To help ease the financial strain felt by families during lockdown, our Community Services Team have been delivering hampers of food to the doorsteps of residents in Eden, Bega and along the NSW South Coast.
The project initially started as a way to keep in touch with families in our Reconnect program with the team creating activity bags filled with games and items to help youth and children pass the time while social distancing measures were in full force.
When we went into lockdown, we wanted to find another way to help. We thought, what can we do to keep in touch with people? Dennis Scott, Operations Manager Indigenous, Youth and Family Services.
The team saw more and more families that had lost work because of Coronavirus and decided to ramp up their efforts and put together and deliver hampers filled with nutritious food to supplement or replace weekly grocery shops.
Deliveries were extended to additional families with the team linking up with Bega Valley Primary school to deliver 14 hampers to families in their school community.
14 families from Bega Valley Primary School received food hampers
People are responding well. They’re really happy to receive them which is so great to see said Dennis.
NSW South Coast locals and small businesses have done it tough this year, with Coronavirus coming right off the back of the bushfires, so it was important to the team that they put back into the community and supported their local shops.
It was important to us to buy local and support local. Everything in the activity packs and the food we’ve organised has been sourced through local businesses so we can see the money come back into our community said Dennis
Campbell Page team members Greg and Timika pack food hampers.
Big thanks to Sapphire Community Pantry and Eden Community Pantry as well as a range of local businesses for helping out with food, games, art equipment, stationery and other items that went into the activity packs and food hampers.
The team is working with the local community to identify more families that would like to receive a food hamper or activity pack.
There’s no doubt about it, the world is a pretty scary place right now with all the talk of Coronavirus. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, know that that is a totally normal response to dealing with the unknown. It’s important at times like these to cut yourself some slack and engage in some self care. Here are our top self care tips!
Move It!
Exercise is one of the best ways to lift your mood and manage your mental health. It doesn’t matter how you move, so long as you get up and do it!
There’s a range of great free online resources to help your exercise at home such as Yoga with Adrienne or get out and take a [socially distant] walk with your furry friend.
Dancing, stretching, biking or resistance training- it’s all good.
Stay Connected
Even though we can’t see our friends and maybe even family as much as we’d like right now, that doesn’t mean we can’t catch up.
Take advantage of all the wonderful technology at your finger tips. Get on FaceTime, try out Skype or Zoom and host your own virtual dinner party or happy hour.
Not a fan? Kick it old school and write your mates a letter. Who doesn’t love getting something exciting in the mail?
Breathe it out
Deep breathing for even just 1 minute can have a huge effect at calming down the body and releasing happy hormones. The 4-7-8 technique is a great place to start.
Try it out! Here’s how to do it:
Breathe in for 4 seconds
Hold your breath for 7 seconds
Breathe out for 8 seconds
Repeat this process for a minute (or as long as you need to).
Need some support? There’s a range of handy breathing and meditation mobile apps to get you in the practice. We love Stop, think, breathe and the Headspace Meditation app.
Pick up a hobby
You might have found yourself with a bit of extra time on your hands with social distancing measures in place.
Always wanted to learn how to knit? Never got to finish that painting project you started? Now’s the time!
There are a range of YouTube tutorials to teach you something new or take advantage of free lessons from online learning platforms like skillshare.
Tune out
The media LOVE a story, and bad news sells. Turn off the news, take a break from social media for a few hours and reduce the bad news you’re exposed to.
You could even seek out some stories about the good things happening in the world to counteract the negative things showing up in your feed and on your TV.
Remember it’s ok to have a bad day
Let yourself feel however you need to. Suppressing your emotions will only make things worse and remember that help is available.
If you need mental health support, visit your doctor or, use one of the great online and phone resources such as Lifeline (13 11 14) and Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) or Headspace.
Our ParentsNext program is about so much more than finding work. We can help you find a balance between your parenting duties, life admin and personal goals. As well as helping you to develop a tailored, flexible plan to achieve what you want to achieve.
When Maddie first came to Campbell Page, she felt a deep sense of helplessness. She’d found herself alone with a baby, no money and no support from family or friends. She didn’t know where to start, let alone what her goals were and it was severely impacting her mental health.
