Anna Whitehouse on Revolutionising the Work–Life Balance
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER OR BUSINESS ON THE MOVE
You may have noticed a change in the feel of our magazine this year. We’ ve switched to a new printer, Willday Printers, and are now using fully recycled paper. This is part of our commitment to sustainability. You' ll also see the FSC logo, indicating the paper comes from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, Willday offsets its carbon emissions by planting new forests in the UK, as signified by the carbon capture logo.
welcome
Welcome to Career Pursuit 2024. We are excited to bring you the latest insights, trends, and advice to help you navigate and excel in your professional journey alongside or after military life.
The landscape of work has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with flexible working emerging as a cornerstone of the modern workplace. Virgin, for example, now offers flexible working and unlimited annual leave. Richard Branson stated, “We believe flexible working is smart working. The tried and tested route is not always the best path to success. Thinking differently can open up great opportunities and possibilities.”1
In 2023, the UK government passed the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) bill, solidifying employees’ rights to request flexible working arrangements from day one of employment. This landmark legislation underscores the importance of adaptability in today’s dynamic work environment. As more companies embrace hybrid models, remote work, and flexible schedules, we are witnessing a shift towards a more inclusive and balanced approach to work. Flexible working is essential when trying to balance work, business, family, and Armed Forces life. With this in mind, we are thrilled to feature Anna Whitehouse, aka Mother Pukka, in our headline article, a key figure in advancing legislation for flexible working.
There has been a lot going on behind the scenes at Career Pursuit CIC, and reports from the Service Children’s Progression Alliance highlighted the need to support young people in military families when coming of age to begin a career or business. Frequent relocations during an Armed Forces young person’s educational journey can lead to disrupted learning, increased chances of unidentified or unmet needs, and challenges in forming and maintaining longterm relationships. According to the National Audit Office (2013), nearly half of parents (42%) report that mobility has negatively impacted their child’s education, while 47% indicate mixed effects.
Therefore, we are thrilled to announce the launch of Your Future, our new online magazine dedicated to young adults aged 16–24. This platform is not just about providing career support and business start-up advice, but about empowering the next generation
to take charge of their professional paths. You can learn more about this new digital platform on page 49 of this magazine. Your Future offers a wealth of resources, including expert interviews, step-by-step guides, and inspiring success stories from young entrepreneurs. Our goal is to equip young minds with the knowledge and confidence to seize these opportunities and turn their aspirations into reality.
We are enormously grateful to our sponsors of this year’s Career Pursuit magazine: Centrica, Amazon, St James’s Place Financial Academy, and Hugh James. Their industry insight and unwavering support for the Armed Forces community are invaluable, enabling us to offer comprehensive career and business start-up advice, resources, and events tailored to the unique needs of this community.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are filled with optimism about the myriad opportunities that lie ahead for those working alongside military life or navigating leaving the Armed Forces. Whether you are embarking on a new career, exploring flexible working options, or seeking guidance on starting your own business, Career Pursuit CIC is here to support you every step of the way. The future is bright, and we are excited to be part of your journey. Please remember:
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Winston Churchill
As we embark on career journeys together, let this quote remind us that perseverance and adaptability are key to achieving our goals, no matter the challenges we face. Together, we can shape a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive in their chosen careers.
6 Beyond the 9-to-5: Anna Whitehouse on revolutionising work–life balance
10 The mindset advantage: Five tips for career change success
12 Fulfil your potential with a career at Amazon
14 Transferable skills to supercharge your career
16 Working at your best: A neurodivergent jobseeker’s guide to finding the perfect fit
18 Accelerate your career growth with personal branding
20 Coping with work while grieving
22 Unexpected benefits to learning in later life
24 Squiggly success: Why nonlinear careers can pay off
26 Interview questions: The essential guide
28 From clay to fame: The inspiring journey of Nicola Swann and Made with Mud
32 Kick start your business in financial services: Five things you need to know
35 Entrepreneurs, your mind is a stallion; learn to ride it!
37 Business process modelling – and why your business needs it!
40 Five top tips for managing your cash flow in business
42 Expert advice for making your first hire
44 Spinning plates and juggling balls: Balancing your business with military family life
47 Planning for your financial future as an entrepreneur
50 Forces Employment Charity – Helping veterans and the military community find civilian employment success
53 The Military Coworking Network
56 The Milspo® Business Network
58 The Forces Transition Group
60 Allsports Coaches Coaching Academy CIC – Empowering communities through sports and mental health support
62 e50K Communities
64 Introducing the tri-Service Families Federations
65 Forces Families Jobs
68 Heroprenuers
70 RBLI’s Lifeworks – Helping veterans into employment, training, and volunteering
72 Supporting the Unsung Hero 74 Recruit for Spouses 77 X-Forces Enterprise
By Helen Massy
Beyond the 9-to-5: Anna Whitehouse on revolutionising work–life balance
In a world where juggling work and family life demands often feels like an Olympic sport, Anna Whitehouse stands out as a beacon of practicality and advocacy. Best known as the founder of Mother Pukka, a vibrant platform catering to the realities of modern parenting, Anna is more than just a social media influencer and journalist. Her mission extends far beyond witty Instagram captions and viral campaigns; it’s about reshaping the working landscape.
Since the launch of Mother Pukka in 2015, Anna has carved out a unique space in the media landscape, offering news, events, reviews, and refreshingly honest commentary for parents navigating the challenges of contemporary life. But her influence doesn’t stop there. As a columnist for Grazia, a radio host on Heart Radio, and the driving force behind Flex Appeal – an initiative advocating for flexible working conditions – Anna has not only made waves in policy discussions but also significantly influenced them, garnering national attention and inspiring change.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into the heart of Flex Appeal: its inception, its impact on workplaces across the UK, and how individuals can advocate for and manage flexible working arrangements in their own careers. Anna’s journey is not just about creating change – it’s about empowering individuals to reclaim control over their professional and personal lives, one flexible working arrangement at a time. Join us as we explore the future of work through the eyes of a modern-day superhero in her own right.
To begin with, can you tell me a little bit about yourself, your background, and how you came to campaign for flexible working and Flex Appeal?
Anna: Yeah, sure. I’m Anna Whitehouse, and I come from a background in journalism and media. My journey into advocating for flexible working really began with my own experiences as a mother living in both the Netherlands and
the UK. In Amsterdam, where I had my first daughter, I was struck by the incredible support systems in place for new parents. The postnatal care, including having a maternity nurse for ten days after birth, was not only nurturing but also significantly reduced the need for mental health medications later on. Employers there understood the value of supporting parents and actively protected their employees from returning to work full time too soon.
When I had my second daughter in the UK, the contrast was stark. I felt the absence of support acutely, both in terms of postnatal care and workplace flexibility. It was a moment of realisation for me – seeing so many talented women forced to step back from their careers due to inflexible working conditions. I couldn’t understand why this issue wasn’t being highlighted more loudly. That’s when I decided to launch Flex Appeal, a campaign aimed at advocating for flexible working for everyone, not just parents. It’s about creating a work environment where employees are supported and valued rather than having to negotiate for fundamental rights.
I believe passionately that flexible working shouldn’t be a privilege but a standard practice that benefits both employees and employers alike. It’s about empowering individuals to maintain a healthy work–life balance and contribute fully without sacrificing their personal well-being. Flex Appeal isn’t just about policies; it’s about reshaping cultural norms and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in their careers while also being present for their families.
You’ve made an incredible impact for working parents through Flex Appeal and your campaign. Is there anything you’re particularly proud of that has come from that?
Anna: I think one of the moments I’m most proud of was seeing the words ‘flexible working’ and ‘legislation’ together. When I
I believe passionately that flexible working shouldn’t be a privilege but a standard practice that benefits both employees and employers alike. It’s about empowering individuals to maintain a healthy work–life balance and contribute fully without sacrificing their personal well-being.
FRONT
started Flex Appeal in 2015, it began from a place of frustration and a desire to see real change. I never imagined that my advocacy would contribute to actual legislative changes. Of course, it wasn’t just me – there’s been a coalition of organisations like the Fawcett Society and Working Families, all pooling our resources and voices together.
The real milestone for me was when I saw the announcement that employers would be legally required to take flexible working seriously.
It was a shift from parents having to beg for basic accommodations to a recognition of the fundamental need for flexibility in achieving workplace equality. For me, that moment validated the years of effort and advocacy –knowing that this change would not only benefit my own career but also pave the way for a more equitable future for my daughters and generations to come.
Thinking about that, what does flexible working mean to you? How do you see that moving forward?
Anna: To me, flexible working is about leading with emotional intelligence rather than just focusing on IQ. It’s about recognising that humans are at the core of business
– whether they’re consumers or employees. Unfortunately, emotional intelligence often gets overlooked in the pursuit of productivity metrics and rigid work structures.
Flexible working shouldn’t be narrowly defined. The moment you try to pin it down, it loses its flexibility and becomes another bureaucratic hurdle. For me, it’s less about a specific policy and more about a broader approach to recruiting and retaining talent. It’s about employers investing time and effort into finding the right person for the job, someone who can be trusted to deliver whether they’re in an office or working remotely.
Ultimately, it’s a call for quality over quantity – a qualitative approach to how we structure our workplaces and support our teams. Flexible working, done right, is about fostering a culture of trust and respect, where productivity thrives alongside personal well-being.
How do you work best? What do you need? What will reduce your stress in this position? These are the questions that employers should ask their teams. Flexibility is about fostering a relationship where both sides understand that compromise is necessary. It’s not just about accommodating occasional needs like busy periods or family commitments – it’s about creating a workplace culture that humanises the diverse ways people need to work.
In essence, what we need to move towards isn’t just flexible working but inclusive working. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances – whether it’s a disability, caring responsibilities, or other commitments – feels valued and included in the workplace. If we genuinely want to create inclusive environments, we must be willing to work with people in ways that meet their individual needs.
Flexibility shouldn’t be seen as a special accommodation –it should be the norm in how we approach work. By embracing inclusive working practices, we not only enhance productivity and morale but also create a workplace where everyone can thrive.
When approaching interviews or discussing opportunities with recruiters, how can individuals effectively discuss topics like flexible working? Do you have tips for navigating these conversations or critical questions they should ask potential employers?
Anna: I think honesty is crucial here. We’re still in a transitional phase, so there’s yet to be a one-size-fits-all solution. It would be misleading to suggest otherwise, especially with many employers still adapting to the idea of flexible working, which is why initiatives like the flexible working bill are so important.
Instead of putting the burden solely on employees to navigate these discussions, my advice is to flip the question and challenge employers and recruiters. Why aren’t maternity and parental policies discussed upfront, alongside other perks like gym memberships or office amenities? When hiring, employers should consider how they support employees who have family commitments or are planning to start a family. It’s about creating an environment where these conversations are welcomed from the outset, rather than tiptoed around.
I encourage candidates to ask direct questions about company policies regarding flexibility and support for work–life balance. For instance, enquire about initiatives like the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Working Forward pledge, which many leading companies have signed to demonstrate their commitment to equality. Bringing up such initiatives can open up discussions about how the company values and supports its employees’ diverse needs.
Ultimately, it’s about fostering a relationship where both parties – employers and employees – understand that flexibility and inclusivity benefit everyone. By initiating these conversations early on and advocating for inclusive practices, candidates can help shape a workplace culture that respects and supports individual circumstances.
How do you manage the balancing act of career, family, and self-care? Any top tips for others in the same boat?
Anna: Yeah, I’ve found a few strategies that really help me manage the juggling act. Firstly, I’ve started using clear digital bookends – essentially setting boundaries – especially during bath and bedtime with my kids. It’s crucial to recognise that every parent, whether they’re working outside the home or not, is a full-time parent. I try to humanise my work–life balance by putting personal notes in my out-of-office replies. For instance, I let colleagues know I’m watching Igglepiggle with my daughter, so I won’t be available for calls. It helps normalise the reality of balancing work and family responsibilities.
I also believe in openly owning your life outside of work. Instead of sneaking away, I advocate for leaving loudly, whether you’re in an administrative role or on the front line.
By showing that I prioritise family responsibilities, I encourage others to do the same without guilt. It’s about fostering understanding and support across the entire team, regardless of parental status.
Another effective tip, especially for those working from home, is maintaining a routine similar to going into an office. Getting dressed and starting the day with a walk or dropping kids off at school helps me mentally shift into work mode. Everyone’s approach may differ, but treating my home office days with the same professionalism as I would in an office setting has been crucial for my productivity and mindset.
Your advice is invaluable. Thank you. Before we wrap up, are there any key messages you’d like to share with those navigating parenting, work, and building a flexible role?
Anna: It’s crucial not to underestimate your own voice in this movement. Change doesn’t solely rest on the shoulders of activists or organisations – it requires a cultural shift driven by the masses. Historically, we’ve operated under patriarchal systems where roles were rigidly defined based on gender. Now, there’s an opportunity for fathers to challenge these norms, particularly when their mental health or family dynamics suffer due to traditional expectations.
For any military spouses/partners and others facing career challenges, it’s about asserting choice and challenging companies to accommodate diverse needs. Whether it’s jobsharing, creative solutions, or simply advocating for flexibility, it’s time to dismantle outdated structures born from the Industrial Revolution.
We’re navigating a transitional period where the 9-to-5 mould no longer fits everyone’s reality. Together, we can unite and amplify our voices to reshape workplace norms. I didn’t choose this role as an advocate lightly, but out of necessity and a deep sense of injustice towards sidelined careers and silenced voices.
To anyone facing similar challenges, remember: your voice matters. Together, we can rewrite the narrative and reclaim our careers and identities beyond outdated expectations.
For free resources to support your journey to flexible working, explore workingfamilies.org.uk/article-categories/ flexible-working
For legal advice, call the Working Families hotline at 0300 012 0312.
mother_pukka quickie-how-to-get-flexible-working
By Matt Burrows
The mindset advantage: Five tips for career change success
Navigating career change can be a challenge, even for the most seasoned professionals, but coach, Belief Coding® practitioner, and RAF veteran Matt Burrows shows us the gamechanging possibilities of gaining a mindset advantage (and how to get it!) if you’re entering the often-overwhelming job market.
Having retired from the RAF I can safely say I’m not where I thought I’d be six years after leaving the service. I assumed every plan I had would play out in the structured way my military career had mapped out… How wrong could my mindset be!
It was always traditional to offer a definition of a problem before discussing it, so here you go: mindset is defined as a set of attitudes or fixed ideas that somebody has and that are often difficult to change.
Here I offer you five tips to help you gain a mindset advantage as you embark on the next step of your own career journey.
TIP 1: KNOW YOU ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE
Believe me when I say, without question, you are already 80% there to being the best person for the job you are applying for. The last 20% is all about how quickly you learn the nuances of
the role and how much support your employer gives you to reach your peak performance as soon as you can.
As members of the Armed Forces community, we are naturally more humble about our abilities, and this is where testing your beliefs will help you see your true worth more quickly. Get comfortable celebrating your achievements and actively challenge yourself to understand how valuable your skills, knowledge, and experience are.
One of the most amazing things I have been able to witness is how high the calibre of the military community is as a whole. I have spent my time working with, and championing, the Armed Forces Covenant and the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). Businesses with no exposure to military life are quick to immediately change their employment policy when you open their eyes to the immediate value they gain from employing veterans and military spouses and partners.
You are highly valued; it’s just the voice in your head that tells you stories that make you doubt how valued you really are.
TIP 2: KNOW YOU CHOOSE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS
As serving, retired, reservist, or military spouse or partner, we reasonably expect the high standards, integrity, trustworthiness, and attitude of those we interact with in the military to be transposed out into the real world, and this isn’t always the case.
My assumption that the military mindset and work ethic was as readily available in as much abundance when entering the wider job and business market was sadly false. This can be a shock to many, and so my second tip is to get comfortable with opening your mindset to growth and learning, and expect your belief systems to be challenged. Ask yourself, are you judging a situation based on old beliefs, perceptions, and expectations?
But how can you cultivate a growth mindset? Become a student again. Read, network, challenge your assumptions, explore possibilities that you would have normally dismissed. Ask yourself, what could also be true in this situation? This
Michelle and Matt Burrows, founders of Get Inspired Coaching
allows you to effectively red-team your views to see what is actually in the art of the possible.
TIP 3: PUT YOUR OWN OXYGEN MASK ON FIRST
Working in teams, or supporting loved ones unconditionally, puts the military community in a service-before-self mentality that people naturally carry out into the civilian arena.
Determination, integrity, and a drive to achieve are all great values, but you have to make sure your cup is full, both mentally and physically, otherwise you are decreasing your chances of making this one life a long game, with extra time and penalties!
Warren Buffet once ruminated, “If you could only have one car to last you your whole lifetime, how would you treat it?” He obviously wasn’t talking about a car; he was talking about us with this one body and mind.
Regardless of your faith, or outlook on life, looking after your mind and body in a way that works for you is so critical for your overall success in life. It is a common theme with my clients across all spectrums, and when they devote time, effort, and energy to putting their own oxygen mask on first, the shifts they make with family, at work, or in business are just mind-blowing. It is not selfish to look after yourself. If you are the foundation for your family’s growth, make sure those foundations are strong.
TIP 4: TAKE YOUR TIME
As humans, we are perfectly predisposed to overestimate what we can achieve in a day or a week, but we vastly underestimate what we can achieve in five years.
The military mentality can be to achieve in the fastest time possible, but the true gift of life is the here and now. That is why they call it the present! Well at least that’s what Master Oogway said in Kung Fu Panda !
If you can master slowing down slightly to appreciate the present moment, you’ll be in such a strong position to really appreciate and enjoy the situation you are in. Not only does this give you the opportunity to fill your cup, so you have the best chance to achieve your full potential, but it also allows you to see the skills, knowledge, and experience within each situation. This latter point gives you wisdom that will set you apart from the crowd in both business and employment.
TIP 5: KNOW YOURSELF
When I was in basic training I was advised to ‘play the game’, and throughout my time in the military I always felt I had to be someone or something else to fit a rank or job title.
I have now given myself the time and space to truly understand who I am, what makes me tick, and to feel safe, confident, and secure in that knowledge.
The great advantage of this is it allows you to release how you let people’s opinions affect you. Know their opinions disappear when they do, but you have to live with your own opinion of yourself for the rest of your life. So be kind to yourself – you deserve it.
Embrace your uniqueness, your strengths, and acknowledge your potential.
