SOPA Highlights & Top 5 Most Read Blog Posts of 2021!
The holiday season is always a wonderful time to reflect on the past year, both personally and professionally. As we welcome the new year, take a look back with us at the top five blog posts of 2021! We also wanted to make sure that you didn’t miss any SOPA highlights from the past twelve months. We hope you’ve been enjoying our remarkable client stories and content we develop, and if you have any questions, be sure to send them to us: info@arriveprepred.ca.
Below is a shortlist of some of SOPA highlights in 2021 as well as the top 5 most read blog posts for the year.
SOPA highlights of the year!
- The new SOPA program Ready to Work that helps refugees prepare to work in Canada was launched this fall.
- We have launched our SOPA Newcomer Network Ambassador program and the response from our clients was tremendous. All the spots were filled out within a couple of weeks! Thank you to all our volunteers for your willingness to help immigrants and newcomers!
- We revealed our new SOPA brand along with a new and refreshed look for our program in December! Keep an eye out for our new SOPA website in the new year – it’s just around the corner.
We can’t wait to continue sharing our amazing client stories and creating informative content for you in 2022!
Top 5 most read blog posts of 2021
- I did all the hard work before coming to Canada
How did SOPA change your approach to seeking employment/licensure in Canada?
After I registered with SOPA, a Pre-Arrival Employment Specialist was assigned to me. I was then advised a personal plan, which consist of theoretical and assignment sections. I received thorough feedback from my counsellor for every assignment I submitted, and this helped improve my approach to seeking employment in the Canadian job market.
https://arriveprepared.ca/i-did-all-the-hard-work-before-coming-to-canada/
- The top 3 newcomer misconceptions when preparing to move to Canada
#1 – “No rush! I can wait and prepare for my move closer to my landing date”
Be it work or family commitments, many newcomers manage completing priorities on their lists to do in their home countries before moving to Canada. These commitments delay the need to learn about the Canadian job market, workplace culture, settlement needs, and other key factors that help newcomers transition smoothly into their Canadian communities.
The pandemic has particularly sprinkled a dose of unprecedented uncertainty on the challenges newcomers face before landing in Canada. Not knowing when to land or when to sell assets back home typically makes learning about Canada a lesser priority for the future.
https://arriveprepared.ca/the-top-3-newcomer-misconceptions-when-preparing-to-move-to-canada/
- Farhad Ahmad: You need the right tools to prepare for the Canadian job market
What strategies have you used to find a job?
To prepare myself for the Canadian job market, as a job hunter, I had to equip myself with the right tools. I needed to get familiar with companies, work-related terms, explore potential employers, learn networking skills, build a local network, improve my resume and cover letter. I also needed to find ways to connect to the right people within the industry, among many other things.
All the above goals were accomplished through attending online workshops, conferences, job fairs, courses, webinars, and networking events. I utilized the SOPA services to the maximum extent, and I found them so useful.
- How to be successful in your online learning
Stay motivated: It’s easy to lose motivation during distance online learning, without a classroom and other students next to you to chat with. It is up to you to find the motivation! Maybe you will reward yourself with a treat when you finish an assignment or unit, or take a five-minute break for every 30 minutes of work you do. Find whatever can work for you and use it!
https://arriveprepared.ca/how-to-be-successful-in-your-online-learning/
- Job scams and how to avoid them
Beware of any request for sensitive information before being offered the position. Information such as your Social Insurance Number or your bank account is not needed until later during the background check process. There is never a real reason for a potential employer to ask for personal financial information about you prior to you being hired for the position.
https://arriveprepared.ca/job-scams-and-how-to-avoid-them/
*SOPA (Settlement Online Pre-Arrival) provides online pre-employment support, customized resources and workplace readiness training for immigrants destined to Canada. All SOPA courses are available at no cost to newcomers who meet eligibility requirements.
