Finding confidence and hope in my job search

Louise's story

What challenges were you facing before seeking support from us?

Before I started getting support from Pathways to Work, looking for work made me feel really anxious and nervous. I’d lost a lot of confidence after applying for many jobs and being told I was unsuccessful over and over again. I started to wonder if I would ever find work again, and that was tough.

The biggest challenges I faced were my anxiety and learning new skills at a fast pace. Things move quickly in the working world nowadays, and sometimes I struggle to keep up. I’m not as fast at learning as I was when I was younger, and after recovering from a mental breakdown five years ago, finding a job felt even more difficult.

I reached out to the Pathways to Work team to see if they could help me with updating my CV, searching for jobs, completing applications, and preparing for interviews. I also wanted to explore options for further education and to find jobs that suited me, ideally something like part-time work in retail in shops like River Island, New Look, Marks and Spencer. I didn’t want to work in care or cleaning, even though that’s mostly what’s offered to people my age.

How has your experience with Pathways to Work been so far?

So far, the support I’ve received from Pathways to Work has been really helpful. Advice and guidance is always available whenever I need it. I’ve had frequent one-to-one appointments with my advisor and joined the drop-in sessions for job search support at Library @ the Lightbox every Tuesday. The team has helped me with job applications and interview prep, and I’ve even completed a Level 2 Award in Customer Service, which gave me a big boost in confidence. 

My biggest achievement has been passing the customer service course exam and seeing my confidence grow. Now, I’m more comfortable completing job applications and preparing for interviews. I might not have landed a job just yet, but I’m getting interviews now and learning from each experience. I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

What’s next for you Louise?

Over the next few months, I hope to find permanent, part-time work in retail, somewhere that feels right for me. I’d like to work in a small environment where I can learn at my own pace, and stay there all the way to retirement age. I just want a job where I can feel comfortable and do my best, and have the spare time outside of work to exercise at the Metrodome and enjoy walks with my dog, Max.

I’m grateful for the support I’ve received, and I’m hopeful that with everything I’ve learned, I’ll find the right job soon.