Filed under: Career Services, Success Stories | Tags: barriers to employment, Employment, Greensboro Resource Center, Job Hunting Tips, Motivation, Retailing
This week at Goodwill Industries’ Central Office, people paraded in the atrium showing off work appropriate outfits and make-up. They looked sharp in new suits, ties, heels and smiled with pride. The Greensboro Resource Center, in partnership with Macy’s, hosted the first “Bringing the Best You to the Interview” event. The event featured a fashion show, with visual do’s and don’ts of dressing for an interview. In addition, representatives from Deluxe Corporation, News & Record and Citi Card were on hand to give advice about their company’s dress codes, how to apply for jobs, and what employment opportunities were available. Unity Builders were also available to provide information on affordable housing.
According to Goodwill career developer/consultant, Gale Murphy, the event was an opportunity to give insight for the job preparedness class participants, and other job seekers to see that getting a job is more than what is on paper. “We wanted attendees to see and understand that getting a job offer or it being offered to someone else can sometimes come down to who has the more professional appearance and attitude.”
With a lagging economy, Goodwill Industries continues to serve those with barriers to employment. For those participating in the job preparedness class, once they graduate they will get 10 copies of their resume and a voucher to buy interview-appropriate outfits. The fashion show portion of the event demonstrated how affordable it is to shop at Goodwill Industries. A featured newly donated blue suit would sale for $7.50 at a Goodwill Industries’ Retail store. Goodwill not only wants to help you get that job, but look good doing it!
In the past month, I’ve spent some time getting to know Goodwill Industries’ recruiter, Bonnie Dingman. See Goodwill Industries not only provides job training to help consumers secure employment, but we are also an employer. Bonnie spends her day keeping up with job openings for all 17 retail stores, three resource centers, and corporate office. She provides information about job openings internally and externally to get the word out. From there, she reviews all the resumes and applications submitted. (I thanked her my first day for pulling my resume out of the stack!) From there, she has the task of pre-screening applicants to narrow down the list. Whew!
So, I’ve spent time with Bonnie this past month because Goodwill has participated in recent job fairs. Bonnie needed promotional signage to have on-site at the fairs and to distribute to interested applicants. I made sure information was current, made the signs and wished her luck. Until last Friday.
With a large number of job openings Bonnie decided to host job fairs at our Rockingham County Resource Center on September 24, and a second fair at the Randolph County Resource Center on September 27. With a camera in tow, I took US 29 North to Reidsville to take photos during the job fair. As applicants came in alone or with a friend who was also applying, they sat down at tables and started filling-out our application. From there, they met with a Goodwill staff person to answer questions for the pre-screening process. Should they move forward, there will be more interviews, and for many, the hope that they will be the person chosen for the position. I snapped photos for this blog, talked to my coworkers and secretly wished everyone who applied best of luck.
While I was job searching I kept a file of every application and resume I submitted. My biggest thrill was deleting the document file from my computer when I got hired full-time. I’m no longer buying stamps and resume paper in bulk. I don’t have to keep my interview suits perfectly pressed at all times, which is great since I’m not a suit person. Job searching can be mentally, physically and emotionally draining. For those job hunting, I can only recommend that you be patient with yourself and others. Understand that things can’t happen overnight and potential employers are often inundated with multiple applications for every job posted, so things take time. When you do get an interview, be prepared, be professional and be on time!
I had a few days after my lay-off last April and I was asked to babysit my five year-old nephew, Jack. We went on a bike ride around his neighborhood and reached a hill. With his little legs pedaling as hard as possible, he told me, “Aunt DeNana, you just got persevere.” When we got to his house, I asked Jack if he even knew what “persevere” meant. He said, “It means you just have to keep trying and trying.” Jack’s words struck a chord that still resonates with me. For all you job seekers, never give up hope. Patience and perseverance will pay-off, but you have to keep pedaling!
Filed under: Career Services | Tags: Community Resource Center, JOTO, Mission, Motivation
Recently while shopping at Target, I couldn’t help but wander to the corner of the store where signs everywhere scream – Back to School! Kids with parents were picking-out new notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, markers, and I couldn’t help but look at the shelves of school supplies and try to justify why I should buy a 64-box of Crayola crayons!
Just as kids are dealing with mixed emotions of a new school year, with new teachers, the occasional new student, and new lessons to learn, I’m getting adjusted to my new life working for Goodwill Industries. With 30 days under my belt, I’m still meeting someone new in the hallway or a training session, learning about a new program that Goodwill offers, and finding files on my computer that I inherited from the former marketing specialist. I’m fortunate to work with great people who are willing to take the time and give me background on a program, before launching into what next steps need to take place.
Years ago, with already a few jobs on my resume, I decided to look at a new job as truly a new opportunity to be embraced. This shift from fear to hope has made all the difference for every job since.
Having spent some time recently in the Career Development office, I listened to Gale Murphy talk about the programs offered through this department. More often than not, she has said that for program participants to be successful much of their learning hinges on their attitude. This sentiment was echoed again by Chuck Hinsley, director for our Jobs On The Outside (JOTO) program, in a recent sit-down I had with him. I sat-in the first day of a class for ex-offenders getting job training. The case workers and Mr. Hinsley stressed to the participants how much attitude will dictate their ability to interview and get a job. As I sat there looking around the room, I wondered how many of them will take this opportunity to make a new, healthier, happier life for themselves?
