Don't be afraid to ask!

So it’s the end of another successful KDS Academy in Edinburgh – what a journey it has been for the 7 delegates in terms of personal development and also in terms of their prospects for securing sustainable, competitive employment too. It’s been a real pleasure working with every single one of them – they were and still are very employable individuals and I intend to continue the excellent work we have achieved over the past 10 working days on the Academy…I had even thanked each of them for the fact that they have such marketable skills and impressive work history.

Over the past 2 weeks I have offered them additional one-to-one support with their ongoing job searching – this definitely compliments the terrific content delivered by the Trainers during the Academy. This is the role of a KDS EMPLOYMENT ENGAGEMENT OFFICER. Working closely with each person, offering bespoke support which is entirely focused on their individual employment preferences, and being a second pair or ears and eyes is already bearing fruit in terms of jobs.

One valuable lesson we have all learned over the previous fortnight; do not be afraid to pick up the telephone to any prospective employer following an application for a vacancy – every single job interview we have secured in the last two weeks has come off the back of a follow up call to the employer – don’t be afraid to ASK FOR AN INTERVIEW – you will be amazed at the number of times an employer will say ‘let me grab the diary’ to slot you in for a meeting – it truly works.

A lot of the guys on this Academy were simply not getting front of an employer – they literally hadn’t secured an interview in the last 12-months and boy had their confidence dropped. At the end of this Academy we have achieved no less than 9 interviews of which 2 have already turned into job outcomes, and we have a job offer pending too. Next week we have 5 of these interviews to attend – amazing what can happen when you just pick up the phone and talk to an employer.

I am very much looking forward to working with the next Academy group – however, I have also made a commitment to those 7 people on this current Academy that I will continue with the amazing work we have already put in…I have forewarned them that they have certainly not heard the last of me…

Posted by Steven Hunter on 25 March 2011 in : KDS Training, Personal Enhancement, Training employability

6 Comments

Posted by Denis McKervey on 28 March 2011

Hi, I''m one of the lucky ones who got a job, infact I''m just in the door after my first day! I just wanted to say a BIG Thank You to everyone at KDS Training but especially Roger and Rob. I still can''t believe how much I got out of Roger''s sessions, admittedly I was a bit dubious at the start but that didn''t last long. His delivery style was engaging and entertaining, not only did I learn about the practical side of getting back to work but I learned alot about myself too. Rob, big man what can I say?! You did a phenomenal job and the fact it was your first week too speaks volumes, I see a great future for you at KDS just keep doing what you''re doing! You guys do great work and should unashamedly take great satisfaction in knowing that you do change people''s lives and I for one am forever in your debt, so once again THANK YOU!!!!!!

Posted by Tommy Gray on 28 March 2011

Rob absolutely fantastic work done in a short period of time it is so true and works really well when you have the right STRATEGY, the work that you and Roger are doing in the east coast is tremendous. Onwards and Upwards........

Posted by katie on 27 March 2011

Fantastic achievements all round! Rob you are fitting right in and are already making differences to people''s lifes! K

Posted by Edmund Mckay on 27 March 2011

Just goes to show the importance of closing the interview, before it starts.

Posted by Roger on 25 March 2011

Absolutely first rate job you''ve done for this group Rob. You are already a credit to the role and the candidates have felt supported and the job we do is life changing! Well done!

Posted by Michelle Lockard on 25 March 2011

This is phenomenal Rob, bring on the next Academy. Well done to all who completed the course today. The future is bright....

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