Job Fair on February 3 and Programs for Job Seekers at the Lewiston CareerCenter

January 31, 2014

For Immediate Release: January 31, 2014
Contact: Mary LaFontaine, Lewiston CareerCenter, 753-9094; Julie Rabinowitz, Department of Labor, 621-5009

New programs: Interview Skills Workshop for veterans and an on-site resume expert every Thursday

LEWISTON?The Lewiston CareerCenter will hold mini job fairs in February and March and is introducing two new programs for job seekers and those interested in training for a new career.

?Our falling unemployment rate is a strong indicator of our improving economy,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Now is a good time to use CareerCenter services to make sure that your resume rises to the top of the hiring manager?s list. Our staff can give you a fresh perspective and solid advice on your job search and career options.?

On Monday, Feb. 3, 2014, the Lewiston CareerCenter will host a mini job fair from 9 a.m. to noon. Participating employers include Clover Health Care, Employment Specialists of Maine, Lewiston/Auburn Magazine, Notify MD, Nouria Energy, Oxford Casino, Sam?s Club and Support Solutions. Positions include advertising manager/marketing director, customer service representatives, clerical positions, sales associates/cashiers and direct support professionals. The CareerCenter?s next job fair, scheduled for March 3, 2014, will feature 35 employers.

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.

Resume Reviews?Already have a resume and want someone to review it for you? CareerCenter staff can help! Every Thursday morning, a resume expert will be on hand to review resumes on the spot. Need a review before Thursday? Drop off your resume; we will review it within two business days.

GATEway to Employment?Note the new schedule: this two-hour workshop is held the first and third Thursday of each month, Feb. 6 or 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. GATEway offers an overview of basic information on resumes, 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. to 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.

• Feb. 6: ?LinkedIn?What to do Beyond Building a Profile? In this highly selective job market with the increasing need to use technology in your job search, LinkedIn is critical. Explore how to use LinkedIn effectively for your job search and networking. Bring your laptop or tablet, if you have one. There will be some computers available for your use if you do not have a laptop or tablet.

• Feb. 20: ?The Art of Interviewing and Negotiation? You?ve got a great resume, and it?s landed you an interview. Are you ready? During the interview and after a job offer, are you ready to negotiate salary, benefits, work hours and more? If you answered no to either of these questions, this workshop is a must! There is a ?science? and an ?art? to both interviewing and negotiating; join us to learn more.

Job Search Skills?Feb. 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Feb. 25, 3 to 5 p.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, Feb. 13 at the CareerCenter, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Feb. 19 at the Auburn Public Library, 2 to 5 p.m. To register for the Auburn Library session, call 333-6640.

Resume Writing Work Group: Have you attended the Resume Part I Workshop and are still unsure? Do you have formatting questions but don?t know whom to ask? Have you listed your employers, dates of employment and job skills for the jobs you have had in the past ten-to- fifteen years? At this workshop, you will sit at a computer and compose your resume and staff will be available to answer your questions. Feb. 24, 3 to 5 p.m. Registration required.

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. Feb. 27, 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. Feb. 13, 2 to 4 p.m. Registration required.

Interview Workshop for Veterans?This workshop discussed the basics of interviews as well as interview questions and why employers ask the questions they do. it will also cover informational interviews and the importance of conducting them during your job search and exploration. Take this opportunity to learn how to prepare for, and ace, an interview. Feb. 27, 9 a.m. to noon.

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. Feb. 7, 9 to 10 a.m.

Career Decision Making?This is a two-part workshop for people curious about their career options. 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 Feb. 10 and 14, and session two is Feb. 24 and 28.

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. You must 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 February (Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26), 10:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Orientation for People with Disabilities?Feb. 21, 1 to 2:30 p.m. This orientation is for people with disabilities who are considering vocational rehabilitation services. Service providers are also welcome to attend. Registration not required.

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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