Training
This document has been prepared with the help and insight of 2 refugees, 2 subject matter experts who work to help integrate refugees in the workplace, and 2 HR experts
Training for hiring
Refugees
Topics covered
Who is considered a Refugee?
1.
A refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
This person might have been a doctor, a teacher, a developer, a painter, in his/her country of origin.
“You and I are the same, we only have different circumstances and situations.”
Refugee Testimonial
What are the challenges they face?
2.
How to address them
Top 3 Challenges
Employers and hiring managers do not necessarily think of the skills and potential that they have.
Don’t see them as a victim. Listen to their stories. Challenge your preconceptions. Most refugees are looking for work opportunities to learn and grow. Their expectations in the workplace are realistic.
How to address them
Top 3 Challenges
2. Adapting to a new culture
Be aware of the cultural differences. If needed, explain to them specific culture rituals like you would do new expats arriving to your country. What can you learn from their culture?
2. Adapting to a new culture
Some refugees have difficulties integrating in the new society. This may be due to experiencing culture shock and language barriers.
How to address them
Top 3 Challenges
3. No professional network
They may have skills and education but do not have a professional network and do not know how to network.
3. Help them network
If you want to find candidates, you have to reach out to them! If you cannot hire them, you can still offer to connect them to job leads within your network. You can mentor them and give them advice on their resume and on their interview skills.
How to address them
Other Challenges
4. Unrecognized Certifications
in new country (medical, law, etc.). Difficulty finding work in their specific field/industry
5. Gap in employment
An unavoidable consequence of abruptly leaving one’s home country is that they likely did not have the legal right to work in the country of relocation.�
6. Compliance Restrictions
Refugees are sometimes not granted the right to work (no working visas). Others could be pending asylum cases that would grant them the right to work.
4. Look for skills instead of certifications
Whenever possible, look for skills instead of certifications. Consider asking if a traditional degree is really needed for the role, or can someone with a non-traditional background perform the work?
5. Understand the Gap
Be considerate of the reasons behind the gap in employment and do not disqualify a candidate and his/her potential due to this.
6. Compliance Restrictions:
In the US, refugees are authorized to work. In some countries, refugees are not authorized to work in all sectors. Hiring managers should check what the legal authorizations are in their country.
What are the best practices during an interview?
3.
Make the candidate feel comfortable in the interview.
Share something about yourself, about your career path; the successes, the mistakes, the doubts and the lessons. Dare to be vulnerable.
Ask instead of presuming.
Ask questions you normally ask in a job interview:
Refugees may not be entirely familiar with the business culture and have a different approach to participating in a job interview. Take time to inform the candidate of the hiring process for your company and how the interview will work*. Tent foundation Guidebook
Do not ask a refugee why they left their country of origin as the experience might bring up traumatic memories.
Additionally, the reasons why they left are irrelevant during an interview.
I did not hire the candidate, can I still help?
4.
If you do not hire them, make sure you give them a lot of feedback!
Keep in mind that you are possibly talking to someone who is starting from scratch.
For you as a hiring manager, this is an opportunity to shine them up, to better prepare them for success and to give them hope..
Consider mentoring them: what should they have said or done differently? �
feedback on their CVs, on interview answers, on their body language...
What are the onboarding best practices?
5.
Customize the onboarding process as if you are hiring someone who is new to the country. Consider providing language training when needed.
Treat them as a professional. Treat them like any other person you would treat.
Testimonials:
When I joined my first company in the new country, I was uncomfortable because colleagues were treating me differently. Not necessarily just by what was said but even by how things were said. I wanted more than anything to be treated like everyone else. Since then, I’ve changed jobs and in my current one, I am treated exactly like everyone else. I do not have additional benefits nor do I have to be reminded every day that I am different.
Resources: https://www.oecd.org/els/mig/UNHCR-OECD-Engaging-with-employers-in-the-hiring-of-refugees.pdf
https://live-tent-site.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Tent_Guidebook_FINAL.pdf
Thank you.
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