Testimonials: Total focus is given to the client in the service provided by Better Job Scotland therefore it is interesting to share some of their comments and experience of how the arrangements worked for them   George is a Police Sergeant who says,   “After thirty years,during which, admittedly, I carried out a range of roles within the Police force, I really was not thinking “outside the box”. I had to be persuaded that I genuinely had something to offer in some other role, but the work done on my c.v. brought a whole range of abilities which had been developed over the years and which I soon found were very much in demand by potential employers. In the end I had several options from which to choose and decided that I would take up a role in which I am investigating proposals presented for consideration of Lottery funding. It is a really interesting role but one which I would have never ever thought about had it not been for the support and assistance I received from Better Job Scotland”   A senior manager, John initially sought guidance from a national company at a very considerable cost, comments,   “Frankly and honestly the alternative service which was provided was a total rip off. It was suggested that the company had a bank of unadvertised roles but this did not emerge.In particular the calibre of the consultant was particularly poor. There was no real rapport established and, perhaps due to this, there was also very little progress. What a contrast when I opted, instead, to seek the assistance of Better Job Scotland. Here there was a genuine concern to ensure that I got the job which was just right for me. The cost was a fraction of what I had already paid, however the professionalism was 110% greater. The c.v. which was developed was a real marketing tool. We worked our way through mock interviews; my confidence increased all the time until,within a short period, I got settled in a role which is challenging and demanding but, at the same time, which I really enjoy”   Helen is HR Manager of a company which required to downsize and which used Better Job Scotland to assist in the process. She comments,   “In other roles I had used the services of the so called leaders in this field and had found that there was a great deal of variance in the quality of those who were introduced as specialists to provide assistance and support. They gave me the impression that they were simply doing their job and then moving on. They had no commitment or passion for what they did. What a contrast with Better Job Scotland. Here there was no hesitation in really getting down to the task in hand and, in so doing, achieving really spectacular results in having those who, regrettably had to leave us,being placed with local firms before their notice period ended. Of course it was an unfortunate exercise but the sympathy, real consideration and sheer hard work of the Better Job Scotland team certainly would result in my thoroughly recommending them to any other employers in similar circumstances”   Margaret found that a new boss was making life more than difficult for her despite having worked with the company for a good many years. She opted to change jobs and sought help in the process and now says,   “I was at an all time low when I first met with Better Job Scotland. I had formerly been a self confident person who enjoyed the challenge of the role but all that had changed. I had even been off work with depression, a fact which, previously, I simply would not have believed possible. No one cared anymore within the organisation and that annoyed and frustrated me. I needed someone to talk it over with. The listening ear was critical but also the fact that I did not want to be rushed. It was my decision and I had to do something about it when I felt it was right to do so. We developed on my skills and when I saw my c.v. I simply could not recognise myself. In my instance it was absolutely necessary to spend quite some time on developing the skills to present myself as positively as was necessary at interview. I did not like the idea, initially, of “beating the big drum” about my achievements but eventually with mock interview training I got into the way of it. My happiest day was the one when I handed in my notice. From there on in, things have turned in a superbly positive manner and in my new role I am now earning more than previously, have just been promoted and find that it gives me really strong job satisfaction. I only wish I had “taken the plunge” ages ago”   Iain was an HR Manager who had worked for several years abroad and, on returning to the UK, thought it best to seek career guidance. His comments are,   “For those who are in the HR profession there is something of a pride in the expectation that we know it all. After all we have seen plenty of cvs. and I had read a good many books and websites which purport to tell you how best to present yourself. The reality is something entirely different, however. I had spent ages trying to bring forward my real skills before I opted to seek further assistance from Better Job Scotland. I now realise that those within the Company have that real ability to bring together in a few telling words what seemed to take me forever to try to explain. To be frank I thought I knew quite a bit about job seeking as well. Again I was proved wrong. The role which I now carry out is one which was never advertised. The Chief Executive concerned indicated that he was more than impressed by my c.v and that was the hook which resulted in his inviting me for interview. I was able to back up what I had said in the interview itself and bingo....I am in a job which I never would have thought I could possibly hold down and at a salary which was only previously a dream”