News

Newsletter (Autumn 2011)

The following topics appear in our Autumn newsletter:

• Chairman's Update - George Athorn comments on our work over 5 years, our funding challenges and a new addition to our programme (see next item)
• Interview Plus - interview role playing with actors as part of The Watermill Theatre outreach programme
• Job Seeker Profile - Kathy Cluxton: how she changed career after redundancy and her tips for job seekers
• Volunteer Profile - John Newell: his dual life as a coach and assessor, alongside organising our programme and helping job seekers
• Keeping the Show on the Road - thanks to a donation from Thomas Eggar and a new way making it easier to donate online
• Feature: Writing Application Letters - a way to make an impact in this era dominated by email.

Download the newsletter (PDF file; opens in a new window). If you would like to be added to our mailing list please email us at enquiries@careerswestberks.org.uk.

Tightening Job Market (December 2011)

We have noticed a sharp tightening of the job market since September. Until then it had been slow but steady, with even some degree of optimism. However, our job seekers report longer than usual recruitment processes and a succession of interviews for a single job that spread out over several months. One has even had nine interviews, and the process continues. Despite that our job seekers are getting jobs, albeit some only temporary (e.g. 3-month) contracts. We expect to see more jobseekers make their own job, rather than waiting for employers to recruit. Despite the economic gloom let's hope things look up at least a bit in 2012.

Five Years and Going Strong (August 2011)

We have now completed five years as a volunteer-led organisation. During that time we have helped over 450 people in their search for work at an average cost of just over £100 per person, thanks to hundreds of hours of time given freely by our highly qualified volunteers. In 2010 we enrolled 80 job seekers, of which at least 52 went back into paid employment (not everybody gives us feedback). Although activity is not as frenetic as at the peak of the recession in 2009, there is a regular flow of new job seekers - as well as a regular flow of good news from those who have found a new job.

Newsletter (Spring 2011)

Our newsletter goes out to supporters and alumni. Articles in the Spring 2011 newsletter (PDF) include:

• Chairman's update - 2010: another busy year but not as hectic as 2009
• The Foundation for Jobseekers Ltd. - a new umbrella charity for our network of job clubs
• Steady as she goes - statistical trends 2006-10, new job seekers, active members
• Job seeker profile - how someone who worked for 19 years in the telecomms industry persevered and landed a project manager's job in financial services
• Workshop feature: direct approaches: how to target potential employers and communicate your value to them
• A volunteer profile - how one of our volunteers radically changed his career - from a corporate HR manager to a portfolio career that includes freelance work and volunteering
• A find farewell - to Isabella Kerr, the Branshaw Foundation's project manager for all the Thames Valley Executive Job Clubs, and who got us started in 2006.

Download the newsletter (PDF file; opens in a new window). If you would like to be added to our mailing list please email us at enquiries@careerswestberks.org.uk.

Earlier News and Newsletters

You can view earlier newsletters in our archive. There you will find more examples of how job seekers found employment, the background of some of our volunteers, and workshop features:

• Spring 2010 Newsletter: feature on networking, new supporters, committee changes
• Summer 2009 Newsletter: new volunteers, telephone tips, no summer break
• Spring 2008 Newsletter: our job seekers, feature on CVs, thanks to Town Hall

Our earlier news pages are also available:

• News Archive 2009-10: surge in new joiners, light at the end of the tunnel
• News Archive 2007-8: marketing, accreditation

This page last updated 23rd August 2011

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.