Goal: a safe start and clear success criteria.
Facilitator notes: present the final outputs (MP1–MP5 + a 1‑page portfolio) and the rules: voluntary participation, breaks, respect.
Materials: slide “Goal and outputs”, flipchart “Agreements”.
Logic: self‑audit → translating experiences into competencies → evidence and achievements → assembling a mini‑portfolio + a fill‑the‑gaps plan.
Final outputs: 1) Competency inventory (MP1), 2) 3–5 STAR achievements (MP2), 3) One‑page portfolio (MP3), 4) Gap map and 4‑week plan (MP5).
Inspirations from stories
- H1/H9 – language barrier overcome through small steps → relational skills and determination.
- H4 – stress and family responsibility → crisis management, resilience.
- H7 – B1 + a new skill → a growth pathway and “evidence” for the portfolio.
Knowledge
- understands the differences between: soft vs. hard skills, transferable skills, and evidence of competence (certificates, projects, references, repositories, links).
Attitudes
- agency, concreteness, plain language, and truthfulness (ethics of applying).
Skills
- names at least 6 competencies and links evidence to each;
- describes 3–5 achievements using the STAR format (Situation–Task–Action–Result);
- assembles a one‑page mini‑portfolio with a header, strengths, achievements, “evidence”, and contact details.
Organisational parameters
- Room: U‑shape seating + 4 tables; 1 flipchart + markers; projector.
- Printouts (A4, 1 per person): MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4, MP5 worksheets and the MP‑R rubric.
- Evaluation tools: Mentimeter PRE/POST (scale 1–5): questions in section 4.
Mentimeter — questions (PRE and POST)
- "I can name 6 of my competencies and match examples to them."
- "I can describe an achievement using the STAR format."
- "I have a ready mini‑portfolio outline to use in recruitment."
The same disclaimer appears in the print footer and in files downloaded from this page.
Agenda
Goal: activate thinking about strengths.
Instructions: everyone writes down 3 “superpowers” (strengths) + short real‑life examples. In pairs, exchange and add 1 hidden strength your partner noticed.
Output: a starter list for MP1.
Goal: baseline measurement.
Instructions: run the 3 questions from section 4; save a screenshot of the averages for documentation.
Module goal: name and classify competencies and connect them to experiences.
Materials: MP1 worksheet, marker.
Step‑by‑step:
1) List experiences from the last 2–3 years (work, studies, volunteering, family care, projects, hobbies).
2) Assign competencies to experiences (use the MP1 prompts). Categories:
• Soft: communication, teamwork, work organisation, problem‑solving, adaptability, stress management;
• Hard/industry: e.g., software tools, accounting, sales, design, logistics;
• Languages: Polish/English/Ukrainian/Russian (A1–C1);
• Digital: office suite, online tools, 2FA, basic analytics;
• Transferable: planning, learning, running meetings, supporting/leading a group;
3) Mark your TOP‑6 competencies for further work.
Success criteria: at least 6 competencies with context examples (where used).
Goal: translate “life” experiences (e.g., caring for siblings, helping with a move, organising a trip) into recruitment language.
Material: MP4 — action verbs (e.g., coordinated, implemented, optimised, led, co‑created, reduced costs by…, increased attendance by…).
Instructions: for 2–3 experiences from MP1, choose action verbs and add numbers/effects.
Goal: write 3–5 concise achievement descriptions.
Materials: MP2 worksheet (5 STAR frames).
Instructions: for each frame fill in Situation (context), Task, Action (2–3 action verbs), Result (metric: number, %, time, quality, feedback).
Peer feedback (10’): in pairs using the MP‑R rubric (criteria 1–4): specificity, measurability, your role, clarity.
Success criteria: at least 3 complete STARs with a number/quality indicator.
Goal: make descriptions shorter.
Instructions: take one STAR and reduce it to one sentence: “I did X, which led to Y within Z”.
Goal: assemble materials into a usable recruitment asset.
Material: MP3 worksheet (ready layout).
MP3 sections: Header; Strengths (3–5 bullets); Achievements (3–5); Evidence (links/certificates/portfolio/projects); Languages and tools; Volunteering/projects; References (optional) or space for 2 feedback quotes.
Work: 20’ assembling; 10’ table‑to‑table review (carousel).
Success criteria: fits on 1 A4 page, is readable, includes at least 3 achievements and 2 pieces of “evidence”.
Goal: close and make decisions.
Instructions: run POST (3 questions). Then fill in MP5: missing “evidence” (e.g., project link, course certificate, recommendation) and a 4‑week plan (what/when/how).
Facilitator notes: take photos of example portfolios (without sensitive data) and collect the 4‑week plans (for follow‑up).
6. Good facilitation practices
- Safety: allow participants to work with anonymous story examples (H1/H4/H7) instead of personal ones if they don’t want to share details.
- Specifics and numbers: encourage metrics (%/time/quantity); if data is missing, use context-based estimates (“about 20 people”, “within 3 weeks”).
- Plain language: short sentences, action verbs; avoid jargon.
- Equal opportunity: value non‑employment experiences (childcare, migration, volunteering) as valid sources of competencies.
7. Adaptations, plan B, variants
- Language barrier: allow UA/RU/EN keywords on worksheets; pair translation; examples in simple language.
- No projector: hand out example A4 portfolios; show STAR on a flipchart.
- Less time (120’): shorten M1 to 20’, M2 to 20’, M3 to 25’; leave MP5 as “homework”.
- More time (+30’): add a mini LinkedIn/JustJoin/NoFluff profile or a PDF/Canva portfolio.
8. Evaluation and reporting indicators
- Mentimeter PRE/POST — 3 questions (section 4).
- Outputs: MP1–MP5 + a 1‑page portfolio (photo/scan).
- MP‑R rubric: apply to 3 random portfolios for quality control.
- Attendance and consents: sign‑in sheet, consent for photos of outputs.
You can fill them in on a computer or print them.
MP1 WORKSHEET — Competency inventory
| # | Competency | Where used (specific) | Evidence (link/certificate/project/reference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | |||
| 6 |
MP2 WORKSHEET — STAR achievements (3–5)
S (Situation) | T (Task) | A (Action – 2–3 verbs) | R (Result – number/quality/time)
MP3 WORKSHEET — One‑page mini‑portfolio template
Mini rubric (self-check)
| Criterion | OK? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 A4 page and a clear layout | ||
| Min. 3 achievements + min. 2 pieces of “evidence” | ||
| Plain language and truthful |
MP4 WORKSHEET — Keywords and action verbs (list)
Example metrics: % increase, number of participants, delivery time, satisfaction level, budget.
MP5 WORKSHEET — Gap map and 4‑week plan
Missing “evidence” | Why is it needed? | How will I obtain it? | Deadline | Partner/support
| Missing “evidence” | Why is it needed? | How will I obtain it? | Deadline | Partner / support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4‑week plan (brief)
| Week | What will I do? | When? | How? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | |||
| Week 2 | |||
| Week 3 | |||
| Week 4 |
MP‑R RUBRIC — Portfolio assessment (0–2 points per criterion, max 10)
| Criterion | 0 | 1 | 2 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readability (1 A4 page) | ||||
| Strengths are specific (verbs + context) | ||||
| Measurable achievements (STAR) | ||||
| Evidence and links | ||||
| Languages/tools aligned with the goal |
Interpretation: 0–3 – starting out; 4–7 – solid; 8–10 – ready to use.