the job. One night, he came across the Humans of New York website via social media and was really inspired by the stories he read. “There were people like me who have rough days and stories to share,” he recalls.

So he decided to launch a similar initiative called Humans of Bow Valley on Facebook. “I started with the idea to share the stories of people, while at the same time celebrating the diversity of people in this region,” he says. “It’s about community and positivity. No hate.”

His efforts were noticed. A co-ordinator with the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership, Meagan Stewart, saw what he was doing and asked him to collaborate with an idea they were developing called #MeettheLocals.

“More than 27 per cent of Banff ’s permanent population was born abroad, so there is no shortage of stories from our area to share,” says Stewart. “The #MeettheLocals project is designed to help celebrate the diversity of the Bow Valley.”

“We combined forces. She introduced me to different people who have really good stories to share,” says Mukhtarov. “I have met so many people in the [year and a half since coming to Canada]. Every time I go into town, I usually see someone who says, ‘Hey, how are you?’ I feel like I’m a part of the community.”

Through one of those connections, Mukhtarov also heard about a job retraining program at Bow Valley College that could help him establish a new career path. He just completed the classroom portion of the Occupational Skills Training program and is now doing a 12-week internship with the Town of Canmore.

“If you get involved in the community, you never know what kind of doors will open to you,” says Mukhtarov, who is excited about the possibilities for his future. “Honestly, for me, I’d like to be anywhere where I can help people and make my community a better place.” >>

canadianimmigrant.ca

August 2016

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COMMUNITY DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society SINCE 1978

ent Services DIVERSEcity Emploianym s with Jobs Connecting new Canad

nd region

inla ver, BC and the Lower Ma

Proudly serving Vancou

“DIVERSEcity really helped make my job search successful.

Special thanks for inspiring me and helping me in regaining back my confidence.”

— Juliet (Originally from India, Employment Services Client) Connect with us on Social Media:

@DIVERSEcityBC

DIVERSEcityBC

Diversecity

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society 13455 76 Ave. Surrey, BC V3W 2W3 Employment Services 604-547-1359 Connecting new Canadians with Jobs www.dcrs.ca/jobs

Javanshir (Atilla) Mukhtarov’s story of connecting his community via his Humans of Bow Valley project has inspired us at Canadian Immigrant magazine! We want to take the idea coast to coast, with our own visual storytelling series called Nation of Immigrants.

And who better to start if off than Mukhtarov himself. See canadianimmigrant.ca to get involved.

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August 2016

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LIVING

DAMAGE control

Have you had an embarrassing ‘oops’ moment on social media? Here are some fixes to recover from that public blunder

By Baisakhi Roy

C

areer coach and author Larysa Grant recalls her first big “oops” moment as a newcomer to Canada when she got into trouble with the police! “During my first year in Canada, I attended a Ukrainian celebration at the Bloor West Village in Toronto. Well, I purchased a beer and was about to leave the beer station, when I was stopped by a policeman who said that I could not take the beer outside the fenced area. After a few minutes of questioning the policeman why, I stayed and finished my drink. I didn’t know that it is the law

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August 2016

in Ontario to drink your alcohol in fenced areas during public events,” she says. “In Ukraine, where I come from, that is not the case.”

Grant looks back at the incident now with a chuckle.

“Each and every immigrant begins their new life in Canada by taking care of the basics — housing, transportation, groceries, schooling, etc. We do not have time to sit down and officially learn Canadian ways. Until then — it’s all trial and error,” says Grant.

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No matter on what social platform and for what purpose ... take the time to thoughtfully craft your post or comment.”

— Anne-Marie Marais

These days, however, brushing off an embarrassing moment is a little harder, since many of us are making such gaffes very publicly on social media. People are saying the wrong thing, getting misinterpreted and sharing too much.

And, unlike Grant’s harmless beer blunder, they can have farreaching consequences.

Here are some easy tips to avoid, or recover from, embarrassing online mistakes.

Keep things separate Your professional and private lives, that is. Indian-born Nidhi Sharma, an IT project co-ordinator at Opal Marketing Group in Toronto, encountered firsthand the accidental merging of her professional and personal life in a group instant messaging misstep. “During my first year of school in Canada, we used to have a couple of WhatsApp groups, which were strictly created to discuss and share project ideas and details. Every member used to share updates on parts of the project that were finished, pending or needed to be done.

Being a new immigrant and not so great on social media, there were numerous times when I sent messages meant for my family groups to the study groups. I sent some pretty risqué messages in my native Punjabi language to my study group,” she laughs.

Getting messages mixed up on social media platforms happens to many of us. Maybe it’s sending a message to the wrong person like Sharma’s blunder, or posting or tweeting something too personal, before remembering that your business colleagues are also your friends and followers. Avoid this embarrassment by doing a few quick checks before you click that “post” button.

