Blog

David’s Story 

It all started when I took voluntary redundancy from my previous customer facing job in the public sector due to restructuring. I had over 50 interviews but I was unsuccessful in finding a paid job. I was so fed up that I decided to speak to my local MP and he referred me to Into Work.

Soon after I met with my Employment Adviser who helped me with my CV and application forms. I applied for a couple of jobs in retail and was offered an interview with Asda. My adviser gave me great advice on how to handle the interview and how to prepare for possible questions that might come up. He also helped me tailor examples of my experience to specific questions.

I went along to the group interview but wasn’t sure how I had performed. However, I heard back a couple of weeks later and I was invited in by Asda to complete a trial shift.

I obviously impressed them enough as I was offered 25 hours per week as a Checkout Operator immediately after the trial.

My adviser then helped me with my Access to Work* claim to get transport to and from work due to my physical disability. I was also given excellent advice and support from the Welfare Rights Adviser who helped me get working tax credits.

Getting work has given me a new purpose and a much more positive outlook on life. I would definitely recommend Into Work as they are a genuine, helpful and respectful service.

*Access to work is a government fund which helps support disabled people or people with a health condition in the workplace if they require further assistance. This fund can be accessed for transport, new equipment, adaptations to equipment, communicator or support worker/job coach. To find out more information – https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility

Sharon’s Story…

I currently attend Into Work and I have been going there for the last 5 months. I lost my job last year and I am looking for an Administration/Reception post.  My disability is that I have a visual impairment and I need magnification software, an electronic magnifier and a large monitor. I can only have glasses for distance vision and even with my glasses my vision is very reduced.

A typical day job searching…

A typical day for me now is spent looking for work. I usually use my mobile phone to try and find jobs to apply for as it’s the easiest way for me to see the text. I look on job sites like indeed, Good Moves and S1 jobs and once a week I go to see my Employment Adviser at Into Work.  My adviser also looks for work for me and suggests jobs that they have found.

Into Work have also helped me to get my CV up to date and improved the layout of it. I have had a few interviews recently from sending off my CV and cover letter, but I also fill in application forms regularly on the PC. Sometimes I get Into Work to check over some of my applications that I am not sure about. I find going to Into Work really helps as I now spend a lot of time alone and it helps to keep me motivated.

I keep an electronic copy of all my applications, this is useful, and it means I can copy and paste from one application to another when I fill out the section on my employment history and this makes it easier for me due to my visual impairment. The personal statement can usually be used for more than one application form with some adjustments. I also keep all my covering letters for the same reason.

Interviews…

A lot of interviews these days are based around competency based questions i.e. “Can you give me an example of a time when you have provided good customer care?” etc. To answer these questions I have thought of previous situations in jobs and I try to write them all down using the STAR based technique (see below) and I rehearse them before interviews.

STAR

• S –Situation
• T –Task
• A –Action
• R –Result

This is quite difficult to begin with but if you practise it a lot it gets easier to talk through the examples at an interview. Into Work conducted mock interviews which have also helped build my confidence delivering the STAR technique.

The video below  goes into further detail on how to use STAR in an interview

I am hopeful that I will find another job soon with the help and support from my Into Work adviser

I will keep you updated…

Sharon.

Into Work supports job seekers to prepare for interviews and we always encourage the use of the STAR technique.  The STAR technique  allows you to structure your answers which helps you highlight your experience and answer the questions without stumbling through the interview. This technique is widely recognised by employers as the best way to structure your answers during an interview.

• S – Situation 
• T – Task
• A – Action 
• R – Result

The video below hopefully will give you a clear technique to use throughout your interviews.

Two FREE, funded, places are still available for a 16 week coding qualification delivered by Codeclan in Edinburgh. Into Work will provide the initial meeting, suitability and on-going support for anyone who may be interested in this opportunity. The funded places are specifically for people who have a disability and a strong interest in Coding.

This programme is funded by the GetDIGITALL project. This is an 18 month project which aims to support people in Edinburgh get into the digital sector.

If you are interested in this opportunity can you get in touch with lee.hutchison@intowork.org.uk or lynda.mcleod@intowork.org.uk

Registration – February 2018

Course starts – 5th of March 2018

WATCH Roberts Video