We set about finding immediate support for Maddie by connecting her with a counsellor. Over the next few months we worked slowly with her to make a plan at her pace, and slowly, things got a little less overwhelming.
Maddie now has a fresh start, she’s got a new partner in her life that cares about her and her son, and she’s landed a traineeship as a dental assistant.
I can see that the [Candidate] Coaches main goal is to help me, and to treat me with respect.
Travis was preparing for his son to start school when he joined the ParentsNext program. He was in between career paths and wasn’t sure which direction to head in but he wanted to be financially secure for his son.
After lengthy discussions with his Candidate Coach about his options, Travis expressed a keen interest in Youth Work, and was enrolled in a Certificat IV in Youth work at the local TAFE.
Travis was nervous about starting study, particularly with his son starting kindergarten at the same time, but he excelled. He has since graduated and commenced additional education this year.
I have completed a certificate and want to thank you for supporting me through it.
Here’s what some of our customers had to say about our ParentsNext program.
Thank you, I have never had support like this. [I always felt passed around]. I feel like ParentsNext really care. I am now studying and due to start work.
I’m showing my kids that because you are a single parent doesn’t mean you can’t go [the] places ParentsNext have steered me.
Campbell Pages’ ParentsNext program has gone above and beyond to accommodate me as a parent and [has] worked with me to achieve my goals
I am so proud of myself, I am the first person in my family to achieve any qualification and now I have my traffic control ticket”
[I] love the flexibility of ParentsNext and the choice I get. [I] feel like I am not just being pushed through the system.
Names have been changed to protect our customers privacy.
Searching for your first job or trying to grow your career and land a permanent gig is tough! Sure there are hundreds of jobs around but who’s going to hire you when you have zero experience? After endless applications it feels like you’ll never find a job.
It doesn’t help when it seems like every job ad you find reads something like: “Entry level retail position, perfect for recent PHD graduates with 40 years of experience in quantum physics. Must have a personal reference from Beyoncé and be willing to work 24/7. This is an intern position so will be unpaid, but for the right applicant may progress to paid work!”
When you’re on a job hunt, finding the right position can feel impossible.
Ok so we may have exaggerated a little bit, but come on, we’ve all been here right? Don’t give up yet. Take a break from stress scrolling seek, breathe in deep and keep reading. Here are our top tips to finding a job when you don’t have experience.
1: There’s no such thing as zero experience
It’s hard not to get down on yourself during a job search, especially if it feels like everyone else is miles ahead of you, but trust us, you’ve got skills and experience to leverage even if you don’t realise it. No really- hear us out!
Maybe you’ve done some babysitting, looked after siblings, or mowed lawns. You might have been part of some clubs or activities at school, worked on class projects or volunteered. This all experience you can put on your resume.
Each of these experiences have helped you grow and develop transferrable skills in time management, teamwork, organisation, decision making and more. Show this off in your resume and highlight how this experience (however small) will help you add value to the workplace.
2: Attitude is EVERYTHING
If you really feel like you have absolutely no experience whatsoever that’s ok. When you’re applying for entry level jobs, employers are looking for someone who’s willing to learn, can follow instructions and will always try as hard as they can.
Make your lack of experience work for you on your application and take the time to highlight what you can bring to this job that no one else can- your great attitude and total commitment to learning and growing.
On that note, don’t underestimate the benefit of keeping a positive attitude through your job search. Looking for work is HARD. If you’ve been at it for a while and have received a rejection or two that can get tiring after a while and take its toll. It’s not personal, you’re doing the best you can, so give yourself some credit. Keep reminding yourself that you WILL find a job because YOU ARE AMAZING.
Applying for work can be a long and lonely road, but you’ve got this!
Ever heard the saying it’s not what you know, it’s who you know? This does hold a bit of truth to it. Having someone introduce you to an employer directly is much more valuable than unsolicited job applications.
Your network of friends, family, former teachers and community members are your biggest cheerleaders and between them all, they’re bound to know an employer who is dying to meet you.
