Job coaches: booking first meetings with new jobseekers

Let jobseekers with a disability book a first meeting with you online, in person or by video: a set time to hear what they're looking for, explain how your support works and agree on the next steps. Create a dedicated first meeting service, open slots on set days, and say in the description how long it lasts, where it happens, how to ask for adjustments and who can come along. People who find phone calls hard can make contact in their own time, referrers can book on someone's behalf, and you start each first meeting knowing the practical details.

A first meeting needs more time than a regular coaching session. On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page, and each slot belongs to one service, sits within one day and has its own capacity. Give each slot one place, so one person books each meeting.

Durations are examples: set your own. The price field is optional; leave it empty if the support is funded.

Offer both formats as separate services, so people choose what suits them. Book doesn't create video links: send the meeting link by email after booking, and say in the description that a phone call is possible too if video is hard. For meetings at a partner location, such as a library or a community centre, create a separate service with that address.

The booking form takes first name, last name, email and phone, plus an optional note that reaches you in the new booking email and appears in the booker's calendar file. Invite people in the description to say in the note what would help them, such as step-free access, a quiet room, extra time, easy-read information or a sign language interpreter. Since the note appears in the calendar file, ask them not to describe their health or disability there; you'll talk about what matters for work at the meeting.

Say in the description that a family member, a friend or a support worker is welcome. If someone else books on the person's behalf, ask them to enter the jobseeker's name in the booking and their own name and phone number in the note.

Employment services, schools, social workers and health teams may refer people to you. Give them the booking link so they can book with the person during their own appointment. You can also book directly from your calendar after a phone call; first and last name are required, email and phone optional, and the person receives a confirmation with a calendar file if you enter their email.

Keep first meetings on fixed half-days so your week has room for ongoing coaching and employer visits. Slots repeat each week on the weekdays you choose until an end date. When a slot is booked, it leaves your page, so the next person picks another time. Morning and afternoon options help people who need time to get ready, travel by accessible transport or fit the meeting around care or treatment.

Agree the next step together, such as regular coaching sessions, and book the first one from your calendar before the person leaves. Book doesn't send reminders, so a short message the day before can help, if the person agrees to receive one.

People can't move or cancel bookings online: they contact you, and you move the meeting from your bookings list. Rescheduling works across services, so an office meeting can become a video meeting if travel is hard that day. If you have to cancel, tell the person yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Bookings sync with Google, iPhone or Mac calendars. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.