Employability Projects and Partnerships

Working with charities and organisations to deliver employability support through tailored projects and partnerships.

  • Certificate from the British Association of CV Writers for Maria Barden, valid until December 2, 2026.

    CV Writing Projects

    As a member of the British Association of CV Writers, I have worked on CV writing projects supporting long-term unemployed clients and women living in refuges. I create personalised, skills-based CVs that build confidence and support people in taking steps towards employment.

  • A sign for a job support club, helping UK and international students and graduates to find a job. This is a support network held twice a month which supports job seekers in finding part time and graduate roles in health, retail, marketing, tech.

    Job Support Club

    I run a Job Search Support Club for Republic London, offering practical advice and interactive activities for students and graduates from seven universities. I’ve created a supportive and welcoming space where attendees learn practical tips on CV writing, interview preparation and using LinkedIn effectively.

  • A image advertising a monthly blog written by Maria Barden, MB Careers titled 'Write a student or graduate CV that gets you noticed.' The blog shares job searching tips and support to help people find a job quickly.

    Careers Blog

    I write a monthly careers blog for students and graduates, sharing practical tips on CV writing, career planning, making the most of university life and gaining valuable work experience.

  • David Bell, Maria Barden and Lucie Wheeler presented a workshop on employer engagement for the Careers and Enterprise Company, helping careers leads across Essex with recruitment challenges and finding work experience placements and employers .

    Careers Workshop

    In collaboration with the Careers Hub, I helped deliver an Employer Engagement Workshop aimed at supporting careers leads in schools. The workshop focused on practical strategies to build strong employer relationships and enhance student career opportunities.

Testimonials

I had the pleasure of working with Maria through the Ability Works employment programme. She joined one of my workshop sessions and gave fantastic support to the participants, helping them with their CVs and sharing really practical employment tips.

Maria also created a video task where she asked a series of questions about her business, and the participants responded by producing a presentation with their answers. This was a brilliant way to make the activity engaging and meaningful, and it gave them a real sense of achievement.

Her professionalism, creativity, and supportive approach really stood out. She knows how to connect with people and bring out the best in them. I would highly recommend Maria as a dedicated and inspiring career adviser.

— Markie Musilova, The Ability Works Project, Hamelin Trust

I had the pleasure of working with Maria Barden on a project we delivered for the Essex Careers Service, and I can honestly say she was exceptional from start to finish.

Maria brought professionalism, expertise, and a real warmth to the event. She has that rare ability to make people feel at ease while also guiding them with real insight and knowledge. Her support for the delegates was outstanding, not only during the event itself but also throughout the follow-up mentoring sessions, where she offered practical advice, encouragement, and genuine care for their development.

Maria’s friendly nature combined with her deep expertise meant that every delegate felt heard, supported, and motivated to take their next steps with confidence. It was a joy to collaborate with her, and I would highly recommend Maria to anyone looking for a professional who can deliver impact, inspire people, and support growth in a meaningful way.

— David Bell, Simboc Limited