Entering the job market in Belgium when you come from abroad is a real uphill battle.
The DUO for a JOB association builds bridges and creates powerful connections! The story of Souhaila and Frédéric shows that mentoring goes far beyond just help with writing a CV : it is a match that changes lives in just a few months.
Arriving in Belgium and hitting the employment wall
Newly arrived in Belgium, Souhaila faced significant professional obstacles.
Her degrees and past experience were not recognized by local employers. With her French still a work in progress and an urgent financial need, finding a place in a sector as saturated and competitive as graphic design seemed almost impossible. It was with these uncertainties that she walked through the doors of DUO for a JOB.
Frédéric's strategy: a recruiter's perspective
Frédéric, a volunteer mentor, immediately recognized his mentee's creative potential.
His own challenge? Keeping Souhaila's motivation intact, even when an initial job lead didn't work out. Fully committed, he opened up his Liège network to her and helped her completely rethink her communication tools (CV, cover letter, portfolio, LinkedIn).
My role as a volunteer? Teaching her the ins and outs of the Belgian market
Together, they decided to pivot toward a qualifying work-study program to legitimize her profile.
" Souhaila had raw talent and clear motivation. My role as a volunteer was simply to teach her the ins and outs of the Belgian market and to structure her approach so that employers could see what I saw in her. »
– Frédéric, mentor.
➡️ More info on our mission here.
Success in Herstal: Building confidence and new horizons
Intensively prepared by Frédéric through mock interviews, Souhaila successfully passed her IFAPME admission. This milestone validated her skills and boosted her French proficiency.
Frédéric was incredibly patient; he believed in me
The reward for their mutual perseverance was immediate: she secured a two-year paid internship at Ecobati, an eco-construction company based in Herstal.
“ Frédéric was incredibly patient. He believed in me, even when I doubted myself. Thanks to him, I regained my confidence… and my future. ”
– Souhaila, mentee.
Since 2013, DUO for a JOB has been connecting young people from immigrant backgrounds with experienced volunteer mentors over the age of 50. For six months, they work together toward a concrete goal: sustainable integration into the job market. Job coaching 100% free in Antwerp, Gent, Brussels, Sint Niklaas, Turnhout, Mechelen, Aalst, Liège, Verviers and Charleroi.
Want to learn more about DUO for a JOB? Check out our FAQ here to become a volunteer mentor or find a job!
🎥 Watch video testimonials from the young people we support ⤵️
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