Arrive Prepared and Find Success
Every day the SOPA program helps professionals approved to come to Canada prepare for their job search and help them learn about Canadian workplace culture. In January 2017 a few months before coming to Canada Omotola Owoeye registered with the SOPA (Settlement Online Pre-Arrival) program and successfully completed the Job Search Strategies course. Job Search Strategies is one of five free facilitated online courses offered to immigrants approved to come to Canada as permanent residents.
“Within a few weeks of arrival Omotola had several interviews and by the end of June Omotola had two job offers to choose from.” Nicole Porter
Omotola’s facilitator Nicole Porter will be the first to tell you what a hard worker she was throughout the duration of the Job Search Strategies course. Omotola recognized the importance of arriving prepared for her impending job-search in Canada. She shared that “it was an amazing six-week course” and “some of the skills learnt actually revealed who I am and I can always improve on myself.” In May, 2017 Omotola arrived in Halifax and right away she took advantage of the post-arrival services at the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) by meeting with an Employment Specialist, Donna Safatli. With the combination of the pre-arrival services through SOPA and post-arrival services with a local immigration organization, like ISANS, Omotola had a competitive edge in the job-search.
Before we go on, let’s take a moment to learn a little bit about Omotola, who kindly answered our ‘SOPA Graduate questions’.
What is your profession?
Accountant and Auditor
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Hardworking, Go-getter, Creative
What’s the greatest piece of advice a manager or co-worker has given you?
It’s better to have something and not need it, than to need something and not have it.
Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.
I am good at auditing and decorating.
What are you going to do when you retire?
I will have my own consulting outfit.
What did you learn from your SOPA course that has made you better prepared to work in Canada?
I know myself better and I’m more prepared for job interviews.
Within a few weeks of arrival Omotola has already had several interviews and by the end of June Omotola had two job offers to choose from. We are happy to announce that Omotola accepted a position at a company that is a world leader in people management systems and services and is located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We wish Omotola the best of luck with her new job.
– Nicole Porter, Job Search Strategies Facilitator, SOPA Atlantic Team
Nicole Porter is a Job Search Strategies Facilitator for Settlement Online Pre-Arrival, serving the four Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador), based at the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) in Halifax. She has been educating students of all ages for the last nine years and is no stranger to the challenges of moving abroad, living in both China and Singapore. Nicole has a real passion for helping SOPA Clients feel more confident and prepared for their upcoming job-search in Atlantic Canada.
Immigrating to Canada?
Sign up for free pre-arrival courses and resources! www.arriveprepared.ca
