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When Asbed Sghman left his home in Syria in 2016, he came to Canada in search of a future. Within just a few months, he knew he had  found his new home. From a professional perspective, while he had hoped that his experience as a Customer Service Representative at one of Syria's top banks would be an asset, he did not expect to be embraced so warmly when he joined the team at CIBC.

When he secured his role as a Financial Services Representative (FSR) at CIBC, Asbed was able to transfer his strong skills and apply them immediately to helping clients meet their financial goals, plan for the future and realize their dreams. "What I like most about my role is becoming a trusted advisor to my clients and building lasting relationships. CIBC helped me by removing barriers to employment and making the path into the Canadian workplace accessible for me, " says Asbed.

"[When I came] here, my biggest challenge was proving myself and meeting Canadian standards, from writing cover letters and participating in interviews to building my network. But what I really needed was the chance to demonstrate my skills and abilities."

Taking his first steps toward a career in the Canadian banking industry was a little daunting. Erring on the side of caution and ready to learn, Asbed started applying for similar roles as a Customer Service Representative here in Toronto. It wasn't until a recruiter at CIBC offered him some valuable insight that he started to feel he was ready to advance his career to the next level.

"Working with the recruiter at CIBC gave me the self-confidence I needed," he says. "She looked at my resumé and said, 'You are ready for a Financial Services Representative role.' I am so grateful to her for that."

This November will mark Asbed's one-year anniversary as a Financial Services Representative with CIBC.

The bank has built a strong network of strategic partners to help newcomers to Canada adjust to life in a new country, make connections and find the right opportunities that will enable them to thrive, connect, develop and prosper. Asbed was hired through one of these partners – ACCES Employment. Its Financial Services Connection bridging program is an initiative launched in 2012 to support newcomers.  The program provides internationally qualified professionals like Asbed with peer support and other valuable resources to help them embark on a rewarding path with employers like CIBC.

Like many newcomers, Asbed also received the support of another CIBC partner, World Education Services, a not-for-profit organization that supports the integration of newcomers into Canadian workplaces by determining the equivalency of their credentials. For roles that require educational credentials, the bank actively encourages all internationally trained applicants to have their equivalencies determined early in the recruitment process. As well, through its participation in the Toronto Regional Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) Mentoring Partnership, CIBC has mentored more than 1,000 newcomers to Canada, 75 per cent of whom found employment in their fields within a year of completing the program.

Inspired by his experience with CIBC, Asbed is involved in his community and invested in the success of newcomers to Canada. He volunteers at the Armenian Community Centre in Toronto, helping new Canadians translate forms, get health cards, driver's licenses and cellphone plans. The way he sees it, it's his turn to give back.

"I was in their shoes", he says. "Supporting each other is like a cycle. One day someone helps you, and the next day, you do the same."

Asbed's commitment to his fellow new Canadians doesn't stop there. He carries the life-changing experience he had through joining CIBC's team and uses it to support friends from Syria find the right career path. "I helped two of my friends from Syria get jobs in the Canadian finance industry," he says. "Once they saw that I could do it, it gave them hope. I helped them with their resumés and then referred them to the Financial Services Connections program through ACCES."

According to Asbed, CIBC's commitment to inclusion has "a snowball effect." While welcoming new Canadians and internationally trained professionals enriches the experiences of individuals, it also brings a global mindset to the table. As a result, it helps the bank foster a culture of innovation that meets the evolving needs of its 11 million diverse clients.

"Canada is a nation of immigrants," he says. "We are like a global village. When people walk into our banking centres, they feel good about interacting with someone who has been where they've been, someone who understands their background and experience."

Asbed feels that the bank has given him a place to belong. An avid learner, he has acquired numerous new skills and talents since joining CIBC and wants to give back to the employer that has helped him to build a new life in Canada. Of course, Asbed is just one of the many individuals from a wide range of diverse backgrounds who are realizing their full potential at CIBC.

To learn more about career opportunities with the bank, as well as its commitment to inclusion and diversity, visit cibc.com/careers.


This content was produced by CIBC. The Globe and Mail was not involved in its creation.

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