Civil Service Local and Crisis teamed up to run a mock interview workshop for Crisis Skylight members in Sheffield on December 4. The South Yorkshire service, now in operation for over a year, helps members who have experienced, or who are at risk of homelessness to access courses, volunteering and employment.
9 Civil Service volunteers from 5 departments took part in the programme, giving Crisis members the valuable chance to hone their interview skills for a range of roles, from care through to call centre positions. 10 members completed a formal panel interview with the volunteers and received feedback and advice on their performance from the panel to help them to build their skills for the future. Crisis members found the session a real confidence boost, with a number of members experiencing their first interview in several years.
Crisis members gave some really positive feedback about the workshop, saying:
“I found it really helpful because I’ve not had interview for a long time….the interviewers gave me some really good feedback and I was buzzing afterwards”
“Fantastic experience - I felt very comfortable. They made me feel welcome”
Kate Hawley from the Forestry Commission took part and said:
"A great opportunity to hone my interviewing skills. Good to meet such diverse characters."
The partnership will be continuing into the new year, with the Civil Service volunteers working with other Skylights around the country to bring the workshops to members in other areas. If you are interested in being involved email Richard Hill.