		THE SELF-HELP GROUP FOR SUPPORTING JOB-SEEKING MANAGERS & PROFESSIONALS IN WEST BERKSHIRE

Meetings Programme

We are currently having our summer break. Our new programme starts on Tuesday 9th September. However, if you have recently been made redundant we can offer you help outside of the main meetings. See the job seekers page for details.

Our weekly meetings take place on Tuesdays from 1.00pm - 4.00pm at the Town Hall, Mansion House Street, Newbury. Scroll down to read more about the meeting format and venue details. A PDF printable version (print on double-sided paper and fold in half) for the programme shown below is available here. It also includes additional information about our services and contacts.

See also the curriculum map. In addition to the regular programme, job seekers can book special in-depth sessions with one of our volunteers (usually Thursdays) as well as other services - see benefits for job seekers.

Meetings are free for registered job seekers.

Sept - Dec 2008

*PREPARATION*
Sept 9	Getting Started (Basics) The A-D of getting a job; developing an action plan and marketing yourself Speaker: George Athorn
Sept 16	Coping with Redundancy Dealing with the practicalities and coping with relationships and stress Speaker: Lesley Gaudin / George Athorn
Sept 23	Preparing Your CV Different formats of CV and how to develop one that's right for you Speaker: David Skinner / Paul Savage
Sept 30	Tell Me About Yourself Hone your response to this most frequently asked question asked by agencies and prospective employers Speaker: Bob Cooke
Oct 7	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: David Skyrme
*MARKETING YOURSELF*
Oct 14	Responding to Adverts Where to look, how to read between the lines and prepare your response Speaker: George Athorn / Patrick Fidgen
Oct 21	How Recruiters Work How to get the best out of employment agencies, head hunters and HR departments Speaker: Hugh Miller
Oct 28	Mentoring Day Opportunities for individual guidance during the half-term break
Nov 4	The Hidden Job Market Over 70% of jobs are not advertised; how to tap into this hidden market through personal networking and making direct approaches to employers Speaker: David Skyrme
*TAKING ACTION*
Nov 11	The Written Word How to write effective covering letters, and fill in the blank spaces on application forms. How to get your message across when writing speculative letters to employers. Speaker: David Skinner
Nov 18	The Interview Increase your success rate at interviews through preparation, presentation and coping with those awkward questions Speaker: John Newell
Nov 25	Hone Your Phone Technique Learn how to plan your calls and hone your scripts - includes a practical session to help you get past the gatekeepers Speaker: David Skinner
Dec 2	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: Michelle Lucas
Dec 9	What Works and Review A wrap-up session where members share experiences with each other of what has worked well for them.

Format

Each meeting follows roughly the following format:

1:00 pm - Networking and round-table updates
1:30 pm (approx) - Workshop session. Typically this will be a presentation followed by small group (4-6) discussions, and closing with reporting back, review and discussion
3:00 pm (approx) - Informal networking and 1-to-1 sessions with volunteers

There will be light refreshments available 15 minutes before the meeting and for informal networking at the end of the workshop session.

As well as the speaker, each meeting has a chair person (to facilitate the session) and a host (to introduce new members). Quite often additional volunteers are available for the networking and 1-to-1 sessions from 3.30pm.

Venue

All meetings take place in the council chamber in Newbury Town Hall (at the NE corner of the marketplace). Please use the entrance in Mansion House Street, almost opposite HSBC bank). Click here for a location map.

This page last updated 19th August 2008

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.

©2008 Careers Springboard West Berkshire. All rights reserved
Careers Springboard West Berkshire gratefully acknowledge support from our financial and other supporters
Webmaster: David J Skyrme (david@skyrme.com).