Announcement
The Job market in New York City is competitive and challenging to navigate. The Job market in New York City is competitive and difficult to navigate without helpful connections and information by your side, affecting one’s success in landing an interview and scoring their next job opportunity. New Yorkers and newcomers alike are doing their best to find the right job to support their families.
Overcoming these barriers to achieve lasting self-sufficiency can be stressful for newcomers. For refugees, asylees, and asylum-seeking newcomers, the road to employment is colored by limited resources to overcome the most significant barriers to employment. Many newcomers arrive with limited English and a different understanding of the United States workforce culture. They have also faced gaps in their employment or have untransferable education/employment credentials. Finding solutions to these barriers is essential to help clients become self-sufficient and confident in their journey.
FINDING SOLUTIONS
The Economic Empowerment team leads with a strength-based approach centered on uplifting the core principles of empowerment: creativity/innovation, decision-making, problem-solving, autonomy, leadership skills, job satisfaction, motivation to grow, job development, collaboration, and teamwork. These principles acknowledge the existing strengths and talents of our clients as they participate in skills assessments, career goal setting, JRT, one-on-one career consultations, and training referrals.
With our Job Readiness Training (JRT) program, we can assist clients with best practices on: How to apply for a job, where to search for jobs, resume-building tips, interview preparation, and topics to avoid, on-the-job tips, proper business etiquette, what to expect from colleagues and your employer, and topics of conversation to avoid at work.
IMPACT
In fiscal year 2024 (October 2023-September 2024), our IRC NY Economic Empowerment team assisted 752 clients of all populations, including 389 Ukrainian Humanitarian Paroles (from Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Tajikistan, Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Uzbekistan) enrolled in our Ukraine Supplemental Appropriation to Resettlement Agencies (USARA) program. These supports to USARA enrollees have, by extension, helped impact the quality of life and stability of 511 family members.
Through the combined service of JRT and career development coaching, IRC NY has helped its clients find job placement, with the average wage of our clients coming up at $20.33/hour.
Volodymyr proudly standing in front of Levain Bakery
Photo: Volodymyr
Our Employment Specialist, Maksym, and Employment Program Coordinator, Giorgi, recently followed up with Volodymyr, who currently works at Levain Bakery and is a Ukrainian client of the USARA program. Volodymyr worked with his Employment Specialist, Yuliya Antipova, who provided him with career coaching and connected him to our JRT program. Below is a snapshot of his interview:
- In what sector did you work, and for how long?
I worked as a sales manager for over 20 years. My career started in telecommunications, then I moved to another city and continued in sales. - Did IRC NY’s JRT help you?
These trainings were very helpful because the banking system here is completely different from what I was used to in Ukraine. Before securing my job at Levain, I applied to other places, including Whole Foods, but faced delays and technical issues with online applications. With IRC NY’s help, I was able to submit my résumé correctly, and I was eventually hired at Levain. The interview process started with a phone call, which was challenging due to my limited English at the time. However, after a short conversation, I was invited for an in-person interview and was offered the position shortly after. - What is it like working in a bakery where English is the primary language?
At first, the language barrier and cultural differences were challenging. I had to learn a lot of industry-specific vocabulary, and sometimes I even had to use gestures to communicate. However, over time, things improved, and I integrated well into the team. - What do you wish for your future?
I want to improve my English and continue developing professionally. There are so many opportunities here, and I want to make the most of them!
To learn more about Volodymyr and his experience in NYC and working at Levain,check out his expanded interview here.
This year, the IRC New York hopes to sustain our Workforce & Career Development services, which include career development coaching, job readiness training, and financial literacy. We invite you to consider donating now to directly support migrants like Volodymyr in accessing additional training and one-on-one career coaching so they may secure a job opportunity and provide for their families.
Written by Development Manager, Malin Evertsz Mendez