Brian's Story

Hi, my name is Brian Wright and I've been helping Women & Work as a volunteer for just over 6 months. I feel very honoured to have been invited to speak at today's AGM.

I was made redundant in May 2010 when my employer Nortel, a telecoms equipment maker, collapsed its billion dollar corporation, into financial administration. Until then, I was a Quality Manager, happily doing "quality" things, for many Nortel people, in locations around the globe. A year on, and a few colleagues have made it back into the industry, or shifted to new sectors. Sadly, many more are struggling to keep a brave face and haven't yet found work.

Having been unemployed before, I'm very aware that a major hurdle in getting back to work, is not the recession, nor luck, not even skills. It is the erosion of your esteem, which can cause you to doubt your abilities - and fail to register their true value. It can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, mobility, social status: even those apparently self- confident or experienced. It is a voice that talks you out of applying for a job: it says "you could do that job easily, if only you were as capable as you used to be".

It's very noticable, as a jobseeker, that there's no shortage of employment advice. Advisors and consultants are literally queuing up - to fix your CV, makeover your wardrobe and get you to read their stuff. But I've noticed a dire shortage of tailored guidance - and being frank, genuine empathy.

I realise I'm not exactly in the Women & Work target audience but whilst volunteering, I was offered a guidance session. I was grateful for it and feel strongly that I benefitted. The difference for me was in the approach. First declutter, then redefine, then own the plan for your meaningful career. Defer some actions: push back harder on others. Was this so different? Yes, because the focus wasn't about the way in which I was looking for work, it was about what I wanted to find.

A nice new dress or a sharp suit cannot hope to disguise a gloomy disposition at an interview. There is a big difference between any old job and one which is meaningful to you. I think W&W understand these things- and it's why I believe your services are unique - and why you achieve repeated success.

The good news is that I'm getting interviews. Down to the last two twice now. But I won't give in to doubt anymore because of lessons I've learned through volunteering. There is at least one place where there's always plenty for me to do - where help and experience has a real value to others. I'm sure that there are people here who will be genuinely pleased for me when I do get that job. The same is probably true of the Job Centre too, but I suspect, for entirely different reasons.