“It’s important that no matter on what social platform and for what purpose, professional or personal, that you take the time to thoughtfully craft your post or comment,” says AnneMarie Marais, owner of Toronto-based social media >>

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LIVING

<< management consulting firm Long Legs Productions.

“From the simple misspelling of words, to the misuse of varying spellings of words (i.e., there and their, your and you’re), to forgetting a word completely in a post — it’s all a representation of who you are. You want to ensure that you’re getting your point across with the right tone, even if it’s just through a picture or comment on Instagram, or an opinion on a LinkedIn post within your area of expertise.”

After her messaging faux pas, Sharma researched online for tips on recovering from such an embarrassing situation.

“I learned that the best way to correct the mistake is to acknowledge it as soon as possible and express sincere apologies in a graceful way,” she says.

But it’s obviously much better to prevent such online errors in the first place. “Whether it’s replying back to an email, posting comments or uploading any content, we need to be extremely careful of [what we’re saying and who we’re saying it to],” Sharma says. “It’s better to sit back, think and analyze rather than responding or posting promptly.”

Don’t get ahead of yourself Enthusiasm is great and newcomers are often anxious to join the race and keep up especially if they’ve had to take some time out to upgrade their credentials or transition from a survival job. But this zeal, if not tempered with caution, could lead to many newcomers jumping the gun and stumbling in the process.

“I attended a seminar where I was matched with a newcomer, an internationally trained technical consultant who was an experienced professional in his field. His ideas were interesting, but didn’t help us complete our [task],” says Asal Afshar, facilitator of the Youth Online Employment Strategy program, developed by CultureLink and funded by

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the City of Toronto in partnership with the Toronto Youth Equity Strategy that teaches newcomer and multi-barrier youth how to build professional online profiles and networks using social media.

“Shortly after the seminar, he invited me to connect with him on LinkedIn. But, right after accepting his connection request, I received another request from him, this time to write a public recommendation. At this point, I felt that the exchange had become inauthentic, and I wondered if he was interested in building a professional network or just trying to gather as many recommendations as he could. This made me feel uncomfortable and I politely let him know that I could not provide him with a recommendation, because although he was helpful, I had spent so little time with him and hadn’t had a chance to understand his skills.”

Asking for feedback is a better first step before you ask for that all-important recommendation. “Private message a new professional connection asking for feedback on your performance/discussion/service. This approach will allow you to get constructive feedback, build a professional connection that could open doors for you in the future, and get you a glimpse of what their recommendation could say. If their feedback is good, you know that a recommendation could be just around the corner,” says Afshar.

Social media is not your sounding board Don’t like the latest political upheaval in Asia? Have trouble accepting a global economic crisis? You can express yourself, but do it respectfully, at the right time, on the right platform and use the right hashtags. “Social media is now an integral part of our lives. However, it is still perceived as somewhat private because [we are using it] in front of the screen, not face-to-face. This perception gets some people into trouble,

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LIVING especially in their professional life,” says Grant, who recently wrote a book called Bigger and Better: Master the Game of Career.

“Nowadays, employers check you on Google and social media sites to understand you better and to find any potential red flags. Do you have radical political beliefs? Do you brag about gambling? Do you often post negative complaints? For employers, these are potential areas of conflict with future co-workers and problems with performance.”

And be careful with hashtags, Grant warns. “Some universally sounding hashtags may have a meaning or a movement behind them that you do not support. Use them sparingly, to the point and do not over-hashtag.”

Present yourself well online And always make sure you are presenting yourself the way you want to be perceived. Social media, after all, is often the way you get to make a first impression these days, especially professionally.

“I remember when I initially created a profile on LinkedIn with little to no understanding of how professional social media networking works; I did not put my full educational accomplishments and I posted a picture that was not at all professional,” says Rohit Khullar, today a senior LAN administrator at a bank in Toronto. “I was about to graduate when I realized the value of having the right digital appearance on social media for getting into the corporate world. Ably guided by mentors, I changed my profile picture immediately and put in all the right and relevant information.”

Although posting a casual photo sitting on the floor wearing sweatpants like Khullar did isn’t exactly mortifying, it does send the wrong message to potential employers on a professional social networking platform like LinkedIn. And social media expert Marais says not making the most of this platform is a huge professional mistake in itself. “Many people don’t maximize its value. Once you’re on LinkedIn, make sure that you keep it up to date and that you’re on it at least once a day engaging in or sharing content, so that you can grow your professional network,” she says.

It’s never too late to say sorry!

And, if you make a mistake, there’s always an opportunity to fix your social media glitches — starting with simply deleting the offensive content.

Marais says: “Deleting an inappropriate post is an option, but know that post isn’t gone, as people can always save them and share them before damage control is complete.”

Grant has this further advice to offer: “Should someone take offense about your post, stay as calm as possible. Say you understand their point of view and explain yourself. If necessary, apologize. When applicable, delete your post.”

