Past Events

Fri, 18 Jul 2025

IGNITE THE SPIRIT AT BASINGSTOKE FIRE WALK ?
Date: Friday 18 July 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: Basingstoke Sports & Social Club, Fairfields Rd, Basingstoke, RG21 3DR

This is your moment, Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey!
The inaugural M3 Job Club Fire Walk Fundraiser is heating up, and we need your help to reach a bold target: £25,000 to support local job seekers navigating the challenges of unemployment and redundancy.

Even Basingstoke MP Luke Murphy has answered the call—he’s walking barefoot across burning embers to show his support. He’s seen the need, heard the call, and will be toasting his tootsies for a cause that changes lives!

Now it's your turn. Rally your team, call on your colleagues, and ignite your communities. Spread the word to friends, neighbours, local shops, and sports clubs—anywhere courage counts.

Expect music, delicious street food, a buzzing bar, family-friendly fun, and the unforgettable thrill of firewalking—all wrapped in purpose. Top fundraisers will win prizes, and every ticket directly fuels M3 Job Club’s free career programmes, which have already supported 2,600+ people back into work.
Walk the fire. Share the spark. Change lives.
Let’s blaze a trail together.
Box Office : www.basingstokefirewalk.co.uk
 

Fri, 18 Jul 2025

 

Fri, 11 Jul 2025

? Master Your Job Search with an AI Edge
In Assemble Your AI Squad: Mastering Job Search Efficiency, participants learned to turn AI into a powerhouse ally. Here are the top tips from the session :

• ? Protect Your Privacy
  • Never share confidential or personal details with AI.
• ?? Make It Sound Like You
  • Read AI outputs closely and rewrite in your own tone and language.
  • Infuse “burstiness”—that natural, human rhythm—to boost relatability.
• ? Tackle the Blank Page
  • Use AI to spark ideas when you’re stuck, but guide it with intention.
• ? Be Specific & Clear
  • Craft strong, directive prompts for better, tailored responses.
  • The more focused you are, the more useful AI becomes.
• ? Engage Beyond the ‘Like’
  • Don’t just tap the thumbs-up—comment, collaborate, and spark conversation.
• ? Take the Lead
  • AI is your ally, but you’re the strategist. Shape the output to reflect your goals, values, and personality.

Fri, 4 Jul 2025

 

Fri, 27 Jun 2025

Last Friday's session by Patricia Fox FCCA of Figurefox Chartered Certified Accountants was a masterclass in simplifying the obligations and implications of different trading structures. Our ever-engaged, keen-to-contribute-to-the-economy members were led clearly through the various structures, using a simple, non-accounting language and engaging imagery. 

A plethora of questions and insights resulted, some of which were :
? Key Takeaways for Setting Up on Your Own

• IR35: Navigate Carefully

Deciding whether to operate inside or outside IR35 can be complex and consequential. Seek clarity early to avoid surprises.

• Choose Your Trading Structure Wisely

Sole trader, limited company, partnership—each has pros, cons, and legal responsibilities. Match your structure to your business goals.

• Professional Advice is Essential

Engage an accountant or advisor before things get messy. Early guidance keeps your balance sheet under control and supports smarter financial decisions.

• Budget for HMRC from Day One

Stay ahead of your tax obligations by budgeting from the outset. Avoid the stress of unexpected bills or compliance issues.

• Starting Solo Isn’t as Daunting as It Seems

With the right mindset and preparation, launching your own business is achievable. What matters most is having a product or service people want—and knowing how to reach them and win their trust.

Look out for a complementary session in July when we’ll explore the reality of working for yourself - The Good, The Bad And The Unexpected with Andy Pringle
 

Fri, 20 Jun 2025

Today’s ‘Growth Mindset for career success’ had the solution-focused, ready-to-work members engaging in 1-2-1 and group brainstorming exercises, discovering strategies to address commonly experienced challenges. Some of the many innovative and tested solutions they came up with were:

• Target the hidden job market by exploring less obvious opportunities.
• Structure your day using small, manageable tasks and time blocks.
• Volunteer to gain purpose, boost your self-worth, and stay connected.
• Embrace new experiences with a growth mindset to discover new paths.
• View this life phase as growth-oriented, not just a transition.
• Create a designated job-search zone to maintain balance and protect other areas of your life.

