Not sure how to prepare for the Northland Career Fair on April 12? Frustrated by your job search but unable to make it to the Workforce Center during its usual 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. hours?
A new Thursday evening program, coming to the Duluth Public Library in March, might be just the thing. The Minnesota Workforce Center Duluth, Duluth Public Library, Duluth Adult Education and Duluth Workforce Development teamed up to provide training on computers, writing resumes and job fair preparation with their new "Jump Start your Job Search" program.
"The purpose of this program is to reach out to the community and provide job search assistance outside of our normal Monday through Friday, 8-to-4:30 hours," said Betsy Hill, an employment technician with City of Duluth Workforce Development. "We know that there are a lot of people who are underemployed or who would possibly like to look for their new job but are working and aren't able to make it otherwise. Or maybe you're a parent who could have better luck finding evening childcare?"
The classes will be held in the Duluth Public Library main branch computer lab, 520 W. Superior St. Each session will be broken down into three sections: the first two 45-minute sessions will focus on a job search or preparation topic, and the last hour and a half will be dedicated to lab time with individual assistance from WorkForce center staff or teachers from Adult Education.
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"We're trying to schedule it in a way so that people can hop on and off the trainings the best they can. So if someone can't be there at 4, but they can be there at 5 for the second class. Maybe they can't get there until 6 p.m. but what they really need is someone to sit there while they're working on their resume," Hill said.
During the last two sessions, on March 23 and 30, human resource professionals will be there to give resume critiques and hold mock interviews.
"Since these are the last two meeting before the job far, it's a really nice chance to help people practice their introductions or help them with their interview skills," Hill said.
Class attendees will also receive a free flash drive on which to store their resumes and cover letters. Bus passes will be available to attendees after the first session to encourage individuals to return the following week.
No registration is required and there are no eligibility requirements to meet.
"You don't have to be unemployed. This is for anyone who is maybe feeling a little overwhelmed or frustrated by their job search and is looking for some new tips or direction to help it be a shorter and more successful job search," Hill said.