She adds: “Remember to always double-check the origin and meaning of images you choose to include in your posts, especially if they are not yours. You now live in a new country, with its own ways and traditions, history and culture. It is guaranteed that you will make a mistake or assume that things are done in Canada in a certain way.

“Remember, Canadians are very nice — they will forgive!”

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Celebrating success The RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2016 were honoured at two ceremonies: on June 21 in Toronto and on June 23 in Vancouver Photos by Kamil Mytnik, ABCi and Sandra Minarik (Vancouver)

above The eastern winners group shot! (Back row, from left) Chandran Fernando, founder of Matrix Search Group; Sanjay Agnihotri, co-publisher of Canadian Immigrant; nurse and researcher Josephine Etowa; Leen Al Zaibak, Syrian non-profit leader; Smart Skin founder Kumaran Thillainadarajah; senior RBC executive Jennifer Tory; municipal councillor Godwin Chan; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Arif Virani; Kim Mason, regional president, Greater Toronto Area, RBC; Gautam Sharma, co-publisher of Canadian Immigrant; Atlantic Theatre Ballet of Canada co-founder Igor Dobrovolskiy; CBC Metro Morning Host and emcee of the evening Matt Galloway; engineer Renan Orquiza; school settlement worker Tilak Chawan; filmmaker Leon Lee. (Front row, from left) Narmin Ismail, CEO of Spark of Hope Foundation; Ignat Kaneff, CEO of Kaneff Group of Companies; Nasser Rad, CEO of Autorama; Mina Mawani, CEO of Crohnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Colitis Canada; Perla Javate, intercultural support worker; and professor and researcher Jian Jiang.

left to right Winner Godwin Chan, Richmond Hill municipal councillor. Winner Narmin Ismail, CEO of Spark of Hope Foundation. Winner Perla Javate, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winner Ignat Kaneff, CEO of Kaneff Group of Companies. Winner Renan Orquiza, engineer and environmental advocate.

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above The winners of the west! (From left) Graham MacLachlan, regional president, RBC, British Columbia; pianist Avan Yu’s mother; EY managing partner Fiona Macfarlane; Queenie Choo, CEO of SUCCESS; Azita Haddadi, cancer researcher; restaurateur Fred Farhad Soofi; Christians Izquierdo, CEO of DevFacto Technologies; emcee Andrew Chang; and Varun Munjal of Canadian Immigrant magazine.

left to right Graham MacLachlan, regional president, RBC, British Columbia. Winner Queenie Choo, CEO of SUCCESS. Ceremony emcee and CBC News Vancouver anchor Andrew Chang. Winner Fiona Macfarlane, managing partner (Vancouver and Western Canada) and chief inclusiveness officer at Ernst & Young LLP. Winner Christians Izquierdo, CEO of DevFacto Technologies and this year’s winner of the RBC Entrepreneur Award, along with last year’s winner, Alice Chung, owner of Alive Health Centres (left).

left to right Winner Fred Farhad Soofi, restaurateur and owner of Pasta Polo and Club Ilia, along with former Top 25 winner Maggie Ip (2010) and her husband, Kelly Ip. Winner Azita Haddadi, cancer researcher at University of Saskatchewan, at the ceremony with her family. twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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August 2016

17

Immigrant SETTLEMENT GUIDE For getting your listing included, please call Ricky Bajaj at 416-856-6304 or Johnny Zhang at 416-803-3931

2016

Agency

General Services and Specialty Programs

Brampton Multicultural Centre (BMC)

Not for profit, registered charity providing multilingual and culturally appropriate programs and services for free to help clients enhance their community engagement and social capital while integrating into the Canadian society. Programs: Programs and services include Settlement support , employment readiness workshops, enhancing immigrant community connections through schools and libraries, advocacy and solution-focused counselling, interpretation and translation, volunteer and placement opportunities, mental health support services, seniors and women abuse and engagement services. A unique portfolio of youth programming is also available such as: Youth leadership development, life skills coaching, client-centred counselling, paid internships at various workplaces, gang prevention workshops, one-on-one intervention meetings based on individualized work plans.

Email: services@bmccentre.org www.bmccentre.org

• • • • • •

Find out how to: get the skills you need to find work, including: work experience, resume help, interview techniques, entrepreneurial options and more. We offer: Job Search Workshops Program, Job Find Club for Internationally Trained Individuals, Bridge to HR, Practice Firm, SelfEmployment Pathways for Newcomer and Employment Ontario Employment Services.

Email: info@jobskills.org www.jobskills.org

• English

RISE Program: provide community based, client-centred and holistic supports; mobile case management services for newcomers with mental health challenges within the city of Toronto area; assistance with navigating through the health care, housing, financial, education and employment systems for newcomers with special needs. Specialty Programs: Individual case management support; Information sessions on settlement and mental health related topics; Social recreation activities; Volunteer opportunities; English conversation café; Computer classes; Preparation for citizenship test classes.

