Lydia’s dogged job hunt pays off
WHEN Lydia Herbert was made redundant last month, it was the first time she had been without a job since leaving school.
The 19-year-old, from Poynton, lost her job at a financial services firm due to the economic effect of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lydia has high-functioning autism and cerebral palsy, which restricts the type of work she can do. After 96 job applications, three interviews and no success, Lydia decided to try a different way of getting noticed by potential employers.
She took her assistance dog Pepsi, along with a print out QR code to her LinkedIn page, to Stockport Station at rush hour.
Instead of handing out paper CVs which could easily be contaminated, she encouraged people to scan the QR code on their phone and follow her page.
Lydia says she has been overwhelmed by the positive feedback, and has already had a number of interviews as a result.
“I have been working since the age of 16 and have loved every minute of it,” Lydia said.
“This was the first time I had ever been made redundant and I started applying for new jobs straight away.
“I was sending out dozens of applications and I just wasn’t hearing anything back.”
Lydia has been applying for data analysis and administration roles. Her cerebral palsy affects her mobility which means she is better suited to desk jobs.
She left school early after completing her GCSE’s in year 10, and landed herself various apprenticeship roles.
“I was diagnosed with autism about five years ago and school was never really for me,” Lydia said.
“I was always the odd one out and I wanted to get into work and start my life.
“Because I have always had a job, this had made me really worried for the future and that I would never be able to find a job.
“In my family if we face a setback we always try to do something different. I thought - how can I get the attention of people in a Covid-safe and eyecatching way?
“I have an assistance dog called Pepsi so I decided to take her along with me as she really helps me with my anxiety.
“I have had interviews all week. I am feeling a lot more positive. I don’t want to get my hopes up but it’s great getting a bit of interest.”
“In my family if we face a setback we always try to do something different”