Last week’s blogpost addressed the ‘Power of Preparation’, starting off the August Advice programme. This week, the issue of social barriers is our topic of discussion, and will give you five simple yet effective tips to address and overcome your past, and open opportunities for your future in the workplace.
Before introducing the five tips, it must be said that there is a spectrum of social barriers that can prevent the most qualified candidate from earning a position. The spectrum ranges from barriers such as age, housing issues and workplace skills to more complex barriers such as criminal record, disability, mental health issues or a disadvantaged background. Each of these barriers are personal to each individual, but can all be overcome eventually.
1. Address and accept your past - This does not mean you need to spend a long time reflecting on your unique barriers, it can be a much quicker process. A mental recognition that you need to make some changes in your life to stop barriers from affecting your employability is enough.
2. Use social media to your advantage - Did you know employers check social media profiles and use it as part of their screening process?! Now that you know this, scroll down your social media profiles and screen it for yourself, or better, ask a friend or relative to do so. If you think your accounts are acceptable for an employer, now move onto creating an employable profile. On Twitter, retweet and engage in current affairs to show your interests. On Facebook, engage with profiles and companies that you’re interested in – professionally of course. Also, update your e-Jam profile using our How to Manage Your Profile Video for help. Keep up to date with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook whilst you’re there!
3. Use e-Jam’s support services during our Assisted Registration process. This one is simple, just sign up online today and we can advise and guide you through this process!
4. Come up with long and short-term goals – here advice from last week: The Power of Preparation is key. How, in 3 months will you have increased your employability, regardless of your past? Will you have attended rehabilitation programmes (if necessary)? Screened your social media profiles? Attend local English language classes? Create a list of things you would like to achieve in the next 90 days to overcome your barrier.
5. Be honest with employers – sometimes employers don’t completely understand how a barrier is preventing you from getting a job in the current market. Honesty however, is something that is understood and valued by employers. Be professional, and demonstrate to your employer ways that you can minimize the barrier(s).
Remember that every Jobseeker has a unique barrier that they feel is holding them back. By following the five steps above, you can limit the impact of these barriers in your search for employment. Don’t let your past compromise the potential of your future!
Good Luck and see you next week.
By Naomi Owolabi,
Contributing Editor,
e-JAM Team