Email: rise@madisoncs.org madisoncs.org

• • • •

English Arabic Farsi Amharic

Settlement Services, LINC Classes (level 1-6) with child minding, Counseling, Job search, Citizenship & Immigration, Groups for Youth, Seniors & Women and Volunteering. Specialty Programs: Bridge Training Program for International Mental Health Professionals, Community Engagement Program, Community Mental health Program and Anger management.

Additional locations at Scarborough and Toronto.

Email: northyork@mnlct.org www.mnlct.org

• • • • •

English Spanish Mandarin Bengali Turkish

General services and specialty program: Help small and medium business from starting business with business plans for success: business registration; business planning; corporate problem solving; corporate culture tutoring; legal, politics and social requirements service and assistance for government funding application.

Specialty program: business guide in Canada and Asia countries;enterprise assistant program; free tax services for new comers and seniors.

Email: info@sbsccanada.org www.sbsccanada.org

• English

Community services for cultural and recreational activities, including classic poetry recitation events and Chinese traditional music concerts, with funds collected from its own members; supports for seniors groups for cultural and recreational activities; promotions for cultural exchange with the main stream society and many minorities’ cultural groups.

Email: thomas@nahst.org www.nahst.org

• English • Mandarin • Cantonese

Settlement Services: assist immigrants to integrate and become established and contributing members of Canadian society. English Language Classes are instructor-led, and supported by a computer lab. Job-specific, advanced-level Enhanced Language Training available. Supports to assist in developing the skills needed to find work: resumé/cover letter preparation, interview readiness and information about accreditation, workplace practices, Canadian employer expectations. Other services available.

Email: info@welcomecentre.ca www.welcomecentre.ca

• English

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Suite 303 Brampton ON L6W 4P6 Phone: 905-790-8482 Fax: 905-874-6100

Job Skills Employment & Business Programs & Supports Locations in Markham, Brampton, Keswick and Newmarket Phone: 1-866-592-6278 Madison Community Services Recovery during Immigration & Settlement (RISE) Program – funded by CIC. 400-210 Dundas St. W Toronto, On M5G 2E8 Phone: 416-977-1333 x 119 madisoncs.org/programsservices/cic-rise-program/ Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto 2737 Keele Street North York ON M3M 2E9 Phone: 647-776-2057 Multinational Small & Medium Business Community Center (MSMBCC) 211 Consumers Road, Suite 300, North York, M2J 4G8 Phone: 647-343-8288 The National Association of Humanity Science and Technology (NAHST) 4675 Steeles Ave. E Unit 2D22 Toronto On M1V 4S5 Or: 3-2375 Brimley Rd. Unit 351 Toronto ON M1S 3L6 Welcome Centre Immigrant Services 7 Locations in York and Durham Regions Phone: 1-877-761-1155

18

canadianimmigrant.ca

August 2016

Languages

English • Arabic Farsi • French Gujarati • Hindi Punjabi • Spanish Tamil • Urdu Tagalog (Filipino)

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CAREERS & EDUCATION J O B S E A R C H S T R AT E G I E S

Social impressions Your social media profile (or lack thereof) can impact your job search

C

an social media impact your job search?

Most definitely. Social media use has become a critical skill for networking and promoting your skills to potential employers. So you can bet I was surprised to learn that only a small percentage of my employment counselling clients have a LinkedIn profile, and the few with Facebook or Twitter accounts say they only use them to be in contact with family and friends.

And none of them have used blogging as a tool to build their reputation.

People choose to engage (or not) in different social media sites in different ways. Some want to keep work stuff separate from private life, some want to stay private altogether, while others see social media as a valuable tool to stay in touch, share information, and broadcast their ideas and skills.

Whatever your preference, your use of social media, or lack thereof, can have an impact on your professional life. According to a 2012 survey conducted by Eurocom Worldwide, “Almost one in five technology industry executives say that a candidate’s social media profile has caused them not to hire that person.” Previous Eurocom surveys had found almost 40 per cent of survey respondents say they review job candidate’s profiles on social media sites.

So what you are putting out there on social media matters, as it serves as your first impression with employers.

Social media to impress If you’re not on social media much — or at all — you might want to consider starting at least a LinkedIn profile, which is the ultimate professional

online networking tool. It allows you to showcase your skills, achievements, education, work and volunteer experience. Make sure you have an updated and professional picture, a succinct profile summary, current job information, past job experience, education, skills, awards and even testimonials.

If you’re on several social media sites already, such as Facebook and Twitter, here are a few other considerations. If, like most people, you use Facebook mostly to stay in touch with family and friends, be careful about what you post if your friends’ list includes professional contacts. Nothing too personal or controversial! And remember to keep your settings private if you don’t want your posts to be visible to everyone.

