“I love to see the reaction of our clients once we have dressed them. They are often speechless because they are so happy and feeling so different. Sometimes there are tears because they are so emotional. Many of them feel overwhelmed when they realise that this service is free.”
As part of National Volunteer’s Week(1st-12thJune| Yes, we know it’s more than a week), we are introducing some of the amazing women who volunteer for us.
Meet Sarah. One of our 50 strong volunteers who take time from their busy schedules, to make numerous women feel empowered when they walk into our premises. Sarah, is a DRESSING VOLUNTEER. (She is a stockroom room volunteer as well. To know more about this role, click here. )
“My dining room was know as the board room” – Sarah, dressing volunteer
So what does this role involve? It’s the toughest job in the world- Getting a woman dressed in the span of an hour(Sarcasm intended !). It is not EASY. But, it is the most rewarding role. Dressing volunteers usually work in pairs. They make our clients feel comfortable, treat them with respect and most importantly LISTEN and understand what the client wants. A dressing volunteer helps the client choose the perfect outfit for her interview. They get all the accessories, bags, shoes, scarves, EVERYTHING sorted and ready, according to the client.
In her own words, Sarah describes how she started volunteering with us.
“I started at Smart Works almost right from the beginning. I met with Frippy when she was a few months into writing the business plan with another colleague. From then on, we used to meet at my house weekly and sometimes two or three times a week, my dining room was known as the ‘Board Room’. We worked hard for a year to get Smart Works up and running.
I joined up with Frippy because she was looking for someone to help; I was in between jobs and wondering what to do next and when she suggested it, it really got me excited! “
I loved the idea of Smart Works and it was also exciting to help set up something new in Edinburgh.
When we asked asked what the best part of the job was:
“It is extremely rewarding dressing clients and I get a lot from that. I love to see a happy and more confident woman when they walk out of the office. We feel that we help transform them and Smart Works really does help them to feel more confident and ready for the work place. Hopefully the start of something new for them.”
Sarah is one amongst the many dedicated volunteers who come to our organisation and make EVERY SINGLE CLIENT feel like a million bucks. If you would like to know more check the About Us section and give us a call.
I know by now you are all aware of what we do. If you do not, click that “About Us” button on the upper right corner and find out more! (I am trying to keep it short and simple, here, bear with me)
In case you are all wondering, we are doing great! We are keeping busy, but we can be busier, if you’d like to refer someone! *nudge nudge*
Our new project is “Agents turn Clients”. What is it, you ask? Well, let me tell you all about it!
So we all know in this day and age, you sometimes order something off the Internet, and when it arrives….. Well, let’s just say it’s not exactly what you were promised.
We could advertise this service till we turn blue in the face, but are we sure what we do is perfectly illustrated in our presentations? Maybe so, maybe not. So we decided to invite referral agents to experience a genuine Smart Works appointment. Nothing beats personal experience, am I right?
We thought: “what better way to put agents and potential future clients at ease, than give the agents the knowledge of what exactly we do here”?
We have just started this project and while we understand how busy everybody’s schedule is, we are hoping that a lot of agents will visit us.
In case you have forgotten, or you did not know, I will explain the process.
There is a phone conversation during which we ask some questions such as the interview date, the job applied for, some measurements and any specific requirements.
The client is then booked for an appointment at their convenience.
The appointment is set for around 2 hours: one for dressing, one for training.
If the client is successful, then they can come back in for a 2nd fit
ting and they get more work attire.
So there it is, “Agents turn clients”. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments section below.
P.S: Now, my dear agents, there’s a catch: at the end of the session, you will not leave the office with the outfit. I’m sure you understand there are ladies out there that need it more than you ^.^
Competency-based interviews use questions which aim to find out how you approach problems, tasks and challenges. They are relatively easy to prepare for, but you’ll have to link your skills and experience to the job: this type of interview gives you the chance to show the interviewer how you have used these skills in your previous experience.
Core competencies
Core competencies are a group of skills or attributes that employers use to determine whether you are suitable for a particular role. Competencies may vary between different roles, and of course the type of business or sector you are applying to, however some of the most common are:
Communication – the ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of people
Teamwork – being able to get on with other people and work well and efficiently with them
Organisation – planning your work and managing your tasks efficiently
Problemsolving – using your initiative to identify problems and find solutions
Results–orientation – knowing what results are important and focusing on how to achieve them
Customerservice – being able to provide good customer service
People management – being able to manage people performance and development
During your job search take time to identify the competencies in the job description and/or the person specification. As part of your application, you will need to demonstrate how you meet each of the core competencies associated with the role.
Know your strengths.
Talk about the ones that are relevant to the job you’re being interviewed for. It’s important to have examples of when you used the skills. You should be ready to describe a problem or situation, the actions you took to resolve the problem, and the results, clearly showing how you used a particular competency. What the interviewer really wants to know is, can you do the job?
Be prepared
Example Job Description: “The right candidate will have excellent communication skills, good timemanagement skills, and be a good teamplayer”.
Before your interview, read the job description and look for the key words that describe the skills and strengths needed to do the job
Make a list and for each one prepare at least one example of how you’ve displayed that skill
You can use examples from your previous employment, work experience, school or further education, and even your personal life
The interviewer will ask you questions about the subject so stick to the facts – don’t be tempted to exaggerate!
Beat the competition – be prepared!
How to structure your competency answers
There are two popular methods to answering competency based interview questions: CAR (context, action, result) and STAR (situation, task, action, result). The STAR method is similar but you will have to provide slightly more information in your response as it includes a “task” stage. Either of these methods will help you to prepare a clear and concise answer.
