Contents:

     Job Search Workshops

     Creative Job Search book
     Resource Area
     Tutorials
     Unemployment Benefits
     Dislocated Worker Program
     Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program
     Rehabilitation Services
     State Services for the Blind
     Veterans Services

     Minnesota Child Labor Laws

     Experienced Worker Services (over 55)

Do you need help finding job openings, in your job search strategies, or in your career planning?  Exploring the idea of self employment, home employment, owning a franchise or being a consultant?  Want to learn new computer programs (or even how to use a computer) using tutorials?  Can you qualify for unemployment benefits or are you a veteran? The following services are available to assist you at this WorkForce center in achieving your goals.

Job Search Workshops: There are a variety of workshops offered  to help you in your job search.

• Creative Job Search

This lively workshop incorporates all aspects of the job search process. The Creative Job Search book, provided to each participant, and on which this workshop is based, is a useful resource for those seeking employment. The primary emphasis for this class is on skills identification and presentation in resumes, interviewing, networking, etc. In order to "sell yourself" to a prospective employer, it is necessary to "know the product." Come and learn how to direct your job search and market yourself for best results.

• Resume Strategies

This workshop covers the following questions: why do you want a resume?  What do you put on a resume?  Which resume format is best?  Do you need a scannable resume?  What are your strengths and skills? What goes in a cover letter?  How do you send a resume on the internet?  Please bring a drafted resume to revise or a list of your job skills.

• Networking and Interviewing

This workshop will teach you to tap into the hidden job market where over 80% of available jobs are never publicly advertised.  Also learn how to prepare for an interview so you present yourself with poise and confidence.  This workshop also covers frequently asked interviewing questions, as well as offering tips on negotiation.

• Transitions: Dealing with Job Loss

This workshop focuses on feelings experienced with involuntary employment separation.   Participants share their job loss stories and watch a short video. Then there is a discussion of identifying stress, the Job Loss Curve, and the Beck Depression Inventory.  Also included is a discussion of the process of transition, practical things to do, starting a self-care plan and weekly scheduling of activities.

• Introduction to  Minnesotaworks.net (formerly MN Job Bank)

This workshop uses the computers in the WorkForce Center's Computer Lab to learn how to register and use more proficiently the job search and resume functions on Minesotaworks.net (formerly MN Job Bank). If you do not how to use a mouse (or need more skill at clicking), you are invited to come to the Resource Area and use the in-house tutorial "How to Use a Mouse" first (or Mousercise available on the Internet), before attending this workshop.  Ask the Resource Area Help Desk staff for assistance when you come in.

Check out schedule of next workshops or call the Resource Area Help Desk at 952-346-4028

Resource Area: The hub of the WorkForce Center is the Resource Area. In the Resource Area are:

• 20 computers for job search, word processing of resumes, tutorials, and career exploration. Each computer has its own inkjet or laser printer to print job leads and all computers are linked to a shared laser printer for high quality printing of resumes and cover letters.
• a fax machine
• three telephones (local use only)
• a photocopier for your job search needs
• check out library of employment related books, including Contacts Influential, which is an information sourcebook on every company in the West Metro Area. books, periodicals and videos available in the Resource Area Library
• employer recruiting. To see which employers will be recruiting in the Resource Area, view the monthly calendar of Workshops and Employer Recruiting

For more information, call the Resource Area Help Desk at 952-346-4028.

Each time you come in to use Resource Area computer, we ask that you sign in for computer use at the Resource Area Help Desk and have your floppy disk(s) scanned for viruses.

Tutorials:  Available on all the Resource Area computers are self-guided, easy to follow tutorials to help you learn different computer application programs for your job search:

• Guide to Basic Window Operations (How to Use a Mouse)
• Microsoft Word 2000
• Mavis Beacon Typing/Data Entry (Learn/practice keyboarding) Available    on all WorkForce Center Resource Area computers  (one in Spanish)

Unemployment Benefits:

To receive Unemployment Benefits, you can apply online

Dislocated Worker Program

The Dislocated Worker Program is an employment and training program with the purpose of assisting laid-off workers in re-obtaining employment.  The program offers full- and part-time training to eligible participants to upgrade or redirect their vocational skills in order to be competitive in the labor market.  Other services available are vocational counseling, transition, career and job seeking workshops, mileage reimbursement, childcare assistance and clothing and tools.  If you have any questions regarding the Dislocated Worker Program,  please call Ed Sorenson at 952-346-4017. Read general info or Hennepin South info and downloadable form to complete and return.

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) provides assistance (such as short term training and transportation) for persons 18 years of age and older with a goal of a permanent job.   The program is targeted toward low-income persons, but all are welcomed to apply.   If you have any questions regarding WIA, please call George at 952-346-4331. Learn more about Hennepin South WIA program.

Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation Services is a federal/state agency that works with people who have physical, learning, cognitive, or emotional disabilities that could result in barriers to finding employment.  The purpose of this agency is to help those with disabilities overcome barriers in order to appropriately enter the world of work.  Rehabilitation Counselors know about disabilities and what it takes to enter the world of work.  A counselor will assist people to understand their disabilities and build on their individual skills, abilities, interests, strengths and limitations in order to identify an appropriate employment goal. RS has many services available to assist individuals including counseling, training, finding a job, keeping a job, and assistive technology.   If you have any questions regarding Rehabilitation Services, please call  952-346-4050.   For more information, click here.

State Services for the Blind (SSB)

State Services for the Blind is an agency within the Department of Employment and Economic Development.   It is funded by both State and Federal dollars.  The rehabilitation process is goal-oriented and is an individualized sequence of services designed to facilitate and provide direct services to eligible persons of all ages who are blind or visually impaired.  SSB believes that blindness should never stop people from obtaining jobs or in any activities which reflect their potential and interests.  

Veterans Services:

Veterans Services can enable veterans in Minnesota to achieve economic security by facilitating quality career related services.  These services include personalized resume review, assistance converting military jargon and skills to civilian language, suggestions on how to utilize the Internet for job search activities, bonding assistance where required for employment, guidance in understanding job search for state, federal and county opportunities, referrals to various veteran specific services and help identifying and overcoming barriers to employment.  To contact the Veteran's Representative at this workforce center, Doug Larson, please call  952-346-4014 or e-mail him at douglarson@westmetro.des.state.mn.us.  For more information, click here.