Sharing Success: How Yoko Liejaya Pays It Forward for Newcomers and New Grads

When Yoko Liejaya first arrived in Halifax five years ago to pursue a Master of Finance degree at Saint Mary’s University, it was difficult to find his bearings. He didn’t know anyone, and even sourcing basics like winter boots was a struggle for the native of tropical Surabaya, Indonesia.

“We were trying to figure out literally everything ourselves,” said Yoko, Senior Manager with RBC Capital Markets

After learning to navigate the professional world on his own, Yoko was pleased to discover Halifax Partnership’s Connector Program on LinkedIn. He jumped in enthusiastically about a year ago, keen to help others who face the same struggles he did as a newcomer. He quickly became a top-performing new Connector, completing the most connections among new RBC Connectors in the past year. Yoko is one of 55 volunteer Connectors from RBC who are helping newcomers and recent graduates make professional connections and discover career opportunities.

When he meets new Connectees, one of the first things he offers is advice on writing a resume for the local job market, remembering how beneficial this coaching was during his master’s degree.

“It brings me back to my early years…newcomers have the skills, but they may not always know how to present themselves effectively,” he says. “We work through their resumes together to make them more digestible and succinct. Some people try to include everything, and it’s too much—they’ll get screened out by HR before they have a chance to meet anyone.”

Next, Yoko also helps with interview preparations—sharing tips on what to say, and what to avoid. He shares an example of a person who is proficient in a number of computer programs but cautions them to focus on the priorities of the job rather than trying to share every skill.

Recognizing where someone else might have the exact experience needed to help someone, he was recently able to connect two Connectees—one was struggling to get a first role in banking and the other had just accomplished the same goal and was able to help.

"Building connections is really hard. Cold calling is really hard. I'm happy to be an advocate of this program because I know it’s difficult to make professional connections,” said Yoko. “It is a program that is needed.”

Now happily settled in Bedford with his family, Yoko explains what he loves about Canada as a whole, and Halifax in particular, is the space to let his kids run and play in natural settings.

“Halifax is a big, small city, it has everything you need,” says Yoko. “We came from a city of 10 million people, and you live in air conditioning there. Even the playgrounds are in malls because it’s so hot—it’s like fish living in an aquarium. The kids are too young to remember, but they couldn’t be happier here. I wanted them to be able to grow up in a natural setting.”

Living close to the office has been convenient for Yoko and his wife, who also works at RBC Capital Markets, and they appreciate the benefits of living in the suburbs.

“My background is in banking and capital markets, and it has been hard to find good work outside of Toronto, but now we have Halifax popping up,” says Yoko, adding that RBC is expanding its workforce in its Halifax offices. “We have skilled people who are graduating from local institutions, and moving here, that can be leveraged right away.”

Many of the people Yoko has met in the Connector Program have professional backgrounds similar to his, which has been great for Yoko’s professional network and for the Connectees. For example, recently he was able to introduce a new Connectee with a background in business intelligence to a colleague who needed someone with those skills.

As much as Yoko is a fan of the Connector Program, he also suggests that people work on building non-professional connections. He has found volunteering for non-profits and joining a church have helped him build relationships and understand the culture of his new home.

“It's not just about finding a job, but you try to settle in, you build a relationship with people and make friends in a good and beneficial way for the community.”