CAR
Context – Briefly describe the situation and the challenges you faced
Action – Talk about what you did to solve or change this situation: explain what you did, why you did it, and how you did it. Remember to demonstrate the skills (competencies) you identified for the interview
Result – Describe the outcome of your actions: explain what happened, what you did well, what you might do differently or improve, and what was the overall impact
STAR
Situation – (Context) Explain the situation you faced (keep it brief)
Task – What was your task or responsibility in the situation you’ve described?
Action – What did you do? (what, why, how)
Result – Describe the outcome/result (same as CAR method)
Common competency-based interview questions
The type of questions you are asked will depend upon the role you are applying for, however competency-based questions typically follow the same format. Listen out for questions which begin:
Tell me about a time when…
Can you think of an example of when/how…
Describe a situation in which you…
Remember to keep your examples specific, recent, and relevant: the interviewer wants to hear how you have used skills and behaviours in a positive way, so they can see how you would apply them in the role you are interviewing for.
Think about situations where you had to:
Work as a member of a team
Show leadership
Make a difficult decision
Show initiative
Change your plans at the last minute
Manage a confrontational situation
Work with others to solve a problem
Deal with an unhappy customer
If you’re really stuck, talk about how you would handle a similar situation if you were faced with it in the future.
Examples of common competency-based interview questions
Describe a time when you had to explain a difficult task to a colleague
Describe a time you demonstrated good leadership skills
Give an example of when you worked successfully as part of a team
Tell me about a time when you used your initiative to resolve a difficult problem
Tell me about a time you had to manage conflicting priorities
Describe a situation where you had to perform a task you had never done before
Tell me about the biggest change you have had to deal with and how you did this
Describe how you dealt with a difficult or sensitive situation
How do I prepare?
Now you know the format and what sort of questions you might be asked, you can start your preparation:
Identify the competencies for the role you are applying for
Research all the likely questions around the competencies related to this role
Review your employment and personal history to find examples which demonstrate the relevant skills and abilities
Finally, practise using the CAR or STAR method for answering the questions, based on your own experiences
Practice, practice, practice
Prepare at least two different responses for each competency, and practise answering different competency-based questions. Get a friend to test you, and see if you can prepare an answer on the spot.
Even if the interviewer doesn’t ask a competency-based interview question, it’s always good to be able to back up your answers with real-life evidence.
Good luck – show the interviewer you are the best candidate for the job!
Davina came to Smart Works Edinburgh, late January, having mixed feelings about the appointment. Here’s her experience of Smart Works:
“Soon after moving to Edinburgh, I had my first job interview scheduled on short notice. Having spent most of my life as a student and recently returning from travelling abroad, I was clueless as to what was interview appropriate clothing or how to put together a work wardrobe. I urgently needed help and guidance. I immediately called the Smart Works number from a pamphlet I had picked up. I wasn’t sure what to expect but the service had come highly recommended to me. To my relief, a friendly reassuring voice answered the phone and within a few minutes I had an appointment the very next morning and detailed instructions on how to find its location.
The moment I arrived I was greeted by a team of volunteers who had shown up just to dress me, prep me and put my nerves at ease. I relied a lot on the expertise of the dressing volunteers who came with plenty of tips and tricks on how to make the most out of your work wardrobe. They were able to find something very formal, that was a perfect fit but most importantly they made sure I felt comfortable in it. I remember when I put on the outfit, that I eventually chose to take home with me, one of the volunteers said to me: “If you don’t get the job, I will eat my hat”.
After the dressing stage, I was taken through a typical interview process by two volunteers who worked in the industry of my prospective job. They were very patient with all my industry questions and were full of relevant good quality advice. They gave me a clear direction on how to prepare for the interview and made me feel confident in the material I had to work from.
Aside from the quality of clothing and interview advice, it is the warmth and support that makes the team at Smart Works so uniquely recommendable. They genuinely care and want you to succeed and their help will make a big difference in your interview performance. If you’re new to the city like I was and find interviews particularly stressful, this is especially appreciated. I felt I had gained a job interview support group. They were the first ones I told when I was successful at the interview stage. I am very grateful to them for my first work outfit and so much more.”
Senayt, who came in having mixed feelings before the appointment, told us this, post her session with us:
“I have found the interview very helpful and made me reach for my goal.”
Another client, Alison, said :
“Volunteers were lovely and helpful. Very welcoming and took a lot of time and care. Very helpful, good advice, very friendly.”
Susan, a client who felt confident about her interview after the dressing and interview session with us, said:
“Ladies were fantastic, provided me with great help, they knew how to boost confidence and made me feel good. They complemented my body shape with the right clothes. Excellent service!”
One of our fist clients for this year 2016, Iwona, said:
“I have had a real fun trying all the clothes, ladies were very kind, friendly and helpful who helped me build my confidence, felt well and comfortable. Interview session was very helpful too, I am less stressed and feel more confident.”
Rachel, who found our appointment extremely helpful, said:
“I was made to feel very comfortable – I really valued any input I was getting and I felt like I was being listened to and catered for. Really helpful – it does put you on your toes but in a very useful way. I feel like I have a lot to go away and think about but I am on track to be really prepared.”
Moira, who got the job she had applied for, said this about our dressing session:
“Absolutely amazing. The session was very well organized and the volunteers were superb and put me at ease. They really know what they’re doing. They’re patient, kind and have an amazing eye for what works in an outfit.”
And about our interview session:
“Extremely helpful practice interview, boosted confidence and helped me to formulate examples and answers coherently. Thank you so much! Your charity is amazing!!”
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