If you are not receiving any messages via the EYJA portal there are several things you can do to improve the situation.
Firstly check if your profile has been completed in full. Be sure to upload a recent picture and fill out as many of the profile fields as possible, including the ‘My Message’ and ‘Detailed description’ sections, as this makes your profile more appealing to other members.
If you’re still not getting much interest after this, then it may be that you are not presenting yourself to the best of your ability. Ask yourself the following questions. What does your profile picture say about you? Do you look a friendly and happy rather than strict and bossy? Is your picture clear and recent? Are you wearing appropriate clothes?
Also look back at what you’ve written. Do you describe your needs or qualifications clearly? Do you also give a clear idea of who you really are, and your personality? Do you sound polite, professional, yet not overconfident? If your English is not perfect, you should clearly state this in your profile, but we do recommend that you ask someone with a strong grasp of English to help you write the best possible profile.
Another thing to consider is the balance of your needs and what you can offer. In other words: are your expectations too high for what you are able to offer?
We understand that this is a very sensitive topic when it comes to the reality of assisted living. It might be that you need very complex help, but are unable to offer high rates of pay. In such a case we suggest you think of what ‘extras’ you can offer to make yourself appear a more attractive employer. It is simpler than you may think. Maybe your position requires a lot of physical work, but the working atmosphere is very relaxed? Many employees will value this. Maybe you provide free meals during shifts, or you can work your employee’s breaks around their specific needs – for example attending an English class, picking up their children from school, or going to church etc. Little things like this can make a big difference to an employee, and may help you make more connections.
If you want to work as a personal assistant in the UK and are coming from another country, it may be that you don’t have all the documents to be able to work in the UK legally. Furthermore, a lack of specific experience or insufficient knowledge of English may mean that potential employers overlook you. However, if you are truly motivated to find a job, then perhaps the answer lies in offering more competitive salary rates. In return, some employers may be happy to help you getting the National Insurance number you need, or support you with training.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have much luck at first. Confidence and experience grows with time so keep persevering. Also, don’t forget that with EYJA you have the ability to make contact first, so why not become more proactive in your search and start contacting other members, rather than waiting for them to come to you?