The job search process can be daunting. A hopeful applicant fills out an online application and submits their resume. Fingers crossed, they hit send. Weeks pass. Confidence slips as the applicant wonders if they will ever receive a call back. In this situation, even the most accomplished professionals can question their value.
The Challenges of the Job Search for Immigrant Professionals
For immigrant and refugee professionals rebuilding their careers in the United States, the silence from hiring managers can echo volumes.
“Job searching for anybody can be so isolating,” says Kayla Stevenson, National Volunteer Program Lead at Upwardly Global. “You don’t know where those applications are going. You’re not hearing from anyone. But especially for a newcomer, they come to the U.S. without a network to reach out to.”
This is where mentorship offers a powerful shift in a jobseeker’s trajectory.
At Upwardly Global, we view our mentors as valued members of our ecosystem, helping to open doors for our jobseekers as they navigate the U.S. job market. We are always looking for volunteers to share their expertise, provide guidance, and support our immigrant and refugee jobseekers as they reclaim their careers in the U.S.
How Mentorship Changes Job Searches
Our Mentorship Program pairs immigrant and refugee jobseekers with U.S. professionals who help guide them through the often-unwritten rules of the American job search. The program includes 12 virtual sessions guiding resume development, cover letter writing, LinkedIn strategies, mock interview practice, and more.
A Proven Workforce Strategy
Mentorship is a proven strategy across the workforce. According to the MentorcliQ 2024 Mentoring Impact Report, 98% of Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs, along with 100% of Fortune 50 companies, and 96% of Fortune 100 companies.
Breaking Down Hidden Barriers
For immigrant professionals in particular, mentorship addresses barriers that traditional job search advice often misses.
Take corporate jargon. Phrases like “circle back,” “on the fence,” or “ad hoc” may seem small, but they can create real confusion, especially for those who didn’t grow up speaking English as their first language.
“A mentor can break that down,” Kayla explains. “They can say, ‘Hey, what does that mean?’ It’s giving that human feedback in a way that a one-pager just can’t.”
Many people who grew up in the U.S. often feel uncertain or nervous about networking. That can be even more daunting and confusing for immigrants, who often don’t have an existing network in their new home.
“A lot of immigrants and refugees don’t use networking in their home country,” Kayla says. “So, they come here wondering, ‘What is networking? How do I do it? What’s appropriate to ask?’”
Mentors help answer those questions. And in building the relationship with a jobseeker, mentors can also restore confidence.
Restoring Confidence and Value
“The mentee may feel like they’ve lost their value coming to this new country,” Kayla says. “And as a mentor, you remind them that they are incredibly valued for what they bring.”
Sometimes those relationships grow beyond the program itself. Mentors and mentees meet in person, share meals, meet each other’s families, and continue supporting each other long after the formal sessions end.
“I get emails saying this wasn’t just a mentor, it was a friend, a champion,” she says.
Become a Mentor
Even if someone has never mentored before, their experience, perspective, and willingness to support another professional can make a meaningful difference in a newcomer’s career journey.
“Why not step up and support someone through that journey? We’ve all gone through the job search,” Kayla says. “If you can be in someone’s corner letting them know they’ll get there, it’s meaningful for everyone involved.”
Are you a professional who would love to share how you navigated the ups and downs of your own career journey? Consider becoming a mentor with Upwardly Global.
