Job-Hunting & How Volunteers Can Help

Employment is a major concern for nearly every on of our refugee clients. Refugees who are able to work are automatically referred to IRCO (the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) where they are enrolled in job training & English classes and are assigned a Job Coach. But repeatedly we have been told by our refugee clients that they would appreciate more help seeking employment. Several volunteers have also asked us how to better help the refugees they are tutoring to find a job. Employment is a major concern that is not easy for a volunteer to address but here are some ideas for what you as a volunteer can do to help refugees with their job search. The emphasis is on empowering the individual so that he or she has the tools to find a job--rather than finding a position for them.

A good place to start is with basic job applications. Make a lesson of filling out a job application. Use different examples to show your student how applications might ask about availability or past work experience in different ways. There are a variety of printable job applications available online (e.g., for plaid pantry, subway, barnes & noble, craft warehouse--click on the name for a link to the pdf). Bring a few of these to your refugee student's home and have them practice filling them out neatly and completely. If applications ask for a resume have your student get a copy of their resume from their job coach. If the resume needs work or if they do not have one then show them how to make one on the computer and print out multiple copies for future use. (It is important to emphasize keeping the resume copies neat and unfolded so that they are ready to be handed out whenever a job opportunity presents itself--giving them a cardboard folder to store copies might be a good idea.)

Another lesson could be focused on conversations around hiring. Teach your student to ask confidently "are you hiring?" and "may I please have an application?" Why not take them to a few businesses to practice asking for the manager and obtaining an application? Keep in mind, however, that many of the bigger retail chains have switched entirely to online applications--for paper applications it is better to go to restaurants and slightly smaller businesses.

Speaking of online applications, that is another area that is worth looking at for a few job-related lessons. As I said before, many big retail chains like Fred Meyer, Safeway, Target, etc. now only use online application services. These can be challenging and time-consuming for English Language Learners. Another significant barrier has been the "personality tests" included in some of these online applications. These tests tend to ask the same questions in several different ways and can be very confusing for non-native English speakers. Be prepared to spend a fair amount of time going through each online application.

 Navigating craigslist is another useful skill for refugee job-seekers. However, make sure to talk to them a bit about online scams before they start applying for jobs from craigslist (click here for more information about avoiding these scams).The "general labor" category is a good place to start for English Language Learners, as is the "retail/food/hospitality" category. Keep in mind cultural and religious limitations when someone is considering applying for a job--e.g., will they be around alcohol or pork?

We will be holding an informal gathering of volunteers and case managers to brainstorm ideas about employment for refugees and how we can better help--keep an eye out for an announcement of the day and time. If you have ideas and would like to be involved then please contact our volunteer coordinator, Jeanne Toal (503-688-2683).