Be a specialist! How to develop your professional expertise
Credit to Author: Joseph Lopez| Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2022 14:59:44 +0000
Canadian employers are impressed by candidates who can bring specialized skills and knowledge. Here are some ways to build and market your expertise.
In today’s era of labour and skills shortages, skilled immigrants and refugees who can show they have in-demand skills are in a great position to get hired and succeed in Canada. And, according to Windmill Microlending’s Trending Jobs Report, the more specialized those skills are, the better, because the value the candidate brings to the employer is clear.
“The more experience you have in one specific area, the more valuable you will be to employers,” says Paula Calderon, national director, client success, Windmill Microlending, a registered not-for-profit whose mission is to help skilled immigrants and refugees reach their career success goals in Canada with affordable loans and career coaching. “Being focused in a niche area shows that you have developed the expertise that gives you a competitive edge.”
So, to immigrants struggling to get hired even in today’s growth economy, Calderon recommends deepening your expertise or specializing further. “By developing expertise in your field, you will stand out from the crowd,” she says. “And the more specific and well developed that expertise is, the more valuable you become.”
Develop your expertise
The following seven strategies may help develop yourself as a specialist and promote your knowledge and skills.
- Join Canadian-based associations in your areas of training or interest. But don’t just be a quiet regular member. Offer to facilitate a workshop, contribute an article to their newsletter, volunteer for events or join their board of directors.
- Create a website with a blog and portfolio that highlights your expertise. Have multimedia skills? A YouTube, Vimeo channel or podcast will increase your visibility.
- Get your name out there as an expert in the media or trade publications. Connect with journals or publications to be interviewed and cited as a resource, not only in Canada but also in the U.S. and overseas. If you’re quoted in the media or industry journals, then you will be seen as an authority on the topic.
- Are you a strong writer? Try sharing your expertise on self-publishing platforms like Medium or through your LinkedIn profile.
- Get yourself recognized. Enter awards or competitions by self-nominating or asking peers to nominate you.
- Be visible on social media. Ensure your LinkedIn account highlights your area(s) of expertise. Network with other influencers in that area, share helpful content and comment on trending topics in your field.
- Finally, ensure you are on top of your industry’s latest information and trends by upskilling. Sign up for professional development workshops or short-term programs through your professional association, non-profit settlement organizations or online training resources. These training opportunities are sometimes referred to as micro-credentials, a growing area in education because they can be completed quickly, often virtually and can be more cost-effective than traditional educational offerings. They can also be valuable additions to your resumé. Possessing current training and knowledge signals to an employer you are up-to-date with the information and skills needed in your field.
It’s a piece of advice Prianka Gill, manager for partner success at Immigrant Services Calgary, says she gives out all the time. “We advise our clients to access free professional training programs, many of which are government-funded, and which allow the client to show potential employers how keen they are on expanding their skillset.”
Check back to learn more about upskilling and micro-credentials in upcoming articles in The Immigrant Career Planning Guide presented by Windmill Microlending.
When it’s time to apply for a job
When it’s time to apply for jobs, be thoughtful and strategic about those skills you’ve worked so hard to develop.
“The best way to do this is by identifying employment opportunities that require your unique skill set,” says Calderon. “We are all unique in that the combination of our skills, knowledge and experience are different from everyone else’s and when matched with the right role, that constitutes a good fit.”
Don’t be afraid of jobs that are more junior than what you left in your home country, adds Gill. “Working your way from the ground up is a fantastic way of getting your foot through the door of a company you want to work for. We’ve had clients with senior management experience in their home country join companies in Canada, in more junior roles, and quickly move up the ranks based on the quality of their work and the level of expertise they bring to the table.”
Learn more about moving up from junior roles in our article Beyond entry level here.
The Immigrant Career Planning Guide presented by Windmill Microlending shares how newcomers can reach their full career potential by taking advantage of in-demand areas and employment opportunities across Canada. Whether you’re just starting your career, looking to move up or retrain for a new field, growing opportunities await you. Now is the time to accelerate your career in Canada. Windmill’s Career Success and Planning Centre offers tools, tips and online digital resources to help skilled immigrants and refugees reach their professional goals, sooner. Visit windmillmicrolending.org to take the next step in your career, today.
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