On Twitter, anyone can start “following” you, so be careful about what you share and say. That being said, if you use it wisely, it can be a very effective tool to share your knowledge, build your reputation, and connect with companies and other professionals. The same goes for YouTube and Instagram if you have video and photographic skills, and maintaining a blog using Wordpress or Blogger.

Remember that anything you post has the potential to be read, shared — and judged by potential employers! — so choose your words, pictures and videos carefully!

Argentine-born Silvia Di Blasio lived and studied in Venezuela for many years. She currently works as a career counsellor and volunteers for many community organizations in her spare time, including in the areas of resilience, disaster management and food sovereignty.

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www.jobhouse.ca

20

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@JobHouseCA August 2016

facebook.com/canimmigrant

CAREERS & EDUCATION CAREER COACH

Enter the hidden job market And crack it with these 7 secrets

I

t might seem like a cruel joke to newcomers, but most jobs getting filled these days aren’t even advertised. Instead, they’re typically part of the hidden job market — the thousands of jobs that never get formally posted, but account for up to 80 per cent of hires, according to some estimates.

So how can you find and apply for those hush-hush positions?

Here are seven smart strategies to help you access the hidden jobs by improving your networking skills, leveraging technology and expanding your reach.

1

Change the way you network

If you want to crack the hidden job market, you’ve got to be smarter about the way you connect with people with inside knowledge about unposted openings.

First, make networking a habit by adding new LinkedIn connections regularly.

You’ll automatically increase your chances of hearing about opportunities.

Second, remember the cardinal rule of networking: Netgive, or rather give before you get. Forward articles you think could be helpful to people you know and pass on job leads you’ve heard about. Networking is about building genuine relationships first, not asking for favours.

Third, always stay active in building your personal brand. Creating a strong personal brand online and offline makes you memorable and easy to find when a manager needs someone just like you.

2

Join a professional networking group

3

Contact employers directly

employers in growth mode who are likely to be looking for staffers soon.

Yes, some conferences can be expensive, particularly if you’re out of work. Consider offering to work at these events as a volunteer.

6

Build tight relationships with recruiters

7

Kijiji and Craigslist postings

Consciously start building relationships with recruitment managers, especially the ones that are familiar with your industry and level of position.

They may often have contracts for many positions that are never advertised.

Recruiters will be more forthcoming if you are perceived as an expert in your current industry, so do make sure that you are actively contributing to information on LinkedIn and have a robust social media profile.

This is an often overlooked area. The obvious thing to do would be to check the services section, but companies sometimes post ads in the resumé sections, too. Also, look up local Craigslist discussion forums and profession-related questions and you may just stumble upon the position you are seeking.

Murali Murthy is an acclaimed public speaker, mentor and best-selling author of the ACE Books — The ACE Principle, The ACE Awakening and The ACE Abundance.

He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada.

Learn more at ACEWorldFoundation.com.

Your fellow jobseekers can sometimes be the best resources for learning about employers who are likely to hire. Most are eager to share their knowledge, knowing that others in the same boat will share in return. There are many networking groups you can join, some based on industry or location or ethnicity. If you’re in the Toronto area, check out the list of networks on the PINS network at networksforimmigrants.ca.

Yes, it is perfectly normal to contact employers directly. You have nothing to lose.

It takes effort to craft a compelling request for an interview, but it’s worth the effort. Smart managers are always interested in meeting professionals who can help their employers make or save money. So figure out who the hiring manager is and be bold. Email or call to introduce yourself and explain how your background and experience would be useful there. This way, even if the company currently has a hiring freeze, you’ll be top of mind when positions do open up.

Remember, you can use LinkedIn to get introduced to the decisionmaker by one of your connections on the social network. You’re more likely to get your target’s attention if you get referred to him or her.

4

Sign up for Google News Alerts

One of the best ways to learn about hidden jobs is to stay up-to-date with prospective employers by setting up Google News Alerts on your preferred companies or fields of interest. This way, you’ll be among the first to know when they lease additional office space, sign a big partnership deal or receive a new round of funding — all signs that the firm may soon be hiring.

5

Attend job fairs and conference tradeshows

These events are ideal places to mine the hidden job market. They’ll let you make new contacts who can tell you about unposted openings, help you get interviews, provide access to influencers with hiring power and discover

twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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canadianimmigrant.ca

August 2016

21

SETTLEMENT PARENTING

Honouring our elders Grandparents are a family’s greatest treasure — even long-distance

N

ana, grandmère, papa, gong gong and nonno … no matter what we call our grandparents, most of us have fond memories of their wonderful and long-lasting impact in our lives.

Grandparents are also a strong foundation for connecting and bringing family members together. They are the keepers of family history and heritage, and are often great storytellers. They like spending quality time with grandchildren, showering them with unconditional love and gifts.

