How can you identify barriers to career success for clients?

A person might not be aware of career opportunities if they haven't been exposed to various job titles and work environments. In my coaching sessions, I begin by examining an individual's work history and identifying transferable skills. We then explore jobs aligned with their interests and matching transferable skills. Many clients find this exercise valuable in recognising their strengths and preferences, ultimately aiding them in achieving success in their career journey.

Elevating strengths is critical. Getting individuals to talk about and recognise how they’ve overcome challenges will increase confidence. This can be in their personal, communal and professional lives.

If you are currently experiencing some sort of internal factors that affect your performance, skills or motivations, that can be considered personal barriers. You are not alone as we have in one way or the other gone through these stages as humans. In my career coaching sessions, I help my clients understand that overcoming it might not be totally easy but in my experience taking it one step at a time will help; identify your passion, values and motivations, then identify what affects these values and motivations…We get practical from here…you need to write them out, now we will work on changing your mindset, let go of habits drawing you back, be self aware, Develop strength and document your progress. Realizing your authenticity is key!

Overcoming personal barriers is crucial for empowering clients in their professional journey. Employ coaching and mentoring techniques to boost their self-esteem and motivation. Offer positive feedback to reinforce their strengths and achievements. Assist them in setting realistic and achievable goals that can gradually build their confidence. Focus on developing their skills through targeted training and practice sessions. Encourage them to reflect on their core strengths, values, and interests, and help them understand how these can be translated into professional assets.

Personal Barriers start in the mind based on life experiences (trauma) and other peoples judgements of you. We all have gone through this. What is key is that you don't stay there mentally. If you keep building barriers they will hold you back from your authentic self and maximizing your potential. Here are some tips and strategies that can break down the barriers. 1. Identify the Barrier 2. Change Your Mindset 3. Set Clear Goals 4. Seek Support 5. Develop Resilience 6. Take Action 7. Be Your own number one fan 8. Be Self Aware 9. Stay humble and Patient 10. Let go and Flow (focus on what you can control) Keep life in perspective and let go of what you can't change. Focus on what you can change.

Structural barriers are the hardest to tackle as so much is out of your control. In our work we support people who struggle to make changes at work as they get older because ageism is a massive issue. The thing we get told time and again helps them is 1. Validation/acknowledgement and 2. Community. When people meet other impressive professionals with the same story it helps give a voice and explanation for the issues. The community aspect gives people strength and confidence: when a group make suggestions and have your back, it can encourage you to take steps you would otherwise fear as you have a ‘safe space’ to come back to and share.

While structural barriers are commonplace, where possible, teach people how to navigate the policies and practices which erect barriers to progress while you also seek to change the policies and practices themselves. For those of us in philanthropy, this means ensuring that prospective applicants have access to clear criteria and where possible, information sessions which offer transparency about the grantmaking process. It also means investing in organizations outside of grant dollars by providing capacity building and additional funds for technical assistance. Edit: In addition, those in philanthropy can greatly assist organizations by advocating for increased multi-year general operating support grants.

Structural barriers are prevalent in any given society. In my work to support youths struggling with unemployment, I help undergraduate students and early career starters prepare for the job market. One of the techniques used here is networking and connecting youth with experienced professionals.

structural barriers are beyond an individual's control and in my work as an Employee Relations Manager i use techniques such as policy change, diversity and inclusion initiatives as well as networking to understand challenges that employees meet and how to overcome them.

Examine macroeconomic trends and share these data to help others better understand structural issues. Dive deep into the data to understand which structural factors are contributing towards the biggest barriers. Also be sure to examine historical trends.

I feel like this whole career thing is personality driven. I also feel like people do not consider the mental health required to actively balance work and life and success when making these choices.

Navigating environmental barriers requires a strategic approach to ensure clients find a workplace where they can thrive. Start by helping clients identify key elements of their ideal work environment, including preferred organizational culture, leadership styles, and team dynamics. Utilize techniques like negotiation and conflict resolution to guide clients in addressing any current workplace challenges effectively. Mediation skills can be particularly useful in resolving interpersonal or team-related conflicts. Offer career counseling to explore how their work preferences align with potential career paths and consider alternatives or complementary options.

Selecting the right mentor who would help you in the transition to another position within your company is crucial. Firstly, you must select a mentor within the field you are looking to expand or grow in. Secondly, you must search for a mentor that you feel comfortable and can open up to with questions and not feel judged if you make mistakes. Thirdly, he/she must follow up with your training during and after your training. As you progress and move to your desired position he/she should reach out to you frequently to ask about growth and progress.

If you feel like you’re playing a role (smiling on cue, mirroring others) rather than being your authentic self, this could lead to being less committed disengagement, and you may be more likely to leave. Your values may not be aligned with those of your organization. If you value family time but your workplace has an “always on” mentality where the norm is 10-12 hour days, you may be reluctant to share your value of family time for fear of seeming not as dedicated. Or you may find lots of team meetings draining, but your boss wants you to collaborate often. Start by getting clear about your core values and what you need to be successful. Enhancing your self awareness will help you be more productive, efficient, and happier in your role.

Navigating Environmental Barriers in the Workplace Environmental barriers impact your clients' comfort and satisfaction within their work context, involving factors like organizational culture, work values, leadership style, and team dynamics. These elements can influence job performance, engagement, and job retention. To assist clients in overcoming these barriers, employ techniques such as negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution, or career counseling. Help clients assess their work preferences, needs, and expectations, guiding them to explore alternative or complementary career paths for a more conducive and fulfilling work environment.

This is the section which is about fixing the organisation, not the individual. Signs to look for include how the promotion process works. Is it a 'tap on the shoulder' suggesting someone has been selected because of relationships and profile, or a thought out objective process which encourages different people to apply? Do you receive feedback on your next role? Do you understand how to use the feedback? Do the same people repeatedly get given opportunities to expand their skills? Trying to navigate the org can be hard. The best thing to do is identify a sponsor (someone two levels more senior) who will give you exposure to new opportunities. Identify a relationship with others, using them to work around the company.

Navigating systemic barriers requires a proactive and informed approach. To assist clients in overcoming these barriers, it's crucial to keep them informed about the latest economic trends, technological innovations, and social movements that could impact their career paths. Provide resources for continuous education and skills development, fostering adaptability to changing market demands. Encourage innovation and creativity in their career planning, emphasizing the importance of staying relevant and competitive. Focus on building resilience and advocating for lifelong learning. By preparing clients to anticipate and adapt to industry shifts, you empower them to maintain employability and relevance in their careers.