29 September 2008

Caroline is “Over the Moon” with her New Career

After years of working in a high pressure sales environment, Caroline Berry from Murton, County Durham, said that landing her new role as a Support Worker has changed her life.

When Caroline, 53, approached Acumen Development Trust she was desperate to find work and was searching for a job that required little or no qualifications including cleaning and factory work.

She said: “Having worked in commission based sales roles for most of my working life, I decided I had had enough of the high pressure of needing to hit targets to get paid.  I wanted a less stressful role but didn’t have any formal qualifications.”

When Caroline called into Acumen’s office to search for a job, she was surprised at the support on offer.

Acumen Recruitment Consultant Carol Gash, said: “When I sat down with Caroline to carry out a job search, I could see that there were many options for employment open to her.  We came across a vacancy for a Support Worker and Caroline said that she did not have the experience for a role like that, not realising that she had many life skills and lots of experience she could draw on.  She has raised two daughters so she had the best experience for this role, which involves supporting young women.”

Acumen then assisted Caroline to apply for the job and went through some interview preparation with her.  Following the interview, Caroline was unsure about how it went but a week later, she called in to the Acumen office waving a letter and saying “I’ve got the job, I’m really shocked but over the moon.”

Acumen Employment Adviser Clive Lee said: “It was a pleasure to help Caroline.  She genuinely wanted to move on in her life, and really just needed that bit of encouragement to go for the vacancy.  I clearly thought that by raising her two daughters and helping her friends who have had problems in life, she was more than qualified to do the job.  She has shown diplomacy and been a good listener. 

“All Caroline had to do was sell herself in the interview and show her real passion for helping people with their problems.  I took Caroline through my procedures of interview techniques and she passed with flying colours!

 “The day she came into the office to tell us that she had been offered the job was fantastic.  Caroline’s face was a picture of pride, joy and happiness all rolled into one.  The hug that she gave me was lovely, and it made me feel good that I had helped someone who genuinely appreciated it.”

Caroline said: “I didn’t know that there was so much help around for people who are looking for work.  The staff at the Acumen office were all rooting for me to get the job and very keen to find out how I got on at the interview, they felt more like my friends.”

“During my first few days in my new job I was petrified but once I decided to just be myself, I immediately started to settle in and I am loving it more every day.”

“I used to believe that the world of work revolved around qualifications but now I realise that people of my age have much more to offer.  I am now encouraging my friends to contact Acumen.”