This is a story… No.
Maybe it is a history. It may even be a miracle.
You are a professional in your homeland. But, you need more space. You need more air to breathe. You know that you have something important to share and you have the strength to embrace change.
So, one day you decide to immigrate.
Why? Where? How? When? Am I ready? Am I the right person? Will I be able to start over?
You were born in the middle of a revolution - one of the biggest political revolutions in history, which changed the political map of a large part of the Middle East and made massive changes in the culture and habits of millions of people. It is not easy to deal with all these things and also start a revolution in your personal life.
But you feel that this is your last chance to start a new life and to share your unique vision with the world. You want to be a player in a real and developed world. You don’t want to stay and play by the old rules, in an old playground.
But, there is an intense process involved in making the career decisions related to immigration. How will you find a new job? How will you integrate with new cultures and new people? How will your skills and experience translate in a new country?
Forget about all these questions. Just do it.
This is your future.
Everyday technology experts and professionals decide to immigrate to developed countries. They are confident that they can build a new life for themselves and they can survive. But many of them return back to their home countries within the first year because they can’t find a job.
When you are a technologist, you know that your skills are transferable. You can prove yourself and you know how to play in this ever-changing game. But being a technologist is not enough.
I am an immigrant. This is my story. And, today, I can say with confidence, it is a success story.
There are a number of skills and new rules that I learned during my journey.
- Develop your communication skills.
Communication skills are ranked first among a job candidate’s 'must-have' skills. When you do not speak the native language of your new country, you should do your best to improve your verbal and written communication skills.
- Change your philosophy of life.
We came from different countries with different cultures and religions that shaped our philosophy of life. To adapt to life in a new country, consider the fundamental questions about your personal goals and desires. Why am I here? What do I hope to achieve? What are my limitations?
- Forget about the old rules in your homeland.
We were comfortable with the rules and laws in our homeland. But your new country will have new rules. From driving to paying taxes, learn everything you need to apply these new rules in your daily life.
- Be open and act like a sponge.
Open your mind, your eyes, and ears to learn. Consider yourself a newborn baby. Absorb every single new concept and try to grow from it.
- You are not a manager in your new home.
You may have years of leadership and management experience but to be a leader in our new home, at first we need to be part of its economy. We need to start from a different point. Focus on developing your tangible and transferable skills. For now, you are a skilled worker, not a skilled manager.
- You are a human and everybody has rights.
Human rights and personal freedoms. We are here to benefit from these values. So you also need to understand that we should respect all these rights for all human beings.
- Respect your host.
We are using the infrastructure and facilities of this country so we should treat them with respect. To access opportunities and reach our goals, do not forget those people who built this economy and its freedom.
- Think before you act.
In this new culture, you need to think, evaluate your risks, recognize your weaknesses, and based on all this information, develop a plan before you act.
- Be calm. Be calm. Be calm.
Many of us came from countries with low resources and high populations. This reality made us feel like we always have to hurry. Our new home has lots of resources and plenty of opportunities. Be calm and think straight. Take the time you need to make good and rational decisions.
The good news is, more and more countries are welcoming professional immigrants. There are jobs, particularly in technology services, and there are ways to get these jobs. Personally, I found opportunity, honesty, and enthusiasm at Jonar. This means that you can find it too. You just need to trust yourself and forget about your doubts. You need to act like a professional.
Remember, it is not just about finding a new job. It is about starting a new life.
