Meet Dale — customer support

Just reach out for support, you don't have to be alone

Dale’s career journey has been quite sporadic with various jobs and a redundancy. With a lack of confidence and the overwhelming job hunt getting her down, Dale used support networks to rediscover her values and set off to find a career that’s right for her.

A diverse range of skills

After owning a gym, Dale was then a postie, a drug tester, worked on the COVID-19 helpline and was contracting for Datacom in customer services while looking for a permanent role. She knew that despite not having a long-term career, the diverse range of skills she’s developed in these jobs meant she had a lot to offer.

But Dale didn’t always have this positive attitude in her career journey, and it wasn’t until she went to a career coach and found support networks that she grew to realise her value.

Getting back her confidence

My career coach, Clare, and Dress for Success changed my life. They got my confidence to where it's never been before. Clare showed me it was all about starting off with the basics and discovering what makes me tick.

Guided by Clare, Dale figured out her personal qualities and skills and how to make these speak for her on a CV. The overwhelming, stressful job hunt which was damning on her confidence, turned into a more positive experience once she realised what she could offer and how to sell herself. Dale started to believe in herself, and also knew employers would believe in her too.

Dress for Success was also key to her newfound confidence. The support group is designed to empower women to independence by giving tips on professional attire, development skills and surrounding them with support.

Being a single mum has also been a challenge because she assumed employers think that you're going to take a lot of time off.

We are tough on ourselves

I think as females, we are tough on ourselves, and that makes job hunting hard. But now I know I can rise above that. We are stronger, braver and know way more than we think. So just believe in yourself. If you can't believe in yourself, then how can anyone else?

Dale's message for women

Dale says apply for everything that suits you because the worst that can happen is you get a no, but then you can apply for something else. Reach out to friends and family, find support networks, put it on social media — put yourself out there.

To get that first job, you've got to make the first step.