Can we help?

Are you an unemployed woman looking for support with your employment journey?

We are a UK-wide charity offering free career coaching, interview clothing and interview preparation support to all women who are unemployed or on a zero-hours contract.

We are here to support all women, including transgender women, and non-binary people who feel their gender expression connects with the Smart Works service and wardrobe.

We support women regardless of their unemployment circumstances. Whether you are recently unemployed, coming back to work after a long employment gap or looking for your first ever job, the Smart Works team are here to help you on your journey.

After using our services, 94% of clients feel more confident and 63% get the job within 1 month. You can too.

"The team was so friendly and welcoming. They picked out the perfect outfit for me which was bright and fun, and I am eternally grateful. They really calmed me down and helped me practise answering questions so that when I went to the interview the next day, I felt prepared for anything. It’s hard to feel nervous when you are wearing a bright pink leopard print!"
 

Smart Works client

How to access our service

To access the Smart Works service, you will need to be referred by an organisation currently supporting you. Our clients are referred to us from a wide range of non-profit and public sector organisations, including Job Centres, mental health charities, women’s refuges, homeless shelters, the prison service, NHS providers, youth organisations, and the education system. We offer appointments at our 11 UK centres as well as virtual appointments over Zoom.

You can be referred if you:

Are a woman, or a non-binary person who feels their gender expression connects with the Smart Works service and wardrobe

Are aged 16 or above.

Are unemployed or on a zero-hours contract.

Have a confirmed job interview coming up or seeking support in securing a job interview

To request a referral, please share this link with your supporting organisation.

Once we receive a referral request on your behalf, our team will get in touch with you to book you in for an in-person or virtual appointment.

How our service works

If you have a job interview coming up

Let us help you get the job with our free appointment-based Interview Dressing and Preparation Service.

The Interview Dressing and Preparation Service provides hand-picked interview clothing that suits your style and preferences along with personalised interview coaching.

01.Referral

You will need a referral to access our service. Once we receive your referral, our supportive team will get in touch with you to confirm your appointment details.

02. Interview preparation (Dressing)

You will receive a bespoke, hour-long dressing consultation with two trained volunteers, to find a high-quality interview outfit that will fill you with confidence. This is free of charge and the clothes are yours to keep.

03. Interview preparation (Coaching)

This is followed by a one-to-one 60-minute coaching session with an expert interview coach, where each client receives valuable interview preparation, unlocking her potential and enabling her to succeed at her interview. Each client also receives a free interview guide to take home where they can find additional advice on how to succeed.

04. Second dressing

We are proud that 63% of our clients secure a job within a month of their appointment. Once you get a job, no matter how long ago your appointment was, you are welcome to come back to us for a Second Dressing. In the Second Dressing, you will receive a capsule working wardrobe to get you started at your new workplace.

No interview? No problem!

Let us support you with free, appointment-based Career Coaching.

We provide dedicated 60-minute Career Coaching sessions with our expert interview coaches to help you secure an interview and take the next step toward employment. Once an interview has been scheduled, you are welcome to come back to us for an Interview Dressing and Preparation appointment.

To request a referral for Career Coaching, please share this link with your supporting organisation.

What our clients say

It was the most effective interview coaching I have ever experienced. I left feeling so encouraged and like I could go into the interview and ace it – which I did!

Smart Works Client

It took a big weight off my shoulders the moment I walked in the door. It felt so good that someone had taken an interest in me.

Smart Works Client

I had lost all hope when [my referrer] put me forward to Smart Works. I have now successfully gained a role. It is thanks to you and the team that I didn’t give up altogether. I cannot wait for Monday morning and a new adventure.
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Smart Works Client

Client stories

Featured: Stephanie's story

After a long time out of work caring for her father, Stephanie was ready to return the workplace but felt her anxiety was holding her back. 

"When I was younger, I went to college and I did art and design. I did makeup and nails while I was in college and at the time that was something that I was passionate about. After college, I worked in a nail salon for a while. The people were lovely there and they wanted me to stay on, but because of personal reasons, I had to leave. That led me to have a long gap in my employment, where I wasn't doing much for my future. I was helping my mum care for my dad, and it was quite a difficult time for me."

"I had a work coach who was supporting me, he knew my history and desire to do something new. He was supporting me to look into the type of jobs that I'd want to do, and create a plan, like a career path. When I started working with him, I didn't even have a CV and thought I didn't have many skills, because I’d been out of work for so long.

After applying for jobs for a while, he said to me: ‘Have you heard of Smart Works? I think you’d really liked them. They’re all about empowering women."

Read our case studies