55 PLUS Program pp

Laura RobbOak Park Career Center

(248) 691-8437 x 297422180 Parklawn

Oak Park, MI 48237www.oakparkcareercenter.org

Today

• Our Agency’s services• The 55 + Program• Challenges of our times• Resources I use that may be of

help to you

Where are we located? Oak Park Career Center is…

• At 9 Mile and Coolidge• 4 Streets West of Coolidge• First building South of 9 Mile• In the Clinton Center• Entrance on Parklawn faces West

We are part of a statewide system

Twenty-five Michigan Works! Agencies oversee a statewide network of over 100 Michigan Works! Service Centers.

Services for Job Seekers

FREE Access to Computers with Internet, Fax, Copiers and Resource Library

WORKSHOPS Skill Testing and Career Interest Assessment Career Counseling and Planning Job Postings and Michigan Talent Bank assistance www.michworks.org

Services for Job Seekers

Workshops Resume Writing Interview Skills Career Transitions Networking for Job Seekers –

using www.Linkedin.com

Assisting those over 55

with career services

Myths Quiz

•Are you 55 + Savy?

55 +A national grant and a regional initiative ~to assist job seekers over 55 by providingIntensive career services and AARP Worksearch login.

55 + GRANT BOTTOM LINE

• No Worker Left Behind ended - no training funds. • High customer response• Macomb Community College and Oakland CC

designed a Credit for Prior Learning-fee based• Entrepreneurial Training course – fee based• Customers are using FAFSA Pell grant for training.• Taking advantage of free training, on-line.

Challenging TimesChallenging Times

Most of our customers are experiencing a huge roller coaster ride of emotions and challenges:

Job Loss – Shock - Hurt Feelings – Damaged Self Esteem – Loss of confidence – Lowered energy Lost savings, retirement plans, homes.

The worst job market since the great depression.

Media Project – Over 50 Media Project – Over 50 and Out of Work and Out of Work

MEET PAM

• http://www.overfiftyandoutofwork.com/100stories/pam-buckley/

PLATO • “Be kind, remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Age Discrimination Mentioned by the majority of job

seekers over 50. Likely that it exists. Don’t take it on as your “story”. Business has changed – shedding

higher level earners. Keep your skills young, appearance

fresh and attitude solution oriented.

Keep the skills you haveAdd to – Stay CurrentRESOURCE SHEET IN HANDOUTS for a

large number of websites and ideas.Everyone keyboard 35 wpm and higherEveryone have email for job search and

connectingMicrosoft OFFICE suite Lean SOCIAL MEDIA – network, connect.Research.

IMAGE ISSUES AND AGE Our Image – It’s US, just US Up to Date:

- Resume, portfolio, references, interview skills

- Hair style and color - Dress - Fitness - Attitude – posture, handshake - Knowledge of electronic media – email,

linkedin, FACEBOOK, Microsoft office.

Free Training – Career Resources AARP Website has on line classes www.office.microsoft.com/training Michigan Works! Offices for

Workshops Libraries – Classes and video training My Skills My Future - .org www.onlineonetcenter.org www.bls.gov

Temporary Agencies “There’s not going to be enough aggregate

demand to justify a lot of new hires.” “Big businesses have been so disciplined about cutting payrolls and adding temporary jobs.”

The booming temporary-help industry, has added more than 300,000 workers in the last year. “It allows them the leeway to determine whether there’s truly a need and to delay a commitment.”

Temp Agencies list at www.michigan.gov 1-8-11 Chicago Tribune

www.michworks.org

EMPLOYERS ARE POSTING MORE JOBS NOW – AND THE MAJORITY OF RESUMES LOOK, very Unprofessional, very undeveloped.

1. ATTEND A RESUME CLASS.

2. POST THE NEW RESUME ON THE TALENT BANK

3. TAILOR A COVER LETTER WHEN APPLYING

4. TAILOR THE RESUME TO SPEAK TO THE POSTING REQUIREMENTS.

Learn and use SOCIAL MEDIA• 80 MILLION PEOPLE ON

Linkedin• The MAJORITY of

Employers are using Li to passively search for

candidates of interest.• Stay in touch with your

“CONNECTIONS” even after job change or job loss.

• Former HR Director found!

Networking is a way to separate from the pack

Get support

Support Sources

• Job Clubs at Michigan Works!

• Job Clubs at Churches, Community Centers

• Community College and College Career Service Centers

Get out and look into Get out and look into something new!something new!

Take time for yourself

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS• When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least soundin fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,I go and lie down where the wood drakerests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

• I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethoughtof grief. I come into the presence of still water.And I feel above me the day-blind starswaiting with their light. For a timeI rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

— Wendell Berry

Let’s connect on Linkedin!http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurarobb

Laura Robb andLinked in GROUP: Oak Park

Career Center

Any Questions?