It’s not about arrogance, or perfection, just knowing you are a work in progress, but you are doing your best, in alignment with what matters to you most.
BONUS TIP: AIM TO FAIL EVERY DAY
Failure isn’t always seen as an option in most military circumstances, but the reality is that it is the fastest way to growth, and the biggest companies in the world employ this mentality, so combine this with all the other tips for some amazing results!
You may want for a silver bullet, a quick fix, but mindset success is a long game. Remember, mindset by definition is a set of fixed ideas and they are difficult to change. Life is always changing and so our outlook on life needs to be questioned and tweaked for best performance. We need to understand ourselves and kick self-doubt to the touchline as we are already more valuable than we know. Taking our time allows us to play the long game and take in the sights as we go by. Embrace failure, but make sure you are kind to yourself and put your oxygen mask on first. It’s a long game, or have I said that before?
Good luck. Go crush it!
getinspiredcoaching.co.uk
getinspiredcoaching
getinspiredcoaching_ matthew-burrows-1071a8141
Fulfil your potential with a career at Amazon
Amazon – twice recognised as the ‘Employer of the Year’ at the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards and named ‘Exemplar Forces Families Friendly Employer of the Year’ at the 2023 Celebrating Forces Families Awards – is a leader when it comes to offering employment opportunities to the whole of the military community, including military spouses. Find out how Amazon could be part of your exciting career future.
MEET HELEN: RAF SPOUSE AND AMAZON TRAILBLAZER
Amazon employs thousands of military spouses across the globe. Helen is just one of the several hundred here in the UK. Helen served in the Navy for six years before taking 3.5 years out to have children and then became a full-time RAF reservist. After three years as an RAF reservist she sought a change in direction and applied to Amazon. Helen attended a military recruiting event where she met the delivery station manager for her local Amazon delivery station. Helen explained at that time she wasn’t interested in submitting her CV unless she could work part time. At that time, part-time working wasn’t an opinion; however, just because it hadn’t been done before didn’t mean it was not possible.
Helen secured a role as an area manager working a 30-hour week. After 18 months, Helen moved to the Amazon Logistics apprenticeship team to deliver apprenticeship opportunities in Amazon logistics, including a pilot programme to bring veterans into Amazon in chartered management degreelevel apprenticeships. Currently, Helen is on a military spouse leave of absence for one year to accompany her husband to the USA. Helen will spend the year with her husband and children, safe in the knowledge that she will return to employment with Amazon.
“Amazon allowed me to work part time to support my husband and children. I was the first manager in Operations to take a part-time
contract, and when my husband deployed, my management team helped me find a demanding role I could perform from home.”
Helen Hobson, Senior Program Manager, Amazon Apprenticeships
We offer support through our military hiring programme, with a dedicated military recruiter to support applicants from the military community. In addition, we have support services and policies in place to promote the development and retention of military spouses at Amazon:
Military spouse Warrior group
Military spouses face unique challenges that come from supporting a partner in the service. From sudden deployments to unexpected moves to a reserve unit being called for duty, those with a spouse in military service exemplify resilience, tenacity, and grit. Armed Forces spouses have long been part of our DNA, and the Warriors Global Military Spouses Chapter provides a place for Amazon’s military spouses to engage with and support one another, promote the value of military spouses in the workplace, and advance the needs of military spouses to drive successful careers at Amazon.
Military spouse leave of absence or role relocation.
We support military spouses and continuity of employment when relocating to another country due to a military posting. Where possible, we will either enable the employee to take up employment in the country of residence or be granted a period of extended military leave of absence.
Amazon apprenticeships
There are many roles at Amazon and they are open to all; however, there are some programmes that might appeal particularly to military spouses, including the Amazon apprenticeship programme.
Have you ever dreamed of working at a company that’s constantly changing the world? Amazon might be the perfect fit for you. We’re not your average corporation – we’re a place where creativity thrives, opportunities blossom, and there’s no limit to how much you can grow.
Why choose an Amazon apprenticeship?
• Make a difference: We’re obsessed with our customers, not our competitors. Every day at Amazon is a chance to learn, invent, and improve the world around you. From one-click shopping to Alexa, some of the coolest innovations came from Amazon!
• Your contribution matters: You won’t be lost in the crowd. We recognise and celebrate the contributions of our apprentices. There are even awards to showcase your ideas and innovations!
• Be yourself, be celebrated: We’re a diverse bunch, and we want our apprentices to reflect that. We have groups for people who share similar interests, and our recruitment process is fair and open to everyone.
• Work where you thrive: Apprenticeships are offered across the UK and Ireland, from fulfilment centres to corporate offices. We’ll place you in the perfect environment to develop your skills for a long-lasting career.
• Learn from the best: Amazon has its fingers in many pies! Apprenticeships are offered across subsidiaries like Audible, Twitch, and Whole Foods, giving you a chance to gain experience in a variety of fields.
• Military friendly: We understand the unique challenges faced by military families. Our network of experienced professionals can provide guidance and support throughout your career journey.
Head over to amazonapprenticeships.co.uk to explore Amazon’s apprenticeship opportunities.
Register your interest for our 2025 apprenticeship programmes here:
By Heather Churchill
Transferable skills to supercharge your career
As veterans or military spouses/partners, we’ve faced many challenges head-on, but entering the workforce after service, or frequently transitioning roles and locations, presents unique employment hurdles. When seeking new opportunities, it can be tricky to find the right role that matches your skill set. Training, management, and professional development specialist and RAF veteran Heather Churchill explains why harnessing your transferable skills and vocational accreditation can be the key to successful career change.
We often see the term ‘transferable skills’ as something important to highlight. The challenge can be identifying what that actually means for you, and how to translate your skill set into something an employer understands and seeks, giving you the credible edge.
IDENTIFYING YOUR SKILLS
You are likely to have transferable skills that would lend themselves to a variety of roles. Rather than focussing on specific technical skills and knowledge needed for a single role you have had in the past, think about more generic skills like communication, planning and organisation, decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution. These are likely to be useful in many other roles.
Think about what you can do rather than what you can’t – you can always pick up the specialist technical skills and knowledge as you go.
Transferable skills aren’t restricted to your previous employment, and the challenges military life throws at us can, in fact, be the catalyst for developing a unique and sought-after skill set. So think outside the ‘employment box’ and consider your skills outside of ‘normal’ work... Do you participate in sports coaching or mentoring and therefore have experience in planning, teaching, and supporting other people? Do you juggle a range of different responsibilities and are good at multitasking – perhaps as a carer, parent, or through a regular hobby? Have you made important financial decisions involving extensive budgeting and financial planning? What have you done that could add value to your employability?
As the employment landscape evolves, it’s worth identifying which jobs will change and how individuals will need to reskill; it may help you keep ahead of your competition. How aware are you of trends in your industry and the ways in which an organisation is changing? Networking is a key element of keeping up with industry changes.
QUALIFYING YOUR SKILLS
When leaving the military myself and starting out on my networking journey (a whole new article!), I questioned the point of mysterious letters after names on LinkedIn profiles. It was only once I fully understood accredited qualifications that I realised the worth of qualifying the skills I already had, especially when not holding a degree. You have undoubtedly accumulated a wide range of skills over your
professional life that can be collated and mapped into one or multiple qualifications. This qualification becomes a ‘badge’ of both your experience and the level you can operate at, endorsed as a professional status. Sounds good, doesn’t it? A potential employer will think so too!
The UK has a clear framework of qualifications set at different levels, interpreted across industries, recognised nationally and internationally, called the Regional Qualifications Framework (RQF). It is useful to understand where you may fit on that framework in terms of the level of role you are seeking (e.g. entry level, supervision, management, or executive). Then you can choose a qualification at the right level while maximising cost/benefit, which is important when spending either enhanced learning credits (ELCs) or indeed your own money.
THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU NEED A QUALIFICATION?
According to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Professional Development (CIPD), 81% of employers prefer, or require, candidates to have professional qualifications. Research from the Institute of Leadership and Management (iLM) found that 82% of employers believe leadership and management qualifications improve workplace productivity – great stats to drop in an interview! Investing in yourself isn’t just about personal growth; its about making yourself indispensable to your future employer.
Professional bodies are responsible for setting industry standards and creating a community of recognised practitioners. They approve training providers and regulate vocational qualifications that open the doorway to professional membership and resources – hence, the badge of credibility can be the key to helping you stand out in a competitive job market, through letters after names!
You’ll often see employers stipulating an applicable qualification level as, ‘essential’ or ‘desirable’ for specific roles in a job description. The table shows some examples of well-known awarding bodies, but there are many more according to industry.
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN
Another great way of achieving a qualification in the industry you are interested in is through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship schemes have evolved and there has never been so many options available, in such a diverse range of sectors, even going up to degree level. Once associated with school leavers, apprenticeships are now open to people of any age who want to, ‘earn while you learn’
Awarding body Full title Governing body of
CIPD Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development HR and L&D professionals
ILM Institute of Leadership & Management Leadership and management professionals
CMI Chartered Management Institute Managers and leaders
PMI Project Management Institute Project management professionals
Highfield Highfield Qualifications Various – teaching, health and safety, security
and are an excellent route to break into a new sector and gain a nationally recognised certificate. Equally, you could be management level already and your employer or potential employer is offering higher-level apprenticeships to upskill on the job, with a commensurate salary.
Translating your military and/or life experience into civilian terms might seem daunting, but you’re never alone in this journey. Networking is key and there are a wide range of career networks of people who specifically understand your situation within the Armed Forces community, so do seek support from career coaches or support and networking groups for free, quality advice.
And my final word is to remember, humour is your best camouflage; you’ve faced tougher challenges – like trying to decipher military jargon when you first joined the family! Embrace the transition and, in the words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” So, lace up your boots, sharpen your skills, and venture forth into the unknown.
Working at your best: A neurodivergent jobseeker’s guide to finding the perfect fit
Are you a neurodivergent jobseeker looking for your dream role? Neurodiversity coach and trainer Emily Edwards offers valuable advice to help you navigate the employment market and find a job that celebrates your unique strengths.
Neurodiversity is diversity in thinking: we all think in different ways. This means that, as a human species, we are all neurodiverse, but not all of us are neurodivergent. The term ‘neurodivergent’ is an inclusive and neutral way to describe any divergence from dominant societal standards and includes (but is not limited to) dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, autism, ADHD, Tourette syndrome, sensory processing differences, OCD, bipolar, and schizophrenia. It is also possible to acquire neurodivergence – for example, through neurological illness or brain injury such as a stroke or epilepsy. What I see and hear in my work as a neurodiversity coach is that the best outcomes for neurodivergent jobseekers happen when a neurodivergent person is empowered to know themselves first even before seeking out a potential employer and/or position.
For many neurodivergent people, especially those of us who have been late identified, growing up and living life without knowing and/or understanding ourselves and our needs has likely been extremely challenging and, for some, traumatic. Add to that the nature of military life and it can get even more complicated. The impact of this on neurodivergent jobseekers is huge including lacking confidence, poor self-esteem, not being able to advocate for our needs, masking (hiding our traits), stress, overwhelm, burnout… The list goes on.
NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE ARE SPECIALIST THINKERS
Whether you self-identify as neurodivergent or have a diagnosis, do you know what your strengths are? Do you know your areas of struggle? Neurodivergent people have ‘spiky’ profiles, which means their cognitive profile is likely to look like this (purple line in the image below):
Having a spiky profile means you have specific strengths (the ‘peaks’), which make doing those specific kinds of tasks, activities and/or thinking really easy. And, you’ll see there are ‘troughs’, which indicate those that are likely to be much more difficult.
Having an understanding of these peaks and troughs will enable you to share your unique strengths with an employer, as well as the areas you may need support with and the resources you require to thrive in your role. Neurotypical people, generalist thinkers, tend to have a cognitive profile that is much more even, indicating that they are good at most things and can do those things with ease.
Remember, no two neurodivergent people are the same, even if they have the same neuro-type, such as both being dyslexic or having ADHD; the way this shows up day to day will be different, so really having a grasp of how you work at your best will give you an edge when engaging with employers.
Neurodivergent strengths are often under-recognised and under-utilised in the workplace and so being aware of and being able to communicate about yours will help you stand out.
PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS
Who wouldn’t want to play to their strengths at work? This is especially true for neurodivergent people. Of course, there are elements of all jobs (regardless of whether you’re neurodivergent or not) that are going to be tricky and a bit of a chore but, on the whole, finding a job that can make use of our strengths so we can unleash and maximise our potential is a win-win. You, as the employee, benefit from being truly engaged and interested in what you’re working on; you remain motivated and driven to contribute, and your employer gets good results and satisfied customers.
Being clear about the kind of job you want and how your strengths fit can, therefore, enable you to get in touch with your purpose and be a useful guide to narrow down your job search.
WHERE YOU WORK (I.E. ENVIRONMENT) IS KEY
When you’re working at your best, what kind of environment are you in? Do you prefer a setting that is a hive of activity, bustling, chaotic even, with lots of demands and time pressure, or do you prefer something that is calm and quiet, with few distractions? Maybe you work at your best from the comfort of your own home when the environment is familiar, predictable, and enables a balance with family life/childcare needs.
Environment is frequently overlooked by neurodivergent jobseekers but can be essential in terms of providing the necessary conditions in which to do our best work, especially for those of us who have sensory needs that need accommodating.
CONSIDERING SELF-EMPLOYMENT
In the UK, 10% of the population are dyslexic and 19% of entrepreneurs know they are dyslexic. Over 30% of business owners have ADHD, dyslexia, or both. By comparison, 1–4% of the population are autistic but only 20–28% of autistic adults have a job.1 Being employed doesn’t suit everyone; some people can only work at their best when they’re innovating, creating, and being their own boss. Neurodivergent strengths align with entrepreneurial skills and, for some, this can only ever be realised outside of the constraints of an employed position.
FINDING THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY
Remember, the way employers approach employment is different to the way people looking for work approach it. The employer will want to spend as little money as possible; therefore they are much more likely to start looking for someone to fill a role from the inside first. This is why, as a neurodivergent person with specific strengths and interests, it might work in your favour to approach employers directly – call them up, have
conversations, and follow up with your CV. This lets employers know that you specifically want to work with them, that you’re genuinely interested in their business, and in contacting them directly, you’ve demonstrated tenacity and that you’re willing to make the effort.
If you prefer to apply for a job through more traditional processes, be sure you meet the job criteria first; don’t be afraid to follow up, ask for feedback on your applications, and continue to network in-between applications.
NEURODIVERGENT STRENGTHS ARE THE SKILLS WE NEED FOR THE FUTURE
In a recent study into neurodiversity at work, both employers and employees agreed on the strengths of neurodivergent staff;2 these are the skills that are referenced as being essential for the future:
• Hyper-focus
• Creativity
• Innovative thinking
• Detail processing
• Authenticity
DISCLOSING YOUR NEURODIVERGENCE
There is no legal or professional duty to disclose a neurodivergent condition to an employer. However, employers do have a legal responsibility to be supportive and make adjustments. The uncomfortable reality is that negative consequences can arise from both a decision to disclose and a decision not to disclose. I encourage you to use your own discernment and knowledge/understanding of your own needs to come to a decision.
Emily is an Autistic, ADHD (AuDHD) military spouse and mum to a young neurodivergent person. She works as a neurodiversity coach and trainer near Salisbury, Wiltshire.
2 Doyle, N., Kiseleva, M., and McDowall, A. (2023) Neurodiversity at Work 2023: Demand, Supply and a Gap Analysis. Birkbeck University of London, p. 33
By David Beck
Accelerate your career growth with personal branding
In today’s competitive job market, personal branding has become an indispensable tool for professionals seeking to stand out from the crowd and advance their careers. David Beck, a social value business partner with Pinnacle Service Families, explains why nailing your personal branding is essential to boost your career growth.
In an era characterised by digital connectivity and social media dominance, the concept of personal branding has emerged as a crucial aspect of professional development. Personal branding refers to the process of intentionally shaping and promoting one’s unique identity, expertise, and values to create a compelling narrative that sets them apart from others in their field. While traditionally associated with entrepreneurs and influencers, personal branding has become equally relevant to any of us seeking to accelerate our career growth.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
Effective personal branding begins with self-awareness – understanding your strengths, passions, and values. By identifying your unique attributes and areas of expertise, you can craft a brand identity that authentically reflects who you are and what you stand for. This identity serves as the foundation upon which all your branding efforts are built.
Strategic positioning is another key component of personal branding. This involves defining a niche within your sector and positioning yourself as an expert or thought leader in that area. By focusing on a specific niche, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and become recognised as an authority in your field.
Consistent communication is essential for maintaining and strengthening a personal brand. This includes leveraging various channels such as social media, networking events, and professional associations to share insights, engage with peers, and showcase accomplishments. By consistently reinforcing your brand message, you can build credibility and visibility over time.
BRAND BENEFITS
Establishing a strong personal brand offers numerous benefits for career acceleration. Firstly, it enhances visibility within the industry, making you more recognisable to peers, employers, and potential collaborators. Increased visibility can lead to greater opportunities for career advancement, including job offers, promotions, and speaking engagements.
Secondly, personal branding builds credibility and trust. When you consistently deliver valuable content and insights related to your area of expertise, you position yourself as a trusted authority within your field. This credibility not only attracts opportunities but also fosters stronger professional relationships and collaborations.
What’s more, personal branding cultivates influence and authority. By consistently sharing valuable insights and perspectives, you can influence industry conversations and shape the direction of your field. This influence can open doors to speaking engagements, media opportunities, and partnerships that further propel career growth.
BUILDING YOUR BRAND
Building a strong personal brand requires a strategic approach:
1. Define your unique value proposition – what sets you apart from others in your field?
2. Identify your target audience and understand their needs, preferences, and pain points.
3. Tailor your brand messaging and content to resonate with this audience, providing solutions to their challenges and adding value to their professional lives.
Consistently create and share content that showcases your expertise and perspective. This can include blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, and social media updates. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, participating in discussions, and seeking feedback.
Authenticity and consistency are key to building trust and credibility with your audience.
Utilise social media platforms strategically to amplify your brand message and reach a wider audience. Choose the platforms that are most relevant to your target audience and consistently share content that aligns with your brand identity. Leverage networking opportunities, both online and offline, to connect with peers, mentors, and industry influencers who can support your career growth.
