Volunteer Coach

ABOUT SMART WORKS

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that helps unemployed women to get

the coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their

lives. After visiting Smart Works, 63% of clients secure a job within a month of their appointment.

The women Smart Works support are at high risk of economic hardship, often struggling with confidence

and self-belief in the face of repeated rejection and real barriers to employment. Smart Works has

supported over 40,000 women into employment over the past decade.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Our coaching volunteers equip our clients with advice, tips and skills to help them with their next steps towards employment. They mentor our clients and empower them to reach their full potential.

Our coaching volunteers have senior level management experience (HR or recruitment backgrounds are

not mandatory). They work directly with our clients to help them prepare for a job interview or support

our clients with tangible next steps towards securing an interview if they are currently job searching.

Volunteers can attend to a wide range of events, volunteer socials and access to our monthly volunteer forums and training. You will become part of the supportive and buzzing Smart Works community, consisting of over 780 volunteers across the UK.

This opportunity would be perfect for anyone who wants to use their skills in interviewing and mentoring to support unemployed women into the workplace.

“I love meeting the diverse range of clients who come through the door at Smart Works. Helping a woman see her potential and empower her to talk about herself confidently, no matter what life may have thrown at her, is incredibly rewarding”

Smart Works Coaching Volunteer

COACHING VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

• Leading 1:1 appointments with unemployed women in your community, that focus on their search for employment.
• Supporting our clients by providing excellent advice on their next steps towards employment including (but not limited to) interview skills, job applications and editing a CV or cover letter.
• Mentoring our clients during their coaching appointments, helping them see their potential.
• Being empathetic towards our clients and empowering them to direct the session by asking them what they would like to focus on.

DO YOU HAVE...

• Senior management experience and experience of interviewing at different levels.
• Coaching qualifications and/or training are desirable but not essential.
• An excellent listener, with an empathetic nature towards our clients and their backgrounds.
• Comfortable working with volunteers and clients from different backgrounds and respectful of other people’s experiences and approaches.
• Work well in a team to ensure our clients have the best experience.
• Someone who is able to work flexibly and go with the flow- the nature of our work means our client schedule often changes at the last minute.
• Passionate about our mission and fashion as a force for good.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

• Using your knowledge and skills to help women feel more confident before they enter the workplace and make a positive difference to the lives of our clients.
• Meeting people from a range of backgrounds and making new friends who have a shared passion for helping others.
• Joining our monthly UK wide virtual volunteer forums to meet individuals across the charity and receive training opportunities to help you learn new skills.

You can apply for the role through our website, Smart Works Birmingham. Go to 'support us', 'get involved', and then 'become a volunteer'.