From Child Protection to Art Therapy

From Child Protection to Art Therapy Success Story > From: Job To: Portfolio career From Child Protection to Art Therapy “I felt depressed and anxious. Some days I didn't feel like going to work at all.” * From Child Protection to Art Therapy Liz Fairfax wanted to make a positive difference in children's lives, butshe couldn't do that where she was. An inspiring talk gave her an idea for a new career and set her down a path of retraining. Here, she shares why it's been one of the best things she's ever done. What work were you doing previously? I worked in the public sector as a caseworker in child protection. What are you doing now? I'm an art educator and facilitator. I've just completed a Master's degree in Art Therapy. I use these skills to teach art and run art sessions for children and adults who have a disability, providing art-making experiences that are accessible to everyone. How did you feel in your work before you decided to make the change? It was an emotional and demanding job, with long hours and some extremely confrontational situations. Although there were a lot of rewards in the work, there were also a lot of frustrations and setbacks. I was faced with extremely sad situations, with little support or resources to helpfamilies in making the changes they needed to keep children safe. I was feeling trapped before I decided to leave. I felt that I had a 'good' job and that I needed to work on myself so that I felt OK about work. I was depressed and anxious at times. Some days I didn't feel like going to work at all, and found myself avoiding work when I could. I was getting sick often and didn't feel like socialising much. I was always trying to play catch up to get on top of my work. Why did you change? I wanted to do something positive in people's lives. I've always wanted to help people, but found working in child protection a difficult place to help people in a meaningful way. There was a lot of micromanaging and it was difficult to support families whilst working in a non-voluntary climate. When was the moment you decided to make the change? I went to a training course run by Dr Bruce Perry, a leading child psychiatrist. He talked about trauma-informed care. One of the many therapies that support children with trauma is Art Therapy. This was the start of my new career path. How did you choose your new career? I visited a service that provides art therapy services for children. The art therapist there told me about a university course I could complete and some of the job opportunities in the field. I started my Master's in Art Therapy about four years ago and finished last year. In my final year I completed a year's practicum with one of the founding art therapists in Australia. I had the privilege of working with her for a year, at a local school that provides specialised educational facilities for children on the autism spectrum. This led me to pursue a career in art therapy and art facilitation, providing accessible art-making opportunities for people with a disability. Are you happy with the change? Absolutely. It's been one of the best things I've ever done in my life. It's not only changed my everyday routine, and my work life, but it's had cascading effects on my personal life too. It's shown me that I have control and agency over my life and that I can make my own decisions. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I miss my colleagues and some days I miss the money as well. I don't miss the heavy workloads, and constant unpredictability of the job. How did you go about making the shift? I saved some money, cut back on non-essentials, and started living a more minimalist lifestyle. In the final year of my Master's, I quit my job to complete my clinical practicum. I then worked as an educator, teaching art to primary-school-aged children. What didn't go well? What wrong turns did you take? I took too long to make the shift. Scared of falling off the cliff, I waited for the 'right' time. In the end I was pushed into leaving my old job because of my study commitments â€" I couldn't work and complete a practicum three days a week. This forced me to leave, which led me to find a way to make money. This is where I found a job teaching art to primary aged students, one of my favourite casual jobs. I wish that I had left my old job earlier. How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible? I cut back a lot and had all my credit cards paid off to reduce the burden. I was very fortunate to have a partner who could financially support me. This made it a lot easier. What was the most difficult thing about changing? Leaving a job I knew so well and becoming a learner again. Slowing down too, that was hard for me. I'm still learning to do it. I find it difficult when I don't know what I'm doing, so Iremindmyself daily that it's OK to be a learner. I'm givingmyself permission to be a student, an observer and rookie. What help did you get? I had a lot of help from my partner, and from my university. I was fortunate to have weekly supervision meetings whilst going through my practicum. And the success stories on the Careershifters website helped me realise I wasn't the only one crazy enough to chase a career I love. What resources would you recommend to others? Networking. It's been a great resource for me in finding casual work, and also leading to other employment in my field of choice. I found my educator roles through friends and recommendations. University services are a great support for resources and career advice. They also helped support me to brainstorm workplaces that I could practise art therapy in. What have you learnt in the process? I learnt not to wait for the right time. Leaving my job forced me to figure the rest out. I didn't go broke or fall off a cliff. I made mistakes and had to readjust the budget, but things did fall into place. When I started the process I read this advice and told myself I couldn't do it, but, looking back, I could. I wish I'd taken the advice to leave earlier, and let the justifications to stay in the job go â€" they were holding me back. And I learnt that you can't always find your dream job via a job search, so you need to approach organisations and tell them what you can do, to literally create your job! What would you advise others to do in the same situation? It's OK to go backwards, to earn less money. In the end, we don't really need that much money, and I live in Sydney, one of the most expensive cities in the world. What lessons could you take from Liz's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Components in Resume Writing