LONG-LASTING SUCCESS
Personal branding has become a powerful tool for professionals seeking to accelerate their career growth and stand out in today’s competitive job market. By cultivating a strong personal brand based on self-awareness, strategic positioning, and consistent communication, you can enhance their visibility, credibility, and influence within their industry.
By leveraging personal branding effectively, individuals can unlock new opportunities for career advancement and achieve their professional goals.
Personal branding is not a vanity exercise; it’s a strategic investment in your career that can yield significant returns in terms of opportunities, influence, and professional fulfilment.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, prioritising your personal branding will give you a distinct advantage in navigating your career paths and achieving long-term success.
pinnacleservicefamilies.co.uk
By Emma Gray
Coping with work while grieving
Rainbow Hunting founder Emma Gray was an award-winning wills and probate solicitor who paused law to spend time with her children after her husband died. She’s now a grief and life coach helping others to grow life around grief and sort out what she calls the ‘Sadmin’: the practical things that need to be done to prepare for death and dying. Here, she shares her advice and insights for dealing with work through bereavement and how you can support a colleague who has lost a loved one.
The death of a loved one is arguably one of the most painful things that human beings endure, yet so often we hide our emotions away for fear of causing upset to others. If this happens, we risk falling into the trap of ‘carrying on as normal’, when in fact life without our person has been turned upside down. Those around often want to help, but they are at a loss as to what would be meaningful.
Before this article goes into any advice, it’s important to understand that there is a wide spectrum of how people might see their work after experiencing the death of someone close.
THE SPECTRUM OF GRIEF AT WORK
On one end of the spectrum, there may be those for whom work is a necessity; whether it is because their finances have been detrimentally affected and they need money to survive, or perhaps because of a need for human interaction, or
maybe the actual work itself is a welcome distraction in the turbulent fallout after the death. For these individuals, work may be so vital that any attempts at making changes and/ or reducing workloads may mean this predictable pattern of work no longer feels like a stable backdrop to the stormy internal world of grief.
At the other end of the spectrum, some people may find that work makes an already difficult time even more seemingly impossible. They may feel as though they are no longer able to juggle the metaphorical balls of all the things going on in their life. Work may have become an uncomfortable grief trigger overnight; perhaps there are too many reminders of the deceased, or maybe the profession touches too closely on aspects that cause flashbacks and emotional moments. Alternatively, some people may find that a death brings their priorities into sharp focus and they start to re-evaluate their place in the world.
WHY IS THE SPECTRUM SO VAST?
Regardless of where you, or your colleagues, friends, and loved ones, may be on this spectrum, the message this article is trying to portray is that grief is as unique as the relationship that existed with the person who has died. This means the only person who knows what the grief feels like and how the bereaved can be supported is the bereaved person themself. To make it even more complex, sometimes the person grieving is so emotional they cannot see the answer inside of themselves, which is where a bit of understanding about the possible grief emotions can be really useful.
STAGES OF GRIEF
I’m not an advocate of the ‘stages of grief’ because, as mentioned above, grief is as unique as our fingerprint. Nonetheless, understanding the possible emotions that might surface can be useful. Over the years, many people have tried to find a formula for grief and a solution to the pain. Although there is no one way of grieving and no set timeline, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s ‘five stages of grief’ (discovered through her research on the emotions of terminally ill patients) is the most famous. The stages she identified are denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance. It is helpful to acknowledge what might surface, but it is important to understand there is no prescription for grief.
LOOKING AFTER OTHERS IN THE WORKPLACE
If you haven’t experienced grief yourself, even if you have tried to read up on grief, it can be difficult to know how to treat a person who is grieving.
Here are Rainbow Hunting’s five things to keep in mind when a bereaved colleague returns to work:
1. Ask. Don’t be afraid to address the elephant in the room; it’s okay to tell the bereaved person that you are lost for words and to ask them whether they want work to continue as usual, or if there is anything you can do to support them.
2. Compassion. It is normal to be so busy at work that we don’t pause to check in on others or ourselves but, when asking questions, it is important to be compassionately curious and kind.
3. Know the rules. Most employers should have a bereavement policy, and there are various state bereavement benefits available. It is useful to know the rules at your work around support, time off, remote and flexible working, etc.
4. Connection. The greatest gift you have is to listen without judgement, criticism, or comparison. Merely having a witness to a bereaved person’s journey can be a gift.
5. Self-care. Keeping busy can be a coping strategy, which means self-care for the bereaved person, and for you supporting them, is vital to ensure no one burns out.
LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF WHEN YOU RETURN TO WORK
If you are the bereaved person, you may find the advice you are being given from everyone becomes overwhelming. However, the right way for you to grieve and the right way for you to return to work is the way that suits you best. Three things that helped me to look after myself while coping at work were:
1. Connection. Being in touch with yourself and what’s coming up for you as well as connecting with others who ‘get it’ and who listen compassionately with no judgement, criticism, or comparison.
2. Self-love. Understanding that grief is exhausting and what you are going through is hard means you need to take extra special care of yourself.
3. Get help. If you are struggling, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to reach for help. You can go to your GP, or there are various organisations that can support you, such as Cruse, the national bereavement charity. Other organisations can be found in the Rainbow Hunting Directory: rainbowhunting.co.uk/directory.
Finally, although grief can feel incredibly lonely, sadly death is an experience that will touch us all… It is important to remember that you are not alone and it is possible to grow life around grief, especially if you are able to surround yourself with the most compassionate and supportive environment possible.
www.rainbowhunting.co.uk
rainbowhuntingmoments
rainbowhuntingmoments
emmacgray
HuntingRainbow
Emma Gray
By Craig Smith
Unexpected benefits to learning in later life
It’s never too late to learn a new skill or gain a qualification that could set you up for the job of your dreams. Craig Smith from veteranfounded specialist education provider Minerva Elite Performance explains how going back to education can help you take a step forward and unlock your potential for career success.
WHY RETURN TO LEARNING?
Whether you’re ready for a career move or are looking to upskill, earning a degree in adulthood can be a big step towards your goals. While more and more adults recognise the value of obtaining a degree later in life, the decision to return to education can seem daunting, or even unrealistic, when set against the backdrop of your already busy calendar. In truth, adult learners, such as those building a career following time in the military or supporting a serving spouse, can find immense value in the skills built through a higher education pathway, with benefits that extend far beyond certificates and qualifications.
SKILLS FOR (REAL) LIFE
While a qualification on your CV will grab the attention of employers, many adult learners testify to the wider benefits they’ve experienced in their personal lives and relationships through returning to learning. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a rut, returning to education is a great way to expand your knowledge base, build confidence, develop new skills, and broaden your prospects and perspectives. These benefits compound to produce a future filled with opportunities you may never have considered before.
Balancing the responsibilities of family life and work, alongside a commitment to education, also comes with the unexpected benefit of developing organisational and timemanagement skills. Navigating these challenges can lead to a discovery of newfound strengths and help you focus on the parts of your life that matter most, whether that be prioritising quality time with family or setting healthy boundaries around your free time and how you spend it.
BOOST CAREER PROSPECTS
Most adult learners choose to return to education to enhance their career prospects or give themselves a competitive advantage when switching industries or roles. In today’s job
market, having a degree-level qualification can significantly enrich your range of job prospects and open new doors to positions or promotions that can boost your earning power.
Taking that first step towards earning a degree in a specific field can provide you with specialised knowledge and indemand skills, suitable for the corporate world and beyond. The credentials gained through higher education can help you stand out among job candidates, while many degrees foster transferable skills that are relevant to a wide array of sectors and roles.
CONSIDERATIONS
Not all higher education courses are created equal. If you’re considering education in later life, you’ll likely want to opt for a course that fits around your current responsibilities or family life. Flexible online courses that can be completed at your own pace are preferred by many adult learners.
Think about your ‘why’ – what is your desired outcome after you’ve achieved your qualification? If you’re looking to boost your career and earn valuable skills for the workplace, a leadership and management diploma could be the perfect fit. Have you ever dreamt of using your rich life experience to inspire others? A teaching qualification could be for you.
GETTING STARTED – TOP TIPS
Ready to take the first step to further education? Here are some tips to get you started:
• Universities require 120 credits to enrol on an MBA course (master’s-level qualification). If you’d like to progress to this in the future, ensure your chosen course will award you the required number of credits for the next step in your education.
• ELCAS (Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service) – serving military personnel and veterans may be eligible for ELCs, which could be used to fund/part-fund certain courses. Check before signing up for a course as you may be able to learn for free or with financial support.
• Many degree-level qualifications can be studied online – check or enquire directly with education providers to find a flexible course that fits your needs.
• Before committing to a course or training provider, do your research and read current and past student testimonials.
admissions@mep-ltd.uk
mep-ltd.uk
MinervaElitePerformance
minerva-education-mba
Minerva Elite offers fully accredited qualifications, from pre-entry level to postgraduate degrees, including programmes in leadership and management, teacher education, and security and surveillance.
By Helen Massy
Squiggly success: Why non-linear careers can pay off
The concept of a ‘squiggly career’ is often a reality in the lives of Armed Forces families. Frequent relocations, deployments, and other military-related demands can disrupt traditional career trajectories, leading to a series of seemingly unrelated jobs or periods of unemployment.
While this might once have been viewed as a disadvantage, it’s increasingly recognised as a unique strength that can set Armed Forces families apart in the job market.
Adaptability, resilience, and a diverse skill set are hallmarks of those who have experienced the challenges and rewards of military life. These qualities, often honed through frequent moves and demanding environments, can be invaluable assets in a rapidly changing and competitive job market. This article will explore how Armed Forces families can leverage their unique experiences to build successful and fulfilling careers.
A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE AND ADAPTABILITY
As a passionate advocate for squiggly careers, I’ve experienced first hand the benefits of a non-linear path. After training as a physiotherapist, my career took an unexpected turn when my husband’s military posting required an overseas move. Unable to practise clinically abroad, I pivoted to medical journalism and marketing.
Through this venture, I founded Career Pursuit CIC, including the magazine you’re reading. My own experiences highlighted the challenges of career transitions, inspiring me to provide guidance and resources.
More recently, I’ve embraced flexibility in my roles, prioritising hybrid work and remote options to accommodate military life. This approach led me to my current position as a people partner at Pinnacle Service Families.
Throughout my career, my diverse skill set, adaptability, and resilience have been instrumental in navigating change and seizing new opportunities. If you’re looking to showcase your own squiggly career, here are my top five tips.
1. View setbacks as opportunities: Rather than dwelling on challenges, see them as chances to learn and discover new paths. Cultivate a positive growth mindset that empowers you to overcome challenges and pursue new opportunities.
2. Highlight your transferable skills: Identify the core competencies you’ve developed throughout your career, regardless of your specific roles.
3. Tell a compelling story: Share your career journey in a way that highlights your adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving abilities. Many organisations can help you craft your CV to tell this story, such as the Forces Employment Charity and the Forces Transition Group.
4. Focus on your unique value proposition: Emphasise how your diverse experiences and skills can benefit your potential employers.
5. Network strategically: Build relationships with people in your industry and beyond to expand your opportunities. Participate in conferences, workshops, and networking events to meet potential mentors and collaborators.
Remember, your unique journey is a testament to your versatility, resilience, and ability to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
AMAZING IF. SUPPORT FOR SQUIGGLY CAREERS
Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis, the dynamic duo behind Amazing IF, have made it their mission to revolutionise the way we think about careers. Recognising the traditional linear career path is becoming increasingly outdated, they’ve championed
Helen Massy
the concept of ‘squiggly careers’ – non-linear paths characterised by twists, turns, and unexpected opportunities.
Amazing IF collaborates with leading organisations like Microsoft, Levi’s, BBC, Danone, and Visa to equip individuals with the skills they need to thrive in a squiggly career. Whether you’re an employee looking to advance your career or an organisation seeking to foster a more adaptable workforce, Amazing IF offers a range of resources to support your journey.
Need some career support? Their free tools are a great starting point:
• Squiggly Careers PodBook : Packed with practical tips and actionable advice.
• Career Canvas: A framework for insightful career conversations.
• Squiggly Career Calendar: Helps you stay focused and aligned with your goals.
• 10-Minute Tools: Perfect for quick learning and inspiration.
All these resources can be found on the Amazing IF website: www.amazingif.com.
By embracing the squiggly career path, you’re not just navigating a new professional landscape; you’re unlocking your full potential and setting yourself up for long-term success.
A MILITARY SPOUSE’S SQUIGGLY JOURNEY:
JULIA BARR’S STORY
Julia Barr’s career journey is a testament to the concept of a squiggly career. Julia’s career took unexpected turns, leading her through various roles, from legal editing to project management.
Early aspirations and academic pursuits: Julia’s teenage years were marked by a desire to become a barrister, a profession she admired for its emphasis on debate. However, during her university studies, she shifted her focus towards becoming a solicitor, attracted by the prospect of a salaried income and less intense courtroom drama.
A divergent path: Despite her initial legal aspirations, Julia’s career trajectory took a surprising turn. She transitioned into roles such as legal editing and publishing, gaining valuable experience in the editorial field. She ventured into administrative roles, serving as an executive assistant (EA) and subsequently with Mott MacDonald (a military-friendly employer) as an engineering project and programme coordinator.
EMBRACING THE SQUIGGLE
The world of work is changing, and the traditional linear career path is no longer the only route to success. This article shows how Armed Forces families, with their unique experiences and adaptable skillsets, are perfectly positioned to thrive in this new landscape.
Embrace the “squiggly” nature of your career, leverage the resources available, and seek out military-friendly employers who appreciate your value. By doing so, you can turn the twists and turns of your journey into a path paved with opportunity and fulfillment.
A leap of faith and career fulfillment: One of the most significant milestones in Julia’s career was her decision to accept a role as a commercial manager, which was offered on the back of some mentoring sessions with a senior commercial director in the company. This marked a significant departure from her previous experience, as she had no prior background in commercial management. However, encouraged by Mott MacDonald’s belief in her abilities, Julia overcame her self-doubt and embraced this new opportunity.
Julia’s leap of faith proved to be a wise decision. She found great satisfaction in her new role as commercial manager with Mott MacDonald, demonstrating that unconventional career paths can lead to rewarding and fulfilling experiences.
FINDING YOUR FIT WITH MILITARY-FRIENDLY EMPLOYERS
Armed Forces life is full of experiences that mean military family members have to foster adaptability, resilience, and a diverse skill set. Many military-friendly employers recognise the value of these qualities and often have policies and programmes in place to support military spouses, such as flexible work arrangements, hybrid or remote working opportunities, and an Armed Forces network.
By seeking out these employers, you can find organisations that appreciate your unique experiences and provide the support needed to thrive in your careers. All positions on Forces Families Jobs are from employers that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, and you can also learn more about specific military-friendly employers on the Career Pursuit blog. Forces Families Jobs: www.forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk Military-friendly employer blog: www.careerpursuit.co.uk/ military-friendly-employer-blog
Interview questions: The essential guide
Interview prep can feel wholly overwhelming, especially if you’ve been out of the job market for a while. But fear not! The Centrica Pathway team are at your service with some top resources to help you ace those all-important interview questions and secure your dream role. Good luck!
Tell me about a time when you have responded positively to a setback that affected a project you were responsible for delivering.
Can you tell me about a time when you went the extra mile to help a member of your team or a colleague with a problem?
Give me an example of an exceptional piece of delivery for which you’ve been personally responsible.
Can you tell me about a time when you had to adapt your style to influence someone to come around to your way of thinking or approach to complete a task?
Give me an example of some collaboration that placed strong demands on your resilience and positive outlook.
ANSWERS WITH STAR QUALITY
Use the STAR method to craft compelling answers that showcase your expertise and ability.
S T A R
Situation
Describe the scenario. Set the scene – Where? When? What?
Task
What was the task or goal?
Action
What actions did you take/ what decisions did you make in the scenario?
For example…
“Tell me about a time when you’ve gone the extra mile to support someone.”
Result
What was the outcome following the action you took?
S – Situation
I worked as a job coach in the Welfare to Work sector. I had this role for one year. I saw 12 clients a day, offering support with CVs, interview techniques, and job searches. I had a vulnerable client who was in dire need of support with drug and health issues.
T – Task
My goal was to offer support to this customer based on her current needs. Employability was not a priority when working with this client but rather serious health needs. The immediate goal was to support the client in obtaining urgent medical attention for dental care.
A – Action
I sensitively shared the details of this case with my line manager and another colleague. I suggested a supported visit to a dentist; the client was not registered with a dentist and did not have enough confidence to enter a surgery on her own.
R – Result
After obtaining approval from my line manager, a colleague and I escorted the vulnerable client to a local dentist. The client was able to register, made an appointment, and subsequently received emergency medical attention. This customer was supported according to her needs, not the business needs.
From clay to fame: The inspiring journey of Nicola Swann and Made with Mud
In the heart of Lincolnshire, nestled within a private studio brimming with creativity and craftsmanship, Nicola Swann shapes not just clay but stories and connections. As the talented potter behind Made with Mud, Nicola has transformed her passion into a thriving business, celebrated for its functional yet beautifully crafted pieces, especially her beloved ‘DigniTEA’ range of mugs. Her journey with clay began in 2011, and by 2016 she had mastered the art of ‘throwing’, bringing a unique blend of dedication and artistry to her work.
Balancing her roles as a military spouse and a burgeoning pottery entrepreneur, Nicola has carved out a remarkable niche in the world of ceramics. Her success extends beyond the pottery wheel: she’s also a prominent social media influencer and a TikTok campaign star, where her engaging content and authentic approach have garnered a loyal following. In this exclusive interview with Helen Massy, Nicola shares insights into her creative process, the challenges and triumphs of her journey, and what it means to build a business rooted in passion and resilience.
Welcome to the world of Nicola Swann and Made with Mud.
So Nicola, to start us off, can you tell me about your Service connection?
Absolutely. My husband is currently stationed at Cranwell as a pilot instructor. We’ve been in Lincolnshire for a while, and we’ve been quite fortunate to be able to stay in the area thanks to the number of camps around here. This stability has been particularly important as our kids have grown and started school. We did have one move with the kiln, but it wasn’t too bad.
That’s great to hear. Now, can you share a bit about how and why you started your pottery business?
Sure. I initially started working with clay around 2011, just making hand and footprints. It was a way to channel my creativity and find something flexible that I could pick up and put down easily, especially when my husband was away. At first, I went all in, but I quickly realised I needed to pace myself. I learned to take on projects as I wanted and as time allowed.