Thanks to guest @Hannah Bowen of Clarion Futures who came to share details of the complementary services available and participated in the session with our members, and Stewart Johnstone, ATS Group who came to introduce their training opportunities.
 

Fri, 13 Jun 2025

The CV Conundrum session, part of the “Skill: Practical Employability” series, offers a rare and valuable behind-the-scenes look at how Recruiters, HR and Hiring Managers truly interact with CVs. Featuring expert insights from Tracy Fisher of Otter Jobs and Felix Obadaki of M923 Consulting, the panel will provide practical strategies to help you stand out in a competitive market. 
Top 3 Takeaways: 

1. See Through the Eyes of a Hirer 
   You'll witness, in real time, how hiring professionals scan and interpret CVs, understand what catches their attention first to what gets skipped over entirely. This session demystifies the decision-making process and highlights the importance of structure and clarity. 

2. Insights from All Angles 
   With perspectives from seasoned recruiters and peer feedback from fellow attendees, members will gain a well-rounded understanding of what makes a CV effective across industries and roles. Tracy and Felix  will share contrasting approaches, proving there’s no one-size-fits-all.  However there is a right fit for each job. 

3. Understand the Review Process 
   The session   will break down the actual steps CVs go through once submitted — including the initial skim, the shortlisting phase, and deeper evaluations. This clarity empowers you to tailor your CVs more strategically for each stage of review. 

Facilitator & Host Amanda Fisackerly  
 

Fri, 6 Jun 2025

The session by Matthew Sheerin, The Skills Detector, delivered some great takeaways for the supremely skilled, ready-to-work members of M3 Job Club :
1.     Adopt a Growth Mindset
Believe in your ability to learn and evolve. Every challenge is a chance to grow stronger, smarter, and more capable.
2.     Practice Relentlessly & Self-Coach
Mastery comes from consistent effort. Reflect, refine, and push yourself to improve every day—you're your best coach!
3.     Unlock Your Potential with The Skills Detector: CALLS
Explore your Career, Attitude, Likes, Loves, and Self to uncover hidden strengths and passions that fuel your success.
4.     Bridge the Gap: Analyse Job Skills vs. Your Skills
Be strategic—compare your current skills with those in your dream roles. Spot the gaps, then go fill them!
5.     Know Your Value—and Your Values
Understand what you bring to the table and what truly matters to you. Confidence and clarity are your superpowers.

Fri, 30 May 2025

 

Fri, 23 May 2025

Another informative session of two excellent halves by James Morrish and Darren Rolfe, as part of M3 Job Club's premier business collaboration partner, Lenovo's CSR programme on Friday. The topic was AI in the Workplace, highly topical and well attended as always.

Key Takeaways from the "How AI Works" Session ?
*Always Proofread AI Outputs
AI can be incredibly helpful, but it's not perfect. Double-check everything it generates—especially when accuracy matters.
*Use Copilot to Boost Productivity
Tools like Microsoft Copilot can streamline tasks, from writing and research to summarising and brainstorming. Think of it as your digital co-pilot.
* Explore with DuckDuckGo
For private, ad-free searching, DuckDuckGo is a great alternative. It’s especially useful when researching without being tracked.
* Leverage AI in Your Job Search
From refining your CV to preparing for interviews, AI can be a powerful ally in navigating the job market. Use it to stand out and stay ahead.

*AI is a tool—not a replacement. Use it wisely, creatively, and ethically.

Contact M3 Job Club now if you want your company to achieve the business benefits of a thriving CSR or ESG programme.

Fri, 16 May 2025

 

Fri, 9 May 2025

 

Fri, 2 May 2025

 

Fri, 25 Apr 2025