Components in Resume WritingWhen you are trying to design a resume, you should think about the components in resume writing that will help you in finding what your potential employer is looking for. You need to consider how you can make the most of your skills, qualifications and experience so that your future employer will find that you are an asset to the organization.If you are currently working, it would be best to get yourself a professional resume. This way, you will be able to find the components in resume writing that will help you find what your employer is looking for. As you begin to work on this, you will begin to find that there are certain elements that will come up in terms of components that will help you with your resume.One of the first things that you should look for when looking at resume components is what past experiences you have that relate to the job. Your resume will need to show that you have a level of experience that relates to the job. For example, if yo u are looking for a post-secondary position, this will need to be shown in your resume. A post-secondary education, especially in a related field, will show that you have a level of education that will help you get your foot in the door.The next part of your resume should show that you have some kind of previous work experience that shows your ability to work in a particular field. A previous work history is something that should be included in your resume because it will show that you have an ability to handle the work environment. You need to show that you have the knowledge and expertise that come with the work history.There are many different kinds of people who might be looking for a job. These might include current employees, people who have recently left a job or people who are moving on from a job. As you can see, many different people will need to have a way to show what they have done in the past.For example, if you want to sell for a company, you might want to list some o f your previous work experience, but also what the company needs from you at this time. Most companies require a certain number of applications before you can fill the position. As you can see, your experience will be needed for this job, and this can include previous work experience as well as related work experience.As you can see, the components in resume writing that are needed are the same with what is needed with your previous work experience. You can even use this list as a guideline for what kind of work experience you need to put in your resume. All you need to do is write down what you have done and take it one step further to tell what you do now to help with the hiring process.You could also use this list as a guideline for the kind of information that you would like to include on your resume. If you have a degree in human services, you would want to include it in your resume. In fact, this is a good way to make sure that you don't leave anything out on your resume.

3 Tips for Single Women Looking to Adopt a Child On Their Own

3 Tips for Single Women Looking to Adopt a Child On Their Own Adopting a child as a single parent is a lot easier and more common than it has ever been previously. With all the different kinds of families there are in the world, it’s now seen that having a child raised and supported by a loving parent is much better than any alternative. If you’ve wanted to have children but haven’t had the chance, regardless of the reason why, choosing to adopt is a great chance to make your life and the life of a child infinitely better. However, that’s not to say that this journey won’t come without a fair share of challenges. To make this process easier on you as a hopeful adoptive mother, here are three things to keep in mind when you’re looking to adopt a child on your own. Get A Support System The time spent preparing for an adoption can vary greatly and cause a lot of stress on you as a hopeful adoptive parent. Although you’re going to be raising the child primarily on your own, that doesn’t mean that you should be going through the process on your own. According to Parents.com, having friends or family that can act as your support system, giving you encouragement and assistance when necessary, will help to make this process feel a lot more manageable. A solid support system that will remain with you while you raise your child will also be a huge benefit to that child as they grow and develop as well. Defending Your Decision Although it’s a lot more widely accepted for single adults to adopt children on their own now, there still are people who may not understand or agree with your decision. When you run into this situation, FamilyEducation.com states that it’s helpful both for yourself and for others if you know the common concerns others have about single parent adoption and can adequately and respectfully refute these points. To help you better prepare, FamilyEducation.com also provides some of the most common