Meetings Programme

Our autumn programme starts on Wednesday 6th September. Details of meetings are shown below.

Note to our existing job seekers: The format of each meeting has changed slightly. Scroll down to see the new format.

You can download a hard-copy which gives additional details of our activities here (PDF version). For best results print A4 double-sided and fold into A5.

The series of meetings covers the whole lifecycle of the job seeking process, from getting started to improving your performance on the phone and at interviews. However, the timing of redundancies hardly ever coincides with the start of a cycle! Never mind, turn up, and we will brief you on what you have missed. See our FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) for newcomers.

Our weekly meetings take place on Wednesdays from 1.45pm - 3.45pm (occasionally 4.15pm) at Broadway House, near Newbury Clock Tower. Scroll down to read more about the meeting format and venue details. See also the curriculum map. Not all modules are run each term and some new ones have been added since the map was created.

Meetings are free for job seekers who have registered with Careers Springboard West Berkshire.

September - December 2017

Speakers are subject to change. As well as the main workshop each week, there are occasional 'mini-sessions'. These are 45 minute session covering additional topics or giving a different slant or more depth on those covered in the programme. Those currently scheduled are listed in the programme below. Registered job seekers will be informed of additional mini-sessions and any other changes to the programme through the weekly email.

6 Sep	Getting Started (Basics) The A-E of getting a job; creating an action plan and marketing yourself Speaker: David Skyrme
13 Sep	Tell Me About Yourself Hone your response to this most frequently asked question asked by agencies and prospective employers Speaker: Leonie Cooke
20 Sep	Responding to Adverts Where to look, how to read between the lines and prepare your response. Speaker: David Skyrme
27 Sep	The Interview Increase your success rate at interviews through preparation, presentation and coping with those awkward questions Speaker: Adrian Foster-Fletcher
4 Oct	How Recruiters Work How to get the best out of employment agencies, head hunters and HR departments Speaker: Adrian Foster-Fletcher
11 Oct	Preparing Your CV Different formats of CV and how to develop one that's right for you; creating impact with your key marketing document. Speaker: Adrian Foster-Fletcher
18 Oct	Mentoring Day Opportunities for 1-on-1 assistance. Must be pre-booked.
25 Oct	What Employers Look For Learn what it's like from the other side and get some tips on how you can make yourself seem the ideal candidate Speaker: Leonie Cooke
1 Nov	Your Other Choices Think about something different using your transferable skills, such as a career change, a portfolio of jobs or starting your own business Speaker: Adrian Foster-Fletcher
8 Nov	The Hidden Job Market (1) - Networking Over 70% of jobs are not advertised. How to use personal networking and LinkedIn to unearth those hidden opportunities and get connected to those who can give you a job Speaker: David Skyrme
15 Nov	The Hidden Job Market (2) - Direct Approaches Turning recruitment on its head! How to make direct approaches to prospective employers through better targeting and by developing a compelling 'value proposition' and leveraging your network. Speakers: Roger Hunt and David Skyrme
22 Nov	Hone Your Phone Technique Learn how to plan your calls and hone your scripts. A practical session to help you get past the gatekeepers Speaker: Leonie Cooke
29 Nov	Using LinkedIn Effectively Getting the most out of this vital job seeking tool Speaker: David Skyrme
6 Dec	Mentoring Day Opportunities for 1-on-1 assistance. Must be pre-booked.
13 Dec	What Works and Review - Sharing Experiences A look-back over the term's topics to review what worked for you in practice and how we might improve future programmes Speaker: David Skyrme

Speakers and topics are subject to change without notice, although this happens only occasionally.

Programme Extras

During the course of a programme, the following extras may take place, depending on demand and volunteer availability. Since these are often decided at short notice (1-2 weeks ahead), details are provided to registered members in the weekly email.

Mini-sessions. A 30 minute session that takes place before the main Wednesday workshop on a Wednesday. These cover specific topics in more depth and reflect the needs of our job seekers. Recent mini-sessions have included:
- The State of the Job Market
- Be Your Own Boss
- The Written Word
- CV Masterclass
- More on LinkedIn
- Competency-based interviews
Individual Guidance. As well as opportunities after most Wednesday sessions, you are welcome to contact volunteers for specific 1-on-1 guidance at other times. See the list of volunteers who can help you. Registered job seekers also receive a full list of volunteers, their specialities and contact details.

Format

Each meeting follows roughly the following format:

1:45 pm - "Tell Me About Yourself". Working in groups of three, job seekers give their 1 minute 'sales pitch'. Please arrive promptly on time, since access is more complicated after 1:45pm start (see below).
2:00 pm - "Hear and Share". A self help session where we hear a job seeker's current situation and share knowledge and experiences that help them to progress.
2.30 pm - Main Workshop. Typically this will be a presentation followed by small group (3-4 people) discussions, and closing with reporting back and summary of key points. Note: when there is a mini-session this will run from 2.30pm - 3pm and the main workshop from 3pm to 4.15pm.
3:45pm (or 4.15pm)- Networking; 1-on-1; clearing up.
4:00pm (or 4.30pm) - Meeting ends.

There will be light refreshments available on a side table in the conference room.

Venue

All meetings take place in Conference Room G9 on the ground floor of:
Broadway House
4-8 The Broadway
Northbrook Street
NEWBURY
RG14 1BA

Broadway House is a three-storey red-brick building very close to the Clock Tower and opposite Domino's Pizza. The building is run and funded by the Greenham Common Trust, and has recently been refurbished to a high standard, with air-conditioning throughout. Most of the occupants, permanent and temporary, are charities.

Click here for a location map

The doors to the conference room are open from 1:30pm - 1:45pm. If you come later you will have to telephone for access from a phone in the main corridor.

The nearest car park is in Pelican Lane, just north of Broadway House. Other nearby car parks are at Park Way and the multi-storey Newbury Council car park behind W H Smith, with access via West Street.

Go to the West Berkshire website for more information (opens in a new tab):

West Berkshire Council Car Parks

This page last updated 14th September 2017

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.