They also have a wealth of life experience, skills and wisdom that they love to pass down to the next generations.

On practical aspects, grandparents can be a great help in sharing family responsibilities such as babysitting, household chores and so much more. Having a meaningful relationship with grandparents can teach children to learn about the needs of their aging grandparents and, one day, parents, too.

Challenges to stay connected But in a new cultural environment, the family dynamics between grandparents and grandchildren can be complex for immigrant families, contributing to an unfortunate disconnection.

One obvious challenge is the long-distance relationship between grandchildren and their grandparents who are back in their home country. Even if the grandparents live here in Canada or visit often, other prevalent issues include generational and cul-

tural gaps, as well as an inability to communicate with each other due to language barriers. Further, there is a growing number of divorced or blended families that can widen the gap in grandparent-grandchildren relationships.

Most simply perhaps, the fact that everyone is so busy with work, school and extracurricular activities these days leads to overscheduled families who may not make enough time for the elder generation.

Building positive relationships Facing such challenges, it is important for immigrant parents to make an effort to foster a healthy positive relationship between grandparents and grandchildren.

Create as many opportunities as possible by scheduling regular time for grandparents to spend with their grandchildren. Even if it is long distance, there are ways for grandparents to connect with their grandchildren, be it by writing letters, a phone call, email, social media or Skype.

Also, encourage children to get to know their grandparents on a deeper level, such as by researching family trees, and learning their language or cultural traditions.

Grandparents are a family’s greatest treasures and should be celebrated, honoured and valued for all they have done and still do for their families. While it takes effort and time to build and sustain a positive relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, it is worth the effort, as that bond is irreplaceable.

Cheryl Song, an immigrant from Malaysia, has more than 10 years’ experience of working in childhood education and family programs.

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August 2016

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SETTLEMENT DE AR FAI Z AL

Should I be having ‘the talk’ with my children?

Dear Faizal: I am an immigrant from Saudi Arabia, and after my wife’s death a couple of years ago, I have become a single father of a beautiful seven-year-old girl. I love bringing up my daughter, but, I admit, it is not always easy. For example, at the last Parent Advisory Council meeting at her school, I overheard some teachers discussing how parents should talk to their children about “the birds and the bees.” I was surprised to hear this. You see, in the society I was raised in, only mothers discussed where babies come from with their children, and only if the children asked specific questions. I always thought that if the children are not asking, they’re not ready to know, right? Please shed some light on this.

— From Daunted dad Dear Daunted dad: Please accept my condolences for the loss of your wife. Though raising your daughter is, I’m sure, rewarding, it can be challenging at times, especially when you are faced with issues that are typically, in your culture-of-origin, dealt with by the mother of the home. As a father, however, you are to be commended for seeking options in dealing with the delicate topic of sexual development as it concerns the development of your child.

Historically, regardless of culture, parents tried to avoid any type of discussion associated with sex with their children. Fathers specifically left this issue to their wife, and mothers hoped that the school system would handle the topic during guidance class. Today’s parents realize that, because of personal, familial, cultural and religious values, it may be best that they tell their children about sex. The questions that remain then are: when, at what age and under what conditions?

Some parents believe that if the children are not asking, they’re not ready. However, the fact is that some children, especially those from traditional cultural backgrounds, may never ask about sexually related attitudes and behaviours. Even if they feel uninhibited in asking questions about sports, school, movies, religion, they may become conservative in asking about their bodies and sexual health.

Other children perceive their parents’ silence about sexuality topics as a profound message that this is a taboo subject. In family counselling sessions, I’ve heard children admit: “My parents don’t talk about this, so it must be bad. It must be shameful. I’m afraid that if I bring it up, I’ll get into trouble.” With this impression, many children resort to getting information — most of which is inaccurate — from their peers or the media.

If you would like to protect your daughter from inaccurate (or harmful) information, take the initiative to tell her about the facts of life; don’t wait for a certain age or for her to ask a relevant question — just tell her. Tell your child using age-appropriate language and make certain to base your explanations on your family’s values.

Some parents believe that they should only tell the child what they think the child needs to know at this time. Keep in mind that parents usually underestimate what their child “needs” to know. In reality, you cannot tell your daughter too much; she will process as much as she is able to understand at that moment. twitter.com/@canimmigrant

If you need some guidance, visit your local library and ask your librarian to recommend a few books on how to talk to children about this topic. My personal favourite is written by a registered nurse, Meg Hickling, called The New Speaking of Sex: What Your Children Need to Know and When they Need to Know It, which offers a humourous, yet scientific approach.

Keep in mind that your child may not understand everything the first time you explain it. Your daughter may return a few days later for clarification. Encourage her to do so. Keeping an open channel of communication is important. By answering her questions in an open, honest, non-judgmental manner, you will be creating a relationship with your daughter that will foster open communication about any sensitive topic that may arise for decades to come.

