Overcoming the Barriers to Employment (Employability) will help you to understand the barriers that you or others may face when seeking employment. Seeking employment can be stressful and most people will react in different ways. The most important thing is to identify the issues in regards to employability and improve these areas to increase the chance of employabilty. If you would like to find out more about our pre-employment training, employability training or apprenticeships and traineeships please call us on: 0121 707 0550 or e-mail: info@pathwaygroup.co.uk

1. Overcoming the Barriers
to Employment Success

2. Part One
Personal & Financial Barriers

3. Personal Barriers
• Personal barriers are those that
keep you from fulfilling your
basic needs.
• Personal barriers can prevent you
from even starting a job search,
let alone landing & keeping a job.
• Overcoming personal barriers
often requires help from those
around you.

4. • Having Enough Food to Feed the Family.
• A Lack of Transportation.
• Health Problems.
• No Steady Place to Live.
• Lack of Childcare.
• Family Members with Special Needs.
• Immigrant Status.
• No Clothes Suitable for Interviewing.
Examples of Personal Barriers

5. Food & Clothing
Consider using the following
resources to help you provide food
& clothing for you and your family:
• Women, Infants & Children (WIC).
• Food Stamps.
• Aid to Families with Dependent.
Children (AFDC).
• Food Banks.
• Goodwill Industries.

6. Housing Options
Your living situation should not only be clean &
safe, it should also be a good place to conduct
a job search from.
Consider these housing options:
• Renting a House or Apartment.
• Buying a House.
• Habitat for Humanity.
• Living with Family & Friends.
• Housing Association.
• Shelters (emergency solution only).

7. Transportation
You will need reliable transportation,
not only to find a job, but to get to
work everyday once you do.
Consider these options:
• Owning your Own Car
• Public Transportation
• Carpooling
• Friends & Family

8. Family Concerns
Taking care of children & other family members
is a top priority.
• Be sure to consider all of your child care
options and create a family care plan.
• Take care of yourself. That includes taking
time to relax or engage in your own
interests.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for the help of others.
Friends & family can help with childcare
needs, & programs are often available in
your community to help as well.

9. A criminal record can be overcome, but ex
offenders should be aware of special barriers
they might face in finding and keeping a job.
• Be aware of the limitations you might face
in choosing a job.
• Don’t lie on applications or in interviews.
• Use cold calling to find job openings.
• Prepare yourself to answer questions
about your past during an interview.
• Be confident.
• Dress for success.
• Show respect.
Criminal Record

10. It is important to manage your money carefully
while you are looking for work.
Often that means making &sticking to a budget.
Take care of your basic needs first, but try to plan
for the future as well.
Financial Barriers

11. Money Management
To manage your money, you should
consider doing the following:
• Open a savings & checking
account regularly.
• Ask your employer about direct
deposits.
• Learn about other savings
options such as CDs & bonds.
• Create a monthly budget.

12. Need Verses Want
Overcoming financial barriers to employment often
involves separating your “needs” from your “wants.”
Need Want
Housing Cable Television
Transportation New Technology
Food Eating Out
Utilities Movies
Child Care Vacations
Interviewing Attire Designer Clothes

13. Part time or temporary work provides
several advantages.
It:
• Provides a Source of Income.
• Allows you to Network with Other
People.
• Gives you Skills & Experience.
• Puts you Inside an Organisation That
Might Hire you for a Full-time Position.
• Provides a Much Needed Source of Self-
confidence & Self-worth.
Working While You Look for Work

14. It’s never too early to start planning
your financial future.
• Look into the retirement plans
offered by companies you’d like to
work for.
• Learn about more about saving &
investing.
• Pledge to save a certain percentage
of your paycheck each month (start
with 3-5% & try to work up to 10%).
Plan for Your Future

15. Part 2
Emotional & Physical Barriers

16. • Being Able to Understand or
Control your Emotions.
• Staying Positive while Searching
for a Job.
• Coping with the Stress Associated
with Looking for Employment.
• Managing your Anger.
• Dealing with Depression.
Emotional Barriers

17. • Use the support of others to stay
motivated.
• Share your employment goals
with your family & friends.
• Support system consists of
friends, family members, role
models, mentors, & professionals
who are trained to help you.
Support Systems

18. • Take control of your life & your
career.
• Take appropriate actions until
you get the results you desire.
• Stop blaming other people.
• Stop complaining about bad
luck & making excuses.
Taking Responsibility

19. • Self-esteem is your perception
of your worth.
• Positive self-esteem is essential
for career & life success.
• Negative self-esteem can lead
to feelings of helplessness.
• Learn to turn your negatives
into positives.
Low Self Esteem

