In a Recruitment Marketing Magazine exclusive, we spoke with Jodie Tuckwell-Knight, General Manager for Wear for Success about RecFest, who shared how 5% of ticket sales will contribute towards helping people return to work. 

Jodie, tell us about Wear for Success. 

Wear for Success is a Melbourne-based organisation supporting people of all genders return to work. We recently kicked off our “impact 5000” campaign. Our goal is to positively impact 5000 people per year by 2022! Our service addresses a real need and a gap in the market. 

We try to help as many people as possible. We provide access to our services through Wear for Success in Melbourne and delivered a mobile service to support people in Geelong — we will look towards assisting in other rural locations too. When there is a need, we also look to provide services interstate too. 

Tell us about the partnership between Wear for Success and RecFest.

It’s amazing how connected people are these days! Andrea had a connection through one of our volunteers. When we spoke at the beginning of the year, and The Recruitment Events Co. made us their charity partner for RecFest. 5% of all ticket sales will contribute to Wear for Success. 

There’s a real synergy between our purpose and recruitment. Andrea contacted us, as she appreciated that we support people of all genders, people who are transitioning, and people who are non-binary. If someone has a need for our service, it doesn’t matter how they identify; we can help.

We’ve worked with other recruitment organisations who also love what we do. It’s an important service. I’m really excited for RecFest in October this year in Melbourne. 

Why should Australian recruitment and talent acquisition leaders attend RecFest? 

I think anywhere you have the opportunity to meet with likeminded people and learn new things in your community is great. It’s fantastic to find your tribe and meet others. It also provides the potential for collaboration. People are very openminded and open to innovation at this event. It’s a goldmine! 

What are you most excited about for RecFest? 

I always love the opportunity to meet and connect with different people. I’d love to raise awareness about our services for recruiters. Some people are diamonds in the rough. If they could be supported by Wear for Success, they can become an amazing candidate! 

The people who use our services visit us based on need, for example, people on Newstart or who are struggling financially. We give them the opportunity to put their best foot forward, and they can be seen as really great candidates by recruiters. By using our services, they can present themselves in the best way possible. 

The people we support are incredible. But some just don’t have the networks to link into or the support. Sometimes, all they need is some encouragement from a service like Wear For Success. If more of us work together, there would be more happy and successful people out there. 

What are your thoughts on this year’s theme, “heroes”?

I may have to wear my Wonder Woman cape. 

Overall, I just love meeting new people and learning new things. There are a diverse array of speakers from different backgrounds. It’s going to be incredible. 

The Recruitment Marketing Mag team will be RecFest. We hope to see you there! 

Register for the event and purchase tickets through The Recruitment Events Co. Australia website.