Since Mary finished high school 10 years ago, she has had depression and lacked the confidence to work. Her recovery has been difficult and she has had many frustrations.
Mary was introduced to her local Disability Employment Network member, Ruah Workwright, who taught her how to look for jobs, write a resume that highlighted her abilities, understand what employers look for and how best to present her skills in interviews.
Previously, Mary had two jobs that only lasted for a few weeks but, because of her depression, they didn’t work out.
‘I wanted to work so much…I got really unwell and lost my confidence’, Mary said.
With support from her employment coordinator, Cerredwyn, and from her family and friends, Mary was able to regain her confidence.
Cerredwyn has also helped Mary think about her options if this job does not work out. A job search and study plan are a back up plan for Mary should they be needed for any reason.
Mary has enrolled in a TAFE retail course and also started part-time work at Coles as a register operator—a dream come true for Mary.
‘I’ve also learned so many skills. These have helped me get the job at Coles. But also I now know how to keep myself on track if things go wrong.’ This statement is an indication of the positive attitude Mary has developed as a result of the support she has received through her connection with Ruah Workwright.
You can help job seekers who have had depression or have lost their confidence looking for work. Encourage them to thinking about their options and making a back-up plan to give them more direction.
More information?