It’s a job-seeker’s market now — are you ready to take advantage of it? Whether you’re looking for your first job, re-entering the workforce, or looking to move up or switch careers, you’ll benefit from the two FREE ‘Career Class’ sessions presented by Bill Miner of PA CareerLink: Resume Writing on Nov. 18, and Job Interviews on Dec. 2 (click the flyers for details).
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We asked Bill about the classes and what’s changed lately for job seekers…
Q: Who should attend the upcoming sessions? What can they expect?
A: The upcoming sessions are for anyone who is interested in updating their job-search skills. The first class will focus on resume writing, while the second will cover interview tips and tricks. Participants can expect an overview of the latest trends in resume writing and interviewing. During the resume class, I will go over what makes a resume stand out, what formats job seekers will want to use, and what to avoid when writing a resume (i.e., the ‘Objective Statement’). The interview class will help people to prepare for interviews, answer questions such as ‘Tell me about yourself,’ and follow up effectively.
Q: Will the sessions allow time for one-on-one help, or can attendees schedule that with you separately?
A: Attendees can email me directly to set up one-on-one help.
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Q: What are the biggest changes or trends you’ve seen recently in resume writing or job searching in general?
A: During the recession, employers had their choice of job seekers. Now, it’s a job seeker’s market, with fewer job seekers compared to job openings. Resumes have changed a lot over the past few years. Objective Statements are no longer necessary, and have been replaced with Professional Summaries. Also, with the advent of applicant-tracking software, it’s become important for job seekers to focus on keywords. Interviewing has remained pretty consistent throughout the years, but applicants need to recognize that they are being measured as soon as they walk through the door.
Q: What is PA CareerLink and how can job seekers use their services?
A: PA CareerLink Lehigh Valley is an employment and training center that connects employers and job opportunities with qualified job seekers. The center is primarily funded by the PA Department of Labor & Industry and offers a number of different services including job fairs, labor market information, and training for high-demand occupations. A full list of the resources is available at the website.
Q: What’s your background and how did you become a career counselor? What is your day-to-day like, and what do you like most about your job?
A: My background, like many workforce development professionals, is varied. I graduated college with a degree in Psychology…right as the recession hit. With job prospects disappearing, I bounced around from temp job to temp job. I’ve held positions in warehouse, retail, college teacher, kindergarten teacher, youth advisor, cartographer for an engineering company, and data analyst for Lehigh County Prison. At one point, I turned to the PA CareerLink office to find out what I wanted to be when I grew up. My career advisor recommended that I volunteer in the Career Resource Center while I did my job search. Turns out, I loved this and I loved helping people with their resumes, interviews and job searches (after all, I had a lot of experience doing this). One thing led to another and I was offered a career job in the PA CareerLink office.
My day consists of helping job seekers with their resumes, showing them how to apply for jobs, and explaining how different state programs work.
My favorite part of the job is watching someone understand a new concept or take a step toward their dream job. The look that person gets in their eye is amazing.
[To sign up for Bill’s classes on Resume Writing and/or Job Interviews, email Lauri Miller, call 610-965-9284 x210, or stop by the front desk.]