20. Unemployment can be very stressful.
Consider the following stress
management techniques:
• Deep Breathing.
• Exercise.
• Listening to Music.
• Meditation.
• Proper Nutrition.
Managing Stress

21. • Depression is a combination of
feelings & destructive thinking.
• Depression includes pessimism, lack
of energy, powerlessness &
self-doubt.
• Set positive goals & work towards
them.
• See a physician if you need medical
assistance.
Dealing with Depression

22. • Anger can interfere with your
search for a job & can impact your
job performance.
• Learn what triggers your anger.
• Express your anger to other
positively.
• Be aware of the consequences of
your anger.
Managing Anger

23. • Barriers that results from
physical limitations.
• Physical barriers can lead to
low self-esteem.
• Be prepared to deal with
prejudice, stereotypes & other
social barriers.
Physical Barriers

24. • Know your Employment Rights.
• Be Realistic about your Job
Options.
• Use Support Services.
• Practice Interviewing.
• Craft your Resume Positively.
• Focus on ‘What You Do Well’,
not your Disability.
Dealing with Physical Barriers

25. • Understand the effects of your
addiction on your job search &
career success.
• Identify community resources
that can help you.
• Create a recovery plan.
Dealing with Addictions

26. Part 3
Career Decision-Making
& Planning Barriers

27. • Don’t know what kind of job you are
looking for.
• Don’t know interest, skills, & abilities.
• Don’t know how to make an effective
career decision.
• Don’t know how to develop a career plan.
Career Decision-Making &
Planning Barriers

28. • What do you dream of doing?
• What would you do even if you did
not get paid for it?
• What do you value most?
• What have you always wanted to do?
Know What You Want

29. Examples of Career Interests
• Agriculture & Natural Resources.
• Architecture &Construction.
• Arts & Communication.
• Business &Administration.
• Education &Training.
• Finance and Insurance.
• Government & Public Administration.
• Health Science.
• Hospitality, Tourism, & Recreation
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Law & Public Safety
• Manufacturing
• Retail & Wholesale Sales & Service
• Scientific Research, Engineering & Mathematics
• Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

30. • Identify both your transferable &
job-specific skills.
• Know your skills in working with
people, data & things.
• Identify possible jobs & employers
that can make use of your best
skills.
Know Your Skills

31. • There are over thousands of different jobs
available everyday!
• Learn about the latest trends in the world of
work (new technology, local employment
trends, outsourcing).
• Use Web sites and online sources of
occupational information to learn more.
What Job Are Out There?

32. • Occupational Outlook Handbook.
• O*NET Dictionary of Occupational Titles.
• New Guide for Occupational Exploration.
• Career counselors & job placement specialists.
• Informational interviewing, job shadowing or
Traineeships/Apprenticeships.
Resources for Career Exploration

33. • You make hundreds of decisions
each day.
• Effective decisions bring you closer
to your career goals & dreams.
• Effective decisions allow you to
control your own destiny.
• Effective decisions empower you.
Career Decision-Making

34. Step 1: Identify the Decision to be Made.
Step 2: Gather Information.
Step 3: Identify Alternatives.
Step 4: Weigh Alternatives.
Step 5: Choose Best Alternative.
Step 6: Take Action.
Step 7: Evaluate Decision.
Steps in the Decision-Making Process

35. • Goals are your motivation to act on
the career decisions you make.
• Short-term goals are things you
would like to accomplish within the
next few months.
• Long-term goals are things you
would like to accomplish within the
next year or more.
Setting Goals

36. • Be yours, not someone else’s.
• Be stated in specific, measurable terms.
• Have observable outcomes.
• Be realistic & attainable.
• Be stated positively.
• Have specific completion deadlines.
Career Goals Must….

37. • Make things happen rather than
waiting for something to happen.
• Be persistent in achieving your
goals.
• Think long but act short.
• Write down what you will do.
Then do it!
Taking Action

38. Part 4
Job Search
Knowledge Barriers

39. • Not knowing the best way to find a job.
• Not knowing how to build a network.
• Not knowing how to write a resume or cover letter.
• Not knowing how to interview for employment.
• Not knowing how to follow up.
Job Search Knowledge Barriers

40. There are two basic types of jobs you can look for:
Visible Jobs:
Those jobs that have been formally announced & advertised.
Hidden Jobs:
Those jobs that have not yet been announced or may not even
be available yet.
Understanding the Job Market

