ONCE again, its educational time to the people in need. Again, I am not at liberty to discuss specifics of the activities that Joaquin has gone through our office. He can call me all he want or label me based upon his perception for the record speaks for itself and paints a different picture than what he is trying to do. One thing is for sure, it is educational time for many who appreciates knowledge. Thanks to Joaquin.
Let’s recap what we have learned so far. We have discussed the five basic steps on improving job search skills. To some in need, these steps might have gotten them a job already, while some might still be looking for one using the guidelines to build their confidence. It helped many who are sincere in their development, but there are a few who ignore its existence.
The second topic was about identifying your barriers to employment to make you more employable. Since Joaquin’s letter has to do with perception, let us dwell on perception of barriers to employment. A subject that is beneficial to the public.
Remember that barriers do not come only from people with little or no work experience and education, but also from top level managers with an upward mobility and with well experienced and educated people.
Here are some tips to help you develop a positive perception of your existing barrier that could help you gain meaningful employment.
• Be aware that you have barriers, i.e. afraid of rejection, don’t understand things, over confident with “self-proclaimed” skills but with no backup examples, faking it, don’t know how to put together a powerful screen-proof career vocabulary, etc. Acknowledge that you have this barrier, take control of the situation and claim ownership of these barriers. Invest your time and effort in developing them to be a selling point.
• Know that you can solve these barriers. Believe that you can solve them to the extent that it will allow you to get the job you want. Change your view of the whole situation and create new work habits or personality trait skills or attitude. It should be a seller for you geared to find you a meaningful employment.
• Avoid thinking that the barriers you have are an employer’s problem. This attitude is destructive. It will sabotage your job search efforts. Get the fortitude to be a pioneer on this area and stand to be recognized for the skills that you possessed, i.e. job-related specific skills, attitude or personality trait skills, transferable skills and their profitability to employers in need.
• Be aware and acknowledge that you need to help to solve these barriers. Sometimes it is difficult to acknowledge the existence of these barriers, but you have to, it is necessary if you want to be hired. Some examples of these barriers are not knowing what you want and you cannot identify a targeted job objective, not knowing how to build a screen-proof career vocabulary, not knowing how your skills can help you on a job, not understanding the skills triad that employers expect, and many others. Most people seek for a career guidance counselor (by the way this is one of the services that we are providing) to help you out. Come and see me for assistance. Remember that when you know, and you know you know, confidence replaces fear.
The above guidelines should develop your perception about your barrier to employment. If taken positively, it will help develop the right attitude and will create better chances in job competitions within private sector employers. Please note that while the law of the land is written to protect you, you still have the responsibility to take ownership in selling your most marketable skills for employment. Do not rely on paid work experience alone, because more employers nowadays hire for attitude and train for skills.
Consider this in closing: A person using authority to get a job—is this one of them that you try to get a job by who you know and not what you know?
Once again, I would like to thank Joaquin for holding my hands and joining force with me in sharing a beneficial educational process. I give him credit where credit is due. Thank you.
ALFRED A. PANGELINAN
Director
Division of Employment Services
