The challenge

HP was referred to Motiv-8’s Ready for Work programme in Torbay. We were in the middle of the pandemic, so HP had to complete the 6-week coaching virtually, this potentially could have added to HP’s challenges but she dealt with the situation really well.

At the beginning of the journey HP was anxious around several areas of her past experiences and lacked confidence in her own skills and capabilities. She didn’t feel that she had the confidence to go onto find employment due to being out of work for several years mainly as a result of an unhealthy relationship.

The coaching sessions revealed that there was also a need to overcome the following barriers: English speaking and writing, employability skills, IT, in-work benefits, and childcare were all difficulties that HP needed to address and the she felt the list was overwhelming.

What we did

This initial work included identifying and building a career pathway and a skills health check. We investigated varying job profiles in order to assess HP’s skills and abilities and to gain a better  understanding of what the jobs entail and whether they would be a suitable fit. After looking at several role and career options, we were able to make informed decisions, to select the best type’s of jobs. Results indicated hospitality, customer service, and retail would suit HP.

After many coaching sessions, we were able to uncover and start working on HP’s main challenges, barriers and limiting beliefs. We created an action plan that enabled HP to untangle the different issues and gave her a vision to tackle each one. This enabled HP to clearly see a pathway to overcome her challenges by breaking this down into smaller manageable pieces. She had previously felt that it was too greater a challenge to find sustainable work due to childcare issues but her coach supported her finding information on benefits and looking at job roles with flexible working hours. These measures and coaching support had a really positive impact on her self confidence.

Multiple CVs were designed to showcase her skills within each job sector, and we tailored the top end to fit the position she was applying for. In addition to practising interview techniques and creating cover letters, we also continued to work with HP on improving her confidence and self-esteem. Being able to highlight her talents in her CV and application form was a fantastic boost to this.

The outcome

We started to assist HP to apply for jobs in her local area, she applied for several part-time retail jobs and HP had to initially deal with several rejections. This is where the ongoing coach and employer engagement support from the programme is so vital. HP’s continued attendance at sessions kept her morale high and she was determined to succeed.

Motiv-8 got a lead from an employer who were looking to hire at a local hotel. They informed us they were looking for suitable candidates and were inviting individuals to submit CV’s for an initial informal interview on their open day. Immediately we thought of HP and talked her through the jobs available and the open day process. The day before, we worked with her to practise interview questions and she role played her answers to give her confidence for the day.

HP showed up suitably dressed and looking very smart for her interview, she had a current CV that fitted the position. Very importantly she was filled with her newly found confidence and own self-belief  that she would be a suitable fit for the position. HP called when she finished her informal chat, she told us she had been offered a job as a room attendant for 25 hours per week. HP accepted the role and was over the moon, she had finally reached an important milestone in her journey that she was extremely proud of. We continue to check in with HP and she is still enjoying her job and stays on some days to help her colleagues.