I had an interview and got offered the job the same day!

Layla had gone from enjoying her old job to wanting a complete change due to a poorly handled workplace incident.  Following a referral from her NHS Talking Therapies counsellor she met Monica, her dedicated Twining Enterprise Employment Specialist.  Monica worked closely with Layla to consider different career paths and prepare for job interviews.  Layla then went for a job interview and got the job!  She’s now excited to start her next career chapter.  Here Layla tells us her story in her own words… 

I had been very happy in my old job but an incident at work had made me feel differently and I initially reached out to my GP for some extra support at a difficult time.  My doctor suggested Harrow NHS Talking Therapies and I was put on a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).  However, I wanted to think about my next career move and so my therapist suggested Twining Enterprise, as they knew Twining provided help with getting back into the work environment after a period of leave… and this referral led me to Monica, my amazing Employment Specialist!

I knew I didn’t want to go back into my old job, I felt there was too much emotional history there, however, I wanted to do something that was related to it, or in a similar sphere of work.  Monica was so supportive in considering lots of different employment options for me.

As well as thinking about different job options, it was also a time when I was liaising with lots of different employment-related organisations, and she also helped me with this too, all of which helped me to get back on track in the workplace.  Monica just helped me from so many different angles.  She’s very knowledgeable on how to approach different things, as well how to approach jobs and employment.

Then I saw a job advertised for what I’d decided I wanted to do.  I spoke to Monica as I wasn’t sure what I could or couldn’t do, in terms of applying for work, when I was signed off.  She really helped to guide me about what to say in an interview about my situation but also in terms of getting the job.  Because of everything that had happened and how I was feeling, it all felt like quite a minefield, but having Monica there to constantly guide me through it all, whilst also knowing my history and what I was hoping to do in my future career, was just so incredibly useful.

Monica suggested we carry out some mock interviews – just to give me an opportunity to experience what I might be asked and to formulate my replies.  I then got an interview for the job, went for the interview and got the job!  The company phoned me up on the same day as the interview to let me know they wanted to offer me the job!  I couldn’t wait to tell Monica!

I also appreciated how Monica supported me to explore different career options in an informed and objective way.  There were some different jobs I was considering and Monica gave insightful and practical advice which helped me to properly evaluate whether they were the right jobs for me or not.  For example, she was honest with me about one job I was considering, and outlined that although I could go for it, it might mean a salary decrease whilst I was training.  This type of advice helped me to consider the bigger picture and what type of job moves were right for my current situation.

As well as supporting me with the job search, Monica was also just there for me if ever I felt a bit down.  I’d been through a lot in my old job and sometimes I just needed someone to be alongside me emotionally.  Monica was brilliant for this.  She was just there for me.  Monica was so full of empathy and understanding and it felt so comforting just to have her there in those moments, especially because she knew my history and how challenging some of my experiences had been.  Sometimes that’s all you need - someone there in your corner – listening to you and staying alongside you – and I am so grateful to Monica for being that person for me.

Monica has been an absolute delight from start to finish and this is one of the reasons I wanted to share my story…