Strengthening Relationships and Community with Newcomer Career Services

Beginning a new life in a new country undoubtedly comes with many challenges and establishing a career amongst a set of new norms is no exception. Barriers to employment can include a lack of knowledge about local labour markets, professional networks, what employers are seeking in self-marketing tools like resumes and cover letters, and what can be expected from a typical interview process.

However, if these barriers can be addressed there is opportunity for so much more. Newcomers arriving in Guelph and our growing communities benefit when there are opportunities for people to connect through their skills, knowledge, and shared passions.

Alex Zantout, Supervisor of the Newcomer Services Team at Starling, once sought out Starling's Employment Services when first arriving in Canada. “I was new to Guelph. I had neither knowledge of the labour market nor connections to help me find the right job. The Newcomer Career Support Team, with their experience, armed me with all the knowledge I needed and provided me with the right networking opportunities and exposure. That helped me settle in my new community in a heartbeat.”

With Alex and the team at Starling's Employment Services in Guelph, opportunities for newcomers are provided in the form of targeted action plans for job searching. There is help with self-marketing development including building resumes and an online presence, interview preparation, and networking with different industry professionals. The team also provides ongoing coaching, mentorship opportunities, and additional tools and resources for newcomers. 

Providing these resources can help relieve the barriers that newcomers may face when seeking employment in a new country and provide more opportunities for success when searching for a career in Canada.

For more information, please visit our Newcomer Career Services page.