WERC - Employment Ministry

You Are Here : Ministries >> Human Concerns Commission >> WERC - Employment Ministry

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Employment Ministry - the Wellspring Employment Resource Community (WERC)

The SMV Employment Ministry - the Wellspring Employment Resource Community(WERC) - aspires to provide a safe and effective faith-based forum for sharing work search tools and techniques which can enable our un/underemployed sisters and brothers in their search for meaningful and rewarding work, and to provide a support network for those who are un/underemployed and their families.WERC members and guests will have the opportunity to meet to network, share success stories and advice, and discuss some of the challenges of the job search. All are welcome.

WERC is currently holding evening meetings on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month in Rooms 110 - 112 of the Finnegan Parish Center. The group support sesisons are held on the 2nd Monday and a presentation meeting is held on the 4th Monday. IF YOU NEED HELP AT ANY TIME, make an appointment with one or more WERC team members to:

discuss or revise your resume
practice your elevator speech or presentation skills
strategize on job search techniques
practice interviewing
investigate using the Internet to help your search
just talk about what’s going on as you look for work

See page links (below) for additional information and resources. For more information about WERC at St. Mary of Vernon Parish or to make an appointment, please contact the WERC Team via email: smvwerc@gmail.com.

Working or retired, but interested in following the activity of the WERC group? Join our LinkedIn group - WERC (Wellspring Employment Resource Community) - to receive announcements, meeting updates, post or review job openings, etc.

Looking for Work?

Next Up on the WERC Calendar

Confidential Counseling Services

Are you struggling with the emotions/frustration of unemployment? Perhaps you might benefit from professional counseling services.

Contact parishioner Diane Cinnick for additional details. Sliding fee scale available including pro bono when warranted.

Office located in Lincolnshire.

Diane Cinnick, M.A., LCPC, CADC
Cinnick Counseling Services, LLC
847-609-1826

Job Search Preparation - Tips & Links

Highlights/Recap of WERC Hiring Panel Discussion – Monday, August 22, 2011

Getting Started

Organize Yourself
Plan Your Job Search
Identify The Key Elements You'll Need
Build An Action Plan
Create/Find Your Support Network

Where to look - Job Search Toolkits

Be active on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) – and join LinkedIn groups
Use Indeed.com (www.indeed.com) as part of your job search
Use Career Builder (www.careerbuiler.com) as part of your job search
Join/use associations to help with job search/networking
Refresh your resume on Career Builder or Indeed from time to time
www.aarp.org – job board for “seasoned” professionals
Tips for LinkedIn users – videos, articles (You Tube, msnbc.com, Google, etc.)
Work With Recruiters/Outplacement Assistance

Hiring/Sorting process

Some corporations use predictive index “testing” to help discern the individual’s potential fit within the organization
Most interviewers/organizations check references (some of this activity is outsourced)
Many companies do background checks to verify education, driving record, felonies, “watch lists” (Credit is usually not checked)
OK to leave phone message follow-up (within time guidelines provided by HR/interviewer)

Resumes

Place your name and address at the top of your resume (do not include degree/certification initials as part of name – i.e., PMP or MBA – include this information in the Education section of your resume)
Use Arial or similar font – minimal use of italics or underlining
Create a text document copy of your resume to use when uploading
Keep Resume to 2 pages (only need to cover last 10 – 15 years)
Include KEYWORDS in your resume and cover letters
www.wordle.net – to build a word cloud picture of role description, resume, cover letter (see which words are used most frequently

Interviews

In an interview expect:

competency-based questions,
behavior-based questions,
situational questions and
core culture questions.

(Google these terms to learn more if not familiar with them)

In a phone interview, expect to be

asked questions such as:

Why did you leave your last position?
What types of responsibilities did you have?
What are your critical, top skills?

Questions to ask of your interviewers:

Ask about the organization (but show you have done your research in your asking of the question)
What are the expectations for someone in this role? How is success evaluated?
What is the expected career path for someone who succeeds in this role?
What do you like about the company?
Why is the position open/available?
What is the timing for next steps, hearing back from the organization

Questions to avoid asking your interviewers:

Benefits issues (at least not until you are nearing an offer)
What is the advancement for this position?
Basic info questions about the company (do your research ahead of time)

When interviewing, act the role you want (vs. the role you are in now)

Be enthusiastic
Dress/look like the role – be professional, error on the side of dressy
Avoid being too casual – head to toe
Send Thank you email/note to each interviewer (watch out for typos)
Some organizations use a 360o review – be open and candid with and about your manager(s)

Salary Information

Hiring companies ask about salary expectations up front to make sure neither party is wasting time/resources. Be prepared to share some indication of what you expect to make, OR show that you have done some research regarding an appropriate salary for the position you are interviewing for and see if your range matches up with the potential employer’s range (use www.Salary.com to investigate).
Make sure to communicate specifics regarding past pay when required – base vs. commission vs. bonus

Catholic Parish Employment Ministries - Lake and Northern Cook Counties

Holy Cross Parish
Holy Family Parish - Inverness
St. Hubert Parish - Hoffman Estates
St. James Parish - Arlington Heights
St. Joseph Parish - Libertyville
finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/StJosephEmploymentMinistry/" target="_blank" title="St. Joseph Parish - Libertyville">
St. Mary of the Annunciation - Fremont Center
www.stmaryfc.org/OutreachMinistries.aspx
St. Patrick - Wadsworth
St. Paul the Apostle - Gurnee

Internet Job Boards

Job Search/Career Coaching/Counseling

Non-Affiliated Agencies

Barrington Career Center - Barrington
Career Resource Center - Lake Forest
College of Lake County - Hire Learning
" target="_blank" title="CLC Hire Learning">"
Executive Network Group - Chicago Area
Lake County Prosperity Forum
North Suburban Networking Center - Northbrook

Looking to Hire?

St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church, 236 US Hwy 45, Indian Creek, Illinois 60061, (847)362-1005