September Programs for Job Seekers and Employers at the Greater Portland CareerCenter

September 1, 2016

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2016 Contact: Mike Roland, Greater Portland CareerCenter, 822-3300 Media Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, Maine Department of Labor, 621-5009

PORTLAND?The Greater Portland CareerCenter announces September programs for job seekers, those who are considering training for a new career, and employers in need of workers.

?As falls starts, we start thinking about education and new opportunities,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?You might be thinking about getting more education or training to advance your career or making a change from a seasonal to a year round job. Our CareerCenters can help you look at all of your options and connect you with resources and employers. All of their advice and services are provided at no cost to Maine residents.?

Events are held at the Greater Portland CareerCenter, located at 151 Jetport Boulevard in Portland, unless otherwise noted. Maine veterans receive priority of service in all CareerCenter programs.

Resume Information Seminar: Fridays, September 2 and 16, 9 to 11 a.m.

This is a not-to-be-missed workshop that will teach you how to write a dynamic resume. It provides you with the tools to promote and target your qualifications to directly match the employer?s needs. You will learn how to insure that your resume and cover letter make the best first impression to employers.

Registration is required as the workshops fill up quickly. Please call the Reception desk at 822-3300 to register.

Unemployed Professionals Group: Every Tuesday in September, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon

The group offers real time networking, professional advice, current information as to what employers are looking for in resumes, invitations to networking events and contacts for the ?hidden? job market. This workshop is a great resource for the unemployed, under-employed, and employers seeking individuals looking for work. It is a great tool for career exploration.

Open to the public. No registration required.

Gateways to Employment: Tuesdays, September 6 and 20, 1 to 4 p.m.

Topics include assessing individual abilities interests and skills, discovering the unadvertised job market, cover letter tips, job search strategies, and other resources for job seekers. This workshop is targeted to both first-time job seekers and those who have not yet been successful in their job search.

Pre-registration is necessary. Contact the Reception Desk at 822-3300 to register.

Greater Portland CareerCenter Job Fair: Wednesday, September 7, Noon to 3 p.m.

More than 20 employers have already signed up for the September Job Fair at the Greater Portland CareerCenter. The list of Employers from both Cumberland and York County who will be attending include, Advantage Solutions; Bonney Staffing; Comfort Keepers; Complete Labor and Staffing; Eastern Maine Health Systems; Express Employment; Goodwill Industries NNE; HMS Host; Home Depot; Hutchins Trucking; In-Home Senior Services; Kaplan University; Labor Ready; Lucas Tree Experts; Marriott Sable Oaks; Modern Woodmen; Nichols; Pepsi Beverage Co.; Piedmont Airlines; Prudential; Spurwink Services; Texas Roadhouse; Texas Instruments; and US Customs and Border Patrol.

Employers will be available to accept resumes, interview, provide listings of open positions, information on training resources, and answer question on positions for which they are recruiting. Come dressed for success and bring copies of your resume.

Job Seeking Workshop for French-Speaking Adults: Wednesdays, September 7 and 21, 9 a.m. to Noon

The Greater Portland CareerCenter offers a workshop for French-speaking job seekers every other Wednesday at Workforce Solutions, 190 Lancaster Street, Suite 200, Portland. The class, taught in French, will help you discover all the CareerCenter services and receive the information you need to find a job.

For more information please call Alida Nisabwe at 822-3346 or email her at alida.nisabwe@maine.gov.

Career Exploration Workshop: September 8, 9, 12 and 13

This extensive and informative workshop will be offered to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Clients, who will be able to explore a variety of career paths. Registration through Vocational Rehabilitation is required. Please call 822-3300 and ask for Vocational Rehabilitation to register.

Information Session - Manufacturing Technician Certificate: Wednesday, September 14, 9 a.m.

Get trained. Get hired. The Portland CareerCenter is coordinating with NTI to provide Assessment testing for the Manufacturing Technician Certificate program. As a graduate of this program you will have the skills that may lead to jobs paying $14 per hour.

Information on scholarships, grants and tuition reimbursements for the Manufacturing Technician Certificate will be presented at this workshop. Applications for the program will be available at the workshop.

VR Orientation: Wednesdays, September 14 and 28, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

This program assists eligible individuals with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain viable employment, and provides persons with disabilities information and services to overcome barriers to employment. Assistance with job search and job placement is also discussed. You can view a video of the orientation online at http://www.maine.gov/rehab/vr_orientation.shtml .

Recruiting Strategies For Employers In A Tight Job Market: Thursday, September 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Many employers are frustrated that they are unable to attract qualified candidates to meet their employment needs, and they struggle to retain employees. The goal of this workshop is to bring together employers from different sectors to share their best practices, explore creative solutions and learn about CareerCenter resources that can assist employers and employees. The September workshop, third in this highly successful series, will discuss Training and Support Services available for both job seekers and Employers.

Seating is limited. Please call RuthAnne Haley at 207-822-3354 to reserve a space.

Job Interview Workshop: Friday, September 23, 9 to 11 a.m.

In this Workshop you will explore interview preparation and have the opportunity to practice the most commonly asked questions in an interview setting. You will learn how to emphasize your strengths and motivate employers to want to hire you, and how to make that great first impression to employers. The workshop will give you tips on how to answer employers? tough interview questions. This workshop is targeted for people just beginning the job search process, or those who have not had success in finding work.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please call 822-3300 to sign up for this workshop.

Essentials of College Planning for Adults: Tuesdays, by Appointment Only

You will discuss college and trade schools in our region, entrance requirements, readiness and transitional issues, admission issues and financial aid. Attendees will need to bring their 2015 Federal Tax Return and your High School or GED Transcripts (if available). Please contact Randi Paine at 1-800-281-3703 to register.

About the CareerCenter

The Greater Portland CareerCenter is part of a two-story, 75,000 square foot facility, co-located with the Department of Health and Human Services. The new facility offers a high-tech information center and computer lab for job seeking, resume writing, and applying for jobs, and spacious conference rooms and interview rooms to host workshops, job fairs, and individualized employer recruitments.

The CareerCenter is a stop on Portland Metro Route 5 and is located just off Exit 46 of the Maine Turnpike, and offers free parking. The CareerCenter is is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. More information is available on the CareerCenter website, http://www.mainecareercenter.com or by calling 822-3300 (TTY users call Maine Relay 711).

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.

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

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