Reach out to your network and ask if they know of any available positions or have any contacts, recommendations or introductions they can make for you to help you get your foot in the door. While asking for their help might feel daunting at first, remember, these people care about you and want to see you succeed. You’d do the exact same for them.
4: Hit the books
There’s no doubt about it, life experience is extremely beneficial when it comes to landing a job, but you can’t underestimate the importance of education and training either.
Depending on the job you want, you may need to get certain tickets or qualifications to be considered for a position, experience or not. Some of this training and accreditation can take a day or two (like getting your responsible service of alcohol) and others require a longer term commitment (like a certificate or a degree).
There’s a huge range of options to suit you, and don’t be freaked out if studying isn’t your thing- not all learning is sitting in a classroom and taking tests. The first place to start is to think about what kind of a job you want, and then see if there are any qualifications required to do it. Take it one step at a time.
How good would it be to land a job that pays 6 million dollars and all you have to do is play with puppies all day? Amazing right?! Realistic? Not so much, but hey if you find that job, let us know.
Be realistic in your plans. Take stock of where you’re at with your skills, experience and life stage and apply for jobs within your reach. Give yourself the best chance of succeeding and see every job as an opportunity to learn and grow.
We’re not saying settle for less than you deserve, (or are legally entitled to – make sure your know your rights) but don’t expect to be a high flyer your first day on the job either. Every job, volunteer position or training opportunity will lead to something bigger and help you get to where you want to be.
7: Find the right support
Having a great support network to lift you up is important in any job search. From resume writing, education and training, interview prep and beyond, we’ve got your back to help you find a job (and keep it).
We are pleased to announce that Campbell Page is proudly working towards becoming a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace in an effort to raise awareness of and enhance positive action to help stop men’s violence against women.
White Ribbon Australia is a national organisation working to change the attitude and behaviours that perpetuate men’s violence against women by engaging men and boys to lead social change.
The White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation Program recognises workplaces that are taking active steps to stop violence against women. White Ribbon Workplaces engender a whole of organisation commitment to stop violence against women, meeting 15 criteria under three standards to create a safer and more respectful workplace.
The program builds on existing gender equality and diversity initiatives, providing the tools to strengthen a culture of respect and gender equality at all levels of the organisation. The program supports organisations to respond to and prevent violence against women, whether it occurs inside or outside the organisation, through supporting women experiencing violence, holding perpetrators to account, supporting all employees to challenge inappropriate behaviour and strengthening gender equality within the broader community.
Violence against women has been deemed “a major, public health problem” by the United Nations. Although this is a global issue, the statistics in Australia are alarming:
Over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week as a result of intimate partner violence in Australia.
One in three women in Australia have experienced physical and/ or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them.
Both women and men are more likely to experience violence at the hands of men, with 95% of all victims of violence in Australia reporting a male perpetrator.
Men and women also use and experience violence differently. While men are more likely to experience violence by other men in public places, women are more likely to experience violence from men they know, often in the home.
Not all men use violence- the majority of men are respectful and loving but there are distinct gendered patterns in the perpetration and impact of violence. All violence is wrong, regardless of the sex of the victim or perpetrator.
We look forward to creating a workplace and a community that keeps women free of violence.
We understand that the topic of men’s violence against women may be distressing for some people. If you feel like you need to talk to someone about these issues please contact one of these 24 hour support services, or visit http://www.whiteribbon.org.au/finding-help
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
In an emergency, or if you are in danger or experiencing violence, call the Police on 000.
Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with a variety of other organisations to make a difference within the community. Click here to find out more about who we are or here to find out more about partnering with us.
Campbell Page is set to begin delivering ParentsNext from July 2018 across multiple locations in New South Wales.
ParentsNext is a refreshing pre-employment program providing early intervention assistance to parents with young children. Ultimately, the program assists parents to gain confidence and feel empowered by developing skills that will allow them to engage in paid work all within the context of their individual family situation.
The ParentsNext team have been busily preparing the finishing touches to program spaces, making them friendly, relaxed and welcoming environments for families.
