Career Resilience and Transition Series
Presented by Back In Motion's Career Paths Program
- LIVE in-person in Surrey, BC on Nov 26 & 27, 2026 (Thu & Fri) 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM PCT -
Join Back in Motion’s Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants program for a practical, in-person employment development event designed to support Career Paths for Skilled Immigrant clients as they navigate career transitions and pursue meaningful employment in Canada.
Choose from two separate days of interactive workshops, each offering a different selection of employment and career development topics. Sessions will provide practical strategies, current labour market insights, and opportunities to learn alongside other skilled professionals.
Each event day includes three 60-minute workshops, breakfast and lunch, opportunities to connect and network with other participants and time to reflect on how the strategies can be applied to your own career journey!
Event Venue
Civic Hotel, Autograph Collection in Surrey, BC
Address: 13475 Central Avenue, Surrey, BC V3T 0L8
- The event will be held in person at the Civic Hotel in Surrey, conveniently located in Surrey City Centre and easily accessible by car or public transit.
- The hotel is steps from the Surrey Central SkyTrain Station on the Expo Line and the Surrey Central bus loop, making public transit one of the easiest ways to reach the event.
What to Expect
- 3 practical employment development workshops, session descriptions below
- Strategies you can apply to your career and job search
- Opportunities to connect with other skilled immigrant professionals
- Breakfast and lunch provided for registered participants
- In-person learning in a supportive and interactive environment
- Certificate of Completion
Choose Your Event Day
- Only clients of the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrant program may register.
- Participants may register for ONE event day only.
- Space is limited to 30 participants per day.
- Each day features a different set of workshops, therefore please review the session descriptions below and select the day that best matches your current career and employment needs.
Day 1: Thu, November 26, 2026
Re-Employment Strategies for Newcomer Professionals in Shrinking Industries
Thu, Nov 26, 2026|9:30-10:30 AM PCT
Facilitator: Wanda Kusumajuda Pichette of Grow Career Development GrowCD.ca
Skilled newcomers may arrive in Canada with strong professional experience, only to find that their previous industry is shrinking, changing, or offering fewer opportunities than expected in Canada’s current labour market. This workshop will help participants assess how these industry changes are affecting their employment options, identify which parts of their experience remain valuable, and explore realistic career pathways. Participants will also make informed decisions about how closely they can remain connected to their previous field while identifying adjacent opportunities that build on their existing experience.
Maintaining Confidence During Periods of Silence from Employers
Thu, Nov 26, 2026|10:45-11:45 AM PCT
Facilitator: Wanda Kusumajuda Pichette of Grow Career Development GrowCD.ca
Employer silence can create uncertainty and make it difficult to know how to interpret the status of an application or interview. This workshop will help participants assess periods of silence more strategically, distinguish between factors they can and cannot control, and make informed decisions about when to follow up, when to redirect their energy, and how to keep multiple opportunities moving at the same time. Participants will also explore ways to prevent prolonged silence from undermining their confidence or becoming a judgment about their professional value.
AI for an Effective Job Search
Thu, Nov 26, 2026|1:00-2:00 PM PCT
Facilitator: Soraya Canales Galdamez, Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, Back In Motion BIM
AI tools are increasingly being used to support different stages of the job search. This workshop will help participants use AI more strategically while maintaining their own professional voice and judgment. Participants will explore how to use tools such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to tailor applications, prepare for interviews, identify opportunities, and develop networking messages. They will also practice creating effective prompts, reviewing AI-generated content, and using AI responsibly to improve the quality of their job search rather than simply increasing the number of applications.
*Please bring: A current master resume, one job posting you are ready to apply for, and access to LinkedIn and an AI tool such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot.
Day 2: Fri, November 27, 2026
Building Professional Confidence in a New Country
Fri, Nov 27, 2026|9:30-10:30 AM PCT
Facilitator: Wanda Kusumajuda Pichette of Grow Career Development GrowCD.ca
Skilled newcomers may arrive in Canada with strong professional identities and networks, only to find that both become less visible after relocation. This workshop will help participants rebuild their professional identity, strengthen credibility in the Canadian labor market, and become more intentionally connected to their industry and community. Participants will explore strategies for building local credibility, mapping their professional ecosystem, and developing purposeful connections that can increase professional visibility, belonging, and confidence.
Managing Rejection, Setbacks and Multiple Job Offers
Fri, Nov 27, 2026|10:45-11:45 AM PCT
Facilitator: Wanda Kusumajuda Pichette of Grow Career Development GrowCD.ca
Skilled newcomers may face a mix of rejection, delayed progress, changing opportunities, and competing job offers while building their careers in Canada. This workshop will help participants interpret setbacks without overcorrecting their strategy, identify when a job-search approach needs adjustment, and make more deliberate decisions when several opportunities emerge at once. Participants will also explore how to assess opportunities based on role fit, career direction, stability, growth potential, and other personal priorities, while avoiding reactive decisions after a difficult job-search experience.
Salary Talks: Get Paid What You’re Worth
Fri, Nov 27, 2026|1:00-2:00 PM PCT
Facilitators: Minal Padmakar Chiplunkar and Raminder Bahl, Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants, Back In Motion BIM
Ready to feel more confident talking about salary with employers? This practical workshop for jobseekers in BC will help participants understand when and how to negotiate, research their market value, respond to salary questions, and confidently discuss compensation without leaving money on the table. Participants will leave with practical strategies and conversation tips they can use in their next interview or job offer.