••• What our clients say about the JobShop •••

Theresa Musgrave - Domestic Assistant

My name is Teresa Musgrave and I worked in retail for the vast majority of my working life. Working in a local fruit and vegetable shop serving members of my community was a job I loved, but when the shop fell victim to the economic downturn I was concerned for my future.

I found myself entering the job market with only retail experience to draw upon on. Though I loved working in retail, I wanted to broaden my horizons and gain new skills and experience, however, I also needed to find work relatively quickly. This is where the HullJobShop really helped. I had always had designs on pursuing a career in Health Care but was unsure of where to start. The fact that I was working in a job I enjoyed very much and was unsure of how to retrain for a new career had always held me back. I was now in a position where the idea of a new career could become a reality.

A friend made me aware of the HullJobShop and suggested that I go along, so I took her advice. As I had never used the services of an organisation like the HullJobShop, I must admit that I was a little nervous on entering, however, the friendly reception staff soon made me feel at ease. I was talked through a quick and easy registration process and within ten minutes of walking through the door I was registered, allocated an advisor and had an appointment for an informal chat regarding the support the HullJobShop could give.

My advisor helped find the right vacancies and helped me realise that although I had worked in retail for most of my working life, I had acquired transferable skills which I could take in to a new career. My advisor explained the possible career paths through the NHS and the best possible way for me to achieve my goals. As I had not filled in an application form for some time I also received much welcomed assistance with this too.

Because I took the time register with the HullJobShop and used the service, they gave me a hundred and ten percent back, because of this I am now working as a Ward Hygienist, gaining valuable experience and looking to a bright future in an organisation which holds personal development in the highest regard.

I would recommend the HullJobShop to anyone wishing to change direction in their career and is finding the process difficult and daunting. The staff are helpful, insightful and friendly and are a welcome helping hand in these difficult times.

Lisa Swyer - Domestic Assistant

My name is Lisa Swyer and I had been trying to change my job for some time. The long hours and location of my work just did not suit my circumstances as I am a busy mum of two. 

I found very little time to search for jobs and spend time writing quality applications. A friend told me about the Hull JobShop, so I registered. Immediately I was receiving text message alerts and tips and hints on the application process. The JobShop found the right vacancy for me and helped me apply. The help didn’t stop there; when I had been selected for an interview they steadied my nerves by arranging for me to sit a mock interview with an advisor. The advisor asked me questions which were likely to crop up in an interview and gave some valuable advice on techniques. I felt much more confident going into the “dreaded interview scenario”.

I have now been offered employment in a role within the NHS that suits me and has the flexibility to suit my busy family life.

Alison Droullos - Case Worker

I have always had designs on furthering my career and personal development is something I have always believed in and strived for.

As a busy working mum, I found searching for and applying for work a time consuming process. The question was where to start, there is a multitude of recruitment web sites and employment agencies, all offering a premium service. At times I found this a little over whelming, so naturally, I was very interested when I heard about the HullJobShop, a free service dedicated to helping people find and apply for Public Sector vacancies.

I went along to the HullJobShop and spoke to a friendly, informative advisor who helped me to focus in on exactly what I wanted to do in the long term, and gave some good advice on how to achieve my objectives. I had been working as a waitress and was looking to find something a little more challenging. I had done some voluntary work with an organisation which offered a befriending service to families in difficult situations. I found this challenging and rewarding, however, I was not sure if I could pursue this nature of work professionally.

After an informal chat, my advisor was able to create a personal profile so that I could be matched to vacancies accordingly. I left feeling very positive and after a couple of days I received a text message, just one of the HullJobShop’s many services, alerting me of a suitable vacancy. The vacancy was as a Support Worker to women who had been affected by domestic violence. I was a little apprehensive initially as I wasn’t sure that I had the experience or skills to do the job. My advisor managed to persuade me otherwise and invited me in to complete the application form. After completing the form with my advisors assistance I realised that I did possess a lot skills and I had acquired a lot experience. I felt that my aspirations had been raised simply by writing about myself without inhibition, people tend my naturally modest and we can find writing about our qualities a little uncomfortable. I was inspired to apply for more vacancies, which I previously would have dismissed.

