The Belief Test Podcast Series

Paul Hardy’s tips:

1. Know yourself – identify the skills you genuinely enjoy using and that make you “smile internally”.  Job interviews are a good opportunity to show this and to be different from other interviewees.

2. Trust your instincts and ask questions - start with yourself. Also, speak to people with a similar experience. Make sure you listen and write down the answers to help you make your own judgement.

3. Look beyond the job title – research the reality of the role and speak to someone who has done a similar job before applying. 

4. Be true to yourself – find the work and environment where your real self is best suited. When one path doesn't work out, use what you learn about yourself to help find another.

Bridget Black-James tips:

1. Connect through games - including anyone with special needs.  Play is a powerful way to learn, have fun and build a genuine connection. Try cards, chess, backgammon or even Tiddlywinks.

2. Give it a go -  don’t talk yourself out of an opportunity because you don’t feel qualified nor out of practice, especially as having a career and being a mother. Sometimes picking up the phone, having the conversation and simply “giving it a go” can open the door. 

3. Give time to others - we are at our best when we are serving those around us. Our encounters and connections help them, and us, thrive and grow, especially in the family.

4. Be open to adapting -  listening is a key skill to do this. This builds a role and contribute to any community: at home, family or work, going to new places and roles.

Kiki Godson’s tips:

1. Follow your passion - there'll be something in there for you because you really believe in it; even if you can't see it immediately

2. Recognise your skillset - use your strength. Work as a group and encourage them to use their own stronger skill sets

3. It is ok to make mistakes - just learn from them. Own your mistakes, hold your hand up and learn from it. It can build trust in your community.

4. Have fun⁠⁠ - try not to take yourself and what you do too seriously

Emily Hill’s tips:

1. You are always more capable than you think - collect your experiences and connect them to help understand your next step. Encourage a curious mindset with the question, "What's possible?"

2. There is no such thing as failure, only feedback - by viewing experiences as feedback opportunities you adopt a growth mindset. Focusing on what went well and what you can learn from, will help you next time. 

3. Be mindful of the language you ‘feed’ yourself - self-talk is like nutrition. If you feed yourself ‘nutritious words’ of compassion and encouragement (rather than toxic self-criticism) you will get far further, and the experience will be a wholly more pleasant one.

4. ⁠⁠When we know what is, we can change what is - self-awareness and really accepting ourselves for who we are is paramount. Only then can we change things for the better.

Alex Lewis’ tips:

1. Everyone has a story

2. Listening can be one of the greatest forms of support

3. Community matters more than we realise

4. Resilience is often discovered during difficult times

George Whitefield’s tips:

1. Don’t lose your sense of play

2. Small moments of fun build stronger relationships

3. Stop worrying so much about being judged

4. Make time to reconnect with your inner child

Kate Annis tips:

1. Don’t be dismissive of the arts - there are multiple roles in and outside the art sector

2. Start small - don't wait for the perfect plan. Take one small step, learn from it, and let it lead to the next and more opportunities

3. ⁠⁠Think creatively about the skills you already have - think creatively about how they could work in a different setting

4. ⁠⁠Be genuine - be authentic. Build a career around who you are and what genuinely fulfils you

Kevin Hession’s tips:

1. Find your tribe - Kevin found his tribe in drama

2. Choose your own path - don’t compare to others, nor be pulled off track

3. Don't be afraid to switch lanes when you want (work, communities, location…).

4. "To thine own self be true"(Shakespeare, Hamlet) - it re-connected with his passion from a young age to grow to be ‘yourself’

Richard Pearce’s tips

1. Just Do it - take the first small step

2. ⁠⁠Build Momentum - use consistent, small actions

3. ⁠⁠Enjoy the Journey - these are the “good old days”!

4. ⁠⁠Embrace Contrast - it’s the high and lows that give life its richness

Charlie Barlow’s tips

1. Listen first before trying to fix things

2. Don’t assume everyone’s life is easy

3. Culture and people matter more than CVs

4. Progress often comes through small and consistent actions