That sounds like a smart approach. What happened next?
After we bought a house and began a massive extension, I decided to pause my pottery for a year. During this time, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which put everything on hold. Throughout my treatment, I continued taking a weekly pottery class, which became a therapeutic escape for me. I got really interested in learning more about glazing and different techniques, as I was mostly self-taught up to that point. They had wheels in the class, and I was determined to learn how to throw.
That must have been quite a challenging time. How did you manage to continue with your pottery during your recovery?
It was definitely a tough period. As I started coming out of treatment, my husband and I converted our garage into a studio. He kept a little space for his motorbike, but the rest became my creative haven. Pottery helped me rebuild my strength, both physically and mentally. It gave me a sense of purpose and peace of mind during my recovery.
That’s truly inspiring. How did you transition from making pottery to turning it into a business?
It all happened quite organically. During lockdown, I began selling a few pieces to friends and family and decided to put more focus on online sales. I took a social media course offered by BFBS, which was incredibly helpful. The video editing skills I learned were a game-changer for my business. Despite my kids’ initial protests, I started posting on TikTok, and everything grew from there.
Your journey shows that building a business is never straightforward. What have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?
One of the biggest lessons is to be flexible and patient with yourself. Balancing a business with military life, health challenges, and family responsibilities is tough. I had to learn to take breaks when needed and not be too hard on myself. Another important lesson is to embrace change and be willing to adapt your products and strategies. For example, moving my business online was a significant shift, but it allowed me to reach a wider audience.
Tell me more about your DigniTEA mugs.
So, they’re adapted mugs designed to help people who want to have a proper mug but don’t want it to look like a disability
aid. A lot of people have to buy baby sippy cups, which can be quite embarrassing, especially in the workplace. It all started with a friend of a friend who saw me making mugs on the wheel and asked if I could add a second handle. At first, I thought it would be as simple as adding a second handle, but it turned out to be more complex. I worked with the person who was going to use the mug and their family to make changes, like tapering the mug for easier grip and lowering the handle to accommodate a lid.
Then, I was asked to make a mug for someone with tremors who didn’t want a second handle but needed something more discreet. This led to a design with a side loop. Every design change came from the disabled community contacting me with their needs, and I would see how I could make one mug with multiple features to help more people.
I’d been making these mugs for a couple of years without much notice. Then, during a livestream, I mentioned that it was a shame that some of these mugs had been sitting for six months without being seen by the right people. I asked if viewers would interact with a post to boost it. It blew up on TikTok and Instagram almost overnight.
Initially, I tried to make them all by hand but quickly realised I wasn’t set up for mass production. So, I had my designs made into proper moulds by a small family-run business about an hour away. They make them by hand, and then I finish them off by glazing and firing them. There were many hiccups along the way, and I wanted to give up several times, but I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished. It’s been hard but rewarding.
Working creatively with these people to come up with solutions has been amazing. Now, I’m just focused on getting them on my website, which should be launching in the next week or two. It’s been a long process, but it’s finally coming together.
And how did your collaboration with TikTok come about? Did they approach you?
So, first, it was an account called @tiktokforgood, and they were aiming to showcase the positive side of TikTok beyond just dance videos. They wanted to highlight how TikTok can be a platform for meaningful content. They were particularly drawn to the DigniTEA aspect of my work. I did a post for them on Instagram, which garnered over 11 million views. I was a collaborator on that project.
Then TikTok UK was looking to spotlight small businesses and change the perception of TikTok. They were searching for UK potters and, apparently, my name kept popping up. They were also impressed by the DigniTEA mug initiative. So they asked me to be part of an advertisement. This ad aired on ITV and is currently circulating on YouTube. It starts on TikTok and
features a man who sees me doing pottery, which inspires him to join a pottery class. Interestingly, this scenario has actually happened multiple times where people have joined pottery classes after being inspired by my content. The collaboration also extended to a billboard campaign. Essentially, they found me through the hashtags I used in my posts, and that’s how the collaboration came about.
That’s brilliant! What advice would you give to other military spouses/partners and veterans who are thinking of starting their own business and those wanting to use social media to grow their business?
Go for it, but be prepared for the ups and downs. It’s important to find something you’re passionate about because that will keep you going during tough times. Also, take advantage of any courses or resources available to you, like the BFBS social media course I mentioned.
The biggest piece of advice is to just start. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect because it never will be.
Post consistently, engage with your audience, and don’t be afraid to show the behind-the-scenes aspects of your work. People love to see the process and the person behind the product. And, be authentic. People can tell when you’re being genuine, and that’s what builds a loyal following.
Networking with other military spouses and veterans can provide support and valuable advice. And, most importantly, be kind to yourself and flexible in your approach.
That’s fantastic advice. And it’s clear your authenticity has really resonated with your audience. So what’s next for you and your business? Where do you see yourself going in the next few years?
Well, in the short term, I’m focusing on getting my website fully operational, which includes setting up an online store
for the DigniTEA mugs. Longer term, I’d like to expand my product range and maybe even start offering workshops, both in person and online, to share my skills and help others start their own journeys in pottery. I’m also looking into potential collaborations with other artists and small businesses, which is really exciting. The key is to keep evolving and finding new ways to connect with people.
That sounds like a wonderful plan. Workshops would be an amazing way to expand and give back to the community. It’s been great to hear about your journey. Just to wrap up, what would you say has been the most rewarding part of this whole experience for you?
Honestly, it’s the feedback from people who’ve bought my DigniTEA mugs and hearing how they’ve made a positive impact on their lives. Knowing that something I created can help someone feel more comfortable and dignified in their daily life is incredibly rewarding. It’s also been amazing to connect with so many people through social media and to have this unexpected community of supporters who believe in what I’m doing. That support keeps me going, even on the tough days.
madewithmud.co.uk
MadeWithMud Made.With.Mud madewithmudpottery
By Caro Syson on behalf of St James’s Place
Kick start your business in financial services: Five things you need to know
If you’re looking for a fulfilling career that can fit around military family life, starting a business in financial services could be the answer. As with any career change, a successful start-up requires careful planning and consideration. Pocket PA’s Caro Syson, on behalf of St James’s Place, shares five key things you need to know before you take the first step on your entrepreneurial journey as a financial adviser.
1. UNDERSTAND THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
When looking specifically at financial advice, there is no getting away from the fact that it is a highly regulated profession (as it should be). It’s therefore essential to understand the regulatory requirements governing the profession.
As part of your initial investment, you will need to obtain all your qualifications to be your own boss and practise professionally as a financial adviser. It’s crucial you familiarise yourself ahead of time with the basics of what you will need to do along the
way to meet all the legal and regulatory obligations, before launching your business. This step will help you establish credibility and build trust with your potential customers and ensure you are prepared for the journey ahead.
When it comes to regulation, it can be useful to conduct market research and seek guidance and support from many business owners who have experience in the field. For example, when building a business with St James’s Place (SJP), the organisation effectively takes care of all regulatory requirements – it’s part of their business model. When you retrain with their Financial Adviser Academy, you gain access to a network of experienced professionals who have in-depth knowledge and expertise in regulatory compliance, giving you peace of mind and a solid foundation to build your new business.
2. CREATE A ROBUST BUSINESS PLAN
A well-thought-out business plan is often the bedrock of any successful business and a great starting point for you to come back to again and again as your business evolves. Take the time now to develop a comprehensive plan that outlines all your goals, identifies your target market, looks at your
marketing strategies, covers your financial projections and documents on paper your business structure and planned operational procedures.
Your plan will serve as a roadmap, which – if done well at the outset – will guide you through the early stages of your venture. It will help you make informed decisions along the way, such as applying for small business grants or deciding whether to take out business loans. Additionally, having a robust business plan can be useful when seeking financing or attracting future partners before becoming an established company.
3. BUILD A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Your ability to network effectively will play a vital role in whether your new business gets off to a good start, and the financial advice profession is no exception. Do not underestimate the importance of building a professional network that can open doors to worthwhile partnerships and give you access to existing companies and precious client referrals.
By
engaging in conversations, sharing your own
insights, and establishing yourself as a trusted authority in your field, you will quickly create a strong network that can significantly contribute to the growth and success of your new business.
Attending industry events can be extremely valuable too, as well as joining relevant associations that can support you, connecting you with fellow professionals both off- and, through social media accounts, online. These activities will all be part of your everyday marketing efforts, so factoring time in for this is essential.
At SJP you would have access to a wide range of resources to support network-building and client acquisition. In what is the largest community of advice professionals in the UK, many SJP advisers collaborate and share clients, especially when specialising in complex areas of financial advice such as estate planning or long-term care.
4. DEFINE YOUR UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION
In a growing profession like financial advice, it’s crucial to differentiate yourself from the competition. You can do this by tapping into your core sense of self and defining your business ideas and own unique value proposition (UVP).
Ask yourself: “What sets me apart from others in the market?”
Look at your current circle of friendships, acquaintances, and interests to get these clues. For example, your background as a military spouse or veteran means you’re well placed to provide financial advice to other members of the Armed Forces community – you will most likely know how they might feel and can put yourself in their shoes, understanding their concerns, worries, and what issues they may face when it comes to needing financial advice.
Identifying your target audience and understanding their needs will be part of what you have to get good at, so you can tailor your professional services more to address their pain points and clearly communicate the value you bring. Customer feedback is vital for small business owners for growth, such as ensuring your business name is appealing, and whether they prefer an online business to work with.
Your unique value proposition will become the foundation of your marketing channels’ efforts and help you attract and retain clients. So, work it out early and fine-tune it as you gain more experience.
5. EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY
In today’s digital age, embracing technology is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a necessity. As a financial adviser, you’ll need to leverage technology to streamline your operations with expert systems and processes. Keep up to date and stay
informed about the latest industry-specific technologies to remain competitive and deliver exceptional service to your clients; this will set you apart from your competitors and keep your business growing.
Technology can also help you stay ahead of industry trends, so it’s worth investing in your business structures, to help manage your business finances for example. Tap into financial planning and the latest small business accounting software, client relationship management (CRM) tools, digital marketing platforms, and even choosing the right business bank account to optimise your workflow and improve your own efficiency.
In some instances, you can outsource your technological support, such as customer payments. At St James’s Place, for example, the unique business model provides you with a wealth of resources and expertise that will enable you to streamline your approach and allow you to spend more time with clients.
Get started!
If you would like to unleash your entrepreneurial prowess as a financial adviser, SJP’s award-winning Financial Adviser Academy can help you get started.
Find out more at www.sjp.co.uk/academy
Listen to Caro’s episode on SJP’s podcast, The Switch, here:
Meet Helen!
Helen Williamson is a military spouse and RAF veteran who transitioned to setting up her own successful financial planning business with the help of St James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy.
“When I was going through resettlement to leave the RAF, I was looking for a career that allowed me to help people, be professionally challenged, and also provide some work–life balance for our family, with my husband still serving. Becoming a financial planner is rewarding, as it has given me the opportunity to work with families to help them improve management of their finances and work towards funding their life goals. I also have control over my schedule to work around childcare, and can push myself professionally as much as works at the time, given the up-and-down challenges of military family life. The SJP Financial Adviser Academy has supported me each step of the way, with gaining the professional qualifications, rolespecific training, mentoring, and continuing business development – even through the added challenges of having our second child just 11 months after launching my business!”
Helen is always happy to have a chat with anyone considering making the career change and starting their own financial planning business.
Helen Williamson, founder of Helen Williamson Financial Planning
Any successful entrepreneur will tell you having the right mindset is key to growing a thriving business, but overcoming self-limiting feelings and behaviours is often easier said than done. Confidence expert Cat Williams explains how you can ‘ride’ your subconscious ‘stallion’ mind to achieve your potential in business and beyond.
Only one thing really matters when it comes to running your own business, because there is only one thing we actually control, and that is how we are thinking.
You will have heard lots of talk about ‘mindset’ and this simply means how we are speaking to ourselves within our own minds.
As a clinical hypnotherapist, rapid transformational therapist, and founder and director of Building Your Confidence Ltd, I help people train their powerful mind to work for them rather than against them.
We have around 70,000 thoughts a day! But almost all of these are subconscious; they ‘churn away’ in the background without us being aware of them. And they are mostly negative thoughts, because the only “job” of our subconscious mind is to keep us safe, so it has a strong negativity bias and is always looking for things to worry about!
I help people break free from protecting but self-limiting subconscious behaviours such as anxiety, imposter syndrome, procrastination, low self-esteem etc., because the innate selfbelief and confidence they were born with is waiting to help them to achieve what they really want!
By Cat Williams
Entrepreneurs, your mind is a stallion; learn to ride it!
our subconscious
a powerful horse follows the instructions of a confident horse rider.
A stallion is my favourite metaphor for the subconscious mind.
Think of how strong and powerful a stallion is, how it can move faster and jump higher than we possibly can. This stallion-like mind is strong, but gets easily scared, and it ‘takes over’ and comes up with ‘blockers’ if you don’t take control and lead it.
As Shakespeare once said, “There is nothing either good or bad but the thinking makes it so.”
Everything is energy, and the only energy we have control over is the intention of our thoughts. Our feelings and behaviours follow the lead of our thoughts.
TRY THIS! Think of the most common negative things you tell yourself, e.g. “I can’t do this,” “I don’t have what it takes,” I’m not good enough,” “I’ll fail.”
When you think these thoughts, you will feel overwhelmed, afraid, nervous, and anxious. Am I right?
Then your behaviours will reflect your feelings and you will avoid or put off the situation you are ‘afraid’ of… which will then confirm that your thoughts were correct, i.e. “I knew I wasn’t good enough,” “I knew I couldn’t do it,” “I knew I’d fail.”
Thoughts are self-fulfilling!
The good news is that
mind is controlled by our conscious thoughts, just like
HERE ARE MY 5 L’S TO ‘ RIDE YOUR STALLION-LIKE MIND ’ AND GIVE THE KEY INSTRUCTIONS TO RELEASE YOUR FULLEST POTENTIAL:
1. Listen
When you feel emotions – perhaps stress, anger, frustration – it is your inner stallion asking, “Am I safe? Can I cope with this?”
As the conscious ‘horse rider’ it is your job to reply yes confidently, because a) we know our greatest fears, almost always, don’t actually come true, b) what we call anxiety is the same as anticipation; it just depends what you call it, and c) even if the worst does happen, we either cope or we ask for help.
Whatever business challenge you are facing, it is not a life-threatening situation. Your record for getting through difficult times is 100% and you will get through this too.
2. Lead
You are leading your subconscious every moment of every day whether you realise it or not, with how you are thinking. This is just like a rider giving small instructions constantly, or the horse will feel uncertain and will decide for itself what it thinks is best.
Your conscious thoughts are instructions – they have to be followed, and you can’t think not to think something. Let me prove this…
Don’t think of a bright pink sheep running across a road. I said don’t think of a bright pink sheep running across a road!
Our mind cannot process the ‘don’t’ part, so that’s why thinking “Don’t be nervous” has the opposite effect!
Try these thoughts as a starting point: “I am enough,” “I’ve got this,” “I have what it takes” – and now watch them be proven to be true.
In summary, how can you and your business benefit from ‘riding’ your mind with the five L’s of:
LISTEN to your fears but confidently LEAD your inner mind with innate self-belief, so that you LOOK over the obstacles at where you want to get to and LEAP with conviction while you LEARN from those around you who ride with generosity and the desire to ‘lift all ships’?
Your mind is a stallion; ride it well!
3. Look
Look over the hurdle! There will always be hurdles to get over in life. When horse riders are going over jumps, they look ahead at where they’re going to land! All top sports people use visualisation like this. Formula One drivers know to look around the bend at where they’re going, not at the bend or they’re likely to spin off!
Look over the hurdles of life, look around the bends towards what you want, and your mind will lead you there!
4. Leap
Take the leap! We are born hard-wired for meeting challenge and change; it’s all we’ve ever done! Think what our ancestors have overcome in order for us to exist. Leap because you’re amazing. Leap because it’s your duty to use the potential of your unfathomable mind that is capable of more than you can imagine!
You can have what you want if you keep leaping over the obstacles between here and there – it’s what you were born to do!
5.
Learn
My final L stands for learn.
The successful business people I have learnt the most from are those who have given the most. Have you heard the phrase ‘A rising tide lifts all ships’? I believe the more we give, the more we ‘raise the tide’.
Learning to give through generosity and kindness will improve your business because a) you’ll make better and lasting connections if you help and serve others, b) you’ll achieve more sales if you focus on how you help people, and c) you’ll be better at marketing if you give value.
You can watch Cat’s latest TEDx Talk, ‘Your Mind is a Stallion – Learn to Ride It’ on YouTube.
Business process modelling – and why your business needs it!
Business process modelling sounds like one of those things that big companies do and might pay consultants lots of money to do for them. In fact, it is really just knowing what your business does, and making sure you are doing it efficiently. As military artist, business owner, and Royal Navy veteran Dr Gillian Jones explains, it’s about getting all your ducks in a row…
I am a military artist and have had my own business for about ten years. I have also worked as an engineer for Rolls-Royce Aerospace and as a software engineer for IBM UK Laboratories, followed by a brief stint as an engineering (training management) officer in the Royal Navy. I also have a degree in manufacturing engineering and management, plus a PhD that looked at how small manufacturing companies introduce new products. It was during my research that I realised the importance of process modelling to small companies. I must be one of the few people who did not stay in academia but still uses what they learned doing a PhD every day!
Process modelling is all about knowing what you do. If someone joined your business tomorrow, could you give them a job and be confident they would do it correctly?
Until the robots take over the Earth, a business is just sets of tasks done by people. And these sets of tasks are processes. So a business is a collection of processes. These processes will cover things like taking a new order, packaging a
Dr Gillian Jones
product, designing a new product, and so on. Business process modelling allows us to capture these processes. But why do we want to do that?
If you have captured, and refined, your processes, it makes them repeatable. There is no point in reinventing the wheel every time you do something. This leads to reliability. A triedand-tested process is more likely to work effectively than one you have just made up.
When a process has been captured, it makes it shareable with a new employee or a virtual assistant. This makes your business scalable and smooths the path of business growth. Even if you are not planning to grow your business in the near future, having captured processes now means you are prepared.
So how do we go about capturing our business processes?
The first step is to identify what the processes are in your business. For example, in mine they are things like ‘make a picture frame’, ‘cut a mount’, ‘take a customer order’, ‘file a tax return’. The processes may overlap but that’s okay.
