"How I got the job that I love"

I remember it was a super windy day in Rotherham that I needed to hold tight my husband’s arm to keep equilibrium. I was searching for a job and he wanted a change of his own job. This is why we attended a job fair at Rotherham Stadium.

With not many options to follow I decided to know more about a table that had a big banner with job opportunities for people with medical problems, either physical or mental problems.

It was BBO (Building Better Opportunities) run by a quite big team at that job fair. I was assessed by a woman and she explained me about the project requirements and how I will be helped. To be honest, I didn’t understand much of it at that time. She said also I’m not a fit for the programme but she will do something for me instead, to help.

She called Alex. “He will be your work coach.” she explained. “He will help you find a suitable job for you according to your skills.” she continued.

I didn’t know what to expect and what to believe. I only knew that they will help me find a job and I need to attend meetings with them for this to happen. Well, I needed to meet Alex.

 Alex contacted me in about a week. We set up a meeting. We met first in Rotherham and he explained in detailed what will happen. I completed enrolment forms and presented my ID, my passport. I understood more about the project but not completely. It seemed unreal someone will help me search for a job. A job, which was not ordinary or randomly picked but it will be according to my skills, experience and personal needs. I was smiling at the end of our meeting and this filled my heart with hope.

Since then, I and Alex met every week in a day we both agreed, excepting holidays. We started looking for certain positions I would agree and they were suitable to my skills. We build my CV and cover letters. We started applying. At first I wanted a part-time job and because I was dependent on bus, I couldn’t go further 5 -7 miles from my home, the options were not that many.

 Alex was always calm and never rushed things. He was understanding in any circumstances and wanted for me to get a good job that I will be happy to do it. I learned not only he will help to find me a job but will offer me support for the next 3 months in my new work place to ensure everything is going good for me and I will adapt in, properly.

Each time we met, I think I began to be more open about me, my job to be and my working needs. I couldn’t think of any job, because I am a person who can’t do a stressful work for long. I couldn’t travel more than 5-7 miles from home because I didn’t have a car or driving licence and my commute with the bus or even train couldn’t be longer than one hour. A long commute and a stressful place to work would have jeopardised my health. I did this before and I had to quit too many jobs. I wanted this to work and I begun to trust more the project, and Alex.

Before being part of BBO and meeting Alex, my work coach, I tried customer service roles, 5 times, it was 7 months I resisted the most of it, I was fired because of an absence, then warehouse, I couldn’t cope more than 2 weeks or even self-employed acting as Interpreter it didn’t work, there were too little appointments to interpret for and long distances to cover.

I think meeting Alex and be part of BBO was my chance here in UK to find the job I was dreaming all this four years I had been here.

Alex was very receptive to my words, my necessities, my story within work, and the experience, which I consider was little. But, above this I discovered my skills were the most important assets to get me a job I would do it without worrying I wasn’t able to keep it.

Now I work as a Content Creator. The role is Bank Staff, which offers me a great flexibility, I can work as much time I can without worrying I will be dismissed. And, what is the best part is that I am doing creative work which suits me the most. I love it.

Previously I had worked for one year as Graphic Designer in my home country. I was doing banners, flyers, business cards, all sort of promotional stuff. I learned that I enjoyed this job and I developed skills about creating all sort of advertising material. I dared to believe I will do the same work here, in Uk, that I will get a job in graphic design or at least a creative job. I felt was doing well my job at that time and wanted to continue, and even build a career out of it, after moving to Uk. But it was impossible to get that type of job for me without an English certificate/diploma and a portfolio I left in Romania, at my previous employer.

Alex saw my potential and encouraged me to fulfil my dream, getting a creative job. It was pretty hard as I didn’t have any piece of my previous works. I could not prove my creativity and ability to work with a computer and software to build products, such as flyers, for example.

He told every detail I needed to know about the job and asked to collect any evidence of my previous work to be shown to the managers. The job seemed perfect and I didn’t want to miss it. I offered to do a sample of my work instead of evidence of my previous job. He agreed and sent me text and images for the work I did at home. We strongly collaborated about this. The piece of the work he sent it to the right people and I received good feedback. Later, Alex set for me a meeting with a recruitment manager and we met all 3 of us. I did very well and later I was asked to attend another meeting to sign employment papers.

We, Alex and I succeeded.

He, as work coach was completely successful, he found me a job which was perfectly suitable with flexible working hours, and I could do it even by home or travel to the company. He also respected all my requirements about the job. And I secured a job which was my dream come true. I will do creative work  and I know I am good doing it. I will do something I love. Just now, for me it is perfect.

I hope someday will turn into a great career but this depends only on me, now. I am deeply grateful to Alex for believing in me and making my dream job come true.

This was in October. Soon I learned of a great turnout happened in my life. I become ill. I was facing hard times. By that time I needed to meet Alex, sign the employment papers but I couldn’t do it anymore. One day Alex called me and I told him the difficult moments I was living. Alex was a great listener and assured me everything will be fine. We talked for more than an hour, he mostly listened to me.

My words are not enough to thank for what he did for me that time. He also assured me the job I had now will be waiting for me.

There was a two months break. I feared all our work will be for nothing. But Alex was right, my job waited for me and now I am working.

I know am at the beginning but I feel that a great work adventure is waiting for me too.

I am seriously happy.