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From the frontline - Gemma Chauhan
Inside Housing talks to First Choice Homes Oldham’s employment support advisor Gemma Chauhan
What does your job involve?
I am an employment advisor in the directions team. The aim of the service is to help customers access sustainable employment and provide advice, training and experience along the way.
What would you change about the sector?
I would change some of the interview processes that employers have. Some people aren’t always able to sell themselves in an interview environment even though they may be the right person for the job. I would encourage opportunities where applicants can demonstrate their skills and experience because this allows for the employer to see how that person adapts to their work environment.
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What’s the best thing about your job?
The satisfaction from helping somebody succeed, even more so when they thought they could not. It’s a great feeling knowing that the advice and support you have given can boost somebody’s confidence and offer encouragement.
And the most challenging?
The most challenging part is working with customers who want to find employment but are faced with opportunities that only offer zero-hour contracts. We encourage sustainable employment in a role that offers regular weekly hours to promote security and a regular income.
What is your dream job?
A stunt double! However, the job I do now is pretty high in my expectations of what a dream job should be. It’s a role in which I can use my strengths and passion and help others.
“It’s a role in which I can use my strengths and passion.”
What does a good day look like?
A good day would consist of my customers attending their appointments and going to interviews with employers. My phone can be full of messages of good news from a customer starting work or attending a training session that can help them on their journey.
How about a bad one?
A bad day would be learning that a customer hasn’t been successful at an interview for a job they really wanted or that they have fallen out of work.
What’s the first thing you’d do if you became prime minister?
Increase the national minimum wage.
What would be your superpower and why?
The ability to read minds. It would be great to know what somebody else is thinking. In an interview situation this would be a huge advantage as I would always say the right thing!