Pictured: Lauren Buchanan and her son Xavier
A Nottinghamshire mum who has secured a permanent job as a
purchase ledger clerk is urging other local people to get free
careers advice from Next Step, as it celebrates its first
anniversary of helping people improve their working lives.
Lauren Buchanan, 21, who lives in Keyworth with her young son
Xavier, secured the role after using the Next Steps service to
improve her CV and run through mock interviews.
She is just one of 20,200 people in Nottinghamshire who have
been helped by the careers service in its first year.
Lauren wanted to leave her full time role and find part time
work after her son Xavier was born on Christmas Day in 2009,
said:
"It was difficult leaving a job that I loved, but I wanted to
spend more time with my son instead of putting him in full-time
childcare. I knew I had skills that could be transferred into other
roles - I just couldn't get a foot in the door."
She was introduced to an adviser at Next Step, who suggested
some changes to her CV and set up a couple of mock interviews. The
skills she learnt were used a few months later in an interview for
a purchase ledger role at Hyperama cash and carry wholesaler in
Nottingham, where she now works.
In her new role Lauren processes orders, deals with buyers and
arranges deliveries, working Monday to Friday from 10am until 3pm,
leaving her plenty of time at home to spend with her son.
Lauren continued: "I can take Xavier to nursery on the way to
work and collect him on my way home, giving us plenty of time
together as a family. I have a job that utilises my skills, fits
with my home life and I enjoy. Finding this role and getting
offered the job is down to the support I got from Next Step -
brushing up on my CV and interview technique has made a huge
difference to my life."
Nottingham Next Step adviser Shazia Ali, said:
"In difficult economic times people need to take all the help
they can get to secure a job and we are offering a free service to
help people on their way.
"This last year I have been able to help a number of people
secure work and training - from people that have been made
redundant to those like Lauren who are looking to create a better
work-life balance. Lauren was great to work with and support. She
had a very positive attitude towards finding work and with regular
one-to-one support she was able to achieve her goals.
"It's fantastic that we have been able to support more than
20,000 adults in Nottinghamshire over the last year, but we want
even more people to use our services."