May Programs for Job Seekers at the Lewiston CareerCenter

May 10, 2013

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2013
Contact: Mary LaFontaine, Lewiston CareerCenter, 753-9094; Julie Rabinowitz, Department of Labor, 621-5009

LEWISTON?The Lewiston CareerCenter is offering many programs in May for job seekers and those who are considering training to upgrade their skills to increase their employability this spring.

?I encourage people to take advantage of the free assistance that the Lewiston CareerCenter provides jobseekers,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?The job market today is based on the Internet. CareerCenter staff can connect you with today?s job search tools, like email addresses and tips on filling out online applications.?

All businesses looking to hire and people looking for work should register with the Maine Job Bank. This month the Job Bank has approximately 23,000 registered job seekers and more than 5,000 job openings. There is no cost to create a profile if you are a job seeker or to list a job if you are an employer.

Workshops and events are held at the CareerCenter unless otherwise noted. To register for sessions held at the CareerCenter, call 753-9005. To learn more, like the Lewiston CareerCenter on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lewiston-CareerCenter/137045791777 . Maine Veterans receive priority of service in all CareerCenter programs.

Each week, there will be at least one employer at the CareerCenter that is hiring. Check the Lewiston CareerCenter page at www.mainecareercenter.com for the employers and their exact dates and times in May.

HR Panel for Veterans?May 23, 9 a.m. to noon. Veterans, here is your chance to meet with, and hear from, employers regarding job search, resumes, cover letters, interviews and more. This panel of veteran-friendly business?Cianbro, VIP, and Oxford Casino?will give you valuable information and the tools you need for a successful job search.

GATEway to Employment?Thursdays, 1?4 p.m. offers an overview of basic information on r?sum?s, interviews and job search skills as well as CareerCenter and community resources available during a job search?learn how the CareerCenter can help!

Professionals Moving Ahead!?First and third Thursday of each month: 9 a.m.?noon. This is a great way to network with other job seekers, professionals, and business leaders in our community and to get valuable information regarding job search tools; 85 percent of jobs are found through ?the hidden job market??or networking?not an ad. Registration not required.

• May 16?HR Panel: First Impressions, Interviews and Networking. During this discussion, local human resources (HR) representatives will discuss things to consider when meeting recruiters, HR staff, company executives and others. They are sure to discuss effective ways to talk about your experiences that will benefit companies with whom you are interviewing as well as ?deal breakers??those things that will not be seen in a positive way.

Job Search Skills?Two different sessions, May 20, 1 to 3 p.m., and May 30, 8 to 10 a.m. It?s a competitive job market. The job search skills workshops provide the tools needed to be successful in a job search, including strategies to highlight skills and set yourself apart from the others?it?s all about marketing yourself!

Resumes and Interview Skills Part I?An in-depth exploration of job search, resumes, applications and interviews. Learn how to stand out in a positive way by marketing yourself?in person and on paper?in a way that directly matches employer needs. ?Tough? interview questions will be discussed so that you can answer them with confidence. Two sessions, May 9 at the CareerCenter, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and May 23 at the Auburn Public Library, 2 to 5 p.m. To register for the Auburn Library session, call 333-6640.

Resumes Part II?Bring your new resume and have it reviewed, get feedback and comments so that you can improve it and send it to employers with confidence that it will get noticed! This new workshop follows up Resumes Part I; to register, you must have taken Resumes Part I and have a completed resume. May 17, 10 a.m. to noon.

Mock Job Interviews?Interviewing success comes with practice and practicing in a workshop is risk-free and instructional. This workshop provides the tools needed to feel comfortable in an interview. May 15, 1 to 3 p.m. Registration required.

Job Search Tips for People with a Criminal History?Do you have a criminal back ground? Are you having trouble finding work? This workshop will give job-search tips, suggestions on how to respond to those hard to answer questions and suggestions about where best to seek employment that will lead to a successful job search. May 10, 9 to 10 a.m.

Career Decision Making?This is a two-part workshop. The workshop?s first day reviews the factors involved in making career decisions, the different assessment tools used and available resources. The second day helps you apply the information gained from the assessments to identify the necessary career and training steps needed to achieve career goals. Registration required. Two sessions offered; session one is May 6 and 10, and session two is May 20 and 24.

CareerCenter Training Orientation is an overview of training programs at the CareerCenter, eligibility requirements and information on accessing services. This is for people interested in pursuing training and education. Please call to receive the meeting schedule and to register. If you are interested in job search only, consider ?The Job Search Skills? workshop.

Training Orientations are also offered at the South Paris CareerCenter at 4 Western Avenue (Chamber of Commerce Building), South Paris, Maine. For more information and dates and times, call 743-7763 ext. 1.

Essentials of College Planning for Adults covers the basic steps for successful college enrollment: learn about college and trade schools, entrance requirements, readiness and transitional issues of adult students, admissions procedures and financial aid. Review a typical admissions application, request admissions materials and financial aid information from prospective colleges and complete the financial aid form. To register, call 800-281-3703. Bring last year?s income tax forms to the appointment.

Adult Education Consultations?An Adult Education Representative will help you explore options to improve your job skills and which adult education programs or classes will best meet your needs based on your interests and career goals. Adult Education representatives will be in the lobby every Wednesday in May (May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29), 10:15 to 11 a.m.

Orientation for People with Disabilities?This orientation is for people with disabilities who are considering vocational rehabilitation services. Service providers are also welcome to attend. Registration not required. Sessions are held the third Friday of the month: May 17, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

CareerCenters, part of the Maine Department of Labor, offer a variety of services to help people find employment or upgrade skills. Each center provides several public-access computer workstations with Microsoft Office software, resume writing and cover letter software, Internet access and O?Net software for skills assessment. All CareerCenter services are free of charge.

Call 753-9005 (TTY users call Maine Relay 711) for additional information and to register for workshops held at the CareerCenter. The CareerCenter, located at 5 Mollison Way in Lewiston, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. More information is available on the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com .

Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

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