Swansea resident Neil Houston, aged 56 had worked as a clerical assistant for the HMRC for 17 years. After leaving this job Neil found it difficult to find another. Becoming despondent, Neil hadn’t applied for a job in many years and he found the whole application process challenging. Neil’s work coach referred him to Workways+ to help him find new employment. Angela, a Workways+ Mentor, worked with him on a one to one basis, supporting him with the whole application process. This included identifying jobs he could realistically apply for, complete supporting statements, ensuring that the statement was focused on the key parts of the job, highlighting transferable skills, interview techniques and adapting Neil’s CV from seven pages to two. Angela encouraged and supported Neil with his successful application and interview for an Academic Integrity Assistant for Swansea University.

Neil said, “I would like to thank my Workways+ mentor Angela for helping me to prepare for employment. I appreciate the fact that Angela re-wrote my CV and made it more concise and taking the time to look at the job description for the Academic Integrity Assistant role at Swansea University. It is because Angela had faith in me that I decided to apply for this vacancy. Thanks to Angela for the advice on completing the application form and giving me a mock interview, pointing out what I did well and what I did not do so well. The feedback she gave me helped a great deal to create my own notes to prepare for my Swansea University interview. I was able to answer questions with confidence.

I was thrilled and relieved when I received a phone call later that day offering me the job. I was told I gave a really strong interview. I believe I would not have done half as well in my interview if it was not for Angela’s help.”

Workways+ is part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

For information on how to get a job please see www.workways.wales