What are the common mistakes newcomers commit and how can they be avoided?
1. Coming to a new country expecting to start from where you let off at your home country or even higher using that experience. This can be avoided by setting realistic expectations, market study and networking with industry professionals before coming here.
2. Creating ethnic silos.- If we are to move around in broods, the best place is our our country. It is important to embrace the new culture, however challenging that might seem. Celebrate local festivals, learn the language and keep your beliefs to your home and heart (hearth?). This is often tough when one is from a country steeped in history a defined religious culture. Also, this does not mean giving up ones own cultural roots or faith. It just means respect and embrace what your new country offers you.
3. Expecting their credentials from the home country to be valued- This is a tricky one, and is easily answered by asking oneself the question ' Would I value something I know nothing about, over something that I have tried and tested for years?' The answer is no. No employer has it as his mission to discount your credentials. He just doesn't understand what value it could bring to the table ! Help him by getting your credentials assessed by a local body or prove your mettle by undertaking local qualifying exams.
4. Coming unprepared and taking up un-related survival jobs too soon- This could be the toughest. But do come prepared and choose your first job with care. Working in a call center for six months and hoping to use that as experience to qualify for a university instructor isn't a good idea. Do try to volunteer or take on jobs even if it is at a lower level in your chosen space of work. You will gain precious 'relevant experience'
5. Expecting others to do your job- This is very common.. NO agency, friend , connection or 'relative' you may have in your chosen country can do your work for you. Go out there, roll up your sleeves and ensure you do your share of the work. You will find others a lot more supportive then. Self help is the best help. Avoid asking people to get you a job or provide you advice UNLESS you have done enough research on your own and can prove it. No- one owes you anything. It is tough, but with focus and determination it all falls in place sooner than later.
6. Not utilize available support- This is an expensive mistake. Do your research and you will find a lot of support offered by government funded organizations at little or no cost. Do remember they will work with you and not for you. It also pays to know services offered to new comers and within what time frame.
7.Getting into a negative pattern -This is a trap and one that's easy to fall into , it is important to find time with the family and find time to pursue simple pleasures. It could just be walk in the neighborhood or sipping coffee listening to bird song. It is therapeutic and one would need the positivity to meet the challenges of relocation. People need to see you as positive and energetic to want to associate with you personally or professionally.
8. Losing focus and applying for various jobs- This can be confusing.Being focused yet being aware of transferable skills that can work in related disciplines is important.
9.Being overly suspicious or trusting- It pays to let relationships grow and take root over some time. Always helps being observant and being a good listener. Rash decisions and misplaced trust can be difficult to reverse
10. Thinking too much about the past or the future- Yes, it is tough to sever the good times gone by.. but do remember you came here in the hope for something better. Let go. Similarly,Rome wasn't built in a day and tomorrow never comes. Missing the past and worrying about the future, takes away from the present.
