Like many jobseekers gravely affected by the global pandemic, Sam felt the uncertainty brought about by the world closing down, and suddenly finding herself unemployed. At the thrust of the new year, Sam, a Health and Wellbeing Facilitator started her journey with OLightOn Coaching in tears, for as she put it: “I couldn’t believe that I, somebody who has always—for her career— been supporting others, now finds herself sitting in the seat, needing help.” But after completing her coaching sessions, a rekindled Sam finds herself equipped with a full-time role, a healthier lifestyle and a progressive outlook.
Through a short interview, Sam tells us more about her journey:
What role are you now currently in?
I’ll be working as a Peer Coach with Camden & Islington NHS.
What challenges did you feel you faced with the job search or applications?
The greatest challenge, initially, was getting my head around being unemployed and now being on benefits. It was fine for the first six months, but after that it started being quite draining. Throughout the process, I was recommended to many different organisations and programs, but none of them were helpful for me. The main struggle was in cultivating the patience to cope.
Did you feel that OLightOn Coaching helped overcome or manage these challenges?
In everything. They helped with the psychological and the practical aspects.
I started my first session with a good cry that was honoured, with me being told to take my time. They then went on to help me with my CV, whilst enlightening me to the effectiveness of getting the right terminology and relevance of job descriptions.
On my second session, I was offered great encouragement and was helped to tweak my CV further to my comfortable perfection. It was now a good CV and I felt ready to send it out to the world of recruitment. And I did! This was a big step - this CV and the encouraging words filled me with confidence. I was ready for work!
My third session helped to shift my way of thinking completely about interviews. I received the advice and it touched me profoundly! Twenty minutes before the interview for my job, I felt calm and well prepared as I remembered some of the advice and guidance I received from my sessions with OLightOn.
With my one-to-one career coaching, sessions went from pebbles to stones, then to rock, and dear I say to mountains. The words of wisdom, honesty and inspiring personal quotes touched me and removed my hopeless feelings. It helped me identify my priorities and values, that enabled me to create a plan.
Would you recommend OLightOn Coaching to other job seekers?
Yes! What sets them apart is that they were honest and gentle, always open and respectful. A quote that stuck by me from one of my coaching sessions was ‘slow is better than standing still’ and I believe this is very telling of how nurturing their approach is to job seekers, which makes a world of difference.
Aside from her new role, Sam also happily attributes her improved lifestyle choices to her coaching sessions. ‘I was somebody who was doing nothing - no exercise before the coaching sessions. But as a result of the motivation I received from the sessions, I was able to complete a marathon for a charitable cause.’
If you or the people you represent are in a similar situation as Samantha was, feel free to reach out to us by sending an email to info@olighton.com