“Roger
Evans is a very, very good teacher for one simple
reason. He looks at you and builds
you up around what you do best.
And he has a few excellent technical
tips which’ll stand you in
good stead at any level of
politics!” – Cllr Julian Gallant, Conservative
Group Leader, LB Ealing
“Roger helps you to see the wood through the trees. His immense experience allows you to know what to focus on and how to focus. With no airs or graces, Roger is a very easy man to work with. I have found our sessions together extremely useful. A great mentor, I highly recommend working with him.” – Cllr Russell Perrin, Leader Harlow BC
SELECTIONS ARE IMMINENT
With the selection rounds in the New Year, candidates are brushing up CVs and speeches and practising their interview techniques. But what do you need to do to make a real difference to your performance? How do you compete with candidates who can spend lots of money and who are plugged into all the right networks? Sometimes the process feels like an uphill struggle for everyone except a few favoured individuals.
It takes hard work to be successful at a selection interview but it shouldn’t be beyond anyone who has attained the approved list of Conservative candidates.
To be shortlisted you need to build a political profile that is recognisable to party members and you need to create a network to support you.
Your application CV should be good enough to get you through the door but it also needs to be working for you throughout the interview process – even after you have left the room.
Your opening speech should be crafted to build rapport quickly and to leave the audience wanting more after just three minutes.
And your interview plan should discipline you to approach every question not as a hurdle to be cleared but as a platform to proclaim your strengths.
THE 3 MONTH MENTORING PROGRAMME
Following the success of the first two waves of mentoring I’m currently recruiting for a Third Wave to run from December to February.
The programme runs for three months and it comprises face to face meetings in person or on Zoom – up to one each week, where we can complete exercises and you can raise questions. These will be tailored to your unique requirements and can include as necessary:
Objective setting and progress – to keep you focused on the important goals you
are working to attain.
Application Forms – review content and layout before submission.
Interview Planning – before you have been invited to a selection and in greater detail when the interview is imminent.
Mock Interviews – for crucial selection finals
Speeches – high level advice and detailed line by line reviews
Media – raising your profile and including crisis management if necessary
For the next wave December will be spent preparing for the selection round, whilst January and February will focus on providing direct support during the selection process.
HOW TO APPLY
This is intensive learning so I’m taking on a limited number of mentees.
You need to be committed to working hard for the three months, building your skills, raising your profile and preparing for interview.
You will need to actually apply for some seats to road test your CV, speech and interview plan.
And you will need to pass an initial on line interview with me – because I don’t take everybody on, I want to be clear about understanding your political goals and how I can help you.
I really believe that this approach will boost your chances of selection so please do contact me if you would like to take part.