Return to work or change direction

A one day workshop for people looking to return to work or change direction in their career.

Attending this workshop will help rebuild your self-esteem to give you confidence about going back into a work environment, you will analyse your strengths and weakness and identify your skills and how to best put them to use.You can also learn practical tips to help you re-build your CV. where to look for jobs and how to tailor your search to find the job you really want. The course also looks at how you can do a job and be there for your family at the same time.

Where - tbc

Times – 10am to 2.30 pm

Date –   tbc

Led by Diana Wolfin of Changing Direction

Biog – Diana Wolfin worked for many years at the University of Westminster running ‘return to work’ courses for women before establishing her own business. Together with her colleague Susan Foreman, she has written a book, 'Back to Work - A Guide for Women Returners' and she now coaches clients through her business ‘Changing Direction’ on practical ways to get back into the workplace.

Topics include –

• analysing your personal strengths and skills,
• building the confidence to believe that returning to work is possible,
• targeting your job search in challenging times,
• devising a CV which focuses on the positive aspects of your career break,
• interview techniques including self-presentation and body language
• working on strategies for achieving a successful work-life balance.

Cost - Learning Skills Account holders will be entitled to attend this course free of charge if you have been in a caring role for 5 years or more. Please ask for further information.

To book your place, call 0845 872 5299 or email info@flexibleskillsbank.co.uk

It has been said that the interview is the most important part of the job application process so, having landed an interview for your ideal job, wouldn't you like to go in to it, full of confidence that you will be one step ahead of the rest?

This online course will teach you the following things...

• How to communicate easily and fluidly
• How to sell yourself effectively
• Know how avoid the most common mistakes
• Overcome interview nerves, feel calm and confident
• Discover the questions most likely to come up
• Get expert answers to every question
• Learn interview techniques that are proven to work
• Arrive at your interview fully prepared
• You will master competency based, telephone and panel interviews.

For just £49.95 you will gain access to a course that will give you interview practise specially tailored to the type of job and the level that you are looking for and you will get a full 7 day money back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.

Click here to find out more about Interview Gold

Do you want your work to fit around your lifestyle and family?Do you have good secretarial and administrative skills?

Being a virtual PA, or freelance secretary, is an ideal business that you can run from home. It offers fully flexible, family-friendly hours and the work is interesting and varied. If you have ever considered running your own VPA business, or perhaps you already do, then we have an excellent opportunity for you

At the end of the course you will be fully equipped with everything you need to run your own successful virtual PA business. The course will give you a real head-start and ensure that you are more successful faster.  Working as a VPA allows you to work as much or as little as you wish, with your hourly rate averaging around £15-£20 per hour.

Where - St Albans, Herts

Times – from 9.30am for coffee and registration, course runs 10am to 4pm

Date – tbc

Led by – Graham Roberts-Phelps of Virtual PA Plus

Virtual PA Plus is an established and successful business offering a full range of business and office support services, There is an option at the end of the course to become an Associate of Virtual PA Plus (with a monthly licence fee of £95 (plus VAT) per month) but there is no obligation.

Topics include -  

• How best to translate your skills and experience into a series of services and products that clients want to use.
• Know how to set your prices and charge correctly for different services and clients.
• Key skills for attracting new clients: a ten-step process guaranteed to bring you a regular stream of clients.
• Target marketing – how to create different solutions for different types of client
• The most common sales and marketing mistakes virtual PA’s make.
• How to respond to client enquiries, creating effective marketing materials.
• Client management skills and delivering excellent customer service.
• The three keys to building revenue from existing customers.
• The best equipment, software and services that you need to run your business.
• Managing cashflow: How to stay on top of invoicing and get paid; controlling costs.

Cost - £95 including for whole day including tea, coffee, lunch and materials, with a full money back guarantee if you are not delighted with your experience.

To book your place, call 0845 872 5299 or email info@flexibleskillsbank.co.uk

**Group bookings of two or more people will get a 10% discount so tell all your friends**

Whether you have an idea for a new business, have already started a business or would like to set youself up as a freelancer and need ideas and help on promoting yourself, these personalised workshops will point you in the right direction. These one to one sessions will cover exactly what you would like to know, tailored to suit your requirements, and they can be as long or as short as you need them.

Topics covered can include

• Researching your market place
• Establishing likely demand for your business and identifying your customer base
• Creating a brand, image and unique selling proposition
• Building a website
• Communication channels
• Public relations and writing press releases
• Online marketing
• Social networking
• Search engine optimisation
• Direct mail and email marketing
• Building a database
• Networking
• Advertising
• Business to business marketing

To discuss your specific requirements, please contact Karen Kennard on 0845 872 5299 or email us

Costs £30 per hour plus VAT. Minimum 1 hour.