At first, I enjoyed the freedom of being unemployed. But it wasn’t too long before my worries kicked in. How long would my savings last? How long will I be unemployed for before I find a job? What if I don’t get any housing benefit, how will I pay my rent next month? I started to feel sick with worry. With all this uncertainty, and no answers, I started to panic.

During this time, I started working on my events company. However, my main priority was finding a job, as even though my business has a lot of potential to do well, I did not like the uncertainty. I spent most of my days applying to jobs online. This was mostly done in vain as I didn’t receive any responses.

Through SKillsmatch, I was referred to the Broadgate Connect project for a vacancy with Broadgate supplier Cofely at The Shard. It wasn’t too long until I was contacted by Chantell Brown (Broadgate Connect Project Manager) for an informal phone interview. Having successfully passed the phone interview, Chantell invited me to a pre-screening interview.

I had not been to one of these before and so did not know what to expect. Naturally, I was nervous. When I arrived at Broadgate Connect, I joined my peers in a waiting room, Chantell collected us and showed us to the room where we would be interviewed collectively. She had a friendly, yet professional approach which helped calm my nerves. Seeing my competitors face to face was a new experience. We were individually asked to introduce ourselves, talk through our work history and answer interview style questions.

I felt like I had done rather well, despite the strong competition. So when I heard that I was successful at that stage and had my first interview in a few days time, I was very happy. I found my experience of Broadgate Connect friendly, professional and personal. They really wanted me to do well and did everything they could to ensure I did as well as I could during the hiring process.

It had been around 1 week since the first interview with Cofely management, and I was growing less confident that I would hear about a second interview. I can remember when I heard from Chantell, I was relieved as I assumed it must have been about a potential second interview. When she informed me that there was no need for a second interview and that I began the following Monday, I was ecstatic. I literally jumped for joy on the 3 Mills canal walk, though was quite glad there was no one around to see how crazy I looked. I immediately called my mum and told her I got the job. And she too was very happy for me.

Having joined Cofely, I have really enjoyed the security of a steady income and the routine of a weekday job. Everyone has been very welcoming and friendly, I feel like this is a start to a promising career. Having had a brief review with my line manager, I have been told there is the potential to develop my role and become a Senior Administrator in just over a year, if I keep up the good work. This made me feel accomplished. Had I not met the kind, helpful people at Broadgate Connect, I wouldn’t be in this promising role with great career prospects. I am very glad I went through the process and would highly recommend Broadgate Connect to anyone searching for their next role.

To find out more about Broadgate Connect, or any of ELBA’s Employment projects, contact Chantell Brown on chantell.brown@broadgate.co.uk.