Q&A: The Challenges of Finding a Job as a Refugee

Jean Kerr (top) and Deborah Strek (bottom right)

The Hearts & Homes for Refugee Employment Committee assists newly arrived neighbors with securing that first, and sometimes, second job. HHR Volunteers offer their time, skill sets, experiences and connections to provide invaluable assistance in finding employers, drafting resumes and cover letters, filling out applications, and preparing for interviews. We sat down with Employment co-chairs Jean Kerr and Deborah Strek to talk about some of the challenges refugees face in finding employment and the life-changing ways that volunteers step up to help. 

Many refugees have skills and experiences that they can’t apply in the United States, whether that’s because their degree is not recognized, or they don’t have the language skills. How do you address this challenge?

Jean Kerr: We try to match the right job with the person's past experiences and interests coupled with the reality of their current situation. Where are they located? Do they speak sufficient English? Can they drive? Can they readily commute to a job? All these factors, and many more, have to be considered.

For example, if someone was a teacher in Afghanistan we will try to find an avenue where they could perhaps be a teacher's aide in a classroom and begin their journey to teach in the US. Often that is hard to do and a client may end up with an hourly job while they get their footing as they resettle. From there it can take time and commitment to reach the next goal, but it can be done.

This must be very challenging for refugees. How do you approach this subject when working with them?

Jean Kerr: We work with the clients on the practicality and often, necessity of taking a job starting on the ground level and working their way up. It is difficult to leave behind work qualifications and past lives, however, it is all part of the sacrifices being made for a better life for themselves and their families. We work with them to explore all possible options and give them the support needed.

Deborah Strek: We also always encourage clients to continue to develop their resume even after they start working at their first job. We encourage classes toward a degree or online classes to earn certifications that can be noted on their resumes.

For example, we have one amazing client who wants to go into nursing; because of what she has been through, she is eager to find a way to help others. Using connections at a local hospital, we were able to help her find a relevant job there, and now she is taking classes at night to work towards her nursing degree.

How important is it for the Employment Committee to develop connections with local employers?

Deborah Strek: Connections with local employers has been one of our main focuses. It's extremely difficult to make a resume stand out on its own online. As I mentioned, HHR has developed a great relationship with a local hospital, to the point where we can send a bio and resume to the head of HR and they have been very willing to try to find a good fit for almost every client we have sent..

How do you plan to develop more employment connections throughout Westchester County?

Deborah Strek: We’re working on writing and sending a letter from HHR to local employers with the plan of developing those types of connections, because they are so important. We need strong connections where we can send a resume to a local business and ask directly what they think of the application and their willingness to interview them. With the personal connection, we can stress things we know about the client that might not come through in the resume.

Jean Kerr: The good news is we are finding more companies that are willing to partner with HHR on employment needs. The more we can do that, and the more widespread that becomes, the greater our scope will be for employment opportunities.

How are you working to make it easier for volunteer cohorts to help their clients with the job search?

Deborah Strek: We have a volunteer who is actually putting together a whole playbook for us now. She's doing a model resume, cover letter, interview questions, the whole process. With the playbook in hand we can work closely with volunteer cohorts on an overall plan to support the employment process.

How do you help refugees who are ready to “move up” and get that second job?

Jean Kerr: One thing we work on with the clients is to teach them to be self-sufficient. We encourage them to learn how to apply to jobs, use LinkedIn etc on their own. We continue to provide support, either Deb and me, or with a volunteer to assist.

Deborah Strek: I agree with Jean. We stay in touch with the people we help and can provide higher level expertise when they are ready for a ‘bigger’ job. The HHR employment committee has volunteers with meaningful employment experience including retired HR executives and LinkedIN experts, who can work with someone more assimilated and ready to look for another job.

Finding a job is life-changing for refugees. If you are Interested in helping refugees land that first or second job, contact Deborah Strek or Jean Kerr (jeangriffinkerr@gmail.com, deborahstrek@gmail.com).