I was invited to an interview for Support Worker vacancy which I had been matched with by the HullJobShop as well as a vacancy with my local M.P. Both positions promised to be challenging and rewarding and a huge step in the right direction for me. I was offered the role with my M.P. and I was presented with a dilemma I never dreamed I would have, I accepted the job after much deliberation.

I feel that the HullJobShop helped raise my aspirations and gave me that little bit of self belief I needed. I am now working for the Labour Party and I am very much on the right track with regards to my career.

David Habbershaw - Senior Care Assistant

After I was made unemployed as a Care Worker I feared the worse. I was one of a large number of people who had fallen victim to the financial climate and back into the job market. I don’t mind saying that I also feared that my age put me at a disadvantage too.

 Having retrained as a Carer later on in my working life, I felt that I had finally found a vocation that I loved. However, I was concerned that I may have re train again and leave the work I loved. I registered with Probe who did all that they could to help me, this included directing me towards their advisor in the HullJobShop.

After an initial meeting, which consisted of a quick and easy registration and an informal chat, the HullJobShop became my eyes and ears for finding public sector vacancies, allowing me to look for work in the wider job market. I received text messages whenever suitable vacancies became available. I had regular contact with my advisor and I actually looked forward to going to my appointments. I really felt that the HullJobShop always did that little bit extra to help.

After submitting a number of applications I was invited to an interview. Unfortunately I was unsuccessful in my interview. I was, of course disappointed, but my advisor helped to raise my spirits and I was soon applying for more vacancies. And pretty soon I was invited to another interview and another. In total I attended three interviews in a month, but with no success. The HullJobShop again helped to raise my spirits and the project manager even stepped in to help motivate me and gave me a mock interview scenario and gave me some great feedback.

Sure enough, the next interview I attended I was successful and I am now awaiting a start date as Senior Carer for a large reputable Care provider. It has been quite a journey and the HullJobShop helped me every step of the way.

Darren Bone - Nursing Auxilliary 

My name is Darren and I registered with Hull JobShop on the 2nd Nov 2009, which is the first day it opened, I had missed out on a place on an NHS training course offered by the Jobcentre and was extremely disappointed.  I knew a great deal about caring work as my parents had owned a residential care home.  I was extremely keen to develop a career in caring; with my ultimate goal of becoming a nurse.

I saw a JobShop leaflet in the Jobcentre and immediately wanted to find out more.  I was pleased about how welcoming and pleasant I found the Jobshop as soon as I walked in and found the staff to be very friendly and helpful.  The registration process was easy and I was impressed with both the JobShop website and the NHS Jobs website.

I was appointed a JobShop adviser, Andrew Ware, who kept me up to date with any possible vacancies which was a really beneficial part of the service offered by the JobShop.  The advisors were on hand to advice me with my applications which were thoroughly checked before submission. Within a few weeks I received an invitation to an interview for a Nursing auxiliary position at Hull Royal Infirmary, I informed the JobShop and my advisor arranged a mock interview with the manager Ben Elton. Ben did 'grill' me a little during the mock interview and asked all sorts of questions, at the end, feedback was provided which was instrumental in preparation for the real interview, I felt more confident and wrote lots of notes.

The interview went really well, I remembered the feedback from Ben and used personal circumstances in explaining my answers, I was really pleased to have been informed that afternoon that I was successful and will be starting as a Nursing Auxiliary in the New Year. My tip to anyone is to register with the JobShop and call them regular, if you give them 100% that's exactly what you will get in return.

Amber Manzouri - Stock Control Clerk

My Name is Amber Manzouri and I have been a member of Hull JobShop since 7^th December 2009. I have recently gained employment with NHS, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals as Stock Control Clerk.

I returned to Hull after taking a year travelling and I was looking to find work again. All my previous work experience had consisted of working within Bar Management, and I was unsure of what types of roles I would be capable of undertaking. After registering with the JobShop I was encouraged to look through the current vacancies. The registration process was simple and very user friendly.

After an appointment with my Advisor, Becky Eland, we looked over a few of the Administration vacancies. We discussed my previous experiences and finally came to the conclusion that Stock Control Clerk would be a perfect match as I had worked very closely with stock in my previous roles.

I had never completed an application for NHS before and after looking over the application I found it very daunting. My Advisor was on hand to help me through the process and aided me in matching my previous experiences to the job description and person specification in my additional information.

