A List of Barriers to Employment

Which ones apply to you?

Skills and Work History as Barriers

Lack adequate, or appropriate, education
Lack sufficient work experience
Lack basic reading, writing, and math skills
Use poor grammar
Use inappropriate language for the workplace
Lack workplace skills
Lack a work record - have never had a job
Lack a positive (good) work report - been fired
Lack a positive (good) work report - poor recommendation from former employer(s)
Lack a positive (good) work report - have been a “job hopper”
Have more education, training, and/or experience than the position requires
Lack technology skills (not technologically savvy)

Attitudes and Behaviors as Barriers

Engage in self-destructive behaviors - drug abuse
Engage in self-destructive behaviors - alcohol abuse
Engage in self-destructive behaviors - excessive gambling
Steal from employer or others
Make excuses rather than take responsibility
Speak negatively about others
Gossip about others
Appear self-centered rather than employer-centered
Brag about yourself
Exhibit a temper and express anger
Express intolerance of others
Lack initiative and self-motivation
Lack dependability and trustworthiness
Exhibit negative attitudes and character
Rude, disrespectful, and inconsiderate
Shy and introverted
Unwilling to learn and change behavior
Lack of energy and enthusiasm
Lack clear focus
Lack goals and a sense of purpose
Lack flexibility
Lack sense of entrepreneurism
Appear lazy
Tactless, inconsiderate, and insensitive
Wear body art that sends negative messages
Project a negative image
Lack good interpersonal skills

Health, Wellness, and Disability Barriers

Experience learning disabilities
Experience difficult mental health issues
Appear overweight and unhealthy
Smoke or use other addictive tobacco products
Lack cleanliness and good personal hygiene habits
Appears haggard - too tired or in too poor health to do the work
Have an obvious physical disability
Have a history of chronic illness

Job Search Knowledge and Skills as Barriers

Believe the job search process won’t take long
Think you can hide or embellish your past through deception
Organize an ineffective and outdated job search
Lack the financial wherewithal to sustain a lengthy job search
Heavily indebted
Lack proper documentation
Look for jobs in the wrong places
Approach the job search for negative reasons
Hang around the wrong people
Fail to come to terms with a termination
Quit your job before being offered another job
Lack Internet access and online job search skills
Rely too much on the Internet
Have personal issues that could interfere with your work
Fail to do adequate research on jobs and employers
Appear desperate for a job
Primarily focus on salary and benefits
Try to fool employers
Reveal a criminal history
Lack adequate or reliable transportation
Lack a stable address or permanent housing
Engage in wishful thinking
Don’t know what you want to do
Believe you’re worth a lot more than your current pay
Afraid to make a job or career change
Apply for jobs unrelated to your qualifications
Show a history of job-hopping
Unable to pass employment screening tests
Unlikely to get a positive background check
Reveal a history of on-the-job injuries and Workers? Compensation claims
Running a business while looking for a job
Fail to network for information, advice, and referrals
Use the wrong networking approach
Unwilling to take the necessary actions
Fail to properly complete applications
Don’t write and send different types of powerful job search letters
Make numerous resume errors
Make numerous letter errors
Send resumes and letters to the wrong places
Includes the wrong information or excludes important information
Use the same resume and letters for different employers
Fail to tell your story
Fail to follow up resumes and letters
Unprepared for a telephone screening interview
Sound dreadful over the telephone
Use negative terms
Fail to mend broken fences with previous employers
Violate e-mail etiquette and writing rules
Fail to respond properly to job postings
Arrive late for the job interview
Bring a friend or relative to the job interview
Project a poor image
Fail to engage in productive small talk
Unable to talk intelligently about yourself in reference to the employer’s
need
Talk excessively rather than engage the employer
Lack a good command of the English language
Exhibit irritating and disgusting habits
Show little interest in the job or employer
Fear rejection
Become discouraged and depressed
Lie about your past
Exaggerate your performance
Attend job fairs unprepared
Commit numerous interview sins
Prematurely talk about salary and benefits
Reveal a great deal of personal information
Fail to listen carefully and respond appropriately
Fail to ask questions
Unable to give examples of your achievements
Fail to close the job interview properly
Fail to follow up interviews
Show a poverty of ideas and initiative
Fail to organize your references properly
Try to conduct a job search on your own
Look for a job involving a long commute
Fail to involve your spouse or significant other in your decisions
Take the first job offered
Take the first salary offered
Fail to get the job offer in writing
Forget to send thank-you letters to key people


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