What we do and why
Why we exist
We often think that getting a job is simple: find a job vacancy, write a CV, and turn up to an interview. But for many Victorians, getting a job is not that simple. Why?
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Because many jobseekers don’t have appropriate interview clothing or footwear and don’t have the money to buy it. The average Australian jobseeker has just $39 a day to live on - the lowest rate of unemployment assistance in the OECD – and often not enough to pay the rent or mortgage, let alone buy or launder an outfit for an interview.
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Because getting a job takes skills many never learn or lose over time, such as identifying jobs that meet your skillset and qualifications, writing a CV, and effectively responding to interview questions.
- Because many jobseekers don’t have the confidence, self-esteem or appropriate help to get a job after what may be years out of work, rejection, and struggles with poverty, homelessness, mental illness, or other needs or challenges.
What we do.
Ready Set strengthens communities by empowering job seekers with clothing and coaching, so they can build their confidence, realise their dreams and change their lives.
We do this by offering individualised services to meet the unique needs of each jobseeker.
Our service is based in South Melbourne for face to face service, however we offer our virtual services to regional Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia, enabling us to support individuals, job services, and program providers, where we are needed.
Our services
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Clothing and styling
Our clothing and styling service is provided by specially-trained volunteers who work one-on one with clients to ensure they have high quality and work-appropriate clothing, footwear, underwear and personal care for job interviews. Once our clients have found a job, we also invite them back to be styled and provided a full work wardrobe so they have clothing and footwear for their first few weeks of work.
Note this service is also available virtually, for individuals who cannot attend our South Melbourne site.
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Career support coaching
Our Career Support Program is personalised for our clients and run and administered by professional recruitment and human resource professionals and career coaches. In each one-on-one session, our coaches work with clients to identify and address their needs, which may include looking for and identify suitable roles, helping a client build a LinkedIn profile, writing a CV or cover letter, developing interview skills and confidence, or any other aspect of finding and securing employment.
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Connecting
Currently in development, our connecting service is being established in recognition of the multiple challenges jobseekers may face while on their job search. This can include homelessness, addiction, family violence, language or cultural barriers, mental or physical health issues, legal, lack of childcare or other factors. Ready Set’s compassionate and committed staff and volunteers use their connections with recruiters and HR professionals, support services, and other organisations and individuals to help jobseekers overcome obstacles on their path to employment.
Client Stories
“Job interviews are never easy, but with Ready Set, they not only coached me, they took away the worry about what to wear.so I could focus my energy on what was important to me - finding a job.”
Paul
Ready Set
Client Stories
“Ready Set gave me the confidence to believe in myself. The clothes are great, but it's more than that. It's knowing that I am supported to go out there and achieve my dreams.”