Week 45
Welcome to the Forty-fifth bulletin.
Virtual WISH
Friday 19th February at 2pm is a chance to catch up with other job seekers and share your experiences (and frustrations!) If you are new to WISH you are especially welcome to come along and meet some other local job seekers and share the journey together
To join us, you will need to register using the appropriate link, then an email will be sent to you with everything you need to come along.
The links for the next batch of upcoming topics can always be found and you can book in as soon as they come out, no need to wait for the week they are being run. WISH online workshops
Sessions will keep being added so pop back regularly to see what is on offer.
I was reminded this week that many of you have not been with us from the start of lockdown and there were some basic preparation activities that you might have missed out on. Over the next few weeks we will repeat them, so that you have the best possible chance to job seek effectively.
This week’s Activity - if you are ready for a challenge
LinkedIn is a social network that focuses on professional networking and career development. You can use LinkedIn to tell people about your skills, search for jobs and enhance your professional reputation by posting updates and interacting with other people. It takes a while to get your profile set up and running, but few of us are short of time at the moment, so why not get to grips with how it works. This link will take you step by step through the set-up process. https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-LinkedIn-Account
Once you have the basic profile done, keep following the bulletins to learn how to use it in your job seeking journey.
Looking for some practical ways to prepare for those jobs that you find on our Live Jobs pages?
For those who are new to WISH you will find help to practice answering application or interview questions if you pop back into last year’s bulletins. Just find one that suits you and have a go at one which you know might trip you up. There are 36 weeks to choose from, all accessible from the bulletin bar on the SETAS website.
Here is an example that will always be critical to your success in an interview:
“What do you know about the company?”
Research, research, research! In order to answer this question well, you must show an understanding and awareness of what the company does. This includes the different service areas it offers, who their main clients are, and a good idea about the size of the company. You should also research the history of the business, find out when it was started and what the company has achieved.
It doesn’t matter how competent and qualified you are for the role, turning up to the interview unprepared for this question can end up completely ruining your chances of getting the job.
So, choose a company that you would be interested to work for, if they had the right job advertised. Find out as much as you can about them and make notes on things that you might say in answer to this question.
Training courses
WEA - All Courses Free (for those in receipt of benefits)
Enrol online or by telephone on 0300 303 3464
Spanish for Beginners Course Code C3746218
Learn key Spanish phrases, vocabulary and grammar structures in order to introduce you to Spanish culture.
Confidence – Transferable Skills Course Code C3746195
Spend time to develop your confidence and recognise your skills can transfer to lots of different situations.
Counselling Course code C3746197
An introduction to using counselling skills to enhance communication at work or in your personal life.
Curious about starting your own business? Think this might be the way for you? Have a fantastic idea but don’t know where to start?
Come to this 2 hour taster to discover some of the things involved in setting up your own business.
Start Your Own Business Course code C3746186
Practical and discussion based activities to help students to: develop business ideas, write vision and mission statements, consider the 5 Ps of marketing, plan social media and advertising and write up business plans.
Want to work in a school? As a teaching assistant or support worker in a nursery?
Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges
Tue 30th March- 13th July (every Tuesday for 13 weeks) 9.30am- 2.30pm
Cost: £275.00 (FREE to those receiving relevant income related benefits)
Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing
The Horsham Wellbeing team have launched a new wellbeing package offered by phone or video link. There are new benefits “We're now offering everyone that signs up the opportunity to access 3 months of free exercise via access to AHS Wellbeing Online. AHS Wellbeing offer a range of fun virtual workouts for all ages and abilities, delivered right to the home by their friendly support team. There are over 30 virtual fitness classes to take part in, from Back to Exercise to Pilates and Yoga to Regaining Strength. Hopefully you will be spoilt for choice!
Alternatively you can book on to one of our 10-week online Get Active courses (Exercise to Music, Pilates and 'Outdoor' Fitness).
If you're ready to make small, sustainable changes every week focusing on nutrition and exercise, get in touch!
Maintaining good Mental Health is so important, if you haven’t found the right fit for you so far have a look at these.
Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, but now there’s a safe place to listen, share and be heard. Elefriends
The Calm Zone their helpline is open 5pm-midnight ready to offer practical advice to help you deal with however you’re feeling. They’ve also put together some tips to help you put some order around your day and tackle everything in the best way possible. The Calm Zone
Don’t forget to treat your Job search as a job itself.
If you are keeping all the details of where you have applied, what the job description was and the skills needed and how far you got (including keeping a copy of your application so that you can copy any flashes of inspiration into your next one) then just add a sheet, even if its handwritten, jotting down the things you did well and the things you wish you had said!
Try to look back constructively not just highlight to yourself everything you did wrong. It may be that you will get a second chance to work at the company and you can re-purpose some information that your learnt from your first interview.
Richard will have some more thoughts at the Wednesday Workshop so come along and get some fresh ideas.
Don’t forget that if you are feeling overwhelmed or need help urgently it is very important to get it. The link below will help you find it quickly.
If you would like some one-to-one job searching support, then let us know and we will get in touch. Richard has one to one sessions available during the week where you can do more of a deep dive into your questions. If you would like to book a session, please email or call Richard to set one up, they are for you to use so please do take advantage of them. SETAS - contact us
See you soon we hope and please take good care.
Richard and Mel
Richard Brooks FIEP - Director.
Mobile - 07783 222956
Office - 01403 627766
Email - richard.brooks@setas.org.uk
Specialist Employment, Training and Advice Services
Mel Simmonds
Mobile – 07855 634679
Email – simmondsmel@icloud.com
SETAS Ltd. Bailey House, 4-10 Barttelot Road, Horsham, RH12 1DQ
https://www.setas.org.uk/