Here at BrandAlley we’re passionate about two things: looking good and giving back. So what better way to combine our passions than by teaming up with Smart Works charity, who help women back into the workplace by supplying them with the vitals tools they need to look flawless, feel fabulous and nail that next job interview. We get inside the head of the inspirational brand to find out more about this admirable initiative…
Smart Works Charity
Can you offer a brief overview of the Smart Works charity and the work that you do?
Smart Works is a UK charity that supports long term unemployed women back into work providing them with an outfit of high quality clothing that’s free and their to keep as well as bespoke coaching for an upcoming interview. The service we provide here at Smart Works empowers women to succeed at their job interview, enabling them to change the direction of their life. Last year we saw 3,000 women and 60% of them got the job.
How are clients referred to the Smart Works charity?
Smart Works supports some of the most vulnerable women in society and every day our volunteers support women from a huge variety of backgrounds. Our clients are referred by organisations that work with ex-offenders, refugees, single mothers, addicts and homeless women and then around a third are referred to us by the JobCentre. All of our clients come to Smart Works for different reasons, but the aim of their session with us is always the same: to leave us feeling confident and prepared for their interviews.
When was Smart Works founded and how did the concept come about?
We set up Smart Works in 2013 as we saw there was a gap in the support offered to women who were looking to get back into work. The idea of using clothing to unlock people’s confidence is not a new one, but what we do is use styling advice and combine it with one-to-one bespoke interview coaching. Our clients leave us not only looking great but also feeling prepared to answer difficult questions. It’s this combination that makes 60% of our clients successful in their interviews.
Let’s talk interview coaching. What three key tips would you offer to candidates feeling nervous about the interview process?
Everyone gets nervous before interviews but in our experience there are a few simple things you can do to steady those nerves. Firstly, it is so important to prepare. Put in the time to know everything you can about the company, the person interviewing you, the role and for those difficult questions that may come up. Secondly, when in the interview, make sure you listen to the questions carefully and don’t rush into answering. Relax, take a breath and formulate a considered response that highlights two or three valid points. We find women in particular have a great tendency to over explain and over complicate questions by talking for too long which can often lead to them inadvertently undermining themselves. Finally believe in yourself. Employers tend to only interview candidates who they believe will fit the role and are eager to find a good person. They are highly likely to be excited to meet you and are keen to hear what you have to say.
When putting together an outfit for a job interview, what key considerations do you recommend?
I always wear a dress to work as it keeps things simple and streamlined. It’s also my work armour – as soon as I’m dressed, I’m ready to start the day. I would say to wear something to your interview that you feel comfortable and confident in. We encourage our clients to dress as the best versions of themselves, not to dress like someone else.
How can BrandAlley customers support the incredible Smart Works initiative?
There are so many ways to get involved with what we are doing at Smart Works. From donating clothes, taking part in fund raising activities or joining in our annual International Women’s Day campaign which takes place in March. Don’t hesitate to send us an email if you ever want more information on supporting Smart Works.
And finally, what’s the long term vision for Smart Works?
We are passionate about making our service accessible to more women in need. Our vision is to extend the reach of our existing centres, whilst also taking Smart Works to more clients around the UK. To do this we are always wanting to hear from people who are inspired by what we do and want to help us spread the Smart Works word!
Looking for your next interview outfit? Be inspired by the collection at BrandAlley.
