Carolyn is celebrating a new beginning after securing a local cleaning job that suits her abilities, health and life goals after more than one year out of work.
When Carolyn first came to atWork Australia’s Mandurah office in late 2018, she was feeling overwhelmed by significant changes in her life and was extremely low in confidence. Carolyn had been a partner in a successful painting business with her husband for many years. However, a breakdown in her marriage and a deterioration in her health left Carolyn struggling both mentally and financially.
While Carolyn had begun to think that she would never find work again, her Disability Employment Services Job Coach, Justine, could see her potential. “I knew that with the right support, guidance and encouragement, Carolyn would once again be the great worker that she had been,” said Justine.
Finding the right employment pathway for Carolyn began with a thorough review of her résumé and cover letter. Carolyn and Justine then sat side by side researching new employment options, working out what jobs suited Carolyn’s previous experience, her current health capacity and her goals in life.
Once a shortlist of employment options was drawn, Carolyn and Justine began to target local employers, all the while preparing Carolyn to be ‘job ready’ – arranging police clearances and essential cards, and the appropriate clothing for job interviews and work.
It wasn’t long until the right opportunity presented itself: a cleaning role at a local company run by a husband and wife team.
After an interview, Carolyn was ecstatic to find that she was successful in getting the job. She has since hit the ground running and her new employer has been particularly impressed by her strong work ethic, honesty and reliability.
For Carolyn herself, it’s been life-changing.
“You have no idea how much this means to me and how this has changed my life,” she told Justine. “I love my job and I’ll be forever grateful.”
