Stage 2-Continued
“Just Keep Swimming...”
This past week was an interesting week for me, in that I participated in a workshop sponsored by Monster.com through Work Force Innovation. How I “got there” began by my admission and acquaintance with the DREADED idea of – filing for unemployment. I did not want to face the fact that I was now among the thousands of folks currently not employed, and alas, also a statistic noted in the Bureau of Labor and Employment charts. I was not feeling too happy.
Being unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the unemployment realm, I researched exactly what needed to be done to be a recipient. Not that I looked forward to filling out more forms, or surfing the net for a better understanding of how the government works; that takes time, and time is money! I learned however, that once you file for unemployment, your previous employer must verify that you are no longer employed; then your name is sent to Tallahassee (for Florida residents,) as well as a local career building data base.
After following the portal instructions on how to file online, I was asked a series of questions regarding my willingness to participate in classes –involving re-entering the workforce. “Are they kidding?” I asked myself. What a great way to get out of the house and shore up my business skills! I welcomed the opportunity.
About 3 weeks later, I received a letter in the mail, and through my email account, inviting me to a workshop. This workshop/seminar was funded by the Work Force Innovation program in Tallahassee, and developed locally through the One Stop Work Force. Monster.com was sending one of their representatives to the workshop to inspire, motivate and educate. It was during this seminar, I learned techniques to get ‘noticed’, how to navigate their web page, and learned about additional classes offered on interviewing and résumé writing.
My initial reaction to the seminar was met with a small amount of fear and discouragement. “Look at all these people, there must be about 150! We’re all looking for the same thing . . . job placement!” Truthfully, that was hard for me to get past; I felt overwhelmed and wanted to walk out at that point. It was then that I saw a Jonathan, a young colleague; we’d shared the same collegiate program and a couple of classes together. He openly told me, when his last semester of college had ended, the facility where he interned did not offer him a paid position. Now, he too, was looking for employment. I greeted him warmly, and we made small talk. After hearing his plight, I decided to stay, and took a seat nearby.
Soon afterward, the main speaker, Aries, arrived to the platform and began the seminar. With a smiling face, and tender enthusiasm, she shared ways to bring our experience and education to the forefront as we sought employment. Using a multi-media presentation, she taught subjects on how to get “noticed” – and how to make our resumes “stand out”, so we would be chosen for an interview. Her simple and easy-to-understand tips were worth the wait!
Working directly with the folks from Tallahassee, Ocala's One Stop Work Force helps people find employment, while they polish their resumes, and learn new job hunting skills. I also learned that One Stop offers individual training and development, one-on-one. Three days a week they allow “walk-in” counseling, while the other two days are dedicated to scheduled appointments. As the morning wore on, I felt less like leaving, and a little more optimistic . . .
Working directly with the folks from Tallahassee, Ocala's One Stop Work Force helps people find employment, while they polish their resumes, and learn new job hunting skills. I also learned that One Stop offers individual training and development, one-on-one. Three days a week they allow “walk-in” counseling, while the other two days are dedicated to scheduled appointments. As the morning wore on, I felt less like leaving, and a little more optimistic . . .
Later on, Aeries moved into a new area: professionally marketing yourself via your résumé’, and online. Until then, I am not sure if I had ever heard the words: “online presence.”
My résumé’ was up to date, no problem. I had multiple versions of it because I’d applied to several positions within my field of education and work experience. What was new for me, (I am dating myself,) was that one no longer applied “face to face” at an HR office. Gone were the days when one would answer an ad in the newspaper, and either call for an interview appointment, or arrive on the spot. Everything, most every job listing- was posted via the web! Whatever position, whatever field of expertise sought after- was relegated to an internet portal, a job search engine, or a web page. I learned early on that just because I applied online and uploaded my resume, didn’t guarantee an interview. As a matter of fact, I sometimes I doubted if my resume was ever really looked at!!!
I left the workshop seminar with a different paradigm. Given a nugget of hope to nibble on for the next few weeks, I smiled within wondering how my future would unfold. No longer anxious, I knew others were in the same predicament; they too were trying to ‘find their way.’
Being a big fan of kid’s movies and cartoons, I couldn’t help but think about my cartoon friend Dory. The cartoon “Finding Nemo” was a favorite of mine; Dory’s carefree personality resonated with me. Her words “just keep swimming” seemed to ring true in my life, more often than not. During the last few years, when Algebra or Statistics seemed to block the road to finish my degree, when all my study habits produced a lower grade than what I’d expected, when death knocked on my door . . .I just kept swimming.
And I suppose that’s just what I will do now . . .just keep swimming. Thanks Dory.
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