Faizal Sahukhan, PhD, is a couples counsellor and the author of Dating the Ethnic Man: Strategies for Success.

Visit him at multiculturalromance.com or call him at 604899-0102.

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23

MONEY & BUSINESS

Media man Fisher Wang connects Canadian businesses with Chinese consumers through his Winnipeg media company

By Rebeca Kuropatwa

Y

u Wang made his way to Canada on his own at the age of 17 in 2003, landing in Toronto to complete his pre-university credits. He completed these within six months, and decided to head to Winnipeg for university.

Wang, who later took on the more English-sounding first name of Fisher, studied applied mathematics, a subject that became central to the business he would eventually create.

Starting with a simple website while still in university, Wang began getting the attention of Winnipeggers of Chinese background. It took about five years for Wang to get his Canadian status in order to be able to officially open his business, IDO Media.

“We connect local business to the Asian customer market in Canada,” says Wang. “I currently have seven staff, plus me.”

He started by selling banner ad space on his content website (Chinesepost.ca), and then started offering services such as graphic design, printing, event planning and website creation.

“I started by hiring a full-time designer and full-time developer,” says

left Fisher Wang named his full-service media agency IDO Media; in Chinese, IDO means “here,” meaning “come here and we will do everything,” he says.

Wang. “We now close the gap Canadian companies have when trying to sell to the Asian population. They use my service. I translate and brand their materials.”

Today, he has added additional digital services, including everything from social media and video production, effectively becoming a full-service media agency for Canadian businesses trying to reach Asian consumers.

Based on his own immigration experience, Wang also created a 210-page guidebook for newcomers from Asia about everything you need to know to settle in Manitoba, from living to working to entertainment.

“We have a lot of people in China reading our information and they are planning to buy a house, a car and to do a lot of deals prior to their departure to Canada,” says Wang.

“The most important thing I discovered in my 13 years in Winnipeg is the cultural differences. Many people don’t see this as an issue, but I see it as a main issue.”

Wang is happy that he can help guide Asian newcomers as they make their way into Canadian life, in addition to connecting local Canadian companies to this growing demographic.

“Our company offers a depth and diversity of experience so we can deliver unique and effective solutions with the best results.

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MONEY & BUSINESS SMALL BUSINESS

The culture of doing business in 2 Canada

few weeks. I’ve had newcomers intern for me in the past and with a little patience and understanding their skills were very valuable to me.

Seek support from those around you. Newcomers may think they lack resources until they look around their immediate family and circle of friends to realize the value these people represent, not only in money, but support. The support of community, family and friends cannot be underestimated.

What new immigrant entrepreneurs need to know

3

If you don’t have a good support system; try to make one. Networking or meetup groups can easily be found on the internet, boards of trade, government resource centres and business associations. For example, the Vancouver Business Network Meetup group with more than 8,000 members meets regularly and is open to anyone to visit and network. Meetup.com is a great place to find a networking group based your special interests.

4

Ask other entrepreneurs for advice. If you find a small business that you like, talk to the owner and ask them how they started. People are very open to talking about their own business as long as you are not a competitor.

5

I

n my work as a business consultant, I have given lectures on “How to Do Business in Canada” to new immigrant entrepreneurs, because, like it or not, every country has different ways of doing things. Canada is no different.

The culture of doing business in Canada might seem to operate at a slower pace than some other big centres around the world, like Mumbai or London.

Canadians tend to value lifestyle over aggressive business, but don’t think for a moment that Canadians don’t work hard to achieve success. While it may seem slower, hard work is still the operative word. So immigrants with their strong work ethic fit right in.

Hard work alone isn’t enough, however; you’ll also face challenges learning a new language, new standards, new lessons to be learned and a culture very different from their own.

At my lectures, I tell newcomers to embrace where they are and learn about their new environment from Canadians; this will give them a better idea of what types of businesses are needed and likely to succeed.

Starting a small business Being an entrepreneur in Canada is a good thing, and the country’s economy relies heavily on this sector. B.C. has the highest percentage of entrepreneurs — 98 per cent of all business in B.C. are operated by very small entrepreneurs — but every province considers small entrepreneurs a valuable resource. In order to start a business, my advice to newcomers is to plan, study what resources are available to them, and to make use of the support systems they already have in place.

Getting started So, let’s start by looking at some of the important steps to starting a business in Canada.

1

A business plan is an important guide to start a business. You can find easy-to-use business plan templates on most Canadian banking websites. I like the Government of Canada’s Canada Business Network (canadabusiness.ca) as it explains a lot about what you need to set up your business with lots of resources and templates.

6

Go online to the Permits and Regulations section of your local city hall website to make sure your business follows the local laws and regulations, such as business licensing. City hall employees can be very helpful with any questions you have.

