How uni graduate Ruth received a warm welcome to Birmingham

Graduate Ruth Kimacia received a very special welcome to the Business District from Colmore BID – her first job!

The former Coventry University student had applied for a series roles in Birmingham with little success.

“I’d been searching for a job for a few months and submitted many online job applications that often received no response,” explains Ruth, who has a Masters in Organisational Psychology.

“I was struggling to get interviews and was losing confidence that I would find anything.”

Then Ruth heard about Colmore BID’s Welcome to Birmingham events. The week-long programme of activities is aimed at newly arrived professionals.

It’s designed to help them learn more about the Business District and the work of Colmore BID and how it can support their careers.

Activities at the last event included mentoring sessions, training on how to network and a chance to meet the BID’s Board of Directors.

There were also wellbeing activities, including group runs, free online yoga and a hands-on Cookalong session where people could learn how to whip-up affordable recipes with a professional chef.

Ruth says: “As I was new to the city when I heard about the Welcome to Birmingham events I thought it would be a great way to meet working professionals and seek potential job opportunities.

“I attended the “How to Network” workshop where I gained helpful tips about networking.”

Ruth was then introduced to one of the directors of Hays Recruitment at another Welcome to Birmingham event last autumn.

The specialist recruitment business, which is based on the third floor of One Colmore Square, provides careers expertise across a range of sectors including accountancy and finance, construction and property, IT and education, energy and legal and marketing.

Ruth also had the chance to meet another employee of Hays through Welcome to Birmingham whose positive experience made her want to work for the company. They kept in touch and when a vacancy came up she was able to provide her with helpful advice for her interview.

Ruth is now an Associate Recruitment Consultant at Hays. “I recruit for temporary workers in the professional services sector,” she explains. She’s thrilled with her new role and enjoys being based in the Business District.

“My new job has allowed me to interact with amazing people in Birmingham,” Ruth says.

“I have found supportive colleagues and have really enjoyed working for such an established company.

“Working in the Business District has been quite exciting. It is filled with vibrant people who work hard and play hard.

“To someone looking for work, I’d encourage them to not be afraid of networking. Get plugged into groups such as Colmore BID, attend events and just talk to people. You never know what can come out of a conversation.”

Colmore BID is planning a new series of Welcome to Birmingham events from May 15 to 26.

To find out more keep an eye on the Colmore BID website at www. colmorebusinessdistrict.com