FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What I need to know

Listed below are the most common questions we get asked by both refugees and employers. If there is anything that you are unable to find, please contact our team on:

info@sonacircle.com

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Employers

What countries do refugees come from?

Refugees are individuals who have been forced from their home due to violence, disease or religious persecution in their home country. Most recently, the majority of refugees resettling in the UK have come from the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as other East and West African nations. Some Southeast Asian nations such as Burma (Myanmar) have produced many refugees also due to political violence and civil reference. Finally, Syria, Iraq and other nations in the Middle East have hemorrhaged with refugees over the past decade.

Anyone who is granted permission to remain in the UK as a refugee or who is granted humanitarian protection has unrestricted access to the labour market. A refugee may demonstrate their work entitlement through their Biometric Residence Permit or Immigration Status Document (an older form of document issued to refugees and certain other categories of migrant prior to the introduction of the Biometric Residence Permit).

Is language a barrier for refugees resettling in the UK?

Yes, but many refugees have been studying English for a long time or have lived in the UK long enough to pick up the language. We will only place those with your company that have a level of English that is proficient enough to do their job.

Is transportation an issue for refugees resettling in the UK?

As with anyone else, it can be a challenge at times, but most of the refugees in our pipeline have a driver’s license and reliable transportation. We’ve become experts at navigating around transportation issues to match you with the right client.

What services does Sona Circle offer?

Working with a recruitment agency allows a company to minimize risk while filling labor gaps so they can meet the demand for their product or service. We provide our client’s with dependable employees from the refugee workforce. We recruit and vet each applicant, to ensure we place the best candidates for each open position.

What types of companies do you work with?

We provide recruitment services to companies across many industries including, but not limited to: light industrial, hospitality, start-ups and construction. Feel free to contact us about your specific industry, and we’ll be happy to determine whether or not we can meet your needs.

What is a refugee?

A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. They cannot return home or are afraid to do so. In the UK, refugee status is given to anyone that can prove to the UK Government that they meet this definition.

Can I prioritise refugees in recruitment?

In any recruitment, you should offer the job to whichever candidate is most suitable. If however, you have two equally suitable candidates, you can choose a candidate which has a protected charateristic over the one who does not. You cannot choose the candidate who is not as suitable for the job just because they have a protected characteristic.

How much do you charge for your services?

We charge a recruitment fee for the services we provide, which will vary depending on the employers needs.

Refugees

How can I follow Sona Circle?

You can follow us on Social Media:

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Where can I find English courses?

In the UK, refugees can access English language tuition, funded through the Adult Education Budget, if they are unemployed and looking for work. Availability of courses can vary, and many refugees and providers report that practical and vocationally focused language learning opportunities are also important in the context of finding work. Integrating formal ESOL training within work- preparation activities has been found to be very effective, but activities which allow for the development of conversational English can also help build confidence.

What is a permanent position?

A permanent position is a “typical” employment relationship. Here an employee works for an employer. With a permanent position you usually get a regular payment. You also work mostly full-time or at least more than 50%. Often, but not always, permanent employment is permanent.

What is vocational training?

In vocational training, you learn theoretical and practical skills for a job. You can do such training at special schools for this purpose (vocational schools). You can also do vocational training in a company. A third option is to do vocational training in which you spend some days in a school and some days in a company. If you would like to do vocational training, but have not yet been able to find an apprenticeship position or you do not yet meet the requirements for an apprenticeship, you can do an entry-level qualification first.

What is work experience?

An internship is an opportunity for people with little professional experience to perform simple tasks in a company for a short time. An internship usually lasts between six weeks and six months. Through an internship you can gain professional experience and get to know people in your professional field. This, in turn, can help you get a permanent job.

How do I write a good CV?

It is particularly important that you have completed your CV (CV) and have given all details about your previous professional training and/or your professional experience. A member will be able to support you with this.

How do I write a good cover letter?

In addition to a resume, you also need a cover letter. This is a letter to the employer in which you explain why you are interested in the job and what relevant experiences you have already had. The cover letter should be half a page to a whole page long.

How do I prepare for a job interview?

There are also many things to consider in the interview. This includes not only preparing yourself for the answers in the conversation, but also using the right body language and dressing properly. For example, you can prepare for a job interview by watching application training videos online.