questions and oppositions for single parent adoption, including issues with shared parental responsibilities, financial and emotional support and more. By knowing what questions you may be asked by others during this process, you can feel more confident defending your decision to be a single adoptive parent. Logistics of Childcare Before you bring your new child into your home, ChildWelfare.gov recommends for prospective adoptive parents to think long and hard about the logistics of how they plan to parent. Some of the logistical issues you should have figured out before your adoption goes through involve child care, finances, and your career. The answers to these questions will also help you throughout the adoption process, so make sure you have solid answers that will help move everything along. Adopting as a single woman may just be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. Use the tips mentioned above to help this process progress as smoothly and easily as possible. Image Source; Image Source; Image Source

4 Tips for a Smooth First Business Trip

4 Tips for a Smooth First Business Trip Have you just been assigned your first business trip? Whether you’re traveling within the US or abroad, going on the first business trip of your career always feels like a step in the right direction, and it is an adventure that you’re sure to feel excited about. But, while you may be thrilled about what’s to come, what can you do to make sure that your first business trip runs smoothly and everything goes to plan, from booking tickets to submitting your expense reports? Successfully traveling for business can be daunting for first-timers, and it’s not uncommon to be overwhelmed by the new environment and different set of responsibilities compared to what you are used to. We’ve put together some top tips to help you make the most of your first business trip. Find Comfortable Accommodation: If you’re only going to be traveling for a day or two, then you can probably get away with staying in a hotel room. However, if your business trip is a long-term one, then you will probably want to find some more comfortable accommodation to stay in. Choosing furnished apartments in Washington DC, for example, instead of a standard hotel room, not only gives you somewhere comfortable to stay but more space to work, hold meetings, and relax outside of working hours. Plus, it’s cheaper â€" furnished apartments to rent in Washington DC tend to cost less over the long-term compared to other accommodation types and you’ll save money by having a fully-equipped kitchen where you can make your own food instead of eating out all the time. If you are looking for corporate apartments in Washington DC for your first business trip, there are a range of furnished apartments here from Blueground that are definitely worth checking out. Limit Your Luggage: If you are flying for business and you’re only going on a short trip, then it’s a good idea to limit your luggage to a carry-on bag only. This can be difficult if you are used to packing a large bag when you travel, but both you and your company will be grateful for the money that you’ll save and you’ll be relieved when you land as there’s no need to wait for your case at the carousel â€" perfect if you are on a tight timeframe and need to start heading to meetings and getting things done as soon as you arrive. Pack smart by choosing items that you can wear several times or pair with different pieces to make a new outfit; neutral colors such as white, cream and black are ideal for this. Downsize to travel-sized toiletries or even wait until you arrive to get essentials such as shampoo and shower gel. Limit cumbersome items such as books, and wear your heaviest shoes and clothes wherever possible. Be Smart with Scheduling: When it comes to meetings and appointments, it’s a good idea to be smart about your schedule and wherever possible, give yourself enough time in between so that you’re not inadvertently overbooking yourself. There’s nothing worse than being stressed because of time on your first business trip and the last thing that you want to do is make a bad impression on the people or groups that you’re meeting with by turning up late or rescheduling due to tight scheduling. If you must work to a tight schedule, it’s a wise idea to research transport options before you begin, or try to have meetings as physically close to each other as possible in terms of location, to limit your traveling time and give you enough time to prepare in between. Look After Your Health: Last but not least, don’t neglect your health while traveling for business.    You should still be your number one priority. If you can, find a hotel or serviced apartment that has an on-site gym you can use to continue working out as normal if this is a habit of yours, or research the area for the best place to run. When you’re traveling to a city that offers bicycle rental, this could be ideal for you if your go-to exercise is cycling. If you’re staying in a hotel or serviced apartment with an on-site pool, set some time aside for swimming whenever you can â€" it’s great exercise and will help you wind down and relax when the working day is over, or help you get set up for a busy day of meetings. Don’t forget the importance of sleep, too â€" while it might be tempting to pull some all-nighters to get everything done, instead keep your morning agenda in mind and try to get a full eight hours of rest each night, even if that means cutting the night short and resuming your work the next morning â€" you’ll feel much more refreshed and energized for it. What are you most looking forward to about your first business trip? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Action Sentences For Resume Cover Letters - Do Not Get Fooled by Other People!