The second step is to identify which are most important for your business. Let’s start with these.
The third step is to write down what you do. I will talk about methods for doing this in a moment.
The final, and most powerful, step is to refine your processes: to think about ways to do things better.
Let’s look more closely at step three, which is all about capturing, or modelling, our business processes. There are numerous ways to do it, some of which you will have seen before. You can use a simple list, a flow chart or a Gantt chart. My preferred way of modelling my processes is using a method called IDEF0 (developed in the 1970s but still really useful; I will explain it in a moment!). You can use software or paper. I still prefer to use a big sheet of paper or a wall and Post-it notes!
This is the building block of an IDEF0 process model. To create the model, you identify all the tasks that are involved in the process, along with various attributes of that task. The first attribute is the ‘constraint’, which is just the things that have to be in place for the task to happen. The second attribute is the ‘mechanism’, which is the tools needed for or people who do the task. Here is an example that illustrates this:
This is the IDEF0 task for ‘buy postage’. This task might be part of the ‘despatch order’ process with other tasks before (e.g. ‘package order’) and after it (e.g. ‘arrange parcel collection’). If you need more detail, you can also expand this task into its own process – for example, weigh parcel, log into Royal Mail website, buy postage using this payment method, and so on. Essentially, you can go into as much detail as is useful to you.
This may seem like a lot of effort for something like buying postage, but remember: you can just write down the process as a list. It is just my preference to use a graphical method to capture the processes in my business because I find it most useful for me. Plus, in the act of creating these models, you will naturally spot things that are inefficient. You can also ask a series of questions that will allow you to improve your process and efficiency. Here are some things to consider:
This is the most important part of capturing your business process. There is no point in having a reliable and repeatable process if it is really expensive and inefficient! Consider these questions:
• Why is the task being done? Does it need doing at all?
• Is the right person doing the task?
• Is the right method being used?
• Is the task being done in the right physical location?
• Is the task being done at the correct point in the process?
• Is there a back-up method if something goes wrong?
Sometimes, it is not possible to optimise your processes due to the constraints of where you are working or your funds. For example, we used to have a process for making pictures that involved the pictures moving between two houses and one garage! This was clearly not ideal given the time involved and the risk of damage, but until we were able to afford a studio, it was the best way.
The act of modelling your business process should give rise to a mindset of always questioning whether things are being done in the best way for the given situation. Having a process model gives you an excellent overview of how your business operates and you may be surprised at how easy it is to spot improvements once you have that overview. It really is worth the time and effort!
Five top tips for managing your cash flow in business
Does it ever feel like you’re constantly working in your business but not reaping the financial benefits? Certified bookkeeper, money mentor, and military spouse Rachel Minns gives us the lowdown on exactly why getting a handle on your cash flow is so important for a flourishing business and shares her top tips for getting it right.
It is very disheartening when you have worked so hard for your money, and you go to open your bank account to see it has all gone. It can feel really confusing and frustrating trying to work out why your bank account looks so bare.
You begin to question what has gone wrong with your strategy.
Maybe you need to increase your sales again…
If you do this without implementing any financial understanding and strategy, then, in total honesty, you will be left without money in your bank account again. The only way to move forward from this situation is to truly understand your cash flow.
If you are new to this term, it is quite simply how the money flows in and out of your bank account.
Imagine a wave rolling into the shore. As it hits the shore, this is money coming into your bank account, and as it goes out – that is money leaving your bank account. Cash flow is not profit, and it has nothing to do with your stock. It is just how money moves through your business.
Here are my top five tips for getting on top of your cash flow, so when you open your bank account, you will see the money you have worked hard for.
1. PLAN YOUR CASH FLOW
If this is not something you have ever done before, then it is quite simply a game-changer.
You will be able to predict what is going to happen with your cash over the coming weeks ahead. Are you going to have a deficit? Or will there be a surplus?
One of the best ways to plan out your cash is on a spreadsheet that shows your predicted sales and expenses for the week ahead. In this sheet you want to show money coming into your business and money that you plan to leave your business. Plan out week by week for 12 weeks.
However, having a plan but not reviewing it every week is, quite frankly, pointless. You need to be reviewing your plan once a week and adding a week, so that you are always reviewing 12 weeks’ worth of finances. If you need some support with this, I have a free resource to help you plan out your cash flow: www.flourishbookkeeping.club/ cashconfidence.
2. REVIEW YOUR PAYMENT TERMS
What are your current payment terms?
I regularly see small businesses offering 30-day payment terms. You do not need to offer 30 days (unless contractually obliged). Instead, you could move to 7, 14, or 21 days, or even on receipt.
Ask yourself, are you billing your client after you have completed the work? Could you request 50% upfront? How long are you giving your customers to pay?
3. CONSIDER HOW QUICKLY YOU ARE PAYING YOUR SUPPLIERS
When you receive a bill from a supplier, how quickly are you paying the bill? Are you paying it immediately to get it off your desk?
However, if your clients are paying you at the end of 30 days, and you are paying a 30-day payment term invoice as soon as you get it, then there is a large period of time without the money being in your bank account.
Instead, review your cash flow spreadsheet, work out when you should have the most amount of money in your bank account, and set up a payment to pay accordingly (without missing the payment date).
4. USE BOOKKEEPING SOFTWARE
By using software, you can review your cash flow; however, bookkeeping software is only as good as the information you put in and how regularly you are reconciling your transactions.
Not only can you create invoices but you can also set up automatic reminders to be sent to your clients. These can be sent at a frequency that suits you and your business. I recommend my clients set up a reminder to go out a few days before the payment is due to remind their customer that payment is due.
5. PAYMENT SYSTEMS
If your clients pay you the same amount each month, or if it’s a one-off service, I would recommend using an automated payment system such as Stripe or GoCardless. Both integrate well with bookkeeping software and CRM systems.
This means you won’t have to spend time chasing payments, as you would have set up a direct debit to collect the payments from your client.
Using payment services also makes planning out your cash flow a lot easier, as you can anticipate when you will receive your payments each month.
BONUS TIP!
Go through all of the stock you have in your business.
Is there anything there that hasn’t sold as well as you thought it might? Although I’m not a huge fan of discount codes (they are used far too much and can end up costing you sales while your ideal customers wait for another discount code), they do have a purpose – particularly for moving old stock.
Look into holding a flash sale to move your stock on. You have already paid for it, and it is doing your bank balance no favours by sitting there waiting to be sold. It is costing you money, but hasn’t yet earned you a return.
And there you have it, my six tips for managing your cash flow in business. You can absolutely improve your cash flow by dedicating the time to understanding your finances, delving into what is going on with the services and products that you offer. I know it may not fill you with joy, but focusing on your profitability, cash flow plan, and creating a budget will really help you to build a financially sound and safe business.
www.flourishbookkeeping.co.uk
FlourishBookkeepingUK flourish.bookkeeping
By Rachel Parkes
Expert advice for making your first hire
Bringing your first employee on board can be a business milestone that is both exciting and daunting. HR expert and military spouse Rachel Parkes explains how knowing your why is the answer to making a successful first hire, during the recruitment process and beyond.
Years ago, I remember standing with my line manager reflecting on a mostly unsuccessful day of interviewing. It was one of those days where, for all the brilliant candidates we met, something was missing. My line manager turned to me and said, “I think we are the problem. I think we are missing something, not them.”
At the time, I thought he might have finally lost it. How could we, the interviewers, have missed something? When we really thought about it, what we were missing – or, in this case, what we’d forgotten – was the ‘why’. You see, we’d got lost in the excitement of ‘bringing someone on board’, and in the midst of all this, we’d forgotten why the new role was so important, why it was going to be so key to our team, and lastly why we needed the person in the first place. It was one of those moments that really shaped my thoughts moving forward. A reminder that, above all, we need to remember the why.
Since setting up my own business, I regularly reflect on my why. It helps me stay focused and within my own personal and business values.
As you start to grow your business and build your team, understanding your why provides an anchor as you navigate the pathway of making your first hire; it brings you back to what you really need, when things get wobbly or you’ve been blindsided by the excitement of building your new team.
So, how can the why help with your first hire? For me, this starts well before the recruitment stage.
Hiring your first employee feels like a cocktail of excitement, worry, and responsibility. Before you start thinking about the person themself, take time to think about what you expect their output to be. What will your new hire be responsible for, and how will this add value to your business? Brainstorming these
ideas ensures that hiring someone really is the best option for you, and identifying the responsibilities of the role will clarify in your mind what your expectations are.
A great activity to complete at this point is to take a look at similar roles that are out there right now on online job boards. As well as giving you some inspiration for your job description, looking at similar vacancies will help you understand salary expectations, so you go into the hiring process feeling confident that the package you are offering is fair and competitive but also affordable. Remember, as an employer, you must ensure you are meeting the minimum pay and leave requirements set by the government; this includes holidays and pensions, and potentially employer National Insurance, so try to think about whole costs, not just the monthly pay packet.
THE EXPECTATIONS WHY
Once you have clarity on what the role and responsibilities will look like, it’s time to start to build your job description (JD).
A JD isn’t a task list; it shouldn’t include the smallest of details on how to do the job – let’s empower our new employee to do that – but what it should do is clearly set out what’s expected of them.
A JD often changes and evolves over time in the same way our business does, and you probably need someone who is happy with that level of fluidity. Characteristics like this are important to identify at this early stage, as it means you can look for these qualities as you head into the recruitment process and be open with your candidates on what the role looks like now as well as your vision for the future.
THE RECRUITMENT WHY
We can now start to share our vacancy with the world. Think of the recruitment process as another way to market your business – except this time you are selling you, the employer you.
We get lots of questions about the best options to use when recruiting, and the answer is rarely the same. If you are looking for specialist skills, a specialist recruiter might be an option; if you are looking for something less specialist, then think about the tools you already have to market your vacancy. Your social media presence offers access to a captive audience who could engage with and share your vacancy – it’s free and it’s easy. If you engage across professional or personal networks, where relevant, utilise these to get your vacancy out there. There are also several free job boards to take advantage of, and all are worth the investment of time to get some visibility.
THE SELECTION WHY
It’s so easy to be blown away by applicants as they come flooding in – it feels good that someone wants to work for you, but staying focused here will ensure that the candidates you select to interview have the skills, abilities, and values to match your business.
I love the phrase ‘dialogue not a monologue’; it can be linked to so many areas of being a line manager and a business owner and serves as a great reminder about the balance of conversation when interviewing.
Imagine you’re meeting someone for the first time. You ask them what they do. They tell you all about themselves: what they do, what they love… and you listen. But as polite as it seems, we’ve actively encouraged the monologue, and right now, you know a lot of ‘stuff’ about them but not necessarily the ‘stuff’ you need.
To create opportunities for dialogue during your interviews, start by thinking about the key things you need to know from your candidates: skills, experience, values… remembering back to your why. What questions are going to help you find that out?
Open questions will allow your candidates to showcase their skills and you the space to be curious about their experiences by probing
deeper.
Think about all the things you would like your candidates to know about you, your business, and the role. How will you share that with them? How are you going to create space for them to ask curious questions and probe deeper?
When it comes to assessing candidates, you might have seen qualities in all candidates that could add value. This can make your hiring decision harder. Return to that why; reflect on the things your business really needs and assess your candidates that way – this will help you make objective decisions on the candidates and their skills.
As tough as the tough news is for unsuccessful candidates, remember how great the great news is for your successful candidate. With feedback given and an offer in place, that’s when you get to look at your next and most exciting why.
That tiny why you reflected on way back at the beginning of the process is about to flourish into something much bigger. That solo why now becomes the whole team’s why, and in turn this creates a wonderfully clear vision to help you to navigate towards your next business milestone… together.
Rachel Parkes, founder of The People Park
www.thepeoplepark.com
By Kelly Farr
Spinning plates and juggling balls: Balancing your business with military family life
Self-employment can feel like a rollercoaster, and while it offers much-needed flexibility to many, it can come with its own set of stressors and pressure points – and that’s before we throw the everyday challenges of military family life into the mix!
When you are being pulled in all directions, your mental health and wellbeing can be the first to take the hit. RAF veteran, coach, and co-founder of mental health and wellbeing training provider YourNorth Kelly Farr shares her top advice for managing the juggle, minus the overwhelm.
Building a business while supporting a military family is akin to walking on a tightrope: it requires skill, focus, and a heap of resilience. When we consider the unique demands we experience as members of the Armed Forces community, in addition to walking the tightrope, it can sometimes feel like we’re wearing a blindfold and having things thrown at us… all the while doing our very best not to fall! Sound familiar?
Over time, this level of overwhelm can have a serious impact on your mental health and wellbeing. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way. With some mindful planning and an awareness of what you want and need, it is possible to navigate this intricate dance to help you find equilibrium and thrive in both your business and family life.
At YourNorth, we are all about empowering individuals, teams, and businesses to take ownership of their wellbeing, and our toolkits focus on mental wellbeing, communication, mindset, mindfulness, and happiness. Here are some practical strategies and considerations so you can choose the ones that resonate and implement them into your life.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT?
Invest some time in understanding what your values are, as this will define what matters most to you and your loved ones. Is it lots of time together as a family, a high salary, lots of holidays, being able to do the school run every day? The list goes on, but having this clarity will guide your decisionmaking process and help you to allocate your time and energy effectively. I made the decision to leave the Royal Air Force after doing a values exercise, and my life went in a completely different direction!
It’s worth mentioning that your values will probably be different for your personal and professional life, so I encourage you to consider both and then look at each list and see where they complement/clash with one another.
“You are only one defining decision away from a totally different life.”
Mark Batterson
OPEN COMMUNICATION
Communication with family members, clients/customers, suppliers, and anyone else you interact with is so important – and so is comprehension. It’s not enough to just talk; we also need to understand the message so we can respond appropriately. Keep your circle informed about your commitments, challenges, and needs. Discuss expectations openly and negotiate flexibility wherever possible. A supportive network is key, but support will only happen when everyone knows their role in it.
Also consider what you are you saying to yourself? If I find myself saying I “have to” do X or Y then it can feel like a chore and I can be less motivated to do it – so if you find yourself lacking motivation to do a task, I invite you to change it from “I have to do X” to “I get to do X” and see how differently you feel about it.
ACCEPT THE HELP
Take advantage of the support on offer from within the military community – including wraparound childcare, counselling services, or community groups, as these can provide invaluable support and guidance. From experience, three of the hardest words to say out loud are “Please help me,” but I encourage you to ask for support when you need it, and ideally before you are at crisis point.
Surround yourself with others that have an awareness of some of the stressors of military life. Running your own business can be a lonely place, so building that tribe around you is super important. Some great ways you can meet others is to attend co-working spaces, networking events in your local area, online networking relating to your business, and local business hubs that offer advice and support. More considerations for tribe members are your peers within the same industry, a coach (mindset/business), and also someone that can support you with your mental health and wellbeing.
“Your network is your net worth.”
Porter Gale
CHECK YOUR TIME
One of the most effective ways to keep stress and overwhelm at bay is to master the art of time management. This allows you to feel in control, therefore maximising productivity and increasing your sense of achievement. There are loads of tools and apps that can help with this – Trello, Toggl Track, and so many more, so have a search and see which one works for you.
I am a self-confessed procrastinator, so I personally like using the Pomodoro technique: 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break, repeated four times and then take a longer break. This helps me to chunk up a task into manageable pieces, and also gives me frequent, short deadlines to work towards.
Be mindful of your language around ‘time’ – if you hear yourself saying “I don’t have time for X…” and it’s something that you really want to do, reframe your language and replace with “I will MAKE time for X…”.
SHARE THE LOAD
Where possible, delegate! I’m shouting this a little louder for those at the back! (It’s me, I’m at the back and I need to hear this too.) If you run your own business, it can be hard to delegate for so many reasons – the obvious one, financial reasons, but also your business is your baby and we think that no-one can do what we do. Well, that’s the story we tell ourselves anyway!
At home, share the household load if possible, including involving children in age-appropriate tasks. If you have a family or if you live alone and finances allow, invest in a cleaner or someone to tend to the garden etc. – anything you can put in place to trade time so you are able to limit some of the everyday stressors.
“You can do anything, but not everything.”
David Allen
Kelly Farr, co-founder of YourNorth
SET BOUNDARIES
Setting boundaries is one of the most important factors for you to be able to manage stress and live your life on your terms, and also to protect your time and energy.
Respect your off-duty hours and limit opportunities to bring work home. This is easier said than done when you work for yourself. Where possible, keep social media apps off work devices and keep work emails off personal devices. Implement a routine into your working day, and schedule breaks away from the screen or whatever has your focus.
As a business owner, you are the boss of you, so be mindful of this and be selective of taking on too much. If you are feeling overwhelmed or overworked, start saying no to things that take you away from where you want to go.
“No” is a complete sentence and often when we say no, we then explain why and talk ourselves into doing it anyway! I say again – give yourself permission to say no.
If you find saying no challenging, reframe ‘no’ with ‘thank you’ – e.g. if someone asks you to take on more tasks at work and you feel like you are overloaded, instead of saying no, say “Thank you for thinking of me for X. I am working at capacity right now and will let you know as soon as this changes.” The ‘Thank You Reframe’ can be applied to all areas of your life.
Balancing a business with the demands of military family life is challenging… but totally doable! I am hopeful that most of what you’ve read has resonated, and it’s down to you to do the work and implement the specific things that will work for you and your life.
You are amazing, and I am proud of you.
Kelly ️
www.YourNorth.co.uk
YourNorthUK
yournorth-uk
kelly-l-farr
By Alena Zavarin, a chartered financial planner with Hugh James
Planning for your financial future as an entrepreneur
Starting a new chapter is exciting – there is so much to learn and discover, so many connections to make! But it is a big task, and as with all big tasks, it requires preparation. Laying some groundwork will take time, but it will give you much-needed security and higher chances of success. Alena Zavarin, a chartered financial planner with Hugh James, sets out a six-part financial planning roadmap to clearly show you where you are starting from and the stops you need to make on your entrepreneurial journey.
1. UNDERSTAND YOUR STARTING POSITION
It makes sense to start at the very beginning. Clearly understanding your financial circumstances is the first step you need to make. Begin by creating a detailed family budget. Record the income you are currently receiving, both gross (before tax) and net (after tax). Not all income sources are easy to get straight – rent, for example, will come to you gross, but it is still taxed through self-assessment, so try and get a true net figure. Do not forget interest from your savings and investments, and any Armed Forces allowance, if appropriate.
