Story

Michelle’s story

Michelle shares how employment support has helped boost her confidence and secure a role in the UK job market

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Michelle

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When I first came to the UK from Hong Kong in March 2022, I wasn’t familiar with how to apply for jobs. Luckily, a friend of mine introduced me to Breaking Barriers and told me that they could help me get my foot in the door in the local job market or at least give me some advice.

I applied and was later introduced to my Employment Adviser, Rebecca. Rebecca was instrumental in bringing out my confidence. When I first started meeting with her, I was very shy and conscious of speaking English while I was learning the language. I had been taking ESOL classes in my free time and was looking for employment support, so she enrolled me into an Employment Foundations course with a volunteer. We looked at what a CV actually is, what the working culture here looks like and techniques on thinking about the perspective of the employer. This was amazing for me because the culture here is very different from Hong Kong. But I now had an understanding.

I like to think of skills as the hardware and self-confidence as the software of every person. While I already had the hardware from previous employment back home and the classes I was taking, Rebecca helped the software flourish.

As I continued to meet with Rebecca and the volunteer, my confidence grew. To the point where now, I am able to speak out and express myself freely. I like to think of skills as the hardware and self-confidence as the software of every person. While I already had the hardware from previous employment back home and the classes I was taking, Rebecca helped the software flourish.

I was so happy when Breaking Barriers gave me the opportunity to attend an event with Starbucks and I got the chance to work there for a month. It was a great experience to work at such a big company. What I am most grateful for is that I was given the chance to try, and see what I am good at, what I like and what I don’t like. It’s important to know who you are and what boundaries you might have at work. Not only that but once you have one form of UK work experience, it’s so much easier to get a second and a third.

A newcomer in the UK might not have the means to find employment opportunities, but Breaking Barriers gives us a chance.

I have already found my next steps and new job and I am happy. I want to thank Breaking Barriers for giving me a chance. The feeling of having someone who truly stood by my side and genuinely wanted to help, made me feel like I wasn’t fighting alone. Through the support, events and opportunities, I was given the chance to show my skills and build my confidence and I have now been able to start helping myself independently.

A newcomer in the UK might not have the means to find employment opportunities, but Breaking Barriers gives us a chance.

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