Collaboration sees Penneys and WorkEqual host confidence workshop in Cork

A GROUP of Cork women attended a confidence-building workshop in Penneys Patrick’s St store, a collaborative project between Penneys and WorkEqual.

Aoife Sheehy, Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor, explained at the collaboration: “Penneys is a place where you might find something to make yourself feel a bit more confident, whether it’s for a dinner party or the school run.

“Unlocking confidence is a big part of WorkEqual, and clothing is one element of that, so we are hoping that this partnership will bring their work nationwide success.

“The key thing about Penneys is that we have a store in most counties, and we’re really happy to be able to use our space for this.”

Manager of the Patrick St store, Hazel O’Connor told attendees the story of herself and her own career, explaining that she started in Penneys Patrick’s St 17 years ago as a retail assistant for the summer holidays, then continued to work there at weekends when she returned to UCC.

While taking a break from her science degree during third year, she applied for a management role in Tralee, and got the job.

“I loved working there – the fast pace, problem solving, working with customers – it was the career for me, not the one I planned but one I found such joy in,” she explained.

Her job brought her abroad for 13 years, where she trained new colleagues and helped open new stores in France, Germany and Italy, before returning to Cork, where she has now been store manager for just under a year.

“I wouldn’t change my career for the world,” she said.

WorkEqual role

WorkEqual support people across Ireland to enter or re-enter the workplace and reach sustained economic independence, and CEO Su Duff explained at the workshop that they help “if someone is not sure where to start with looking for a job, or putting in applications but just keeps getting a no”.

“We work with organisations to help them to be more equal, and we run a series of workshops and one-to-one services on building confidence, understanding job descriptions, practicing for interviews and help people get suited into clothes that make them feel comfortable and confident. We help with building a CV that showcases all of your relevant experience – like skills that come from staying at home with your children for 10-15 years, and we do it all for free,” she explained.

They apply for grants and are helped by volunteers, with HR professionals, coaches and stylists giving their services for free “because they’ve seen the difference this makes to people”.

Ms Duff shared stories of women they had helped, including a mum who had been out of the workforce for 15 years and didn’t know how to start looking for a job, and a lady from Kenya who had worked in a professional job there, but kept getting turned down for similar roles in Ireland.

First event outside of Dublin

Attendees were given advice on how to build a CV, where to apply for jobs, some interview tips such as tricky questions and how to answer them, with Penneys People and Culture manager Deirdre Long sharing what she looks for in a candidate when hiring.

Three Penneys stylists showcased some sample interview outfits, using basic items that many would already have in their wardrobe and showing how to mix and match them differently, dress them up or down, and simple ways to elevate them for an interview or corporate job.

Each participant received a goodie bag with Penneys gifts, as well as a €50 gift voucher for the store, with Ms Sheehy adding: “There is only one rule, and that’s that you have to spend it on something for yourself!”

One of the attendees, Noelle Long, explained that her career began in retail, and that after college and travelling the world she returned to retail and worked her way up to Director of Purchasing and Marketing, before working for herself.

She told The Echo that she was most interested in the workplace equality services that WorkEqual offer, and that the styling session was also really interesting.

“I would have been a big person for always wearing high heels in work, but I think since covid things have changed, so it was interesting to find out that lots of things are really acceptable as long as it’s presented nicely.

“Also all the services that WorkEqual offer, I didn’t know they did all the consultations, the mentoring – and they’re all free as well, I mean, why wouldn’t you?”

Store manager Hazel O’Connor told The Echo that she was really excited to be partnering with WorkEqual, and very proud to be hosting the first event outside of Dublin.

“I manage 268 colleagues here in the store, and they come from so many different backgrounds so it’s incredible to use that experience to help people re-enter or enter the workplace for the first time,” she said.