CareerPlace offers hope, advice for job seekers

CareerPlace is hosting what its leaders are calling “a job seeker conference with a twist” this Labor Day season, promising to provide an “uplifting break from the day to day tactics of a job search.”Formerly known as the Barrington Career Center, the long-standing nonprofit career organization is reaching out to job seekers throughout the Northwest suburbs by hosting a #8220;Celebrate Work 2011#8221; conference.The conference will be from 8 a.m.-noon Monday, Aug. 29, at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.#8220;We believe that job seekers need to take an occasional break from their job search to relearn how talented they are,#8221; said Monica Keane, CareerPlace executive director. #8220;We're inviting people who are looking for work to simply set aside a morning to look at their strengths and past accomplishments in a new light.#8220;What they will learn is how to not only remember their past successes, but also to effectively turn those successes into engaging stories. Being able to tell succinct and targeted stories make the difference between a successful or unsuccessful job search.#8221;CareerPlace is partnering with District 214 Community Education to produce this event. Register at www.uncoveryourstrengths.eventbrite.com or by calling CareerPlace at (847) 304-4157. Admission is $10 for CareerPlace members, $20 for nonmembers ($10 can be applied toward CareerPlace membership).

One client, Nicolai Zvirbulis of Elk Grove Village, came to CareerPlace after being disappointed by his outplacement firm and their traditional resume-based approach.

#8220;CareerPlace fundamentally taught me how to prepare for an interview,#8221; Zvirbulis said. #8220;And, now, more than ever, when you not only need to do your homework beforehand, but during an interview you have to know how to take advantage of the opportunity and convince them why they need you.#8221;

Another CareerPlace client, Scott Tarson of Cary, said building one's confidence is also key to success.

#8220;They've shown me how important it is to present one's self in the best possible light and accentuate the positives,#8221; Scott said.

#8220;Moreover, I've found that people here are very willing to not only share resources, but also help lift your spirits so you feel uplifted, energized and self-confident about finding a new job. That's very important.#8221;