Action Sentences For Resume Cover Letters - Do Not Get Fooled by Other People!Writing action sentences for resume cover letters can sometimes be confusing. Why? Because you need to know the dos and don'ts. When it comes to writing your resume cover letter, there are no easy answers to this question.If you are like most job seekers, then you are probably sick of reading about other people getting hired and getting interviews when you do not have your own resume to show employers. These people are not even talking about having their own resume, because they have them too. They are buying those.You can bet that if you have worked hard and earned that opportunity, you want to make sure that you are the one hired. So, what should you be doing to get the message across? You can start by reading and writing out what you are really looking for. The beauty of resume cover letters is that you can customize them for each company that you interview with. This is your chance to let potential empl oyers know what you are really good at.Now, if you have done some research on the kind of person that will be hiring you, then you can come up with a unique, personalized resume cover letter. This is also a great way to get the word out that you are who you say you are. It also helps the reader to understand your point of view, so that you stand out from the rest of the applicants.Remember that writing action sentences for resume cover letters is all about how you can express your personal style to the employer. There are three steps to writing action sentences for resume cover letters. The first step is to really sit down and list out your strengths.Next, you want to write action sentences for resume cover letters that make a direct appeal to the employer. What I mean by this is, talk about your personal style and what it means to you. Be specific about how you can help them. You want to take your resume with cover letter to the next level, because the potential employer wants more than just a job.Finally, write action sentences for resume cover letters that convey your strong points to the reader. You want to make sure that your resume cover letter gets the message across that you are interested in the position and would be an asset to the company. And in addition to that, you want to make sure that your resume is written in a format that is easy to read.If you practice your writing action sentences for resume cover letters, you will not only be one of the many unemployed but also stand out from the crowd. Then, it becomes easier to get the interview that you want. Being heard is just one of the reasons why you will eventually land the job that you desire.

Bullet-Proof Your Executive Career in the New World of Work - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Bullet-Proof Your Executive Career in the New World of Work (An edited version of this article was originally posted on Quintessential Careers as part of the fourth annual Job Action Day initiative, celebrated this year on November 7.) Finding a job and staying employed today â€" two separate challenges â€" require more effort and strategic planning than ever before. Maybe you think that finding a job in the digital age means posting your resume to as many job boards as possible, then sitting back and waiting for the interview offers to come flooding in. If that’s how you spend most of your job search time, youre setting yourself up for failure, and building a false sense that youre working hard on finding a job. The fact is, most jobs are not posted on job boards. The majority of jobs that are filled are not advertised anywhere and not posted on a job board. Yet, most job seekers only pay attention to that small percentage of jobs that are advertised and visible. Launching a targeted personal marketing campaign, with purposeful networking to uncover the goldmine of hidden jobs, and strategically positioning yourself, leads you into the huge pool of unadvertised jobs. What is the hidden job market? Positions created to accommodate specific candidates, once they connected with and spoke with companies’ hiring decision makers. Existing positions that open up when an incumbent is replaced with someone better. An open position that isn’t advertised outside the company. Only insiders know about it. Jobs that, for whatever reason, are not advertised or visible, and can only be uncovered and accessed through networking. But understanding where to find jobs won’t bullet-proof your career. Understanding how to stay employed will. Gone are the days, for the most part, when you could expect long term employment (5-7 years or more) with the same company. Employer loyalty rarely exists these days. No job is permanent and everyone should expect to be in perpetual passive job search. Savvy careerists continuously market themselves, always anticipating job transition. Career situations can change at any time, and everyone must be prepared. Flexibility is key. Some viable strategies include temp to perm and portfolio careers (multiple part-time jobs or consecutive short term consulting positions, including temporary jobs, freelancing, and self-employment). Creating income security, instead of job security, is the new wave. As Quintessential Careers Randall S. Hansen said: Portfolio careers are usually built around a collection of skills and interests, though the only consistent theme is one of career self-management. With a portfolio career you no longer have one job, one employer, but multiple jobs and employers within one or more professions. What many job seekers today don’t understand is that staying employed is very much like running a business. You need to think of yourself as the CEO of your own start-up company â€" BRAND YOU â€" and continuously market, network and strategically position yourself, just as a business does. To insure you’re ready for the many inevitable shifts and moves your career is likely to make over your work life, you need to change your approach, whether or not you’re currently facing a job search. Dive in right now, with this checklist: 