My job: Wardrobe fix to help women get work

Julie Mackey, at Dress for Success Auckland, says she loves to see women regain their confidence. Photo / Ted Baghurst

What is Dress for Success Auckland?

Dress for Success Auckland is a charity that helps women in need become gainfully employed by providing free, quality outfits appropriate for job interviews, along with support and encouragement.

Women are referred by a range of agencies. When a woman turns up she has one-on-one time with a personal dresser, who puts together a wonderful outfit, building up her confidence in the process.

The Auckland office is open for dressings Monday to Saturday. Since 2009 we've increased our dressings from 1100 to 1600. Our aim is 1800 this year.

Describe what you do?

As operational manager I work with the board to deliver the strategic plan and to ensure we adhere to Dress for Success worldwide policies. I manage the programme, run the fundraising events and oversee the volunteers.

Brief work history

I've been here since July 2009, from fields in education, investment management and not-for-profit. I've held roles as development manager, executive director and chief executive, including CEO of XO, an international barter software management company.

What organisations refer?

More than 70 organisations refer women, including Work and Income, Citizens Advice Bureaux, training providers and women's community groups.

Essential skills for this job?

The experience and ability to think strategically and understand the value of having business processes in place. You need to be a multi-tasker and willing to get stuck in, whether washing dishes or talking to sponsors. People-management skills are hugely important because you are communicating with everyone involved - referral organisations' staff, volunteers, sponsors, donors, clients.

Why this job?

I'm a practical person and like to see achievable solutions, and this stood out in the charity sector as extremely practical. It also offered a fantastic opportunity to make a difference for women.

How does it make a difference?

You only get one chance to make an impression and everyone makes assumptions based on this first impression, especially prospective employers. Often a woman has made a huge effort but it is hard to see if she had nothing to start with.

Your CV is your outline. During the interview you colour that outline in. If you feel comfortable and confident you'll carry yourself better.

What do you enjoy most?

The biggest buzz is when I catch the eye of a woman who has just looked in the mirror and found herself transformed. I also enjoy finding ways to make things tick over better. We have set up a small, self-directed career centre with a bank of computers for women to use for job search and we're setting up a professional women's group.

A professional woman's group?

Yes. About 60 of 110 Dress for Success affiliates run professional women's groups where women who have used the service can get together and discuss things like work/life balance, job retention and other work issues.

Challenges in your role?

It is challenging to continue to provide a beneficial service within the restraints of our resources.

Fundraising is difficult for us at the moment - as it is for every charity - so we're continually looking for other ways of increasing our revenue.

People donate clothes, so why fundraise?

We can't rely on donated clothes to provide for all sizes and needs, wonderful as the donations are. We're always short of larger-size trousers, camisoles and blouses, so we have sale agreements with manufacturers to top these up.

A volunteer makes up larger-size skirts from fabric donated by Global Fabrics. We also buy lots of larger-size shoes; that kind of thing. We also have wonderful companies donating other goods.

How many volunteers do you have?

We have about 80 personal dressers, and four or five backroom sorters. About 15 volunteers source merchandise such as make-up, hair spray and jewellery. Some people do ironing; some mend and sew. All board members are volunteers. Five volunteers do administration and website work and a pool of 20 to 30 help with fundraising events, such as our May Charity Waiters Dinner.

Advice for someone considering charity work?

You need to believe in volunteering and want to use your skills to aid, benefit and empower the organisation. You don't get paid a corporate salary but the intrinsic benefits are 100-fold.

A success story?

A young woman came in who'd been made redundant from the place she'd worked since leaving school. She'd spent three years trying to find work.

When she was taken through the dressing process by a volunteer she could hardly contain herself. Later she said she was floating when she went into her interview - and she was successful in getting the job because of her renewed confidence.

Name: Julie Mackey
Role: Executive director at Dress for Success Auckland (www.dressforsuccess.org/auckland)
Age: 54
Weekly hours: 35 hours plus, variable work schedule including some evening and weekend speaking engagements
Salary: $65,000-$75,000