Job seeking can be a daunting experience, particularly if you haven't done it for a while, or at all.
It's often a faceless process, completed online, until you're invited to that all important, but anxiety inducing interview.
Getting to interview stage can be a challenge in itself. Hundreds of candidates can apply for one job, and standing out is vital.
Without showing the right work experience, references, skills and knowledge for each role you apply for, it's easy to be overlooked.
This is why the Foundations Furniture charity developed the free Foundation4Work programme, to offer personalised support (as well as work experience) to unemployed Gateshead residents.
We share how the programme helped Adam to improve his job seeking skills and confidence, leading him to career success.
Meet Adam
Adam was unemployed and struggling to find work in the area. He initially engaged with Oasis Community Housing, and they referred Adam to Foundations for additional support to gain work experience and to learn the job seeking skills he needed.
In addition, Adam felt he lacked confidence and motivation generally to seek work, and was uncertain about his career options moving forward.
The first steps towards a new career
When we sat down with Adam to identify the specific areas that Adam wanted and needed to develop, we found that having some hands on work experience and to feel active in a work setting was his primary goal, along with some help and advice with job searching.
Our employment readiness team are highly skilled in delivering personalised support in this way, and from talking to Adam, we knew we could help him move closer to reaching his goals.
First things first, we had some shopping to do...
Each participant of the Foundation4Work programme receives a free pair of work boots, a high vis waistcoat and any other PPE required so that they are safe in our warehouse and retail units, or when out on our van collecting and delivering furniture. (Foundations supports thousands of Gateshead residents each year experiencing furniture poverty to make their house a safe, settled and comfortable home).
We also set up Adam's personalied job readiness toolkit and datastick, which is used alongside the programme to develop knowledge and independent job seeking skills in lots of different areas such as:-
CV writing
Job searches online
Writing application forms
Interview techniques
Self employment
After some in-house training in manual handling and health and safety, Adam was set various practical tasks in our warehouse so that he could confidently show employers on his CV that he can work independently, and with others.
Building a support and social network
Participants spend at least one day per week with us at our charity's premises on Askew Road West, Gateshead, for up to 12 weeks. Adam quickly became part of the team, and gained a thorough understanding of the aims and objectives of the organisation (another great additional for his CV, and something that employers will be happy to read about in any future references we send them on Adam's behalf!).
Making Progress
Week by week, Adam was able gain more practical skills and experience to add to his CV, by joining our van crew for deliveries and collections of furniture and appliances.
By improving and updating his CV, we were able to look look together at what types of work matched Adams skills and experiences to give greater focus to his job seeking, both during his time with our mentors, and independently at home.
What changed for Adam
Doing job searches and applying online at home after receiving guidance and support from our coaches, is the best way to build independence and confidence in abilities, and Adam was no exception.
Coupled with his work experience, he felt he had gained lots of skills, and participating in the programme had given him the motivation to be more productive in his job searching, and in life generally too!
Adam told us he feels happier while out socialising. Being in the workplace from a social aspect had greatly improved his mental health and confidence.
In the Driving Seat of his Future
After 12 weeks with the Foundation4Work programme, Adam continued to volunteer with us one day per week to maintain his volunteering record for his CV, to stay active and to continue to build upon the friendships he had made at the charity.
Due to having an improved, up to date CV and more focus on the roles he wanted to apply for, Adam's job seeking had become much easier and he was offered and accepted a full time job as a coach driver. The Foundation4Work team were really pleased to see Adam's skills, personality and dedication given the recognition they deserve.
The great thing is, Adam now has excellent job seeking skills should he ever need them in the future should he want to progress or change his career.
On his days off work, Adam still keeps in touch socially with the friends he has made at Foundations, and even volunteers with us too when he can.
To find out more about volunteering and employment support in Gateshead, call the team on 0191 477 8337 or visit the Foundation4Work website.