1. Define your personal (or career) brand. Personal branding is a method to uncover and differentiate the personal attributes and hard strengths you possess that outdistance your competition for good-fit jobs with your target industry and employers. Branding is no longer optional. Employers want to see hard skills linked to your softer ones â€" indicating who you are, what you’re like to work with and how your strengths and expertise will translate to $$$ for them. Ive written a 10-step personal branding worksheet that will help you. 2. Get your resume, biography and other career documents together as the foundation for all your personal marketing (or Brand You) communications. Gone are the days when all you needed to land a job was a one-size-fits-all resume outlining your comprehensive skill sets and qualifications. These days, you need to first have a clear career target so that you can build your career marketing documents around content and messaging that showcase your ROI (Return on Investment) and resonate with a specific audience. 3. Move your Brand You communications online with and other social media. Being on and having a strong online presence are also not optional. You may not feel comfortable putting yourself out there, but without an online identity, you may be completely invisible to recruiters and hiring decision makers who source and assess candidates through and other search engines. Transform your portfolio of career documents into a profile that’s a magnet for these people. Beyond , build a diverse online footprint across multiple channels, monitor it regularly for digital dirt or incorrect information, and make adjustments when possible. Show that you’re social media savvy by networking through , Twitter,

Become A Prison Officer The Ultimate NOMS Careers Guide

Become A Prison Officer The Ultimate NOMS Careers Guide Prison Officers play a fundamental part in maintaining the safety and well-being of offenders. They are responsible for supervising inmates, keeping order and discipline and dealing with individuals who are often violent or abusive. As you might have guessed, this is an extremely difficult role. There are a number of qualities that you will need if you wish to pass the selection process.In this blog, we’ll give you all of the information that you need on NOMS careers, and prison officer jobs.Prison Officer Jobs: Core CompetenciesThe core competencies refer to the key behaviours that Prison Officers will have to demonstrate. During the NOMS careers selection process, you will be tested on these competencies on multiple occasions. Every single one of your answers should be focused around demonstrating why these competencies are important.There are 6 core competencies for Prison Officers in total. These are:Communication.   This  will be paramount to your ability to do basic Prison Of ficer  jobs. This includes verbal and non-verbal communication. You must be able to communicate in order to achieve an understanding of difficult situations.Persuading and influencing. This means that you need to be able to persuade and influence others, using reason and co-operation to reach agreements.Resilience.  Prison Officer jobs are extremely difficult. At times your patience will be tested to its absolute limit. This means being able to push on through, even in the most difficult of circumstances.Empathy. This means that you will need to have a caring and understanding attitude. This is  essential if you want a long and prosperous NOMS career.Teamwork. When working as a prison officer, you will be spending most of your time working as part of a team. You’ll  be working with other staff at the prison, and even the prisoners themselves. Rehabilitation is a team effort, and cannot be achieved by 1 person alone.Respect for others. It is fundamental that you have an understand ing of diversity and the specific needs of different kinds of people. If not, you are highly unlikely to  pass the early stages of the selection process.NOMS Careers Prison Officer Eligibility CriteriaPrison Officers are placed in a position of high responsibility. It is important that NOMS (National Offender Management Service) know they are employing someone with integrity. With this in mind, there is a set list of eligibility criteria that you will need to meet.You can find out all of the information you need to know about the Prison Officer Eligibility Criteria in our comprehensive blog. Application Form Prison Officer Selection TestThe next step is to fill in the online application form. You can locate this via the NOMS website, or via justice.gov.uk. You’ll be asked a series of vetting questions, in order to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria as outlined above.Depending on the role for which you are applying, at this stage you might also be asked 1 or 2 competen cy based questions, or questions based around your motivation for wanting the job. This makes the initial application form extremely important, as it effectively introduces your qualities to the NOMS careers service. You need to create as positive an impression as possible. In order to do this, make sure you tailor all of your responses to the core competencies as listed in this guide.Below is an example question that you might see in the application form, and an example response on how to answer it:‘In 250 words or less, tell us why you have applied for the role of Prison Officer, and what personal qualities you have that make you a good fit for the role’.