Your expenses will need to be divided into three categories:
• Essential expenses are things we cannot go without –bills, food, rent, transportation.
• Committed expenses will cover your existing financial commitments, like debt repayments, pension contributions, protection premiums, and monthly savings.
• Discretionary expenses are what make life fun – hobbies, going out, travel, presents, shopping, subscriptions. Be sure to think of annual expenses as well as monthly ones, for example, Christmas celebrations or annual trips.
The main rule of a good budget is honesty. Be honest and thorough. Go through your bank statements and have a family
discussion to arrive at the final monthly figure. Balancing your income vs expenses will give you a true picture of your disposable income each month.
2. HAVE ADEQUATE RESERVES
The next step is listing your family assets and liabilities. Your assets will be split into liquid and illiquid. Illiquid assets are things that cannot be easily turned to cash – residential and commercial properties, land, business interests. Liquid assets, by definition, give you more flexibility – things like savings and investments. Your liabilities will typically include mortgage, loans, credit card debt, and overdraft.
Every new venture brings uncertainty. Make sure you are prepared for this by earmarking an emergency fund. This should be a cash savings product that you can access on a short notice and without a penalty. A good rule of thumb is having three times your monthly expenses (budget comes in handy!). However, when starting a business, it might be a good idea to reserve more.
3. CALCULATE THE FUTURE COSTS
Once you have worked out the starting position, it’s time to think ahead and estimate the changes in income and expenses that you are likely to encounter. Think about training costs, any equipment needed, any new expenses that may arise (like extra childcare or transportation costs). Compare this new spending budget against your income to ensure that you can accommodate the changes. Don’t panic if you notice a shortfall looming. You may need to reduce your discretionary spendings for a period of time, but it is important to have this information in advance and be prepared to make necessary sacrifices.
4. CONSIDER TAX IMPLICATIONS
Your tax position is likely to change, and you need to know what it might mean. Consider using online salary calculators to understand your potential take home pay and tax liability. Do not forget about state benefits and allowances, and consider how they might be affected. Child benefit is the one to consider, as you may encounter Child Benefit Tax charge if your income increases significantly. You may also lose Marriage Allowance – a measure that allows a non-taxpayer to give 10% of their Personal Allowance to their basic rate taxpayer spouse.
5. BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION
When starting out as a business owner, it is important to get things right from the get-go. Plan to make pension contributions as early as possible – it’s hard, but it’s important!
Business protection is another aspect you need to be aware of. Personal protection (including protection available through the Armed Forces) is great, but your business is a separate entity and it needs to be protected in its own right.
6. KEEP THE LONG-TERM GOALS IN MIND
Last but not least, keep your eyes on the prize! It is only too easy to focus on the short term, especially if you are fighting for business survival. Having clear financial objectives will give you a way to measure your performance, build a development plan, and make the right choices along the way. Working with a financial adviser can help you work on your long-term goals at the same time as fulfilling your short-term needs.
Preparing financially for the world of self-employment is essential to ensuring a smooth and successful transition. By thoroughly understanding your current financial position, maintaining adequate reserves, and anticipating future costs and tax implications, you can build a strong foundation for your new venture. Keep long-term goals in mind and consider seeking guidance from a financial adviser to navigate both immediate and future financial needs. With careful planning and preparation, you can confidently embark on your new career path, equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to achieve your goals.
www.hughjames.co.uk
Find out more about Hugh James’ financial advice for military families and veterans here:
Career support for 16–24year-olds in military families
An online magazine designed specifically for YOU, the young people rocking life in military families!
We know military life is unlike any other. Deployments, relocations, and that constant sense of adventure (mixed with a little worry) can make figuring out your future career path a bit… tricky. But fear not! We understand the unique challenges you face, and we’re here to help you overcome them.
This magazine is your one-stop shop for career inspiration, guidance, and support. At Your Future, you will find:
Get the support you deserve. We’re here to help you start your first career or business alongside military
Forces Employment Charity
Helping veterans and the military community find civilian employment success
The Forces Employment Charity exists to provide life-long, lifechanging support, job opportunities, and training to Service leavers, veterans, reservists, and their families, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
Founded in 1885 and operating across the UK, the Forces Employment Charity has the specialist knowledge and understanding to bridge the gap between military life and civilian employment. It works in partnership with other organisations and employers who, like the Forces Employment Charity, respect and value the unique qualities and abilities of all those who have served.
SPECIALIST SUPPORT
The Forces Employment Charity now spans more than ten specialist programmes to provide greater levels of employment support than ever before to the military community. Through the charity’s programmes, it helps:
• Early Service leavers
• Personnel on recovery duty
• Those seeking executive roles
• Vulnerable veterans
• Veterans in contact with the justice system and their partners
STORIES OF SUCCESS
Mhairi Joyce, a Royal Navy veteran and military spouse to a fellow Navy member, sought the help of the Forces Employment Charity and secured her dream career.
Mhairi’s story
After leaving the military, Mhairi discovered that being a military spouse had its own challenges, including loneliness and limited career opportunities.
Feeling unfulfilled with temporary jobs, Mhairi decided it was time for a change and turned to the Forces Employment Charity for guidance. The invaluable advice she received put her on a path towards self-improvement and higher education.
Unwavering dedication
The first year of Mhairi’s university degree in computing was particularly challenging, as her husband was on a nine-month deployment, but her dedication was unwavering.
Speaking about that period of her life, Mhairi says, “It was the first time we’d ever done a nine-month deployment. My oldest was eight months old when he went away. And it was an emotional time.”
She continues, “It’s such a messed-up-head experience [as a Navy spouse] because one week you’re a co-
• Unemployed veterans in London
• Female veterans
• Those interested in the tech/cyber sectors
• Partners/spouses (including divorcees and bereaved) and children aged 16–24 of those who are serving or have served
• Afghans with a defence connection
• Over 9,500 Forces-friendly employers
DEDICATED ADVISORS ON HAND TO PROVIDE 1:1 HELP
The Forces Employment Charity has a team of dedicated employment advisors to provide tailored, specialist advice to help anyone looking to take the next step on the career ladder.
Each year, the charity supports around 22,000 ex-Forces personnel and their families, creating almost 100,000 job opportunities specifically suited to their skills and attributes.
parent and given consistent, clear rules. The next minute, you’re a single parent, and you’ve got both heads on at the same time. And you’re so confused. The kid’s so confused. And that was all while juggling the degree.”
Just keep going
Her advice for others in the same boat is clear, though. She says, “Just don’t think about where you haven’t got to and how hard it is. Just keep going.”
And that is precisely what Mhairi did. She says, “I worked my absolute butt off and got myself through university. I graduated with a degree in computing and got my first job, which was a security job.”
After graduating, Mhairi used the Forces Employment Charity’s TechVets programme, and her journey towards cybersecurity began to take shape when she took on a CapsLock training course.
After completing her course and applying to the top three companies she wanted to work for, she has secured her dream cybersecurity job.
She describes her experience: “The support you get is just fantastic. People think you have to be technical. You really don’t!”
Mhairi Joyce, military spouse and cybersecurity specialist
CHANGING LIVES
“My consultant was warm, welcoming and very helpful. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been able to secure my new role.” – Seru Nainoca, Army veteran
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU REGISTER WITH THE FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY
• Once you have registered with the Forces Employment Charity via www.forcesemployment.org.uk, an advisor will contact you to learn more about your current situation.
• Your advisor will carry out a ‘needs assessment’ to help them understand any barriers to employment relating to issues such as health, housing, debt, etc. If your advisor identifies any additional needs, they can refer you to other organisations that can provide the required help.
“The Forces Employment Charity understands what I’ve been through. They’ve motivated me to try new things to benefit my future.” – Ruby Taylor, military child
“I absolutely loved my training! With the support of the Forces Employment Charity, I know I can secure a role in risk management.” – Reva, military spouse
“Having somebody holding my hand and giving me wise words of wisdom was really beneficial.” – Ingrid Rolland, reservist
• Our advisors can then help develop your employability to present you to employers in the best possible way. That can involve advice on what to apply for, how to find work and develop a good CV, interview skills, training, etc.
Visit www.forcesemployment.org.uk for more information.
“The events held by the Forces Employment Charity are fantastic for networking. I met my new boss at Careers In Financial Services.” –Craig Blackburn, Royal Navy veteran
The Military Coworking Network (MCN)
We are a tri-Service membership initiative for the spouses and partners of anyone currently serving or who has served in the past. We’re funded via the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCFT) and supported by the Royal Air Forces Association, as well as the Navy, Army, and RAF Families Federations.
OUR COWORKING HUBS
50% of military spouses reported the military life had a negative impact on their careers.
One in six stated they’ve had to leave a job or education to allow their serving partner to pursue their careers.
Source: MCN Evaluation Report 2023
THIS IS WHAT THE MCN IS DOING TO TURN THAT STATISTIC AROUND:
We believe that military spouses and partners deserve to have fulfilling and successful careers alongside military life, and beyond. We’re here to help our members navigate the challenges of military life and inspire them to achieve the career of their dreams.”
– MCN Team
Our coworking hubs offer members professional, fully equipped office spaces where they can work or study at a price they can afford. At just £30/year, they offer excellent value for money.
The hubs are a great place to foster connections and network, share ideas and best practices, exchange knowledge, develop new skills, and collaborate with like-minded professionals. By tackling loneliness and isolation head-on, they’re great for your wellbeing, too.
“The hub gives me flexibility and opportunity – it’s good for my physical and mental wellbeing, it helps me to manage my daily life better, and it also gives me a chance to connect with people who share my interests.” –Stacey Jones, Hereford Hub member
The shared coworking experience has opened new windows of opportunity for members and inspired some fantastic changes in their thinking, their choices, and their actions. Some have felt inspired to entertain career paths they would previously never have considered. Others have been encouraged to set up a business, or motivated to learn new strategies for growth, taking their business to new levels.
But they are social spaces too. A place to make friends and feel part of a community. Many members have been able to meet new people through the hubs and develop lasting and meaningful relationships, which has transformed their social lives on base, and improved their quality of life.
“Joining the hub has allowed me to forge meaningful relationships with other military spouses, which has enriched my life beyond measure and helped me to feel much more integrated with the military community here.”
– Valentina Allen, Clyde Hub member
OUR ONLINE COMMUNITY
Our Online Community provides ample opportunities for members to connect, support, and share experiences and expertise with their peers across relevant topics, including wellbeing, career, and business. All are designed to break down barriers, inspire new ways of thinking, give new perspectives, and open the door to new opportunities.
And because we’re funded by the AFCFT, membership of this community is free.
“Having an online community whilst in a foreign country, where I could talk about the challenges I was facing and get reassurance from other women made things more manageable. In fact, the Online Community was a real godsend for me.” – Cath Smith
In our exclusive Members Area, you’ll find:
Career spotlights: Our ‘Day-in-the-life of’ series shines the light on different career options that work well in a military context. We look at various job roles, what the typical dayto-day responsibilities would be, the skills needed, as well as training options and top tips on how to get started.
Spotlights on organisations: We want our members to have all the facts at their fingertips to support their decisions and choices. We also know that finding that information can be onerous and time-consuming, so we do all the hard yards for them. We conduct in-depth interviews with these organisations and summarise the key points in easy-to-read, easy-to-navigate blog posts. We ask the questions we know our members want the answers to. We fill the gaps websites often throw up. We fill the gaps and join up the dots.
Inspirational stories: We encourage our members to share their stories to inspire others to take the first step toward change – how they got into their current career, their starting point, the steps they took, where they are today, plus any recommendations. Hearing stories from people who share your lived experience is so important, as it really does drive home the reality of the possible and make it feel within your grasp.
Top tips: We work with other organisations and charities that focus on getting military spouses and partners into work and ask them for their top tips across a range of things, such as interview techniques, how to get into the Civil Service, and more. We also talk to organisations that lie outside the Armed Forces community to get their views of the world, including top tips for business success and other gems of wisdom gathered through years of experience working in their respective fields.
Events and networking: We regularly invite members of the Armed Forces community and beyond to host online events on a range of topics, including CV Writing, Branding, The Importance of PR, Developing a Growth Mindset, Getting into Freelancing, Financial Planning and Bookkeeping, to support business and personal growth, as well as career development and progression.
“The MCN Online Community helped me come up with some great ideas to market my business. I discovered other military spouses working in the same field as me and was able to learn so much from them – different marketing tactics and strategies, new ideas and some great inspiration as well.”
– Stacey Jones
Virtual networking opportunities: Our weekly virtual coworking sessions are perfect for those who love the idea of coworking but can’t make it to one of our hubs. Designed to drive accountability and productivity, there’s also plenty of scope for networking and socialising too. And our weekly Water Cooler Chats are the perfect place to catch up with friends and meet new people over a coffee.
Special offers and discounts: Wherever possible, we negotiate some great deals and discounts for our members.
OUR PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUPS
Our Facebook community groups not only offer our members a safe and trusted space to ask questions and seek advice and guidance without fear of judgement, but a great place to connect, too.
Leuchars Coworking Hub
The Milspo® Business Network
Are you a military spouse, partner, or otherhalf with aspirations of starting (or growing) a business that fits around military life? Then check out Milspo®.
Milspo (short for military spouses, partners, and other-halves –or ‘SPOs’) is an award-winning social enterprise and community interest company dedicated to supporting all UK military spouses, partners, and other-halves running their own businesses.
Entrepreneurial life is not easy, and life as a SPO can be lonely (and full on), so join our welcoming, tight-knit community and meet other SPOs who just get it.
“It’s a lifeline. I’m certain that without Milspo, I would’ve crumbled… and my business would’ve closed long ago.”
Over the past six years, we at Milspo have built an inclusive and vibrant community of over 1,400 entrepreneurial SPOs. The best part? It’s run by a team of military partners, veterans, and Armed Forces widows who are all running their own businesses, so we really do understand the unique challenges and experiences of military life.
Milspo brings this fantastic global community together through:
• Networking: friendly virtual sessions that are all about connection and support.
• Co-working: need some accountability? You’ll be amazed at how much more work you get done when your webcam is on!
• Specialised workshops delivered by experts: both online and offline. Recent topics include ‘Build a business that thrives in the modern military world’ and ‘Harnessing AI to build your dream business’.
• In-person events: for the second year running, Amazon has invited us to its London HQ for ‘Milspo Live’.
• The InDependent Spouse® podcast: inspirational stories of Milspos accomplishing astonishing things.
• Business directory: Find A Milspo (findamilspo.co.uk) is the largest public directory of military partners in business in the UK.
“Running a business as a military spouse creates unique challenges; it’s a relief to know that the Milspo network just gets it – there is no need to explain the many pressures!”
Head over to www.milspo.co.uk to learn more about these and other incredible resources.
Working hard, having fun, and making history: Milspos at Amazon UK in 2023
THE BUSINESS LAUNCH ACCELERATOR
And if you dream of starting your own business but don’t know how to get beyond the idea stage, then apply to join Milspo’s ‘Launch Accelerator’ business start-up course.
Thanks to incredible support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, this course is FREE and will coach you through starting and building a robust business that’s designed to survive multiple house moves and all that Armed Forces life throws at you. The first course begins in the autumn of 2024 and we’d love you to join us: www.milspo.co.uk/course.
So whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your existing business to the next level, Milspo is here to provide the guidance and support you need. Join us today: www.milspo.co.uk
“Milspo is incredible… Not only is it a great business network, but it is also an amazing community... I don’t think my mental resilience in business (and Armed Forces life!) would be where it is without the Milspo Business Network and its community.”
John Stephenson, founder of the Forces Transition Group
The Forces Transition Group
The Forces Transition Group (FTG) was founded by Army veteran John Stephenson five years ago and is designed to create an ‘out of barracks’, real-time transitional space for Service leavers, spouses, and their families.
John set up FTG after personally experiencing a poor exit from the Armed Forces after 22 years’ service in the Royal Signals: “I figured as the Regional Career Manager Officer (RCMO) if I didn’t know how to leave, how would anybody else? Unfortunately this has proved to be a common theme with over 9,000 from the service community frequenting the FTG per year. The system simply didn’t work for me. I left confused and didn’t recover for years. Sadly, it’s the same for so many people.”
“Reality is key. The real world is where we are going, so we must remove the military from our mindset.”
– John Stephenson, Managing Director, FTG
SUPPORTING YOU TO SUCCEED
First of all, the support we offer is completely FREE, the Service leaver, spouse, or family member will never pay a penny for our transition service – before leaving, during, or after. And it’s a lifelong pledge; anyone can drop in at any time of their life.
We offer what we call ‘The 5 Fundamentals’ to success, which can be accessed as an individual or family:
1. CV writing: We provide professional-standard 1:1 CV writing sessions, working with you from conception to completion.
2. Personal brand support: We run weekly and monthly LinkedIn masterclasses to improve ‘who you are’ and gain constant feedback in personal brand growth.
3. CPD alignment: We can offer over 250 free courses, available to everyone. However, we also make sure qualifications aren’t completed with a ‘herd mentality’. Courses shouldn’t be taken for the sake of it, without direction. We make sure courses are aligned to your skills, values, and career aspirations.
4. Interview hot seat: Everyone has access to the ‘hot seat’, designed to help get you comfortable being uncomfortable in an environment you’re not used to. On the front foot in an interview is where we should all be.
5. Financial planning: We have a partner in the InsureLife Group who offers full financial planning guidance on areas that can often cause confusion and overwhelm, including life insurance, mortgages, income protection, wills, pensions, and business insurance.
ACCELERATING YOUR PROSPECTS
Once the fundamentals have been achieved and you’re ready to take the next step on your career transition journey, you move on to the ‘job acceleration’ phase, which gives you access to:
Online job fairs – these run on the last Friday of every month (excluding December) and offer you the opportunity to gain instant interviews and valuable conversations with our partner employers.
Live transition days – taking place quarterly at venues across the country, candidates can pre-book as many interviews as they wish with our employer partners through the FTG brochure. On arrival at the event, your day is already mapped out with scheduled interviews with your chosen employers.
All our events are non-uniform and don’t include retail stalls or selling of any kind. We are not a merchandise collection service and want candidates to understand why they are there – to get their next big job role, for their future.
Check out our upcoming dates:
22 October 2024, Wetherby Racecourse
If you’d like to join one of our online job fairs or book onto a live transition day, check out www.ftgjobfairs.com
COMING SOON!
