When you’re looking for work, it’s easy to feel defeated. The path from unemployment to re-employment is not always a straight line. Looking for work can feel like a full-time job.
We know finding work can be hard. But it’s why we do what we do.
WorkSource is funded by state and federal grants with the goal of helping you get back to work. But how do we do it?
Read below for five ways that we help job seekers become job ready!
5. Removing barriers
How can you turn in a resume if you don’t have gas for your car? How can you go to an interview if you don’t have appropriate clothing?
We don’t always think about it, but employment has many associated barriers. And it can be very difficult to overcome these barriers without assistance.
For eligible customers, WorkSource may be able to help remove these barriers to employment by providing childcare assistance subsidies, gas cards, bus passes, interview clothes, and more.
But what happens after you get the job?
Barriers can exist for the newly employed as well, for example needing things like work clothing, shoes or tools, and WorkSource can help with that too while you’re trying to get back on your feet!
4. Career guidance
Sometimes, what’s holding a job seeker back is a lack of direction. If you’ve lost a job that you knew like the back of your hand, one that you’ve been doing all your life, you might be stuck at a crossroads, wondering: what’s next?
It’s not a good feeling to be stuck, and while we can’t make the decision for you, our Employment Specialists can help you discover which aspects of your prior work experience will cross over to new industries, as well as what skills and jobs are in-demand in our region.
Meeting with an Employment Specialist can help job seekers find a new direction, while gaining confidence and clarity along the way.
3. Workshops
Going back to work can be intimidating, especially if you’ve been out of the workforce for a long time or are struggling with anxiety related to job search. WorkSource workshops though are a free and easy way to upskill and grow.
You can expect to find workshops on interviewing, resume writing, embracing change, financial literacy, overcoming toxic work environments, coping with stress, restarting your job search, and much, much more.
Want to see for yourself? Visit our website and select your region to find available workshops!
2. Connections with local business
While WorkSource is known for working with job seekers, we work with local businesses too! Our Business Team’s mission is to engage employers and connect them with qualified job seekers.
This often means that being a WorkSource customer can get you an “in” with employers that you might not have had previously.
The best way to take advantage of WorkSource’s business connections is to make an appointment with an Employment Specialist at your local center. From there, your Specialist can help you target your resume to any open positions.
1. Job training
Many of our job seekers face unemployment and a challenging future because the work they’re trained to do is no longer in-demand. But for eligible customers, WorkSource may be able to pay for training in an in-demand career that has job openings and is projected to grow!
If you’re interested in learning more about job training with WorkSource, your first step is to attend the Employment and Training Orientation at your local center. These trainings are offered either virtually or in-person on a weekly basis.
WorkSource Vancouver: Thursdays 1-2 p.m.
WorkSource Cowlitz/Wahkiakum: Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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