‘I have always had a keen interest in the criminal justice system, and in offender management. My father was a prison officer and therefore I have witnessed the firsthand the pride that working in the NOMS careers service can bring. I’m an organised, enthusiastic and empathetic individual, with fantastic team working abili ties. I’ve completed periods in a number of sectors, all of which involved working with vulnerable individuals, and I believe that this has provided me with key experience to use in this role. I’m a firm believer in offender rehabilitation and I would love the chance to be on the NOMS careers frontline, helping inmates with this process.’Once you have submitted your NOMS careers application form, you will be facing a short waiting period. Then, after your form has been accepted, you will be sent a link inviting you to take a short NOMS careers Online Selection Test. This test will consist of numerically based exercises. You will normally be given around 50 minutes to answer up to 50 questions.The test will examine your basic numerical skills, mainly percentages, fractions and addition. Below we have included a sample exercise, which should give you a better idea of what you’ll see in the actual test.Sample QuestionStudy the diagram and then answer the questions below:1. How many prisoners are in the hospital and visitors centre in total?2. How many prisoners are in the kitchen and in the dining room in total?3. How many more prisoners are in the dining room than in the visitors centre?4. 50% of the prisoners in the kitchen go for their  lunch in the dining room. How many prisoners are now in the dining room?5. 50% of the prisoners in the visitors centre are moved to the hospital. How many prisoners are now in the hospital?Answers: 95, 97, 3, 74, 71. Prison Officer Assessment DayIf you are successful in the online test, you will receive an email inviting you to attend an assessment day. This will take place at an undisclosed location, and will consist of a series of challenging exercises.The tests that you will take at the Prison Officer Assessment Day are:4 Role Play simulations.A shorter numerical paper.A language based test.A fitness test.Below we’ll outline the key information that you’ll need to know on each of these exercises. The numerical pa per will consist of the same type of questions as we outlined in the previous section, but will be shorter in length.Prison Officer Role Play ExercisesDuring the NOMS Careers Assessment Day, you will be required to take four role play exercises. These will take 10 minutes each to complete, and will take place over a 1 and a half hour period. During the role play exercises you will be tested thoroughly on the core competencies of the role. You will be expected to use these core competencies when responding to the role play actor, and will be judged against how well you demonstrate them.Here are five top tips for passing role play exercises:Make sure you maintain eye contact with the role play actor.Use facial expressions and body language to ensure that the actor knows you are listening to them. This is simple communicational knowledge.Keep an open mind and never be judgemental when dealing with the scenarios.Never interrupt the role play actor, and don’t force your solutions on th em.Always challenge inappropriate behaviour or language.Language Based TestDuring the Language Based Test, you will be required to carry out a reading comprehension exercise. You’ll need to read text that has been taken from a standard Prison Service source. This could be either from the internet (Prison Service website), Prison Service Orders or manuals.Whilst you do not need to carry out any pre-assessment preparation for this exercise, you can improve your ability in this test by:1. Visiting and reading the Prison Service website at: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk Read the information on the website and learn as much as possible about the role of a Prison Officer and also the Prison Service.2. Take the time to read some of the more important Prison Service Orders relevant to the role of a Prison Officer. Below we have provided you with a sample reading comprehension exercise.Sample Reading Comprehension Exercise‘Prison Industries is a Headquarters Unit within the NOMS Employment, Skills and Services Group that provides an overall strategic and policy framework for prison industries. The Statement of Purpose is:“The aim of the Prison Industries is to occupy prisoners in out of cell activity and wherever possible to help them gain skills, qualifications and work experience to improve their employment prospects upon release. The management of industries must weigh the true costs and benefits to the organisation and constantly strive for greater efficiency in providing developmental opportunities for prisoners.”Prisons provide prisoners with the chance to learn the skills they need to get a job upon release. Employment is known to be a key factor in helping to reduce re-offending. The Government’s aim therefore is to provide more prisoners with the skills and motivation to turn away from crime, improve their employability, and become productive members of society.Prison Industries provides a supporting role to public sector prison establishments, for the management of their industrial workshops. It facilitates and coordinates the in-house production and supply of essential clothing and goods for internal consumption, providing essential employment for prisoners and opportunities for them to gain skills, qualifications and work experience to improve their employability prospects upon release.’Q1. The aim of the Prison Industries is to occupy prisoners in….?Q2. Prison Industries facilitates and coordinates the in-house production and supply of essential…..for internal consumption?Q3. Prisons provide prisoners with the chance to learn…..?Q4. The Statement of Purpose states that the management of industries must weigh the true costs and benefits to the organisation and constantly strive for greater efficiency in providing developmental opportunities for ….?  