Preparing for interview success with Gowling WLG
On Friday 6th July staff at Gowling WLG Birmingham and London volunteered their time preparing our clients for job interviews through video interview coaching appointments via video links to Suited for Success.
Partnering with Gowling WLG the day was an exciting trial run to develop a new interview coaching service strand that we now we offer at Suited for Success as part of our ‘More Than Just a Suit’ programme to further help unemployed people to increase their chances of succeeding in a job interview and securing employment.
Clients were offered a 45mins one-to-one interview coaching appointment (including feedback) via video call technology with a member of staff based at the Gowling WLG offices. The appointments included the option of a FREE interview outfit if needed also being dressed and styled by a team of Gowling WLG staff volunteering at our Suited for Success centre for the day.
Exploring new ideas
Gowling WLG has historically supported Suited for Success as a CSR initiative since the charity started and were very instrumental in the set up and development of the charity. Their support has continued through pro-bono support, suit donation drives and volunteer days.
A staff steering group was brought together to work with Suited for Success on a project to explore new ideas to develop a new interview coaching service to further help support unemployed people with interview preparation skills. Gowling WLG staff members from across the business formed the steering group including a member of staff from the HR department.
Video calling
With the growing trend of video job interviews via Skype and other video sharing methods used by recruiters, the steering group looked at developing the idea of doing interview coaching over the internet using video as a method to support our clients with one-to-one interview coaching sessions.
Gowling WLG also supported the new project with a grant of £3400 that helped to fund the installation of broadband wifi and a 12-month wifi service subscription at Suited for Success.
Confidence boosting
The trial day was a huge success with clients expressing how helpful they found their coaching sessions. Keeley had an appointment on the day. She has been a long-term carer for a senior family member and is now actively applying for jobs but lacked confidence when it came to interviews. Keeley said she definitely felt more confident after her coaching session.
Mark has been out of work since 2015 and is applying for jobs in customer services. After his coaching session Mark said: “I found the coaching very beneficial in gaining valuable advice on interview skills”.
Working together - impacting unemployment
Suited for Success will continue to work with Gowling WLG to further develop our video job interview coaching service to practically support people into employment also offering professional staff at Gowling WLG and in other local businesses more skilled volunteering opportunities at Suited for Success.
