Finding the right pathway to work
THE founder and owner of Brighouse-based training company Lattitude7, Martin Haigh, has written a book to help young people navigate their way through the search for employment.
This highly interactive book provides readers with an array of tools and ideas to help them prepare for and find interesting, stimulating employment.
Key skills – CV writing, job searching and so on – and behavioural aspects – such as how to build rapport and how to conduct yourself in an interview – are covered and blended together in a logical pathway to success.
Also included in this book is a list of useful references and links to websites to support people with their career choices.
Martin said: “Focusing on your direction in life comes easy to some people and they know exactly what they want to do for a job, but for others, deciding on a career path can be one of the most daunting experiences of their lives.
“This book is, therefore, applicable to people preparing for work, whether they are leaving school in Year 11, staying on to complete ‘A’ or ‘T’ – levels, graduating from University or looking for an apprenticeship.”
He added: “Young people may feel overwhelmed by the options and indeed the advice surrounding recruitment and career planning.
“This book is designed to take the heat out of their job search and help them feel positive about moving on to secure an interesting career.”
The text is written in a modular style and whilst there is a continuous theme running through, the chapters are ‘stand alone,’ giving readers the option to dip in and out.
The book goes beyond career searching and covers the broader topics of presenting, pitching, confidence, resilience and self-belief.
Contained in the book are specific chapters on employer needs, decision making, the mechanics of career planning and advanced interview skills including coverage of ‘strengths-based’ and ‘competency-based’ approaches.
Networking skills, how to find employers, time management and how to manage stress during the job search period are also included. Written in an easy to read style, it will encourage readers to continue browsing and learning more about how to plan and secure an interesting, stimulating and sustainable job.
Martin has been helping students with work-related studies for many years.
He ran many ‘Head Start’ and ‘Work Choice’ programmes for Calderdale Council to help job seekers build the confidence and skills to find and sustain work.
He also runs job-search surgeries for graduates at conferences in Germany and Holland and this year will repeat the process in
Spain and the Czech Republic.
The foreword has been written by Lorna Aitken, Teacher of Technology and Business and Head of IAG, CPD and Careers Leader at Brighouse High School.
Lorna said: “During the past six years I have worked with Martin on a variety of programmes, including Super Learning Days with a focus on careers, a range of presentations and assemblies related to Preparation for Working Life as well as our Decisions@18 Conference.
“Martin has been really supportive and has created a plethora of activities and learning materials for us. He has been our careers ambassador since 2015.
“Martin approached me and asked about the viability of this book and when he showed me the manuscript I thought that the content would be of enormous help, not only to careers specialists, but particularly to young people preparing for and seeking employment.
“Teachers involved in careers education want relevant, up-todate, practical and adaptable resources to use and students need access to physical resources too.
“This book draws on Martin’s expertise in business and provides useful strategies in an easy to read format.
‘Get Ready for Work,’ Martin’s seventh book, is available on Amazon, Waterstones and Barnes and Noble and will be in other retailers in the coming weeks.