Meetings Programme
Our Spring 2012 programme starts on Tuesday 3rd January.
Details are below or you can download a hard-copy (PDF) which also includes details of what else we can offer you.
The series of meetings runs through a lifecycle of the job seeking process, from getting started to succeeding 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 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.
See also the curriculum map.
Meetings are free for job seekers who have registered with Careers Springboard West Berkshire.
January - April 2012
Note - speakers subject to change. Where two or more are shown, it may indicate 'either' rather than 'all' (it varies!).
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PREPARATION
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| Jan 3 |
Getting Started (Basics)
The A-D of getting a job; developing an action plan and marketing yourself
Speakers: David Skyrme / George Athorn |
| Jan 10 |
Coping with Redundancy
Dealing with the practicalities and coping with relationships and stress
Speaker: Sonia Willmot |
| Jan 17 |
Tell Me About Yourself
Hone your response to this most frequently asked question asked by agencies and prospective employers
Speakers: Bob Cooke / Nigel Henty
Sushi @ 3pm: LinkedIn - Mike Aitken |
| Jan 24 |
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: John Refaussé
Sushi @ 3pm: Arvind Malhotra "Mondo/Inspire" (gap volunteering) |
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MARKETING YOURSELF
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| Jan 31 |
Responding to Adverts
Where to look, how to read between the lines and prepare your response; dealing with on-line applications
Speaker: David Skinner |
| Feb 7 |
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: David Skinner
Sushi @ 3pm: Garry Poulson, Director, Volunteer Centre West Berkshire |
| Feb 14 |
Mentoring Day
Opportunities for individual guidance during the half-term break (must be booked) or a 'Sushi bar' to |
| Feb 21 |
How Recruiters Work
How to get the best out of employment agencies, head hunters and HR departments
Speaker: George Athorn |
| Feb 28 |
The Written Word
How to write effectively, and fill in the blank spaces on application forms; how to get your message across when writing covering letters
Speakers: David Skinner / Linda Sutcliffe |
| Mar 6 |
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
Sushi @ 3pm: NextStep |
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GETTING RESULTS
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| Mar 13 |
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
Speakers: George Athorn / Bob Cooke |
| Mar 20 |
The Interview
Increase your success rate at interviews through preparation, presentation and coping with those awkward questions
Speakers: John Newell / Linda Sutcliffe |
| Mar 27 |
The Hidden Job Market (2) - Direct Approaches
Turning recruitment on its head! How to make direct approaches to employers to create a job for you
Speakers: Roger Hunt / David Skyrme |
Apr 3
Apr 10 |
Easter Break |
| Apr 17 |
Start of new session |
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 ofter decided at short notice (1-2 weeks ahead), details are provided to registered members in the weekly email.
- 'Sushi bar' sessions. 30-45 minute slots at 3pm after the main workshop on a Tuesday. These will be opportunities to explore specific job-seeking topics in more depth.
Topics are based on members requests. Those currently planned are shown in the programme. Please note - these are subject to change and additional Sushi's may be put on at short notice.
- Individual Guidance. These are pre-booked 45 minutes sessions on selected Thursdays with our advisors Janet Rutherford and Michelle Lucas. Although career coaching is a popular topic, they can help you with any aspect of your job search. This is in addition to informal 1-on-1 sessions with other volunteers on Tuesdays.
- Interview-Plus. In conjunction with The Watermill Theatre. Actors role play prospective employers and put job seekers through their paces at a mock interview. The session is recorded on video so that feedback and review can be given. Several job seekers report that this was an extremely valuable session.
- Public Sector Focus. We have considered running one or more additional sessions aimed at public sector workers who want to transition to the private or voluntary sectors. However, the cuts in the public sector have not yet materialised in terms of increases in public sector employees attending our sessions. Should the need arise, then these special sessions will probably be held on Thursdays.
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 and/or
'Sushi bar' sessions - topics that go in more depth on specific topics.
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.
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 'Phase Eight' (formerly the location of HSBC bank).
Click here for a location map.
This page last updated 20th December 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.
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