The Hunter App will allow candidates and businesses to interact with each other instantly. Once a candidate has become ‘the Hunter’, they will be matched with our employer partners. When a match is made, you will get a call from the organisation regarding your future and to discuss potential job roles you may be suited for. Our exciting new app will speed up interview waiting times and create hundreds of new career pathways. Watch this space!
Find out how the FTG can support your pathway to a successful new career at www.ftgjobfairs.com, or email john@forcestransitiongroup.co.uk
Allsports Coaches Coaching Academy CIC
Empowering communities and changing lives through sports and mental health support
Allsports Coaches Coaching Academy (ACCA) is not just a coaching academy; it’s an organisation dedicated to significantly impacting lives. Its mission is to empower military spouses, partners, veterans, and the wider military community through transformative training experiences.
ACCA’s approach goes beyond teaching sports, highlighting how sports can be a powerful tool for guiding children through their mental health journey. ACCA is a non-profit CIC split into three branches:
Veterans Coaching Programme
This programme is designed to help veterans reintegrate into society and increase their employability. At the end of the programme, veterans will be equipped with the qualifications needed to become sports coach practitioners and supported into employment.
Mind Your Head Programme
This is a unique programme that can be taught through sport, education, art, and many other methods. It aims to help young people and adults understand their emotions and triggers and how their brains respond to certain stressors.
Support Network and Community Engagement
Powered by its trained veterans, this Shropshire-based network involves regular activities such as football, boxing, and many others to get the whole family involved.
COMMITMENT TO THE MILITARY COMMUNITY
ACCA’s support to the military community extends to veterans, spouses/partners, reservists, cadets, and all family members, as well as serving personnel. This has been recognised by ACCA being awarded the ultimate accolade of Gold status under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. The team actively engages with veterans, providing crucial mental health support to those who might be grappling with challenges. “In 2024, our focus extends beyond education,” shared Stuart Cook, ACCA’s executive director.
“We embrace a
holistic
approach.
Once we train someone to be a coach, they’re prepared to work in schools, communities, or even launch their own initiatives – and we provide support at every step.”
The journey to becoming a sports coach practitioner is a blend of online and in-person learning. Most of the qualification can be completed remotely, with just two immersive face-to-face sessions – a practical assessment day and vital first aid training. The support doesn’t end with the qualification: ACCA provides up to four weeks of intensive mentoring, honing communication skills and boosting mental health support capabilities.
ORIGINS AND GROWTH
ACCA’s roots date back to 2020 with the vision of training veterans to become qualified sports coach practitioners, delivering great coaching and mentoring to children and young people. Despite the pandemic’s challenges, ACCA quickly recognised the untapped potential that military families as well as veterans can offer. Jim Prescott, ACCA’s founder and CEO, emphasised:
“Our
mission started with veterans, but we quickly recognised the remarkable potential within the families of those who serve.”
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING, AND ACCESSIBILITY
ACCA is a community of passionate individuals, many of whom choose to volunteer. Military spouses/partners were among ACCA’s earliest volunteers, proving their mettle time and again. Jim shared: “Many of our volunteer roles can be done remotely, making it a perfect match for military spouses and partners.”
As a non-profit, ACCA is committed to accessibility, striving to make training either free or extremely affordable. “When grants come our way, we offer our sports coach practitioner training free of charge or subsidised,” Stuart explained.
ACCA offers a diverse range of online training and CPD courses, including admin and accountancy, hairdressing, dog grooming, health and beauty, and teaching assistant qualifications. All these are accessible through a dedicated online platform.
INTRODUCING MIND YOUR HEAD
In 2024, ACCA expanded its offerings to include the ‘Mind Your Head’ programme, an easy-to-follow support initiative that can be delivered through sports, art, community engagement, education, and more. Mind Your Head is designed to help young people and adults understand their emotions and how they affect them, identify triggers and emotional build-up in daily life, and learn how the brain interprets and reacts to these emotions. Currently, ACCA collaborates with multiple schools and community projects, including young carers, PCC, and veterans support groups, boasting a 95% improvement in anxiety and low moods among participants. By working together, we can create a better future for everyone.
GET INVOLVED WITH ACCA
If you share our passion and vision to change the lives of veterans, spouses, and families and to use the power of sport to help children and young people suffering from anxiety and mental health issues, then why not contact Jim Prescott at ACCA to explore opportunities for training, employment, and volunteering/work experience?
Explore the world of Allsports Coaches Coaching Academy CIC online here: allsportscoaching.co.uk
Walking for well-being
Meeting Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
e50K Communities
We are a female-led social enterprise founded by a defence spouse and an ex-soldier. Our goal is to create a network of community projects across the UK Armed Forces estate, focused around our five pillars of Education, Employment, Enterprise, Engagement, and Environment.
We have all experienced first hand the challenges that come along with military living, particularly for spouses and partners:
• Inequality in access to education and employment
• Social isolation due to frequently relocating
• Mental and physical wellbeing problems due to the nature of Armed Forces life
We are proudly changing lives within the Armed Forces community and we do this in part by providing a range of employment, education, and volunteering opportunities specifically designed around the needs of Service families so, together, we can create sustainable community spaces to bring people together. We know that no one is better at improving community life than the people who live, work, and play within it.
We currently have three separate community projects:
• Bramble Woods, our 3.5-acre outdoor community site in Catterick, which encompasses a community allotment, woodland, pollinator orchard, and fire pit
• Our extensive event programme, which includes live theatre, craft activities, a Christmas market, and a range of volunteering days
• Our Move You In Packs, welcome boxes packed by the defence community and provided to every Amey-managed Service Family Accommodation on the day of a move
We know the defence family community has an unbelievable range of talents and skills, both ones they have gained from the civilian world and those uniquely attained through their lived experience of the Armed Forces. In 2023 e50K Communities enabled and supported 198 people to utilise and expand on these skills and talents, through direct employment, volunteering programmes, and our employability skills training, all without impacting their partners’ terms of service. e50K Communities’ unique and much-needed programmes are bringing the community together, breaking down barriers and ensuring that defence families are given new opportunities – chosen and directed by them. Our initiatives also provide boots-on-the-ground volunteering opportunities for our corporate partners and sponsors, with an amazing 3,636 hours delivered last year across both Bramble Woods and the Move You In Packs.
In 2024/5 we are expanding further, tackling social isolation via our monthly drop-in event, #BrambleBrew; an Armed Forces Day picnic in the woods; and a brand-new weekly craft club as well as welcoming back our successful events, Rusticus Theatre Company, the Halloween Spooktacular, and the Christmas Market. We will also be expanding our volunteering programme, creating 60 new volunteering positions alongside plans to expand the team again, increasing current employee hours and employing a social media content producer, providing 2,880 hours of paid employment, above National Living Wage, to the Armed Forces community.
We understand that many Armed Forces spouses and partners want to feel more than just a homemaker or caregiver. It can get lonely when you are shouldered with household and parental responsibilities, without family or friends close by. It can feel like your whole world stops. We believe Armed Forces spouses and partners can achieve amazing things, yet finding employment is challenging due to the need to be flexible.
Armed Forces life can be far from straightforward, and unexpected family responsibilities may come up. Our employment and volunteering positions are flexible and designed with the ups and downs of Armed Forces spouse and partner life in mind. Volunteering can give you back a sense of belonging and value, working with a friendly team who will help you find a position that’s right for you. Our employees usually start off as volunteers and use their time to discover the parts of the role they love. This means they can pick an employee position that suits them best, when one arises. We’ll help you find a position that suits you and give you opportunities to learn, upskill, and grow.
Our ethos is to provide everyone with skills they can take with them, wherever the next posting might be.
We understand it can be hard to find work as an Armed Forces spouse or partner due to the transient nature of the lifestyle. But, we believe rewarding careers are possible, which is why we create flexible job and volunteer opportunities for the Armed Forces community all within the military environment.
Although our current community projects are in Catterick, we do have a range of opportunities available remotely and we are looking to expand our community projects across the UK and oversees. For more information about who we are and how you can get involved, please head to our website, www.e50K.org.uk , or email catherine.clapham@e50K. org.uk . e50K Communities is part of e50K CIC, which also owns e50K Strategic Advisories.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE...
“Joining e50K meant I wasn’t just a mum for the day. I got to talk to different people and felt like I had value.” – Molly, volunteer
“After leaving the military to care for my disabled son, I feared I was unemployable and struggled with my mental health. e50k has provided me with a new pathway and lease of life. I feel confident and heard, independent and purposeful – I feel like the old me!” – Amy Manuel, Bramble Woods, Catterick site manager
“These projects have reduced my own sense of isolation, improved my self-esteem and confidence and positively impacted my perspective on the needs of the community within which I live.” – Molly
“This role has given me the chance to meet new people where I live and boost my confidence in and outside work, including passing my motorbike CBT recently!” – Chris
“With much of my focus taken up with being a parent carer and studying for a degree in sociology, my role at e50K has provided me with additional confidence to succeed in all that I do – professionally and personally.” – Amy
“Giving communities their own voice and collaborative input is key to successful projects. It’s exciting to be involved in projects where this lies at the heart of the project build.” – Rachael
Move You In packing day
Introducing the tri-Service Families Federations
The Naval, Army, and RAF Families Federations are separate organisations that act as independent voices for you as military families, continually working hard to improve the quality of life for families around the world experiencing the unique challenges that can come with living a military lifestyle.
All three Families Federations are independent of their single Service and offer confidential advice and guidance to you as part of the Armed Forces community. We are often pivotal in achieving improvements such as changes to government and military policy.
Our role is to highlight emerging issues and themes to the chain of command, or service providers, and to work with them and other agencies to improve the support they provide to you.
We also provide signposting and useful information for each of our Forces families communities through our own specialist advisors, websites, social media, and magazines.
Along with employment and training, the Families Federations have specialists who can support you with housing, health and additional needs, education and childcare, money and allowances advice, and support to non-UK families.
As we know about the challenges of starting, maintaining, and changing a career while being part of a Service family, we have established Forces Families Jobs (FFJ). This is a free online platform with employment and training opportunities specifically for military spouses and partners, along with a host of other useful information and signposting to organisations who can help you along your employment journey. You can find out more about FFJ on page 65.
We know the employment landscape continues to change, so please keep talking to us about any challenges you face – each Families Federation has a specialist dedicated to dealing with employment issues.
For more information:
Naval Families Federation: www.nff.org.uk
Army Families Federation: www.aff.org.uk
RAF Families Federation: www.raf-ff.org.uk
The Families Federations employment leads
Forces Families Jobs
Forces Families Jobs (FFJ) is the free online employment and training platform for military spouses and partners delivered by a tri-Service partnership between the Naval Families Federation (NFF), Army Families Federation (AFF), and Royal Air Force Families Federation (RAFFF).
The FFJ platform connects spouses and partners of serving military personnel with employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations offering free or discounted training and development opportunities, as well as access to a wealth of career-related information and signposting to organisations providing advice and support along your employment journey.
Its aim is to support military families into meaningful employment, and to provide opportunities for training and development.
FEATURES
FFJ has thousands of live jobs with around 2,000 Forcesfriendly employers, available for you to view and apply for on the website. You can find out about all our employers and their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant via our ‘Employer Directory’.
You can create a profile and upload your CV, making it visible to our employers so they can find you if they have a
particular skill set in mind. You can also set up job alerts and specific searches (by location, sector, or keyword) to find the role that is right for you.
As a jobseeker, you can register to create an account, upload or build a CV using the site’s CV builder, create job alerts, and search for jobs using a variety of filters. It is available for all Service families, anywhere around the world.
We have an ‘Other Routes to Employment’ page, which highlights employment programmes and apprenticeship opportunities with our employers, along with any special employment pathways that organisations may have for the Armed Forces community.
Our ‘Training & Career Support’ pages not only feature free and discounted training opportunities for military spouses, but there is also a ‘Business Start Up’ page signposting you to organisations and programmes that can help you with your business.
Our ‘Career Advice’ page signposts you to a variety of organisations who provide a range of information services, guidance, and programmes to help you along any part of your employment journey.
As well as having an ‘Events’ page on our website, FFJ is on Facebook and LinkedIn, which means we can keep our audience updated with the latest events from our employers, training providers, and other organisations.
WHO CAN USE FFJ?
1. Spouses, partners, and family members of current serving military personnel
• Spouses, partners, and family members of serving regular and reservist personnel
• Spouses, partners, and family members of Service personnel who have left the Armed Forces within the last 12 months
• Bereaved spouses, partners, and family members
2. Employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant
Any organisation that has signed the Armed Forces Covenant can advertise its job opportunities free of charge. For employers, it’s an opportunity to promote their organisation and showcase their commitment towards fulfilling the Armed Forces Covenant. As well as advertising their job vacancies, employers can access a large candidate database of highly skilled Armed Forces family members from all three Services.
3. Training providers that demonstrate a commitment to the Armed Forces community Training providers that offer free or discounted training or career opportunities for Armed Forces families.
PROMOTING THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT
For employers to be able to advertise on FFJ, they must have signed the Armed Forces Covenant. The Families Federations are working with the MOD’s Defence Relationship
Management to encourage all those employers who have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to use the site to promote their jobs and increase their exposure to a highly skilled and relatively untapped workforce.
The advantage of our employers all being Armed Forces Covenant signatories is that partners, spouses, and family members can be reassured the employers are committed to being supportive of the Armed Forces community; they are aware of the challenges presented by a military lifestyle and won’t discriminate against them because of this.
“We absolutely love Forces Families Jobs! The platform is ‘user friendly’ and gives us the opportunity to advertise our vacancies within the Civil Service throughout the military spouse and partner community. Working with Forces Families Jobs has really given us the ability to reach out to this community, and we have seen a noticeable increase in the number of people applying for the opportunities we are able to offer. Thank you, Forces Families Jobs!” – Chris Booth, Going Forward into Employment, Engagement Lead
“After months of searching, it was a massive relief to find a military friendly company that really did want to make life easier for people like me. I would 100% recommend Forces Families Jobs.” – Melissa
“I had confidence applying to jobs advertised on FFJ, as I knew that employers had already considered military spouses’ unique situations and were supportive.” – Naomi
“FFJ employers understood why I had changed jobs every two years and had gaps in my career.”
– Zoe
help@forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk
www.forcesfamiliesjobs.co.uk
ForcesFamiliesJobs
ForcesFamiliesJobs
Some of the FFJ team
Pinnacle Service Families manages 49,000 service family homes on behalf of the MOD, but we’re now also offering free one-to-one career and small business support to military families, veterans and communities. Join our programme and work with our mentors to define the next steps in your career or business journey.
Scan to learn more and register!
Heropreneurs
Founded in 2009, Heropreneurs is a charity dedicated to empowering members of the Armed Forces community to create their own businesses and become successful entrepreneurs.
The team at Heropreneurs are driven by their belief that the members of this community possess unique skills and experiences that make them excellent candidates for entrepreneurship. By harnessing these qualities, budding entrepreneurs can build successful and rewarding businesses that serve their communities and contribute to the wider economy.
Heropreneurs offers a range of support services to the extended military community, including mentoring, training, and advice on accessing funding and further resources. It also hosts an annual awards event to recognise the hard work of its many entrepreneurs.
The Heropreneurs mentorship programme has helped hundreds of budding entrepreneurs to create and grow successful businesses. Here are two examples of entrepreneurs from the Armed Forces community who have made the most of what the charity has to offer.
DR ELIZABETH NEWMAN-EARL, CEO, e 50K
After completing her PhD focused on the impact of militarisation on spouses and partners, Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl, a military spouse, identified a need for tangible support for the community that extended beyond her research. In 2021, this ‘gap in the market’ that Elizabeth had identified drove her to found e50K, a community interest company dedicated to empowering individuals within the military community.
Today, e50K operates two distinct arms: place-based community programmes delivering pre-employability skills and training and a strategic advisory side supporting defence contractors on their social value journeys. This dual approach not only serves the community directly but also fosters systemic change within the sector.
e50K emphasises the importance of a diverse and driven team. Equally importantly, it possesses a strong strategic vision for social value within the defence sector, developing analytical tools to measure and promote its impact. With nearly 50,000 people reached via social media, 24 events delivered for the Armed Forces and civilian communities, and nearly 1,500 combined hours of mentoring and education provided, this impact is being seen.
Elizabeth was introduced to Heropreneurs by a mentee and friend, and she was immediately connected with a valuable mentor and a network of like-minded individuals. The presence of a ‘friendly ear’ was extremely valuable, as the business journey can often be a lonely one. Through the support and
Dr Elizabeth Newman-Earl, Heropreneur of the Year 2023
Winners celebrated their success at the fifth annual Heropreneurs Awards at The Shard in November 2023.
advice of her Heropreneurs network, Elizabeth took e50K to new heights, culminating in her receiving ‘Heropreneur of the Year’ at an awards ceremony in The Shard in 2023. The award further validated the achievements of e50K and fuelled her determination to continue making a difference.
She said, “Making
inroads in the defence sector is very hard, and while we have been successful, it is amazing to have the opportunity to showcase what we have and will continue to deliver.”
Looking ahead, e50K has ambitious plans, but Elizabeth’s overriding message goes far beyond business: “We are an amazing bunch of women with loads of capabilities! There is still a huge amount to do, and we are keen to accelerate our impact.”
IAIN MOORE, FOUNDER, BGREATER SHOES
Iain Moore, the founder of BGreater Shoes, is a military veteran with a decade of service in the Royal Signals. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2021, inspired by personal experiences with foot problems and wellness after sustaining a brain injury in a road accident. His injuries led him to discover the benefits of barefoot shoes and sparked the idea for BGreater Shoes.
The company provides shoes for children. It focuses on prevention, aiming to stop future generations from developing common foot problems like bunions, flat feet, and plantar fasciitis. The convenience of online ordering and foot measuring at home eliminates the hassle of stressful shoe shopping in the ‘back to school’ months, and morning school runs are made easier when children are not rebelling against uncomfortable shoes.
The success of BGreater Shoes is not just marked by commercial growth but by the heartwarming testimonials sent in frequently by parents who are immensely grateful to have found a company that supports children with sensory issues and foot discomfort, and does so at an affordable price.
Iain described his involvement with Heropreneurs as instrumental in BGreater’s growth. Through the charity, he gained valuable mentorship and participated in events like mock business pitch sessions at Goldman Sachs HQ. He won an award at the 2023 Heropreneurs Awards, where BGreater Shoes was recognised as ‘Product of the Year’.
