Redundant? Looking for a Job?

Careers Springboard West Berkshire holds regular weekly meetings on Tuesday afternoons. Following on from the former Newbury Job Club it is a self-help group whose main role is to help out-of-work professionals, managers and executives in West Berkshire who are seeking a new job. All of this is interpreted widely so that there have been members who regard themselves as living outside the area, or of a lower-level, or in employment (but wanting to change) or wanting to start their own business, or even enjoy an active and worthwhile retirement.

Benefits for Job Seekers

• Meetings - These are main activity of the club, which meets weekly (Tuesday afternoons from 5 September) at Newbury Town Hall. The programme give full details of dates and topics. The main purpose of the meetings is to provide a forum where you can meet with others in the same situation, get practical and motivational help, and enjoy the opportunity of spending a few hours away from the (often lonely) role of job-seeker.
  
  
• Individual Guidance Sessions - These are normally scheduled for after the Tuesday workshop sessions, or on other days with one of our advisors.
  
  
• Hand-outs - Hand-outs of each meeting's slides and notes
  
  
• Work Sheets - Guidance notes, checklists, Dos and Don'ts, and planning templates on a range of topics
  
  
• Weekly emails - Emails about meetings, giving hand-outs, and details of other events (e.g. job fairs) and recruitment / employer news
  
  
• Career Planning - Specialist advice and access to a career planning tool for those who are considering a change in their career direction
  
  
• Networking Events - Through a special arrangement, members are able to go to some specific networking events held regularly throughout the Thames Valley
  
  
• Interview Practice - 1-on-1 interviewing practice at specially arranged sessions
  
  
• Psychometric Tests - A questionnaire and analysis of your dominant personality traits, with examples of the types of job for which you are most suited
  
  
• Advertise Yourself on this website - Our employer's page will include a 1-2 sentence profile of members who are actively seeking work

Please note, access to some of these benefits are available only following the recommendation of a volunteer following a relevant 1-to-1 session. Full details of how to access these benefits will be found in the job seeker's induction pack and in the relevant fact sheets.

What Job Seekers Say About Us

Here are some comments that successful job seekers tell us when they leave us (because they have landed a new job!):

• "You realise that you were not unemployed because you were incapable; just in the wrong place at the wrong time"
• "The atmosphere and support was just what I needed to refocus my job search activities"
• "It enabled me to meet other people in a similar position and the opportunity to discuss various topics"
• "I found the sessions and the support from the volunteers very helpful and enabled me to regain my confidence and update my CV"
• "I liked the 'menu' of services allowing the individual to tailor to their own needs, without pressure to attend every week. The group discussion and networking opportunities are especially useful"
• "I gained effective advice on CVs, application and interview techqniues and the chance to meet others in the same baot, and to share experiences".

How To Join

To participate in our activities, all you have to do is to come along to a meeting and complete and sign an Application Form. Ideally contact us beforehand. Or come to your first meeting 15 minutes early (12.45pm) to meet the host and be introduced to the club. To save time you can download the form (PDF). Since we are now in receipt of some support from the European Social Fund ("investing in jobs and skills"), the form asks some specific questions that enable us to receive funds to support you.

There is no charge for attending meetings or accessing our services.

Still Have Some Questions?

Read our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact one of our advisors (David Skyrme: david@careerswestberks.org.uk or tel: 01635 253545; George Athorn: george@careerswestberks.org.uk; or Isabella Kerr: 07803 715374).

This page last updated 23rd February 2010

Important Notice - The information and advice given on this website or by our volunteers is given in good faith. No responsibility whatsoever shall attach to Careers Springboard West Berkshire or any person acting on its behalf for any actions taken by any person acting on this information or advice.