We are thrilled to be offering this program to our customers and are excited to start working with parents to provide support, guidance and practical measures to help them achieve their goals.
To find out more about ParentsNext or to register, click here.
If you’ve aced our first day at a new job but after a few weeks routine has set in and you feel like you need a little help, then this article is for you.
More often then not getting into work is a huge positive step forward, but it’s easy to forget that change still brings with it a transition period. Starting a new job marks exciting challenges such as learning new things, starting a new routine and making new friends. Many of us also face a transition period where we need to adjust to working longer hours then we are used to, and understanding what is required of us to perform well at work.
At Campbell Page we are here to help the transition into your you job as seamless as possible, through mentoring, upskilling and our In-Work Support Program.
Read below to find out more about the 3 Ways We Can Help You in Employment:
Mentoring
Once you’re employed, our Campbell Page Employment Specialists will maintain their dedication to you and your career. We will provide you with ongoing mentoring and support, so you never feel alone. This can include regular appointments and conversations, financial assistance to ensure you are able to get to the shifts you have been allocated. We can even help you choose and purchase the right uniform if you have not been provided one by your employer.
Upskilling
We provide the support and resources you and your employer may need. This involves helping you gain the skills required in your current position, and to progress your career down the track. From assistance to enrolling you in training workshops and courses that will build your skills, we want to help you stay in the workplace for the long term.
In-Work Support
Sometimes you get thrown a curve-ball and your position in life is no longer what is was when you first applied for your job. If you are struggling with an injury, illness or disability our In-Work Support Program can provide you with the assistance you need to maintain employment. We provide education for employers and co-workers to help support you in the workplace, access to workplace assessments and assistance in maintaining work through a variety of mentoring and support programs specified to your needs.
Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities. If you would like to find out more about what we do, please visit the About Us page on our website or contact us directly.
You’ve done it! You wrote a great resume, landed an interview and made a wonderful first impression – now you have to play the waiting game. Stuck on what to do while waiting to hear back from your job interview?
While it may be a difficult time, these 4 Things to Do While Waiting to Hear back from Your Job Interview should help ease your stress.
1.Be Patient
While you may be a combination of excitement and stress, it is important to be patient. There may have been a number of candidates who interviewed for the same position as you, therefore the reviewing process may take a while.
2.Keep yourself busy
Part of managing the stress that comes from waiting to hear back about a job, is to keep your mind from dwelling on all possible scenarios. The interview is over – you have done (mostly) all you can, why not keep yourself busy doing things that you put off doing while you were preparing for the interview? Cleaning your bathroom may not be your idea of a good time, but it will keep you busy enough to stop you from jumping to conclusions.
3.Follow up
If you didn’t follow up the day after your interview now is the perfect time. If you did follow up a day or so after the interview, perhaps wait until a week or so has passed and gently and politely ask how long you can expect to wait until you hear back. Remember that too many emails or phone calls may undo all of the work you put into your first impression, so keep it short, and limit yourself.
4.Continue your job search
I’m sure you have heard more times than you can count “not to put all of your eggs in one basket”. This rule applies so perfectly to anyone on the hunt for a job. Waiting to hear back from an interview is no excuse to stop your job search, no matter how well you did in your interview. It is always best to have a back up plan just in case.
Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities. If you would like to find out more about what we do, please visit the About Us page on our website or contact us directly.
So, you have written an incredible resume that has gotten you an interview with a potential employer – now what? Our Guide to Interview Success is exactly what you need.
Often we get so carried away with making ourselves look great on paper that we forget we may then need to present the same confident, hardworking individual in person or over the phone in an interview.
Compiled below is a 5 Step Guide to Interview Success that will help you make an excellent first impression.
Prep! Prep! Prep!
Once the initial excitement of being offered an interview has worn off you must now begin to think about the process of the interview itself. What will you be asked? What is the company background? Practicing your answers to commonly asked interview questions is a great way to prepare yourself and decide on what your main points about why you are the right person for the job will be.
We recommend doing your homework well before your interview date, not on the way to the interview, as this will give you a much better chance at interview success.
