How Immigrants Can Build Careers Abroad Without Starting Over

Feeling stuck in a “survival job” you never planned for?
You’re not alone—but you’re also not without options.

Many immigrants arrive in Canada with years of experience, yet find themselves undervalued, overlooked, or overwhelmed. In this episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast, Olajumoke Fatoki sits down with seasoned HR professional and newcomer mentor Ayoola Iwayemi, who shares hard-won truths on how to turn your past experience into your future advantage.

Whether you’re just landing in Canada or you’ve been here for a while but feel like your career is in limbo, this conversation will reignite your confidence and redefine your path forward.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• 🔁 Why “starting over” is a myth—and how to translate your home country experience into Canadian success.
• 🔍 How volunteering, mindset shifts, and strategy helped Ayoola land his dream HR job within weeks of arriving.
• 💥 The #1 workplace truth every newcomer needs to know to stop playing small and start standing out.

You don’t need to wait years to build a career you’re proud of. You just need the right perspective—and a plan.

👉 Press play now and learn how to confidently navigate your career in a new country—without losing who you are.

Transcript

Olajumoke Fatoki: Hello everyone, and welcome to another exciting episode of the Thrive Careers Podcast. I'm your host, Olajumoke Fatoki. I'm especially excited about today because we have someone truly inspiring joining us. As a newcomer myself, I understand how challenging it can be to transition into a new country, and our guest today has mastered that journey. Ayoola Iwayemi is here to share his experience, and I know you'll find it incredibly valuable. Ayoola, can you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

Ayoola Iwayemi: Thank you so much, Olajumoke. I'm honored to be here. My name is Ayoola Iwayemi. I'm a human resources professional and, first and foremost, a human being. I'm excited to share my journey and hope it will inspire others to see the possibilities ahead.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Thank you, Ayoola. Let's dive right in. I remember a conversation we had where you mentioned how past experiences—some of which you didn’t even realize would be useful—played a key role in your career here in Canada. Could you share more about that?

Ayoola Iwayemi: Absolutely. One experience that stands out is my time volunteering with Sightsavers, a project focused on training and empowering people living with disabilities. Over nearly five years, that work evolved from volunteer to paid engagement. It also involved completing 32 courses with Accenture, Sightsavers’ partner, which prepared me to mentor and train participants. I didn’t realize it then, but this experience gave me a solid foundation in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility—EDIA—which turned out to be a significant asset when I arrived in Canada. My involvement made it easier to integrate into Canadian workplaces where EDIA is a key focus.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That's incredible. And it really highlights how volunteering can open doors. Let’s go back to day one—what was your very first day like as an immigrant in Canada?

Ayoola Iwayemi: Before arriving, I did a lot of research. Still, things don’t always go as planned. I told myself I wanted to start working right away. Luckily, I found several employability programs and organizations like Volunteer Manitoba. I even began volunteering with Salvation Army as a facilitator for newcomers just a few weeks after arriving. Despite being new myself, I had the skills and confidence to contribute.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That’s amazing. And I love how you emphasized preparation and positioning. You've often said Canada gives you opportunity but not the strategy. What was your toughest career challenge, and how did you navigate it?

Ayoola Iwayemi: That’s a great point. Strategy without execution is useless. My biggest challenge was handling rejection. I had to learn not to take it personally. I reframed it—when I got a rejection email, I’d tell myself, “Fortunately, I’ve moved on to a better opportunity.” This mindset helped me push through. Preparation is key. For interviews, I’d study the top 20–50 common questions. And even if I didn’t get the job, I saw each interview as practice and growth.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That's such a resilient mindset. Many immigrants struggle to pivot back into their professional careers after taking survival jobs. What mindset shift helped you stay on track?

Ayoola Iwayemi: It all starts with a mindset reset. I call it MIND—Motivation, Intention, Necessity, and Development. You’re not losing your skills or experience; you’re just resetting your approach for a new context. Be intentional about learning how to translate your experience into this new environment. And ask the right people for guidance. Not everyone knows the full picture—some speak from their own limited experience. Always verify and do your own research.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That’s powerful. And what about confidence? How did you build professional confidence in a country where no one knew your name or your work?

Ayoola Iwayemi: For me, it started with self-awareness. Volunteering helped a lot. I was facilitating sessions within weeks of arriving, which affirmed my capabilities. Also, surrounding myself with the right community was crucial. Your circle matters—stay close to people who speak possibility, not limitation. Confidence comes from knowing who you are and what you bring to the table, regardless of where you are.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Beautifully said. So, what’s one workplace truth in Canada that you wish every newcomer knew from day one?

Ayoola Iwayemi: Be yourself and be prepared. There’s no substitute for preparation. I live by the five P’s: Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. Also, understand the power of optionality. For example, if a job application says a cover letter is optional—write one. It could make the difference. Lastly, stay positive. Rejections are not reflections of your worth. Keep pushing forward.

Olajumoke Fatoki: That’s such solid advice. Finally, any last words for our listeners?

Ayoola Iwayemi: Yes—every career journey has bus stops, but don’t mistake a bus stop for your final destination. Just because others are stopping doesn’t mean you should. Keep your end goal in mind, prepare, and surround yourself with people who elevate you. You can thrive.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Thank you so much, Ayoola. This has been incredibly insightful. Where can listeners connect with you?

Ayoola Iwayemi: You can find me on LinkedIn and Instagram at @ayoliyy, and also on YouTube with the same handle. Feel free to connect and mention this podcast—I’d love to help however I can.

Olajumoke Fatoki: Fantastic. Thank you again, Ayoola. And to our listeners, thanks for tuning in. We’ll be back next week—but until then, keep thriving!