Meetings Programme

We are part way through our Spring programme of meetings. With current low numbers of job seekers, there have been some meetings that have not taken place. So we now check each week to see who is able to attend. If you are not yet on our mailing list, please check our website or contact us, to check that the meeting will go ahead and thus avoid a wasted journey. For example, the meeting planned for 6th February did not take place and the topic will be combined with that ot the 13th for a combined session on 'The Hidden Market', provided that there is sufficient interest.

Details of the Srping programme are shown below or 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.

January - April 2019

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. Registered job seekers will be informed of mini-sessions and any other changes to the programme through the weekly email.

9 Jan	Getting Started (Basics) Following a review of the current job market, we give an overview of the A-E of getting a job, creating your job search strategy, organising your job search approach and marketing yourself. Presenter: David Skyrme :: Host: John Newell
16 Jan	Tell Me About Yourself Hone your response to this most frequently asked question asked by agencies and prospective employers Presenter: Leonie Cooke :: Host: Jan Dixon
23 Jan	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 Presenter: Leonie Cooke :: Host: John Newell
30 Jan	Preparing Your CV We review different formats of CV and discuss how to develop one that is right for you. We critique each other's CVs, so bring along a few copies of your own. Presenter: Adrian Foster-Fletcher :: Host: John Newell
6 Feb	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 Presenter: David Skyrme :: Host: Jan Dixon
13 Feb	The Hidden Job Market (2) - The Direct Approach 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. Presenter: David Skyrme :: Host: Jan Dixon
20 Feb	Mentoring Day No formal meeting during our half-term break but an opportunity for 1-on-1 support - must be pre-booked.
27 Feb	Competency-based Interviews In this common form of interview you need to have real examples that demonstrate your competences. This session helps you prepare for for such interviews through adopting the STAR approach. Presenter: John Newell :: Host: Ian Vickerage
6 Mar	Using LinkedIn Effectively LinkedIn can help you find and develop those contacts who can help you get your next job. In this session we login to LinkedIn and share profiles and tips for getting the most out of this vital networking tool. Presenter: David Skyrme :: Host: Charles Fowler
13 Mar	Preparing for Interview Increase your success rate at interviews through preparation, presentation and coping with those awkward questions Presenter: Adrian Foster-Fletcher :: Host: Ian Vickerage
20 Mar	Responding to Adverts Where to look, how to read between the lines and prepare your response. Presenter: David Skyrme :: Host: Charles Fowler
27 Mar	Hone Your Phone Technique Learn how to plan your calls and hone your scripts. A practical session using telephone handsets to help you get past the gatekeepers using different scenarios Presenter: Leonie Cooke :: Host: Jan Dixon
3 Apr	How Recruiters Work How to get the best out of employment agencies, head hunters and HR departments Speaker: Adrian Foster-Fletcher :: Host: Ian Vickerage
10 Apr	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 Presenter: Adrian Foster-Fletcher :: Host: Jan Dixon
17 Apr	Easter Break The summer session starts with a similar programme on Wednesday 1st May

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 at:
Broadway House
4-8 The Broadway
Northbrook Street
NEWBURY
RG14 1BA
We usually meet in Conference Room G9 on the ground floor. You will need to use a phone in the lobby to gain access.

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 8th February 2019

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.