Workshop, job fair for jobseekers available

Workshops offer job search help

The Carson City branch of JobConnect will host two series of workshops on life skills and employment prep. The classes for both the June and July series are at 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the JobConnect office, 1929 N. Carson St.

• June 21 and July 26 - Session 1: Life Skills

The goal is to impart basic life, workplace, job search and employment preparation skills to ensure participant success during job acquisition and retention phases. We include a variety of classroom techniques, including lecture, small and large group discussion, role playing and one-on-one assistance. Learn techniques in self-esteem building, time management, and financial planning. Develop decision-making skills, set and define personal and professional goals. Participate in instruction on business perspectives. Obtain the qualities that employers are looking for.

• June 22 and July 27 - Session II: The 60-Second Me

A verbal description of your "features and benefits." It is essentially your response to the employer's statement "tell me about yourself." Apply fundamental marketing principles to your job search. Identify, memorize and recall your achievements, skills and strengths. Use effective presentation skills to paint a brief verbal picture of yourself.

• June 23 and July 28 - Session III: Resumes

This session empowers the client with all the necessary components for obtaining the job interview: writing a resume, the appropriate components, and effective types and styles. Master the application and get answers to the tough questions asked. Learn how important first impressions and appropriate business attire are to acquiring the desired position.

• June 24 and July 29 - Session IV: Interviews

Gain the necessary techniques for successful interviewing. Arrive early, be prepared, and smile your way to employment. Learn interviewing self-confidence. Be able to identify and avoid the psychological pitfalls involved in interviewing. Gain the necessary confidence by participating in practice interviews. Learn the importance and effectiveness of the follow-up correspondence.

The Life Skills/Emplo-yment Prep Workshop is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids are available upon request. Funding is provided in part by NevadaWorks.

Workforce program

to host job fair

The Carson City Health and Human Services Workforce Program will host a job fair 2-5 p.m. Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Citizens Center for local individuals who are looking for work.

Those who are looking for work will need to sign up to participate, as the job fair will be limited to 100 participants.

Employers will share information about their business and distribute applications to prospective employees. The hope for this event is that it can become a regular occurrence in Carson City. If this job fair is a success, the Workforce Program's aim is to hold additional job fairs every three months.

Business owners interested in participating in this or future job fairs, can call to reserve a table at no charge.

Job seekers or interested businesses can call Kelly Ibarra at 283-7579, Workforce case manager, or Warren Cartright, Workforce specialist, at 283-7528.

The Workforce Program provides guidance and works to reduce barriers that are preventing people from obtaining employment. Clients can call or stop by the Workforce office at Carson City Health and Human Services for assistance. A workforce case manager will ask the job-seeker to complete a brief intake to provide information such as job history and education.

The case manager and the job-seeker work one-on-one to address the barriers that stand in the way of gainful employment and assist in resume development.

"We have collaborated with agencies in Carson City who are assisting with the breaking-down of barriers and in our opinion working with the community is what it is all about" said Kelly Ibarra, a Case Manager with the Workforce Program. "We are asking for local companies of various types of employment to join us."

The difficult economic times and high rates of unemployment inspired the idea of putting together a job fair to bring together employers and those looking for work in Carson City.