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Workshops, job tips help keep jobseekers motivated

Posted March 01, 2009 10:00 pm

Joan Broz

Unless you've been stranded on a remote island, you know the economy is in uncertain times.

As a rescue effort is being launched from Washington, D.C., local help comes in many forms. If you are looking for a job, concerned about your job, or are in the middle of uncertainty, experts want you to know there are reasons to be optimistic.

In January, Benedictine University hosted a free career workshop with corporate trainer Rob Sullivan. More than 400 people attended and exemplified no community or demographic group is immune.

"The workshop was great and featured a professional speaker and author," said attendee Larry Garcia, a Lisle resident. "It offered a lot of opportunities to network."

Garcia, who has more than 25 years in outside sales in transportation and lubricants, was put in transition due to downturns in the economy.

"There are many networking opportunities to gain leads and motivate each other," Garcia said. "You need to get out of your home office, stay involved and tell everyone you know that you are in transition."

The Lisle university will host a second free career workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, in the Krasa Center with Bill Bartlett, president and owner of Corporate Strategies and Solutions of Naperville, speaking on "Presenting Yourself with Impact: Phone, Letters or Face to Face." It is designed to help job seekers of all ages and is open to the public.

"I will teach people how to present themselves so the person who sits across from them (at an interview) experiences an impact," Bartlett said. "We will talk about your business image, how to make your letters have an impact and the concept of presenting yourself as a professional and not someone who is needy and out of work."

Bartlett advises those looking for employment to do research on a company before an interview. From the findings, create your top 10 questions that will send the message that you are prepared, have the knowledge and willingness.

As a business coach, Bartlett says focus on body language, tonality and how to present yourself. Seek to balance who you are with what you do.

"People have to stop feeling all the negative information out there," Bartlett said. "I encourage people to apply a filter to it and offset it with positive things in your life."

To relieve stress and stay balanced, consider learning something new.

"I have a client who is learning to play the piano and he feels good doing it," Bartlett said. "Many years ago, when I was out of work, I learned fly-fishing because it was something that for an hour every day, it would take my mind off the situation."

The first thing someone should do when they lose a job is to sit down and create a marketing package to sell themselves. Make an impact resume to grab a person's attention and not just a chronological one, Bartlett advises. Put in behavior that you were willing to execute when you had the position as well as the results you achieved.

"You don't lose your skills when you are out of work and the challenge is you've had a successful career, executed the right behavior and did all the things right," Bartlett said. "Being out of work is just circumstances."

Most people find jobs today through networking, using their referral base and working their six-degrees of separation. Networking includes everything from formal groups to a family reunion.

"With or without a job you should be networking," advises Joy Maguire-Dooley, Lisle Township director of adult services. "Tell people you are there for them anytime they need you and ask if they know anyone who works at one of your target companies. Make sure everyone knows what you do, including your family."

Target companies are those you would like to work for. Next, select a target for employment date roughly four months out and to put it on the refrigerator.

"You are 76 percent more likely to get a job by that date if you write it down," she said.

Maguire-Dooley oversees several weekly job clubs and a radio show that airs across the country. The radio show "Job Talk" is live on WJJG 1530 AM every Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. Call in at (708) 493-1530 to talk to the show's host Joy Maguire-Dooley and her alternating co-hosts Paul Cameron, Conor Cunneen and Falise Platt.

United States citizens living and/or working in DuPage County may qualify for a grant-funded program at WorkNet DuPage Career Center in Lisle.

"At the center in February, we have 20 job leads so far and that represents 67 to 68 open positions including everything from entry level to senior level executives," said Jim Fergle, manager for employment and training. "In January, we had 38 job leads in everything from production supervisor, Web developer, engineering director, plant maintenance, data entry, routing analyst, tech writer, machinist and kitchen help."

The career center, at 2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302, offers a five-day job-search boot camp at no charge if a person qualifies. Call (630) 955-2030 or visit worknetdupage.org.

The Student Activities Office at Benedictine University is partnering with its Career Development Office to host an "Opportunities Fair" from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 19 in the Dan and Ada Rice Center Gymnasium at the corner of Maple and College avenues.

"Being out of work is a chance to reexamine what your future will look like," Bartlett said.

"Please, tell people they are not alone," Garcia said. "There are places for free help and people who care."

• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.

Career support Here's a look at area job clubs and career centers. Although many groups meet in government or religious places there is no required affiliation. All are welcomed at each. • A job club concentrating on resume writing meets at 10 a.m. Mondays at the Woodridge Public Library, 3 Plaza Drive. Info: Joy Maguire-Dooley, (630) 968-1880, ext. 249. • A group meets at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at the Community Career Center, 1971 Gowdey Road at Route 59, Naperville. Info: (630) 961-5665 or <a href="http://www.communitycareercenter.org" target="new">communitycareercenter.org</a>. This location also offers technical assistance and personal support to those searching for jobs or changing careers. • A job club meets at 10 a.m. the first Friday of every month at the Lisle Library, 777 Front St., Lisle. Info: Joy Maguire-Dooley, (630) 968-1880, ext. 249. • The St. Thomas the Apostle Job Ministry meets at 9:30 a.m. Fridays (except the last one in the month) and at 7 p.m. on the last Thursday at the church, 1500 Brookdale Road, Naperville. Info: (630) 355-8980 or <a href="http://www.grizwiz.com/jobs" target="new">grizwiz.com/jobs</a>/. • LDS Employment Services of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers career counseling and on-site resources at 1801 N. Mill St., Suite F, Naperville. Info: (630) 369-0785. • Benedictine University offers a free career workshop with Bill Bartlett speaking on "Presenting Yourself with Impact: Phone, Letters or Face to Face" from 7 to 9 p.m. March 4 in the Krasa Center on campus, 5700 College Ave., Lisle. Register: (630) 829-6081 or e-mail Eric Guthrie, <a href="mailto:eguthrie@ben.edu">eguthrie@ben.edu</a>. • WorkNet DuPage Career Center hosts a job fair from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. March 13 at 2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302, Lisle. • An "Opportunities Fair" runs 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 19 in the Rice Center Gymnasium at Benedictine University, 5700 College Ave., Lisle. • College of DuPage Career Center has a free workshop for people interested in starting a business from 1 to 3 p.m. March 24 at WorkNet DuPage, 2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302, Lisle. Register: (630) 955-2071.

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