My advisor informed me that 150 applications had been received for this position so I was delighted when I heard I was being invited to an interview.  I have had a fair amount of interview experience and therefore felt confident, although was impressed when the JobShop contacted me to offer a mock interview.

Overall I was very impressed with the service and advice given and would recommend the JobShop to anyone looking for help and support in gaining employment within the Public Sector. 

Alizafar Jiwadi

My name is Alizafar Jawadi and I have been living in the United Kingdom since 2005. I came to Britain to seek refuge from my native Afghanistan and I faced issues that many people face when re locating in Britain. I had to adapt to life in a country I had only read about, and apart for the obvious difficulties with the language barrier there was also the issue of the change in culture. 

I soon began to feel alone and isolated, I was unable to develop my English speaking skills as my friends were natives of Afghanistan and spoke very little English. I managed to gain a couple of short term contracts in local factories, however, when the last of these contracts ended I found myself feeling very demoralised, disheartened and becoming depressed. I received some great help from organisations such as Mind, who worked with me to help build my confidence; however, I believe that the source of my depression was the fact that I could not find sustained employment and I was of the belief that I may never find work and maintain a good quality of life within the U.K.

I found the HullJobShop by chance, noticing some vacancies in the window of the BBC Building. I went inside to enquire and found everyone in the establishment was helpful, understanding and positive. I sat down with my advisor and we had a chat about the HullJobShop service, I was made to feel at ease and I was overwhelmed by the sense of devotion that the advisors had to helping me find employment.

The HullJobShop supported me every step of the way, and it was a long process, but my advisor worked tirelessly to overcome the language barrier and find vacancies which were suitable for me. I find it hard to believe that all the HullJobShop required in return was that I completed a five minute online registration form and attended my appointments.

I submitted a number of applications, and although I was not successful with these, the HullJobShop were able to give me some feedback as to why they were unsuccessful. This meant that every application I wrote became stronger and my advisor helped me to realise and write about my skills and abilities and gave me encouragement when I showed the slightest indication of being disheartened.

I write this as I await my first interview for an NHS vacancy, I realise that this may be just another step on the road to finding employment and settling in the United Kingdom, but it is by far the most significant step so far, and I owe this to the services of the HullJobShop. I now strongly believe that I will find employment and every day I feel more positive, I will always be extremely grateful to the HullJobShop, their support has already proven to be invaluable.

Linda Sleight - Invoice Reconciliation Clerk

My Name is Linda Sleight. I registered with Hull JobShop in February 2010 following the 'Future Careers Exhibition' at City Hall. At this event I looked through the vacancy cards and noticed an “Invoice Reconciliation Clerk” post. This was just exactly what I was wanting as I have done a similar post in the past.

After speaking to one of the advisors I was instructed to register and express interest which I did straight away. I found the website easy to use and I was contacted within 48 hours by my advisor to arrange an appointment.

I completed most of the application on my own, with my advisor Becky Eland on hand to help and guide me through. She gave me examples of how to match the job description with my own work experiences, which in turn helped me to create a personal statement. The application was also checked by Becky before submission.

After being invited for interview I was delighted. Hull JobShop offered me support such as a mock interview and gave me a “Successful Interview Techniques” booklet to take away with me. This helped me to be confident throughout the interview and I was over the moon when I was offered the job.

Overall I found Hull JobShop a very good service with friendly and helpful staff on hand to give you support throughout, and would recommend the service to others.

Suzanna Cox - Administrative Assistant

My name is Suzanna Cox, when I registered with the job shop I was working within the NHS as an Administration Assistant. My contract was fixed term and coming to a close, naturally I was becoming anxious and growing concerned about my future.

The JobShop helped me initially by ensuring that I was applying for the right vacancies, their matching service was both insightful and realistic.

Previous to registering with the JobShop I had applied for a number of NHS vacancies and been invited to an interview. However, I had always found that nerves and jitters took hold of me during interviews and this was becoming a real barrier.

The JobShop really helped me to overcome this barrier by staging a mock interview and giving me instant feedback on my technique. They also gave me some really handy tips and advice about how to prepare for an interview.

The next time I attended an interview, for a vacancy the job shop had matched me with; I was confident, coherent and successful!! I was offered the position and I am now looking forward to starting a new and exciting role within the NHS.

The JobShop really steered me in the right direction, I found my adviser Becky, was sympathetic, supportive and informative.