Answers: 1. Out of cell activity and wherever possible to help them gain skills, qualifications and work experience, in order to improve their employment prospects upon re lease.2. Clothing and goods.3. The skills they need to get a job upon release4. Prisoners  Fitness TestThe final stage of the assessment centre consists of a fitness test. Strength and fitness are extremely important qualities for prison officers, who may have to get hands on with inmates, who can sometimes be violent.Below we’ve outlined the basic premise of the assessment centre fitness test. In our comprehensive guide, we have outlined a detailed training scheme which you can use to better your chances of success.Grip Strength Test The first exercise you’ll have to take is the grip strength test. This test will measure the strength of your forearm muscles, as you squeeze a measuring device. Both of your hands/arms will need to be tested in order for you to pass.Shuttle Run Test The shuttle run test examines your aerobic endurance levels. During this test you will have to run over a 15 metre course, getting progressively faster each time until you reach the target level requir ed.Dyno Test This test measures your upper body and upper arm strength. During the test you will need to complete a number of pulls and pushes, until you reach the set target level.Speed Test This test measures candidates ability to negotiate obstacles, change direction at high speed and respond quickly to objects placed in their path.Shield Test   In this test you will be required to hold a six kilogram shield, using control and restraint techniques.    â€" All Prison Officers will be required to take this test at least once annually.â€" During the assessment centre, you will also be required to take an eyesight test.â€" You will need to meet a minimum standard of no less than 6/36 on the Snellen scale.â€" Finally, you must be able to demonstrate binocular field vision, with at least 120 degrees of horizontal vision.Prison Officer Jobs InterviewOnce you have completed the assessment day, the prison service will undertake a number of background checks. Upon completion of these you w ill be invited to an interview. You will be assessed on your motivations for wanting to become a prison officer, your understanding of the competencies required and your previous experience.During your preparation, it is useful to split the interview into 2 stages. The first stage will be a ‘getting to know you’ phase, where the interviewers ascertain your motivations for wanting the job, and the second stage will be the ‘competency phase’, where you are tested on how well you understand the job requirements and demonstrate that you have used the core competencies in your previous positions.Below we have listed 1 question from each of these ‘stages’, along with a sample response, to show you what kind of things you can expect. 1. Why do you want to become a prison officer? ‘I want to become a prison officer because I would like the chance to work in a team-based environment, where the aim of the service is to rehabilitate and manage offenders. My Father was a prison of ficer, and through him I have learnt the value of offender management. He has instilled in me a great respect for the way in which the UK prison service goes about dealing with inmates, and I would now like the opportunity to be a part of that.’ 2. Can you give me an example of a time when you have worked as part of a team to solve an issue? When I was working in my previous position as an administrator, I was required to work in teams on a daily basis. Often, I was positioned as the leader of these teams. On one occasion that I can remember, our task was to organise a company-wide event. This would involve hiring out independent entertainment workers, food suppliers, health and safety specialists and other essential staff. I was one of three sub-leaders of the team, and had around 30 people under my command. I made contact with the paramedical department of the local hospital, and requested if they could free up several members of staff and at least two vehicles. I then liaised w ith both of the other team leaders to ensure that I had all of the details of exactly what they were planning. I paid particular attention to the entertainments organiser. Between us, we worked out exactly which health and safety procedures would need to be put in place to accommodate the activities being arranged.Following this meeting, I instructed the team under my control to make contact with the local fire service, and the local police service, and request for staff members from each sector to be available on the day of the event. We successfully negotiated a time and fee.The event was a tremendous success and there no serious injuries to report. At the end of the event, I was congratulated by my boss on my efforts in securing the participation of these crucial safety management services.For more Prison Officer job advice, and NOMS careers interview tips, please purchase our fantastic Prison Officer Guide, or attend our 1 day training course.  Alternatively, visit the website o f the University of Kent, which contains a wealth of fantastic information. This entry was posted in Career Advice. Bookmark the permalink. Jordan Cooke 5 Tips For Writing A Paramedic Personal Statement11 Plus Non Verbal Reasoning: Video Blog

How to build trust at work -

How to build trust at work - If you dont trust someone, its pretty difficult to work together. Imagine how challenging it would be to garner strong recommendations, let alone work promotions, if your colleagues dont trust you. Even if you have many  skills and are extremely competent, if youre not trustworthy, your potential for success at work is bleak, at best. How can you win trust at work and be an ally people want to have on their teams? Do what you say you will, at all costs. Take responsibility for yourself, your work and your mistakes. Have your colleagues’ backs. Make decisions with everyone’s interests in mind, with the goal of benefitting the team. Be consistent. If you sometimes deliver on time, but sometimes flake out, assume you wont get any credit for the times you follow through. Don’t gossip. Everyone assumes  a gossip will eventually be sharing salacious information about him or her next time. Always do the right thing. Make choices that are the best for the team, even if they don’t serve your personal best interests. Learn more, including research to support these suggestions, on the blog I wrote for Elevated Careers. Get my free white paper:  5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week