Jana: A Story of Unwavering Determination
Pictured: Jana representing HCA Healthcare in a recruitment event in the United Kingdom.
Beginnings are never easy
Before arriving in the UK, Jana was a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon with many dreams but so little hope due to the situation in Lebanon. After getting an academic scholarship to pursue her education and obtaining two major degrees including a bachelor's degree in English Literature and a master’s degree in Media Studies, Jana’s main struggle was to find a job in Lebanon, which turned out to be almost impossible as the country was experiencing a financial meltdown that kept worsening and creating unprecedented impacts on all levels of its society.
After graduating from university, Jana was able to secure a job as a Scholarships Officer at the same non-governmental organization that offered her the undergraduate scholarship that helped her graduate from one of the most prestigious universities in Lebanon. This opportunity allowed her to become financially independent and to give back to the same organization that helped her achieve her academic dreams.
However, Jana’s future still seemed so bleak and uncertain. Although she managed to find a job, getting married to her now-husband, Ahmad, looked impossible. As she could barely make ends meet, getting married or even renting and furnishing a house amidst an unprecedented crisis in Lebanon made it seem like she would never be able to proceed with her life with him. “I would not have been able to get married to the love of my life had we stayed in Lebanon, as the situation there was so bad that no one had the financial ability to buy a house, let alone start a family there,” Jana said. Jana’s main struggle was to find a proper job that can match her skills, talents, and career goals. This turned out to be almost impossible, as Lebanon was experiencing a severe financial crisis, impacting everyone in the Lebanese society, but especially refugees residing in Lebanon. Displaced people are often discriminated against by employers, and their lack of security leaves them vulnerable to exploitative pay and conditions.
A glimpse of hope
When one of Jana’s acquaintances proposed the idea of registering with TBB, she was unsure and skeptical, however, since submitting applications was all that she did in her spare time back then, she thought that submitting one more would not hurt anyone. Jana had to go through three different interviews before finally landing a job offer as a Recruitment Coordinator with HCA Healthcare in the United Kingdom.
Jana’s dreams were all coming true all at once. She managed to secure a fixed-term contract with a renowned hospital in London, Ahmad managed to join the first nursing cohort with HCA through TBB, and they got married only a few weeks before leaving for the United Kingdom. The turbo couple moved to a new country, making their dreams a reality and paving the way to more realistic goals–aiming to make the best out of this new opportunity that was miraculously offered to them.
Hard work pays off
With so much hard work, commitment, and unwavering passion, Jana managed to get promoted to a Talent Acquisition Specialist within a few months of joining the HCA Healthcare family and proudly received the Employee of the Quarter award for her outstanding performance in her role. Ahmad’s commitment and dedication echoed that of Jana. After joining HCA Healthcare as a staff nurse, he was promoted to Associate Clinical Nurse Specialist at HCA Healthcare. Moreover, he is also pursuing his master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice at the City, University of London, and has received an international nursing award.
Pictured: Jana and Ahmad joining TBB staff and alumni in an alumni gathering in the United Kingdom.
Jana’s TBB tips and tricks!
Jana had so many important pieces of advice for all candidates wishing to travel for work with Talent Beyond Boundaries:
Make sure your CV/resume is attractive and make sure it is lightly tailored to the type of institution to which you're applying. Check TBB’s CV and Interview Resources.
Do not forget to update your TBB profile regularly. To log into your profile, click here.
Keep improving your English language because it is your passport to any country. You can get free access to TBB’s ReallyEnglish language resources.
Make use of your TBB access to Coursera and sign up for courses that serve your personal and professional development goals. Request free access to Coursera here.
Ask TBB for a mock interview before your actual interview, and be open to constructive criticism.
Do not give up easily! Jana had to go through three interviews with three different employers before getting a job offer from HCA Healthcare UK.
Keep applying and keep working on yourself because you never know when an opportunity might knock on your door, so make sure you are well-prepared when that happens.
