Sean’s top tips for smashing careers barriers

Posted on 26 April 2019 • Career planning

“Received some great help from Sean. He really helped me prepare for an assessment centre. I was able to attend feeling calm,” said Chris.

OU Careers Consultant Sean Gallagher is based in Belfast and helps OU students and recent graduates from Northern Ireland, across the UK and all over the world achieve their life and career goals every day. He recently helped OU student Chris, based in Northern Ireland, successfully tackle the assessment centre process and get the job:

Sean spills the beans on common concerns of the OU students and graduates he speaks to every day:

“Do you need our help to overcome your career barrier? The OU’s Careers and Employability Services can help you make that next step in life, whoever you are, whatever your ambitions and experience and wherever you are. I talk to students based in Northern Ireland and all over the UK every day, and I often hear about the same frustrations and fears.

Here are three common barriers to furthering career aims I hear about again and again, and how to crack them:

1. I don’t know what to do!

Know yourself, know what’s out there, have ambition but be realistic. There’s no quick fix and every student I speak to is different, so do lots of research and honest soul-searching. Start with yourself – know your own interests, passions, values and strengths. This online skills and interests careers assessment and the Career Planning and Job Seeking Workbook will both help with this.

After that, know your opportunities and keep an open mind – that perfect match for you could be something you didn’t even know existed. Take a look at Careers with your OU subject for inspiration.

2. How do I get my foot in the door?

Students often come to me with the classic “Catch-22” of not having the experience needed to get the experience you need. First, be specific. Find out what skills and qualities employers are looking for. Start with How do I become a…?

Looking at what’s required for a career you’re interested in may reveal gaps in your skills or experience. Look for opportunities to fill these gaps – there are more than you think. It could be through voluntary work, internships or work placements – some you can even do without leaving home. Search 100s of opportunities on OpportunityHub and take a look at “Grow your own internship” in the resources section.

3. I’m rubbish at getting noticed and proving I’ve got what it takes

You’re not alone in feeling like this. OU students and graduates make great candidates due to their past life and work experience on top of OU study, but I find many don’t realise this. Selling yourself is a skill you’re not born with, so have to learn. To help you, check out the CV builder and the interactive interview simulator and webinars Selling your personal brand, Five seconds for your CV to make its mark, Interviews: Getting Started and Interviews and Assessment Centres.”.

The OU Careers and Employability Services