Canada loves entrepreneurs of any nationality. We want everyone to succeed because it makes Canada a better place. If you have an idea, a dream, a business you want to create, ask for help — you can do it!

Business startup specialist Gary Bizzo is CEO of Bizzo Management Group and author of How to Start a Successful Business — the First Time. He has coached or mentored more than a 1,000 businesses, including many owned by immigrants. Email ceo@garybizzo.com.

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If you’re not fluent in English, practise your communication skills at every opportunity. A good way to practise and learn some workplacespecific language is to volunteer as an intern at a Canadian business for a twitter.com/@canimmigrant

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27

HALIFAX September 9, 2016

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Real smarts

Prominent GTA realtor Wade Ligang Yang publishes book combining his new career and his background in environmental economics

By Johnny Zhang

W

ade Ligang Yang came to Canada 10 years ago from China, and already he’s one of the most successful real estate agents in Ontario. While he has made a name for himself in the Greater Toronto Area’s real estate industry, not everyone knows that he actually has a PhD in environmental economics from Beijing.

“There was a time when I tried to avoid bringing up in conversations my academic background — my doctorate degree in environmental economics — because in Canada, we must all begin anew,” says Yang. “But it is very difficult to do new things in a new country when you are already middle aged.”

Yang is being modest; not only did he become a successful realtor in just a few short years, but he is now also an author of a thoughtful and provoking book, The Footprint of a Realtor.

Benefits of university setting The Footprint of a Realtor is an anthology on real estate and environmental protection, but it is also a reflection of his life as a successful immigrant. “It talks about my feelings of rebirth after much struggle in a new and unfamiliar country,” says Yang.

On June 30, 2016, more than 100 businesspeople plus quite a number of politicians and media gathered at the Monte Carlo Inn in Markham, Ontario, to celebrate the official launch of The Footprint of a Realtor. Each of the speakers praised Yang for his achievements and his book, which is believed to be the first book on real estate ever written by a Chineseborn real estate agent in Canada.

From diverse perspectives, open-minded thinking, and with elements of both the arts and sciences, Yang shows his analysis of the complexity in real estate transactions, real estate brokerage professional norms, as well as green (environmentally conscious) housing. He also correlates the conclusions of his research to various professional concerns including the property value assessment system, the multicultural community and market decision-making mechanisms for the real estate industry.

Also touching upon sustainable development, the book is a perceptive text that encourages the green development trend of the industry.

twitter.com/@canimmigrant

above Wade Ligang Yang with Richmond Hill municipal councillor Godwin Chan at his book launch.

Learning by doing Beyond his academic background, Yang has 20 years of urban development and environmental management experience, doing firsthand research on the environmental management of companies in Japan and Myanmar.

After immigrating to Canada in March 2006, however, he had to face the challenges that many newcomers experience, including starting his career over from scratch.

In an attempt to quickly settle in, he concealed his academic background and started working various survival jobs, including supermarket grocery clerk, warehouse shipper, greenhouse farm labourer and translator (for the Mandarin-speaking labourers and the Japanese-speaking superintendent), and factory worker, until he resolved to become selfemployed.

At first, he did cleaning, renovation work and landscaping, before becoming a realtor. Thanks to his unwavering conviction and perseverance, he found a perfect career for himself in his new world.

Now he works at Re/Max Imperial Realty, the fastest growing branch of the international real estate company in the world.

At the office, Yang is dubbed the “Little Bee” for his busy work ethic to which he responds with a laugh: “Not ‘little’ bee, but ‘old’ bee!”

Finding stability as an immigrant Looking back at his journey so far, Yang has this to share: “In Canada, many immigrants find their previous experience worthless. They are confronted with extreme pressures. Much is to be learned, and many people give up trying to improve.” But a good life in Canada is not out of reach. “You need to find your specific targets, persevere and eventually you will reap the fruits of your struggles.”

Since he gained his licence as a realtor, Yang has won countless awards, including the Gold Award, President’s Award and Top Producer Award. But he maintains a sense of humility, never exaggerating his achievements nor exploiting them for excessive advertising.

He does not like to be called a “senior agent.”

Instead, he spends more of his time and energy on studying business knowledge and providing exceptional customer service.

“To young people, a decade may seem like a long time,” he says, “but ever since I entered my fifth decade of life, I felt like time truly flies, and I dare not waste it. The harder you work, the more you live! I treasure all the precious moments of life — learning by doing, learning to think, striving to better oneself, sharing my experiences and learning with others.”

Learn more about Wade Ligang Yang at yelt.ca. canadianimmigrant.ca

August 2016

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August 2016

Tips

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“

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Renan Orquiza Mississauga

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Don’t let life challenges or frustrations hinder you in any way in fulfilling your dreams. Reflect on the reasons you were so excited to migrate in Canada and use those as inspiration to flourish.

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