“I think that your programme has offered me the best support I have experienced during the time of my unemployment and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who needs help!”
After being made redundant during the pandemic, Olga was very keen to get back to work and was actively looking for a job. With lots of brilliant skills and experience, Olga was referred to some sessions by our delivery partner, The Salvation Army, who supported her to create a professional CV.
After finding this useful, Olga decided to join The Salvation Army for further workshops that covered application forms, cover letters, transferable skills, effective decision making, money management, the hidden job market and interview techniques. Olga also received advice for self-employment specific sessions.
Coupling these sessions up with regular contact from her employment advisor and employer account manager at Shaw Trust gave Olga access to live vacancies and the opportunity to apply for them with support.
Olga’s positive attitude to learn new skills, refresh existing skills and her willingness to widen her job goals led to her securing a job where she is very happy.
Staying in touch with Sukmani, her employment advisor, Olga has said:
“This is to say thank you very much for all your hard work helping me during the hard time I had when I lost my job and a sense of direction that Sophie and yourself provided. I am very grateful to you and Sophie for your professionalism and attention. The JETS Contract has helped me a lot to just get motivated again and believe in myself and my skills.
Thank you for your determination and not giving up when sometimes you had to call me every day to follow up and help me with my job applications to make sure I do my best and get fully prepared.
I would definitely recommend the programme to anyone. I was impressed that you don’t just send the vacancies but that I have received support with everything starting with my CV (when Sophie went through it and gave me ideas and comments and even suggested the changes) to the actual interview preparation and a follow up.
Another thing that impressed me was that both of you have not just provided help with vacancies you offered to me but also provided the same support with the vacancies I have found myself. And even when I mentioned an idea of self-employment, I have been provided with a lot of useful information.
The vacancies that were sent to me by Sophie and yourself were selected for me personally according to my skills, salary range and abilities.
Thank you so much and it has been a pleasure dealing with Sophie and yourself!“
Good luck in your new role, Olga and congratulations to all involved!