Busting job search myths with our Employment Services

National Careers Week (3–8 March) is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. 

At Abri, we believe it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s about where you’re going, and we’ve got a whole team to help people get there. Since April last year we’ve helped more than 200 people find work. 

Our Employment Coaches are kind, knowledgeable and come from all walks of life so you can get the experience most suited to you. Together we can identify your strengths, passions and experiences alongside any obstacles that might be in your way when securing employment.

We understand this process can seem lengthy and daunting, and sometimes misconceptions can hold us back from applying for roles or pursuing different opportunities. Today we’re going to bust some of the common myths with the help of our Employment Services.

1. I need a really fancy CV to apply for jobs.
   
   Not quite! Having a CV is an important way to show off your skills and experience, but you don't need to worry about it being snazzy. Our Employment Services team can help you create a CV that best showcases who you are and what you can bring to a role. What’s more, we can help with finding support if you’d like to develop or upskill your digital skills so that you’re trained and qualified for more vacancies.
   
   
2. There are other people living in my home who need some support, but they aren't listed as the main tenant. Are they eligible for the service?
   
   Yes! We can support anybody living in an Abri home - this may be a partner who is looking at their employment options or a child who’s left school or college and needs some further support. Our team of dedicated employment coaches tailor services to suit anybody.
   
   
3. I don’t have much experience with interviewing and I’m quite shy. I’m worried  the interviewers will see this and not take me seriously.
   
   Feeling nervous in interviews is very common  – but it doesn’t mean you won’t make a great impression! Interviewers aren’t looking for the loudest person in the room; they want to see your skills, reliability and enthusiasm. The right preparation can help boost your confidence, and we offer interview coaching to help you feel more comfortable and ready to showcase your strengths.
   
   
4. If I can’t work full time I’m worried I won’t be able to find a job.
   
   Our employment hubs work with many flexible employers who have part-time availability, summer roles, and seasonal, weekend and evening roles. Whether you’re balancing study, carer/family commitments, or have personal circumstances, there are opportunities out there that we can guide you with. Our employment services can help you find roles that work for you, not the other way around.
   
   
5. I feel like I need to know what I want before reaching out to engage with your services.
   
   This is exactly why we’re here. Our services aren’t just for finding jobs, they’re about helping you discover your strengths, explore different options, and build a plan that makes sense for you. Whether you have a clear goal or no idea where to start, we can help you figure it. We’ll work with you for as long as it takes to help you get there, whether that’s finding a new job, learning new skills or boosting your confidence and self-esteem. Even when you’ve found a job we can stay in touch to help you develop further and provide more advice and support.
   
   
6. Can I only access your services in-person at one of your hubs?
   
   You don’t have to come in to our hubs to be able to access our services. We’re here to help you over the phone or through email to get the most out of our services. You can talk to our Employment Coaches by calling us on 0800 4320570 or emailing ESDepartment@abri.co.uk

No matter your circumstance we want to give people the chance to dream big and be who they want to be. If you have any other myths you’d like us to bust or get started right away, you can call us on 0800 4320570, email ESDepartment@abri.co.uk or visit us at one of your local Opportunities Hubs. We have teams in Bordon, Southampton, Windsor, Langley, Bracknell, Yeovil and Chard all throughout the week.