The author offers several lessons learned from supporting refugees in their search for employment in the UK, including the importance of:
- Continuous support to navigate a new system, e.g. through regular group/individual discussions to share frustrations, strategies for looking for work etc.;
- Capitalizing on a refugee’s first language, which could be an asset for employers seeking bilingual candidates;
- Professional mentoring;
- Embedding support within a framework of universal vulnerability, i.e. the idea that we are all vulnerable to differing degrees and our vulnerability is situational;
- Recognizing that some individuals require time and support to address their mental and physical health needs before they are ready to enter the labor market;
- Challenging perceived failure, e.g. by encouraging feedback from employers or partner organizations to better understand and address reasons for rejection;
- Finding creative ways to attract attention of employers, e.g. by harnessing interest in supporting refugees; and
- Exploring new opportunities by using their skills in different roles.