Stepping Stones motivational sessions

In today's competitive job market, there is a definite art to applying for jobs and this can be daunting if clients are looking for employment for the first time or after a long break.

Even experienced applicants can benefit from reviewing their technique. As part of the support given to clients seeking employment in several of Red2Green's projects, one to one advice and guidance is given on applying for jobs, CV writing and interview techniques. Thanks to funding from the East of England Development Agency, we designed a designated series of Stepping Stones motivational workshops in the hope that some group work would also inform, encourage and provide mutual support.

The programme offers comprehensive advice on all aspects of the job seeking process. These sessions are designed to boost new learners' motivation and self esteem, whether they're looking for a job or further education or if they just want to feel more confident about their skills and potential. The sessions cover the following topics:

• Choose your attitude (positive thinking)
• You can do it (assertiveness)
• Train your brain (learning styles and brain exercises)
• Know what you're good at (identifying your skills)
• Job searching
• Selling yourself 1 (CVs)
• Selling yourself 2 (Personal applications and application forms)
• Better letters
• Winning interviews
• Your working life (official regulations, including health and safety and equal opportunities, and unwritten 'rules' of the workplace)
• Looking the part (dressing for interviews and work)
• 'Meet the bosses'

The sessions are designed so that clients can 'pick and mix' from the 12 sessions (usually held on consecutive weeks) and attend those which meet their needs. Each session is participative, with set session plans and a range of materials which tutors are encouraged to tailor to the needs of the group. They contain group work, individual work, plenty of useful handouts, a place for individual goals to be set and homework.

We have run the workshop series a number of times and clients are asked for feedback at the end of each session and these feedback forms are analysed and reports compiled for each course. Feedback shows that the learners are finding the motivational sessions very positive. For example, at the 'selling yourself' workshops, which look at CV and application writing:

• 82% found the course clear and easy to understand
• 73% thought the course would be useful in their search for a job or college place
• 91% thought the course overall was good

Similarly, in the 'better letters' sessions:

• 92% found the course clear and easy to understand
• 65% thought the course would be useful in their search for a job or college place
• 83% thought the course overall was good

The individual comments were heartening, and included:

"More courses like this are needed in the community."

"I enjoyed the course, I think that was really important, interesting and useful. I think its good to think sometimes about ourselves."

"I will remember not to undersell myself when evaluating my abilities."

Keep an eye on Red2Green's home page to see if we are running any Stepping Stones sessions in your area. If you are interested in us running these sessions for your clients, then please contact head office.

The 'Better Letters' tutor notes, learner handouts and exercises can be downloaded free of charge, and are copyright free.

Click here to go to the downloads page.

Other course materials will be available soon.