What does everyone featured in our cover photo have in common? They have all attended Lane Cove Council’s Get That Job and found a job.
For the last couple of years, Lane Cove Council has been holding seminars aimed at residents who have been made redundant or are finding it hard to get a job. The man behind the workshops is Mike Taylor.
Mike Taylor knows a thing or two about getting a job in today’s competitive market. Mike is a Lane Cove local who has been running the ‘Get that Job’ program with the backing of Lane Cove Council for the past five years. He decided to approach the Council when sensing a need in the community for those who had been made redundant without a corporate-sponsored career management program, were experiencing mid-career issues, or were just finding things extremely difficult.
Mike’s background includes work in the airline, oil, consulting, and career management industries in the UK and Australia. He has degrees from Essex University and the London School of Economics and graduate certificates in counselling. Having left paid employment, he volunteers his time.
What is the Get A Job Programme?
The program commences with a four-hour workshop. The workshop covers a broad base of the required tools, skills, and know-how, from strategic to operational aspects, including networking, marketing, interviewee skills, sustainability, and career management.
In addition to the workshop, each Monday morning, there is a coffee group meeting. Mike says the objective is to ensure people start the week in a positive way, knowing they have a great support group. On a number of occasions, this local group knowledge has led to very successful outcomes.
Lane Cove Council has also made available an office where Mike is able to provide confidential individual meetings for participants to get ‘up to speed’ on all elements of the programme.
The final component of the program is a group evening Zoom session.
Throughout the program, networking is promoted as one of the key ways to success and now with the program’s growing alumni, there are plenty of people willing to assist.
Mike says the results have been excellent, because, “you don’t have to do this on your own, feeling isolated from the kitchen table.”
Piyush Nasa participated in the workshop, and he told ITC:
“Applying the techniques shared by Mike became a game-changer in my job-seeking journey. His mentorship equipped me with skills and instilled the importance of strategic networking. I successfully secured a position at Macquarie Bank, a testament to the effectiveness of Mike’s ‘Get that Job’ approach.”
Deepika Nand participated in the workshop and she told ITC:
“One of the standout aspects of the “Get That Job” program was the focus on interview coaching. After countless unsuccessful job applications, I was on the verge of giving up. Mike introduced the concept of direct marketing, which transformed my approach. I stopped relying solely on online applications and started building my network by attending career expos and actively seeking connections. Mike’s one-on-one coaching enabled me to excel in interviews, and I secured a job with just one interview.”
Robina Bonwick participated in the workshop and she told ITC:
“What is unique about this programme is the amount of follow-up support given by Mike. The group meets once a week for coffee to swap information, and experiences and give moral support, which is invaluable if you are in between jobs! Mike also makes himself available for one-on-one sessions to work on any aspect you need, including interview practice.
This face-to-face approach keeps you moving forward and refining each job-hunting skill.
This programme helped me rebuild my confidence and target my search with the result that I am now working for Macquarie University in a job that ticks all my boxes, and I’m loving it.”
Next Workshop
When: Thursday, 25 July 2024 – 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: Terrace Function Room, lower ground floor, Lane Cove Community Hub, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove
Bookings: Bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Book here
This is a free program to support you to get that job!
You will receive tools and tips from a career management consultant on:
- Preparing your CV
- Interview techniques
- Developing your network
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