41. Sources of Visible Job Leads:
• Newspaper Want Ads.
• Employment Agencies.
• Chambers of Commerce.
• Libraries.
• State Employment
• Job Service Offices.
Sources of Hidden Job Leads:
• Making Direct Contact with
Organisations.
• Networking.
• Informational Interviewing.
Visual & Hidden Leads

42. • A resume is an overview of the skills,
experience & education you have to
offer.
• A resume sets the stage for other
aspects of your job search.
• A resume should convince an
employer to interview you.
The Resume

43. • Lack of Experience.
• Problems with Writing.
• Problems with the English Language.
• Lack of Computer Skills.
• Lack of Resources.
Barriers in Writing Your Resume

44. • Identifying Information.
• Job Objective.
• Your Education.
• Your Work Experience.
• Interests, Activities, & Honors.
• Accomplishments.
Resumes Need to Include

45.  Check your Spelling, Grammar & Punctuation.
 Leave Adequate Margins on All Sides.
 Single Space Text.
 Use Bold, Upper Case & Underlining.
 Use Bullet Points to Highlight Information.
 Leave Empty Space for Ease of Reading.
 Print on High Quality Paper.
Resume Check List

46. A cover letter should:
• Be included with each resume you send.
• Introduce your resume & emphasise key
points.
• Entice employers to read your resume.
• Be customised to the job you are
applying for.
The Cover Letter

47. • Your Address & the Date.
• Name & Address of Hiring Organisation.
• Salutation.
• Introductory Paragraph.
• Summary of Qualifications Paragraph.
• Closing Paragraph.
• Closing & Signature.
Parts of a Cover Letter

48. • Think Before you Write.
• Attach a Resume.
• Read Instructions Carefully.
• Always Print Neatly.
• Watch your Spelling.
• Be Honest.
Filling Out Applications

49. • Review your Strengths & Accomplishments.
• Research the Organisation.
• Review Common Questions.
• Prepare Questions to Ask the Interviewer.
• Prepare What you will Wear.
• Practice, Practice, Practice!
Before the Interview

50. • Maintain Eye Contact.
• Be Early.
• Sell your Skills & Accomplishments.
• Dress Appropriately.
• Provide Examples of your Experience.
• Be Positive & Enthusiastic.
• Remain Calm.
• Close the Interview Well.
Tips for an Effective Interview

51. • Arrive Early.
• Great the Interviewer Positively & Professionally.
• Emphasise your Strengths.
• Be Enthusiastic.
• Thank the Interviewer for His/Her Time.
During the Interview
After the Interview
• Be Persistent.
• Write Down the Names of the Interviewers.
• Write & Send a Good Thank-you Letter
(even if you don’t want the job.)
• Provide Requested Follow-up Materials such as
References or Transcripts.

52. Part 5
Education &
Training Barriers

53. • People who go on to study after GCSE
earn almost twice as much as people
with just GCSE’s.
• Post-secondary education expands job
options.
• 62% of all new jobs will require an
degree or higher.
• People with some postsecondary
education are less likely to lose their
jobs.
The Power of Education

54. Your choice of an educational program
should be based on the following:
• What are your career goals?
• What jobs can you get after completing
the program?
• What schools in your area offer the
program?
• How much time will it take?
• How much will it cost?
Choose the Best Educational Program

55. • Traditional College/School Programs.
• Traineeships.
• Non-degree Granting Programs.
• Apprenticeships.
• On-line/Distance Programs.
Types of Educational Programs

56. • ‘I can’t learn new things’.
• ‘I can’t do math’.
• ‘I am in poor health’.
• ‘I am a poor writer’.
• ‘I can’t afford to go back to school’.
• ‘I lack computer skills’.
• ‘I can’t juggle work, family & school’.
• ‘There are no schools in my area’.
• ‘I can’t take tests’.
Typical Barriers to Education

57. • Overcome poor grades in high school with good admission test scores,
strong personal references, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
• Research ways to study more effectively.
• Identify program resources, such as tutoring, to help you.
Overcoming Barriers to Learning
Importance of Lifelong Learning
• Helps you build your skills.
• Helps you grow as a person.
• Increases your appreciation for culture.
• Increases your capacity for knowledge.
• Leads to greater job opportunities.
• Leads to greater financial returns.

58. • Develop a plan so that you can achieve your
educational goals.
• Set short, medium & long-range goals.
• Identify the specific steps to take to meet
those goals.
• Evaluate your resources & identify
organisations & programs that can help you.
Make Your Educational Plan

59. For More Information:
Call: 0121 707 0550
E-mail: info@pathwaygroup.co.uk
Visit: www.pathway2work.co.uk