A Ukrainian refugee who spent months unsuccessfully making job applications has won a top job with Victoria Beckham Ltd – after meeting members of Lambeth council’s Connecting Communities team.
Yuliia and her seven-year-old daughter arrived in the UK from war-torn Ukraine in April 2022.
“When the British government announced support for Ukrainians, I was offered a family visa” says Yuliia. ''For a long time I couldn’t understand where to turn for help, how to get to know people like me.''
“I signed up for a language course at Lambeth College. “Three girls there told me about Lambeth Council’s Connecting Communities team and a week later Roy Ramkali from the team invited me to discuss my CV, job expectations, experience and qualifications.
“I have a master’s degree in banking and worked as a financial analyst in a manufacturing company in Ukraine. I like working with numbers, I enjoy when my work provides understanding and helps form company strategy. Roy asked me what jobs I was applying for and suggested that I copy him my CVs and covering letters. I was applying for vacancies from office administrator to financial manager. It was a push to focus, in a good way. It prompted me to analyse my applications, discover mistakes and think ‘am I doing everything right?’. He helped me write a covering letter, to use the STAR technique in interviews, and gave me confidence that I’m not alone in this city. Although Roy updated me every week about new job opportunities and job fairs, all my applications were unanswered or rejected. Then in December I was invited to my first interview. I called Roy and told him I was terribly nervous and afraid to mess up. He reassured me and offered a meeting to discuss all the questions that could arise. I was invited to the next interview, again we discussed the questions, and practised giving answers in English. I was collected and had ready answers to possible questions, but didn’t get the position. Roy also helped me understand how to make my LinkedIn profile more active and visible. I found this job as a financial manager with Victoria Beckham Ltd on LinkedIn. When I was invited for the first interview, I prepared as Roy had taught me. Then I was invited to a second interview, then a third and… received an offer. I started a three-month probationary period in February and hope to keep working here.”
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