13 September 2021
Taking a step in the right direction
If you have limited work experience and lack confidence, how do you make yourself stand out to employers? That’s the challenge Emilie faced, when after several short internships, she found herself unemployed and unsure about her future at just 21.But help wasn’t far away thanks to the Surrey Care Trust’s Steps2Work project.
Steps2Work is supported by Woking Borough Council and the Department of Work and Pensions, and is designed to equip 18 to 24-year-olds at particular risk of unemployment with the tools they need to find a job or training that is suitable and sustainable for them.
Steps2Work offers free tailor-made courses and workshops such as bike maintenance, conservation and holistic therapies, as well as skills training to help boost confidence and employability and one-to-one support.
The project’s personalised approach means that each young person is guided and supported with help and advice that meets their specific needs. For Emilie this meant help to build her confidence which had taken a blow after she had unsuccessfully applied for more than 100 jobs online.
“Getting no responses to applications is really demoralising. I was struggling to cope with the rejections and found it hard to stay motivated” Emilie explains.
Emilie’s Learning and Employment Adviser, Chelcie, worked with Emilie on interview techniques to help her to appear more confident and self-assured and gave her tips on voice projection, body language and posture.
After interviews, Chelcie then helped Emilie unpick the things that had gone well and the areas which Emilie could improve upon.
Chelcie also helped Emilie to create a Vision Board of her career dream to keep her focussed on her goals. “The Vision Board was helpful to refer back to when I felt I wasn’t getting anywhere. It really helped to keep me on track and think about what I wanted to do and how I was going to get there” says Emilie. Now, almost three months later
Emilie has secured a Kickstart placement with Eduspace, a local education company, as a Business Support and Social Media Officer.
Emilie is using her graphic design skills to create eye-catching social media content and presentations, while learning new soft skills like team work and how to use feedback constructively. Chelcie is continuing to provide support throughout Emilie’s placement, which Emilie finds reassuring as she navigates her new world of work.
“I’m glad I tried something new. You get lots of support from Steps2Work so you don’t feel you’re alone. I’m feeling more positive about my future now.”
For more information on Steps2Work, visit http://www.surreycaretrust.co.uk/our-programmes-home/mentoring-for-work/
