In this conversation, Khalil Bagatsing shares his journey from working in his family’s business in the Philippines to helping immigrants find skill-aligned jobs in the US. He discusses the challenges immigrants face in the job market, including the importance of customizing resumes, recognizing transferable skills, and overcoming credential recognition issues.
Khalil emphasizes the significance of community support, resilience against rejection, and the power of storytelling in job applications. He introduces the PAR method for structuring responses and discusses the significance of preparation and practice.
In this episode, Kahlil encourages job seekers to view their unique experiences as strength, to reframe setbacks as integral parts of a broader journey, and to seek out companies that value diversity and inclusion.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction to the podcast & Kahlil Bagatsing
01:20 – Kahlil’s immigration story and early influences
04:00 – Leaving the family business to find purpose
06:30 – Rebuilding life: health, love, and self-worth
08:30 – Discovering a passion for service & coaching
09:50 – Why skilled immigrants struggle to find work
12:00 – Resume mistakes & how to tailor your story
14:00 – Transferable skills: Making past jobs relevant
17:30 – Handling rejection and staying motivated
23:00 – Turning perceived disadvantages into strengths
28:00 – Storytelling & confidence in job interviews
35:00 – Final reflections, resources & message to migrants
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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!
If our guest’s story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.
I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!
This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.
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Kintsugi Heroes is a not-for-profit Australian podcast network sharing real stories of resilience, disability, and transformation.
Named after the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold — the philosophy that what’s been broken can become more beautiful for the mending — every episode honours the cracks, the rebuild, and the human underneath.
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– From There to Here | hosted by Emma Bellamy-Dodd
– Golden Threads — stories of disability & resilience | hosted by Dan Dougherty
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