Reflecting on the award, Iain expressed gratitude and excitement for the recognition, emphasising its significance for the entire BGreater team. The award highlights their hard work and dedication.
He said, “This award from Heropreneurs
is a dream come true! It’s an incredible honour that validates our commitment to excellence and innovation. We’re over the moon to see our product receive such prestigious recognition.”
Going forward, Iain envisions BGreater Shoes becoming a global brand. His ambitious plans include changing the landscape of the footwear industry by popularising shoes that are actually shaped like feet and promoting overall foot health for children. With a focus on passion, perseverance, and quality, BGreater Shoes aims to continue pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional products.
Heropreneurs launched its 2024 awards on 17 May, with a ceremony for the finalists being held on 14 November at The Shard in London. There will be up to five awards including the ‘Heropreneur of the Year’ award. The winner of the Warwick Business School Award, which provides a 100% scholarship for a part-time Executive MBA, will also be announced.
If you would like to know more or are interested in working with a mentor, please visit the Heropreneurs website for more information: www.heropreneurs.co.uk
Iain Moore, Heropreneurs mentee and founder of BGreater Shoes
RBLI’s Lifeworks
Helping veterans into employment, training, and volunteering
RBLI’s Lifeworks employability programme supports veterans into employment, often those who are furthest from the labour market. At the heart of the Lifeworks programme is a four-day residential course that is delivered by veterans to veterans that takes place throughout the year at locations across the UK, from Cornwall to Scotland.
Family members of serving personnel in the Armed Forces are also eligible, as it’s vital to recognise the impact that constantly moving home has on their lives and work.
The Lifeworks team includes ex-military personnel, life coaches, vocational assessors, health condition management experts, career advisors, and housing specialists.
Before enrolment on the course, the Lifeworks team provides every person with a free vocational assessment, helping them to apply their existing skills and experiences in the military to support them on their employment journey. The team also addresses such underlying barriers veterans may face to employment as welfare, mental health, and housing issues.
Courses and support are then tailored to suit the requirements of participants, which includes family members of serving personnel, and specialists work with each person, helping
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY...
Lifeworks Families course:
Catterick Garrison, 21–24 October 2024
Tidworth, 27–30 January 2025
Edinburgh, 24–27 March 2025
Colchester, 12–15 May 2025
Lifeworks – veterans only (residential course):
Catterick Garrison, 21–24 October 2024
them to find and secure a job, training, or volunteering opportunity that is right for them.
During the four-day course, delegates develop a winning CV, learn how to understand the hidden job market, develop their interview skills, adapt to and overcome change, set realistic and attainable goals, and improve their confidence.
Since Lifeworks was launched in 2012, it has supported 5,800 veterans to find their place in civilian life. Within a year of completing RBLI’s Lifeworks employability programme, 80% of delegates are in employment, training, or volunteering.
A year-long, in-depth evaluation of RBLI’s Lifeworks employability programme showed its success.
As a result of completing the programme, 67% reported improvements to their physical and mental health.
The average cost of Lifeworks is £2,000 per person. For every £1 invested in Lifeworks by the organisations that sponsor the programme, the UK economy gains £8.
Further key findings of the 12-month evaluation of RBLI’s Lifeworks employability programme are:
• 81% of delegates felt their confidence had improved as a result of the course; they linked this to CV building and the interview practice.
• Support to translate military skills and experience to the civilian job market and general support with applications were also highlighted as beneficial aspects of the course.
• Other aspects of the course included the supportive environment, including understanding tutors who provided individualised support. Many delegates noted the use of ex-Service personnel as tutors facilitated a supportive and understanding environment. This was felt to be unique to Lifeworks.
The success of the Lifeworks programme is demonstrated by Patrick Okla, aged 39, from Hampshire, who served for four years in the London and Scottish Regiment, and for six years in the Royal Navy. Patrick speaks of the challenges he faced after he left the Service in 2022:
“I spent eight months job hunting when I was in limbo and can only describe it as a state of mental oblivion. Despite having served in the Armed Forces for ten years, job hunting and interviews were daunting, and negative thoughts go through your head. I’ve worked with people from every part of the world, in
hostile and peaceful environments, but not knowing what civilian life will hold and if you’ll fit in was hard. I was determined to work in cybersecurity and completed self-study courses to keep up to date, but each time I applied for a job, I was either ghosted or rejected, and it was easy to spiral downward.
“The transition officer recommended Lifeworks, and from the first email, it was life-changing. I attended the four-day residential programme and felt at home with the other veterans, as we understood each other.
“The trainers helped change my negative mindset. I took everything on board and followed the process. Within three weeks, I landed the job I wanted with Method in cybersecurity. Without Lifeworks that wouldn’t have been possible.
“Lifeworks taught me many valuable lessons. Life isn’t easy, and like so many veterans, I’ve experienced the lowest of lows, but I want to encourage people that there is hope and support, but you must make a choice to accept it and make a change. Every veteran who’s looking to find work or change their job should go through the Lifeworks programme.”
rbli.co.uk/what-we-do/lifeworks
Patrick Okla, veteran and Lifeworks delegate
Supporting the Unsung Hero
Supporting the Unsung Hero (SUH) offers free business start-up support to Armed Forces families.
Over the last 11 years, the award-winning business start-up programme has helped hundreds of British Forces spouses and partners take their self-employment dreams from the seed of an idea to a fully fledged business. As well as the essential practical skills and know-how needed to get an enterprise off the ground, delegates from the Armed Forces community have gained confidence to take on their new entrepreneurial role and benefited from being part of a supportive community of over 2,000 fellow business owners.
What makes the SUH team unique is that they truly understand the challenges of Forces life and the impact this can have on the working lives of military spouses and partners, the unsung heroes. The transient nature of being a Forces family and overseas postings can make traditional employment or accessing location-specific training difficult at best. However, location isn’t a barrier for the SUH programme, which has proudly supported delegates across the globe, delivering courses in British Forces Germany, Belgium, Gibraltar, Cyprus, and Italy, as well as offering an
SUH delegate online option. What’s more, SUH advisers are well versed on the unique hurdles you can face when trading abroad and are on hand to help you navigate the process.
“The ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ course was absolutely key to my business start-up. It has given me confidence in my abilities and inspired me to turn my passion into a business. Furthermore, it gave me the tools to understand all the aspects of running a business (even the once-scary financial side)! Often as military partners, we can feel disempowered and undervalued when it comes to the world of employment, particularly while posted abroad. It really is a tool of empowerment for military family members. Sarah and Mark are incredibly knowledgeable and the wealth of information they shared was truly invaluable. I couldn’t recommend the course more. If you are, or you wish to be, self-employed, sign up – invest both in yourself and your business!”
Inspiration and connection at the 2023 Supporting the Unsung Hero business retreat
DELEGATE S UCCESS
After taking part in the SUH programme…
90% felt more confident in running a business.
87% went on to start their business, or continued to trade.
61% saw a consistent increase in annual turnover.
65% went on to employ staff in their business.
CELEBRATION AND CONNECTION
In 2023, SUH celebrated ten years of supporting military spouses and partners by hosting its first in-person retreat. Forty-five business owners from the Armed Forces community gathered in Staffordshire for a weekend of business support, advice, networking, and fun! Attendees heard from speakers from across the SUH network and were able to take part in a host of workshops and activities as well as browse the marketplace showcasing military spouse creators.
GET CLEAR ON YOUR BUSINESS IDEA
If you have a business idea but don’t know where to start, the SUH’s monthly webinar, ‘Introduction to SelfEmployment’, will give you the clarity you need to decide if self-employment is the right route for you. Delivered by qualified business advisers with over 20 years of real-world industry experience, the webinar is a valuable opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to ask questions and pick the brain of a business pro. You will gain an insight into what being a business owner involves and the next steps you need to take to make your self-employment plans a reality.
“I think the course was pitched really well to cover people at all different stages of their journey. This was my first engagement with any business start-up course/material and was great at driving straight into the solid marketing strategy, whilst at the same time getting me to think realistically about whether it was the right path to take.” – SUH delegate
The 1.5-hour ‘Introduction to Self-Employment’ webinar runs every month and is free to attend. Register today at www.supportingtheunsunghero.co.uk/course-dates and get your business journey started!
Recruit for Spouses
As a military spouse, it’s easy to find yourself feeling like your identity becomes about what your partner does for a living. The military shapes not only the way we plan our time and how we fill out our calendars, but it also inevitably starts to shape us as people too. It impacts every aspect of our lives, big and small, in one way or another. No matter how staunchly we try to maintain our independence, our own interests, social lives, dreams and careers, after years of military life, with a few house moves and perhaps a family thrown into the mix, we can wake up one day and find we’re not sure exactly what our goals are anymore.
Having a career that gives us a sense of personal purpose, of something bigger that we are working towards with our own goals and aspirations, is fundamental to our wellness as human beings. Military life can be all consuming and it’s natural that it may take us off course from the direction we expected life to take, but that doesn’t mean it should take us off course from pursuing new dreams and ambitions.
We know the additional barriers spouses and veterans face when it comes to securing reliable and fulfilling employment. Our purpose at Recruit for Spouses (RFS) is supporting military spouses, partners, and veterans in achieving career success –reclaiming their identities and ambitions while still honouring that military connection we all have.
We provide a wide range of services to support this goal, partnering with trusted organisations who value the unique skills that military spouses and veterans have and providing
job opportunities across a range of industries. Our Career academy offers coaching and mentoring, training and masterclasses, an ongoing self-employment mentorship programme through Pinnacle, a Cybersecurity Analyst training through Cisco and many other opportunities throughout the year.
We really do have something for everyone!
THE RFS PORTAL
In 2024 we launched our online portal! This new feature has been designed to streamline the way our community engages with us, and put all our resources, workshops, programmes and offers in one easy to access place, so no one ever needs to worry about missing out again! To sign up to our portal or access any of our other services, email us at enquiries@ recruitforspouses.co.uk and make sure to follow us on our socials and sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date on all our latest offerings!
CV SUPPORT
Need a CV boost? We’ve got you covered! Our new portal gives you the ability to upload your CV directly to our recruitment team and access a complimentary CV review. Our dedicated team will personally guide you through crafting the perfect CV tailored to your aspirations so you can take those next steps towards a fulfilling career with confidence.
FREE COACHING AND MENTORING
Our fully funded award-winning coaching and mentoring programme, now sponsored by BAE, is run by the RFS Career Academy. We offer up to six virtual one-to-one sessions completely free to members of the Armed Forces community. This service is available to military spouses and partners, veteran spouses, serving personnel, veterans, and military children aged 18+. They are for you, whether you are unemployed or employed, whether your partner is still serving or retired years ago, whether you know exactly what your goals are or need a little help figuring that out.
The reviews we’ve had speak for themselves: working with the right coach at the right time transforms lives and careers.
“I had no idea the coaching programme with RFS was available to serving members of the military too, but my wife told me about it because of how much it helped her.
“I have to admit I was apprehensive at first, as I had never had coaching before and didn’t know what to expect, but I’m so glad I did it. I only have a couple of years left before my times up, working with my coach has really increased my confidence and I’m feeling much more positive and prepared for this next chapter of my career outside the military. She helped me identify my goals, and I feel like I finally have a plan I can use to keep me on track as I get ready for the future.” – Jamie, Royal Navy
Once we know what our goals and dreams look like, to move forward and achieve those goals we have to actively pursue them. And sometimes this means knocking on doors we expect to stay closed to us, applying for roles we might feel underqualified for, and doing things we think we’re not ready to do.
JOIN OUR TALENT POOL
One small step you can take today is to register with us and join our Talent Pool. You don’t need to have your CV perfectly figured out; our team can help you with that. Simply head to our website and click ‘register’ and if you don’t have a CV ready, choose ‘manual registration’.
Registering with us means you’ll be the first to hear about exciting new job opportunities, free training, and partnerships, and we will reach out to you first when roles that match your skill set become available. It takes just a few minutes to register, and we take care of the rest!
THE LIQUID WORKFORCE
You can also join our Liquid Workforce, where we recruit for permanent, fixed-term, part-time, full-time, office-based, workfrom home, flexible, and hybrid roles. We help translate your skills and qualifications into exactly what we know modern employers are looking for, working with forward-thinking, progressive companies that value the unique skill set, work ethic, and resilience of our community.
TRAINING AND MASTERCLASSES
We frequently partner with organisations and spouse-owned businesses to bring our community high-quality trainings at no cost to them. This year we have continued our collaboration with National Cyber Force who sponsored a series of masterclasses, alongside hosting government organisation insight sessions. We were also delighted to partner with GCHQ and QinetiQ, and each partnership brings new opportunities to the military community members we work with.
Areas our trainings have focused on recently include:
• Transferable skills
• Interview preparation
• Confidence and self-worth
• Careers in cyber
• Demystifying roles in defence
• Effective communication
We are constantly updating our list of trainings available, so register with us and sign up to our newsletter to stay updated on the full range of workshops and masterclasses we have coming up throughout the year.
RECRUITMENT CASE STUDY
“I
have had the best experience with RFS, from the initial application as a Sourcing Specialist with AMS, the interviews, which felt more like a friendly chat and then the whole hiring process, it has been amazing. They understood my position as a military spouse and my worries about my career break and disabilities, they have been fantastic. They took the time to build my confidence and they have been there for me the whole time!”
– Kimberly Monroe
recruitforspouses
recruitforspouses
recruitforspouses
recruitforspouses
RFS newsletter sign-up:
X-Forces Enterprise
X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) supports business aspiration in the military community. Service leavers, reservists, veterans, and their family members are all eligible for fully funded services.
Since the organisation was founded in 2013, XFE has helped over 15,000 people to consider, start, and scale their businesses; delivered over 65,000 hours of enterprise training; and facilitated access to more than £45m in seed funding. Its unique package of services provides knowledge and support to the Armed Forces community, enabling informed decisions about business and fostering connections within a family of like-minded business owners. As the contracted provider of Enterprise and Self-Employment training for the Career Transition Partnership and Specialist Business Support Partner for British Business Bank’s Start Up Loan scheme, XFE provides unparalleled support for those exploring being their own boss.
TRAINING
If you are contemplating self-employment but are unsure whether the enterprise route is right for you and your family, you can sign up for XFE’s free one-day Self-Employment Discovery workshop and learn the pros and cons of starting your own business. You’ll get to know your own red lines, increase your understanding of the commercial world, and make an informed decision about starting your own business.
If you choose to go ahead, the two-day Start-Up Skills workshop will consider the details of your business plan including marketing, finance, law, and sustainability.
All XFE events are only open to the Armed Forces community, so attendees can feel reassured they’re among like-minded individuals and network with others going on a similar journey. Additionally, XFE has designed bespoke self-employment training programmes exclusive to military spouses and partners, and exclusive by service.
The team can advise on the most appropriate training for you; please just get in touch: x-forces.com/events
FUNDING
If you’re considering starting a business, it’s likely you will need funding at some point. Provided your business has yet to start or you’ve been trading for less than three years, you are eligible to apply for support via the government-backed Start Up Loans programme, for which XFE is the appointed Armed Forces Community Delivery Partner.
Business advisers will guide you through the process and support you to prepare a robust business plan and cashflow
forecast. Unsecured personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000 are available, and XFE provides 12 months’ post-loan mentoring by a dedicated business adviser.
Learn more at x-forces.com/funding
ALREADY TRADING?
XFE has a bespoke range of Business Masterclass workshops to support current business owners, with topics ranging from e-commerce and customer profiling to bookkeeping and cyber security. These half-day sessions take a deep dive into one aspect that business owners will encounter, and attendees come away with practical tips and tools to progress their plans.
Places are limited to a small group, so early booking is recommended.
MENTORING AND NETWORKING
Whatever stage of the business journey you’re at, if you’re looking to connect with like-minded people, XFE holds regular Military in Business® Networking events, hosted by regional ambassadors, who are established business owners and have come through the XFE journey. Networking events are
held online during the evenings and feature special keynote speakers who are experts in their fields, as well as guests from a variety of organisations that support enterprise.
Peer-to-peer support and mentoring are at the core of all XFE services, and their Knowledge Exchange Hub features a growing army of ‘business captains’ – experts from across society and sectors, waiting to connect and support you in a confidential and secure environment.
Users can search the Hub to find fellow Military in Business® owners in their sector or region and make valuable connections that often lead to business relationships. Additionally, the free-to-use digital XFE Hub includes a vast library of articles on the topics that matter most to both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs.
Discover the Hub at x-forces.com/xfe-hub
FROM SERVICE TO CEREMONIES
Gill Charlton, a military spouse and a veteran, served 24 years in the British Army but swapped service for ceremonies to forge a new career as a celebrant, supported by XFE.
Her time in the military saw Gill serve in the Royal Signals, the Intelligence Corps, and the Adjutant General’s Corps as part of the Army Welfare Service. She is neurodivergent and a survivor of both cancer and PTSD, but far from dwelling on the past she is always on the lookout for opportunities to use her experience to support others through the power of storytelling. In her capacity as a celebrant, the telling of other people’s stories is crucial as she marks the major milestones of life.
For those not familiar with the term, celebrants perform wedding/civil partnership celebration ceremonies, vow renewal ceremonies, naming ceremonies, and celebration of life ceremonies. Quite the career change from the Army! However, XFE’s Army Benevolent Fund-supported SelfEmployment Discovery and Start-Up Skills courses helped smooth Gill’s transition.
“I was lucky to have access to training opportunities delivered by XFE,” Gill enthuses. “These provided me with an insight into the fundamentals of small business ownership and connected me with other veterans on similar journeys. This in turn gave me the confidence to go forward with my decision.”
We invite you to join thousands of people on a similar journey with XFE and access all the resources and support available. The website is the first step to find out more, and you’re welcome to get in touch; the team at XFE are always ready to help.
For advice and support, contact info@x-forces.com
www.x-forces.com
“Running my own business gives me flexibility to manage my time around existing family and personal commitments, which is really important to me, particularly with the additional challenges of being a service spouse.”
As a professionally trained, independent celebrant, Gill creates and delivers bespoke, personalised ceremonies. As she’s not tied to any religion or formal legal requirements, the ceremonies can be as traditional or unique as her clients wish.
www.gillcharlton.co.uk
Veteran and military spouse Gill Charlton is a self-employed celebrant.