Dress to Impress
Aim to dress professionally, yet suitable for the position you are interviewing for. For example an extremely corporate outfit might seem a little overdressed for a job interview if the position does not call for you to dress similarly each day. At the same time it is important not to under-dress. Wearing a singlet or old tee shirt with shorts and thongs is too casual to be deemed professional at any job interview. If you are going for a job at a local retail outlet a collared shirt with dress pants or a tailored and non-revealing dress would be suitable.
Arrive Early
Plan out your day around the interview. Will you be driving, walking or taking public transport? How long will it take via your chosen transportation method to arrive at your destination? You have probably heard the phrase, “If you are not 15 minutes early, you are already late” – this can be a tricky one as some employers will enjoy your eagerness, while others will feel rushed to get to you. In any case, arriving early is a great way to show not only your eagerness for the position but it demonstrates a great work ethic, which could lend way to interview success. If the interviewer is not ready for you, it also gives you a few minutes to compose yourself.
Non-verbal Communication is Key
Non-verbal communication is as important as verbal communication. When you first meet your interviewer you should stand, smile and create eye contact before giving a strong (dry!) handshake. No matter how nervous you are it is important to make eye contact with your interviewer whenever they are speaking to you, or you are speaking to them. It demonstrates respect and illustrates that you are listening and taking in everything they say. Smiling during the interview is also a great way to relax yourself and make both you and the interviewer feel comfortable.
Follow up the interview
Regardless of how you think the interview went, it is polite to send a follow up email or note thanking the interviewer for their time. It is not only polite, but not all individuals who were interviewed will do so, so it will make you stand out even more than you already have. You should do so after the interview, but it shouldn’t be the first thing you do when you leave. Wait a day or two, as the interviewer’s mind is more likely to be clear, rather than foggy after interviewing 6-10 other people that day.
Good luck!
Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities. If you would like to find out more about what we do, please visit the About Us page on our website or contact us directly.
Writing and updating your resume can be a tedious task that we are all guilty of putting off from time to time. There are so many questions that run through our heads – one page or two? Is this skill relevant to this position? Is it eye catching?
At Campbell Page we are dedicated to transforming people’s lives through securing long-term employment, that’s why we have compiled the following Top 6 Resume Tips and Tricks.
List your experience from most recent to least recent
There are hundreds of ways you can layout your resume, but the most popular is reverse chronological as it demonstrates clearly what position/industry/training you have come from.It makes it clear to your potential employer why you want the position and what skills you already have.
Short and Sweet
If you want your skills, work experiences and achievements to shine, keep your resume to two pages. It keeps the information clear and concise, which is what an employer wants from a resume when shortlisting candidates. You need to catch the employers eye within the frst minute of picking up your resume.
Keep your work experience recent and relevant
You should only include the last 10-15 years of work experience on your resume, and only include the experiences that are relevant to the position you are applying for now. If your have limited or no work experience that is relevant to the position do not stress. Skills that are transferable such as organisational skills, customer services skills, computer skills and communication skills can be the main focus of your resume.
Use keywords
When you read the job description what were the keywords used? Those words can be the difference between getting an interview and not getting a interview. Make sure you take notice of what words are being used multiple times to describe the ideal candidate or the position responsibilities. This is important as some companies now use processers that scan attachments for key words they are advertising for.
Keep your contact details visible
You no longer necessarily need to provide an address in your contact details, however you should have a personal email (not your work email) and a phone number that you are always contactable on. These details should be at the very top of your resume, so your potential employer can contact you with ease if your have been shortlisted. Your personal email should be professional, for example john.smith01@gmail.com.
Style it like a professional
A resume with a lot of graphics and colours can be distracting from the content. White space on your resume will make the document easier to read and increase your chances of being put into the “YES” pile on the employer’s desk.
Remember, your resume is a tool to get you an interview. The interview is where you will go into more detail about your previous experiences and achievements in the workplace.
Looking for more tips and tricks about applying for jobs and interviewing? Click here to view our Job Seeker Resource Kit.
Campbell Page is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in our communities. If you would like to find out more about what we do, please visit the About Us page on our website or contact us directly.
