What you need to succeed in the “new normal”

Credit to Author: Staff Writer| Date: Tue, 29 Mar 2022 12:00:12 +0000

Seven skills immigrants should develop to thrive in today’s business environment

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way organizations across Canada do business. Two years ago, when the pandemic began, there was a belief that things would return to normal quickly. Today, it appears the world of work will never be the same. Remote and hybrid workplaces are increasingly common. According to Statistics Canada, roughly one-quarter of Canadians were working from home in late 2021, almost four times the number in 2016. Collaboration through Zoom meetings and other online platforms has become standard. Employers, and their employees, need to be prepared to pivot and quickly adapt to the unexpected. We face a “new normal” that has transformed the way we work and calls for unique skills to help workers succeed.

“There are many ways we have had to adapt since the beginning of the pandemic, and these will stick around for quite some time,” says Lidia May, a partnership specialist for Western Canada, with Windmill Microlending, a registered not-for-profit that helps skilled immigrants and refugees achieve career success in Canada.

“For example, I work with several partners from different locations and, yesterday, I participated in five virtual meetings, which was only possible because of Zoom. If I needed to do that in person, I doubt I would have been able to connect with as many people as I did.”

Challenges in the new normal

The remote work environment does bring some accompanying challenges. According to a poll by Angus Reid, feeling disconnected from colleagues is the most common challenge reported by more than half of employees working remotely. Many find it challenging to stay focused while working from home because of too many distractions. Stress levels have increased for about one-third of workers, especially for women. And nearly one-quarter found managing mental health and wellness difficult.

With pandemic restrictions currently easing across Canada, the new ways of doing business, and its challenges, aren’t going anywhere. But some skills can help you thrive in today’s world of work.

“I believe in the ‘new normal,’ newcomers will need to strengthen their soft skills like communication skills, adapting to change, working with your team, and dealing with conflict,” May says. “Along with technical skills, these are very important to help you adapt better to this new work environment.”

Learn more about what Canadian sectors are hiring in the new normal through our article “Where the jobs are (Part 1)”

Seven skills for success

Here are seven top skills immigrants should develop to succeed in the new normal.

1. Communication skills. The importance of good communication skills, both verbal and written, is no real surprise, especially for skilled immigrants who may face some language barriers. But communicating well is more important than ever before, whether it’s speaking effectively in a virtual meeting or writing concisely and clearly in an email or online chat.

The good news for newcomers is that virtual platforms may make communicating less scary. “I remember when I first came to Canada, I was terrified to call someone and speak in English or have an online meeting,” May says. “Recently, I was in an online presentation, and I was amazed by how people who have been in Canada just two or three months were brave enough to ask questions and turn on their cameras. It’s so important for newcomers to be able to do that.”

2. Building relationships. As an extension of good communication skills, being skilled at building relationships in remote and hybrid environments is critical. It’s about making connections through openness, empathy, and trust.

“Being open with people is important,” May explains, sharing that she scheduled coffee chats with colleagues across the country during the pandemic. “I wanted to learn about them, and I wanted them to know me. By being open and approaching people, you’ll be able to build a connection that strengthens your ability to work together.”

 3. Collaboration. With good communication and strong relationships comes effective collaboration. Working as a team and collaborating means amplifying different voices and perspectives before coming up with the best path forward.

4. Conflict resolution. Knowing how to resolve conflicts is part of effective collaboration as well. People who can navigate differences of opinions and approaches and help resolve conflicts that inevitably arise will be viewed as leaders in today’s ever-changing workplace.

 5. Working independently. Workers in today’s remote and hybrid environments need to be able to think and work well independently, with minimal supervision. It takes focus, good time management skills, and an ability to take the initiative and ownership of your work.

 6. Tech savviness. Whether working as a team or on your own, technology and digital skills are seen as an asset. While many people know how to host or attend Zoom meetings, taking the initiative to learn more advanced skills — such as virtual meeting facilitation and managing online collaboration tools — will set you apart as a leader in the new normal.

 7. Adaptability. Being adaptable is about being open to change and staying resilient in the face of it. It’s also about the ability to pivot and innovate while your working conditions change around you. Organizations want people who can bring new, creative ideas that will help them not just survive but adapt and thrive.

May explains that immigrants have what it takes to adapt — they’ve already proven it by moving across the world to start a new life. “Being an immigrant myself, I understand that newcomers feel a lot of stigma and pressure. Feelings like that can bring you down. But believe in yourself and ask for help if you need it. There are lots of services available in Canada,” May says. “Every newcomer can achieve their career goals in Canada — I have no doubt.”

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. Growing opportunities await you, whether you’re just starting your career, looking to move up, or retrain for a new field. 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.

The post What you need to succeed in the “new normal” first appeared on Canadian Immigrant.
http://canadianimmigrant.ca/feed