Leaving Target without the box of 64 crayons, I realized that first day jitters and fear of change happens every day that someone steps foot into one of Goodwill’s Resource Centers. He may be taking those first steps to writing a resume. She may have decided to finally learn basic computer skills. Everyday it’s a person trying to make a better life and each one of them are very fortunate – on the other side of the desk is one of my co-workers who recognize first day anxiety and are willing to share their pens, paper and knowledge.
Hi! I’m Deanna, the new girl at Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina. As I meet people within Goodwill, I continue to hear the same words – we’re here to get people back to work. And for me, being back to work is pretty important.
As the economy plunged in 2008, my husband called me at work to give me the news we had been expecting – he was getting laid-off effective December 19. The housing market had slowed and the company he worked for was no longer getting sales of lighting fixtures for new home construction. We tightened our belts and fully expected him to find a new job soon, preferably using his degrees in public health.
I kept plugging away at my job working for a PR and advertising agency, until April 1, 2009, when I was called into a managing partner’s office and was told they had to let me go. WHAT ON EARTH WAS I GOING TO DO? As I cried the entire drive home, I truly did not know what was going to happen to us. I’ve had a job since I was 16, sometimes two jobs at a time, and now I was unemployed. UNEMPLOYED!
Fast forward 454 days, four boxes of resume paper, countless hours of online job searching, and here I sit at my new desk at the central office for Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina. (I actually didn’t bring in a single photo my first week out of fear that they were going to change their mind and ask me to leave.)
So as I learn about the organization, I keep thinking about what Otis Robinson, Director of Workforce Development said to me as we talked in his office, “Goodwill is about helping people reach self-sufficiency.” See a job isn’t just about a paycheck and health benefits, it’s about what that paycheck does – pay bills, save for retirement, buy a car, get groceries, see a movie every once in a while. A job can provide self-worth and pride in your own abilities and talents. When I lost my job at the agency, my identity as a person was bruised and my self-esteem was pretty banged-up. I didn’t know if I could take care of myself, and that’s a scary feeling.
As I learn about all the services Goodwill Industries offers, from resume review to career coaching to interview skills, I wish I had known back on April 1, because I would have taken advantage of the free services. I would have met with a Career Counselor to get feedback on what was working and what wasn’t. I would have asked for suggestions on my resume. I would have looked into Excel classes to sharpen my computer skills more. I would have (fill in the blank), so that I would have had fewer sleepless nights worried about my job search.
Job searching is a scary and daunting task, but I would tell anyone to not be afraid to ask for help. On the back of my new business card it states the mission – “Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. promotes the value of work through the provision of work opportunities for people with special employment needs.” For me, the mission of Goodwill is simply to get people in jobs that use their skills and abilities. And as the new marketing specialist, I’m happy to be one of those people!
Every year WFMY News 2 features local non profits for their Season of Caring morning show segments. This year Goodwill was selected to be one of the featured organizations.
Our Goodwill Graduate of the Year, Pamela Allen, told the very inspiring story of her journey with Goodwill. Her story not only outlines the different services and classes that Goodwill provides to the community but also shows how Goodwill literally changed her life.
You can watch the video and read the full article about Pamela’s journey here.
This is one success story from just one of the over 8,000 people Goodwill served in the past year. And it’s because of the support of our donors and shoppers that we can continue to change lives in the Triad every day. During this Season of Caring please remember that when you give to Goodwill you give the gift of independence.
Everyone has those days when they are just feeling a little off. Maybe you haven’t accomplished as much as you would have hoped or maybe you just haven’t been as positive as you should have been. I can relate. Last Friday was one of those days for me.
Lucky for me, one of the perks of my job is that I’m generally on-call when it comes to photographing or videotaping events within the company. And on Friday the event I was lucky enough to photograph was the graduation of a class from the Jobs on the Outside program. Now I say lucky for me because being able to sit in on that graduation really gave me the attitude adjustment that I needed.
The guest speaker, Mr. Walter Aikens, gave a very inspiring speech to all of the graduates about leaving the past behind. As he gave his presentation I realized that his words were just what I needed to hear. He spoke about adjusting your attitude, about keeping the faith and, most importantly, about not being afraid to take chances.
After his presentation each graduate came forward to receive their certificate. And each graduate shared a little bit about their journey in life and through the program. It was then that I realized that I was as appreciative as the graduates were for hearing Mr. Aikens message that day. Despite the things that happen to us we have to continue to leave the past behind. While past events do shape who we are they do not have to define who we are. You are defined by your attitude.
I can honestly say that on days like last Friday I remember why I love working for Goodwill. I not only get to see how people’s lives are changed through the services we offer but I am often reminded how lucky I am to be in a position to help others.
Filed under: Career Services | Tags: Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, Job Training, Motivation
The Job Preparedness Class teaches resume writing, interviewing and other career skills. Every Tuesday, the class hears from a guest speaker from the community. This week, students heard from Wendy Poteat, Triad InternNet coordinator at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.
Wendy Poteat motivated the Job Preparedness Class on Tuesday.
Wendy talked to the class about the challenges she faced entering the workforce. She had to overcome personal and financial obstacles to become a business professional with a college degree. Her hard work changed her own life and her whole family’s life — her oldest son will attend college on a full scholarship next year.
Wendy told the class that sometimes you have to take small steps to accomplish a large goal. Sometimes the ultimate goal can seem far away, but each step toward it counts. She advised the class to stay focused, make positive decisions, connect with other professionals and take advantages of all the available resources.
Wendy encouraged the class, “Something like a Job Preparedness Class — five days of intensive job training — is a big step. Don’t stop here.”
