"It was really helpful... and thank you for doing it in such a way that allows the introverts among us not having to work by talking to others all of the time!" Claire Towns, Southwell

"I came for a two hour interview coaching session with you last month, with an upcoming interview particularly in mind.  I just wanted to let you know I got the job - another success for 3D Coaching!  Thank you for all your input, which was very helpful. 

And thank you again Claire for your seminar nearly two years ago now, which was also hugely helpful.  Another satisfied customer!" St Albans

"The CV got me shortlisted and after today's interview the Bishop phoned to offer me the position.

Thank you.  It is hard to explain how significant those few days on CV construction and interview technique really were." Oxford

“The best CPD I have received for a very long time. Being part of a small group meant we all got plenty of individual attention. When we were addressed as a group, all the content was relevant, despite the variety of backgrounds”

Salisbury

"The quality of your work was first rate at every level and visibly surpassed any diocesan training we have received so far. Every aspect of your coaching will be useful to me in my pursuit of a post of first responsibility: Thank you for giving 110% - it really showed. I would also be grateful if you would pass on my thanks to Sarah for her advice. That too was valuable and insightful. I also appreciated your kind offer to offer comments on applications we make in the future, which I plan to take advantage of in the summer."

Curate, Oxford Diocese

"With an increasing number of clergy posts involving interviews we felt it important to offer appropriate training to clergy considering a move. The Moving On course brought people up to date with current practice in writing CVs, in understanding how to identify gifts and skills and how to marshall these to best effect. Participants can now write a skills and talents focused CV and confidently approach an interview aware of what they distinctively bring to any prospective role. I would recommend this excellent course without hesitation"

Rev John Thomson, Director of Ministry, Diocese of Sheffield

 

"The training day really did turn my whole thinking around about what was the right approach for an interview... Instead of going in with some idea of presenting what I thought they would like to hear, I went in hoping that they would meet me as I am...and as a result I dared to tell them "the story of a church" that I had written as part of the presentation - which was about as authentically "me" as anything could possibly be.

So, I know that their decision to invite me to be their priest is based on reality - which is a hugely helpful place from which to begin to think and pray into the next chapter of ministry."

Rev Kathryn Fleming, Diocese of Gloucester

This is just to let you know that 15 months after attending the 3D day at the Guildford Education Centre I have got a new job and am moving on! I have been appointed Team Rector in the Bath & Wells diocese. Actually to be fair I only actually started looking last March so the process took 10 months although it has felt a lot longer! Without doubt the single most important preparation I did was attending the 3D course and then making sure I had sorted my CV by Christmas whilst the course was still fresh in my mind. Also helpful in clarifying what I really wanted were conversations with John Lee and with John Wheeler at Crown Appointments although neither led to any of the jobs I actually applied for but they were good to talk to. All the calls I had from the Lee list were very much the jobs bishops were struggling to fill. Interestingly Crown Appointments still are operating on one person looking at a job at a time so no competitive interviews.

 

In the end this came through a Church Times advert although I had been alerted to it when I did not get G which was the first job I applied for and the Archdeacon was kind enough to say they would like to have me in the diocese. I found it a real struggle to get the information I wanted to get across on the standard CofE application form; it was much easier with those dioceses that had developed their own versions. Bath & Wells also ask all applicants to get their references sent in as soon as they apply - references were not just taken up on those short-listed.

 

I applied for a total of five jobs but only really wanted two of them and one of those is the one I have just accepted. The first job I applied for (G) I got short-listed. It was a job I really wanted (perhaps wanted too much?) and was very disappointed when I did not get it. The mistake I made was not asking any questions when offered. From the de-brief there was just one thing that distinguished me from the person who got the post and that would have been addressed if I had asked the question that was in my head!

 

On the re-bound I applied for another job but almost as soon as I had sent the application in I knew it was not the right post and so was not disappointed when not short-listed. The next job I was short-listed for and was asked to prepare a presentation on my vision for the parish and as soon as I started work on the presentation I knew I really did not want to go there so withdrew before interview. I had been tempted by going back to a diocese I knew and a part of the country I knew but it was not the right job. I then applied for two jobs almost simultaneously. The one everyone who I was using to advise and guide me told me was absolutely made for me although personally I had my doubts - I was not short-listed. The second was P and although it comes with lots of problems the appointment has left me feeling energised and excited - I have discovered I like challenges!

 

The one thing that I would say the 3D course did not prepare me enough for is the emotional upheaval that goes with the process of applying for jobs - trying to keep focused on your present parish while wondering about the new parish and the impact of the waiting process. Needing to invest in the new possibility to write a good application means in a sense you mentally move on from your present situation; then when it does not work out you have some how to reconnect but knowing that you will be going through the same process again before too long. I found that much harder than I expected.

 

I move in May but am very grateful for the help received from 3D and would willing recommend your course to any one. With thanks and best wishes,

The Revd Andrew Bryant