Minto Roy – Career Blog

Most companies today are downsizing and trying to do more with less staff. However, shrewd entrepreneurs that continue to recruit and develop top talent will be the ones that increase their market-share and grow their business despite market conditions. These entrepreneurs will deplete both talent and customers from their competition and be poised for even more growth when the market rebounds.

Entrepreneurs however, must become more innovative in creating new job opportunities and roles within their companies. These roles must focus on developing new revenue streams and creating new market opportunities to sell and showcase their products. Business today, must look beyond its current geographic and demographic borders and pursue new global markets and tap into the ever growing immigrant consumer markets her at home. 
Canada is extremely blessed to have a replenishing source of professional immigrant talent that is ready to help companies with their quest to sell their products into new global markets and into their local immigrant communities. 
However, this abundant source of immigrant talent remains relatively untapped by most employers in Canada. Each year hundreds of thousands of professional immigrants arrive in Canada ready to contribute to the local economy and workforce. Millions of highly qualified and educated immigrants already in this country remain underemployed and certainly under-utilized by our Nation’s entrepreneurs.

Even in this economic downturn, entrepreneurs across the country continue to speak openly about their frustration with recruiting hardworking, educated, skilled talented professionals for their company’s objectives. They are frustrated with their inability to find “seriously hardworking professionals that are prepared to first prove themselves before demanding high salaries and perks”.

But, on the other side of the hiring desks, thousands and thousands of qualified professional immigrants remain under-employed or unemployed and continue to struggle to work in their field. This vast untapped well-educated, hard-working, labour-force is right in-front of their eyes.

At first glimpse a new immigrant’s resume brings massive confusion; “ never heard of the university,” “never heard of their previous employer,” “ don’t really know much about the country or culture,” “probably has weak English skills,” “no Canadian experience.” I realize that most hiring managers lack the time and resources to properly screen ANY candidate, never mind a candidate that has no common ground and comes from a city that they have never heard of. Your company however, must recognize and validate what is not on the resume and overcome stereotypes of the immigrant labour force. Consider the value of the professional that is right in front of your eyes.

Make sure you see these 5 things about the Professional Immigrant Labor force.

First: Canadian Immigrants come prepared to work.

They have no-choice, this is not a vacation. They bought a one-way ticket. 
Try this, go to the airport, and buy a ticket to another country. Land with $10,000 and set up a place to live, buy furniture, place your kids in school and then see how quickly you want to find work and create stability and professionally identity.

Second: Professional Immigrants come pre-screened.

Your tax dollars have set up rigid screening criteria for new immigrants to enter Canada. They must possess and credibly prove their education and experience. The government has already acted as a first level HR screen for your business. Furthermore, the education standard and academic competition in many foreign countries result in creating top level international students. These bright minds are ready and hungry to become a part Canada’s international growth.

Third: Cost-Effective Hires, A Huge bargain for your company.

The vast majority of professional immigrants under-market and under value themselves. They just want a chance to prove they can do the job. To prove they have the right qualifications. They are driven by a need to be identified professionally in their new county. Making a salary commensurate with their current market value in a skills labour shortage market is the last thing on their mind. Many small to medium size companies, can add; MBA’s, PHD’s, from internationally recognized institutions to their corporate profile at a fraction of the cost. Tell that to your share-holders!

Fourth: New immigrants work very hard.

Most immigrants do not come from a country where 9-5 is the norm. I have assisted many new immigrants that worked 50-60-70 hours a week as routine. This work effort is further fueled by their pride not to disappoint their new employer, themselves and their family here and in their homeland.
Fifth: New immigrants will increase your business growth. 
Internally for your business, adding culture and information from another part of the world can only bring growth and exciting diversity to your current staff.

Externally, your company will have ability to communicate and talk to customers, suppliers and partners in different languages. The company has the capacity to increase its local reach and position your brand and products into new cultural communities, cities, new countries.

Think about your business growth. Is your company selling more and more each year to new immigrants? If not, then you’d better jump on the band wagon. There is no greater consumer group coming to Canada every year that needs EVERYTHING. This means hundreds of thousands of new customers for your business.
I urge Canadian Employers, look beyond the words on the resume. Look beyond your perceptions or stereotypes of professionals immigrants. A major solution to growing your business geographically and demographically is right in-front of our eyes.

They are just waiting for you to see.

Minto Roy
President 
Careers Today Canada
Mroy@careerstodaycanada.com
www.careerstodaycanada.com
www.mintoroy.net