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WHAT CAN EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES AT THE GMFRC DO FOR YOU?
INTRODUCING THE PERSONAL EMPLOYMENT PLAN (PEP).
The Employment Services program has
been under some evolving changes over the past year to bring it closer
to reflecting the needs of our clients. As a result of that evolution
many of you may not be aware of all that the GMFRC Employment Services
can do for you. Employment Services has
launched what we call our Personal Employment Plan (PEP), which
is designed to assist clients from the first time you enter the office,
until you are happily employed. It is my intention for this article to
explain what the Personal Employment Plan is and what it can do for you.
The Personal Employment
Plan is a vast, inclusive program designed to assist clients with every
aspect of employment until they are employed in the right job for them.
The PEP is broken down into 10 distinct, and extensive steps that all
work together to ensure that the client receives the right employment
for them. The right employment is a term that you will with the PEP due
to the fact that it is our goal to find not only suitable employment,
but employment that builds capacity, and matches the skills and
abilities as best it can to the client. The following section of the
article will be dedicated to providing a detailed explanation of each of
the 10 steps.
STEP 1:
The first step of any plans needs to be gathering
information about you, the client, and what your employment hopes and
goals are. From there gathering information about your education,
experience, training, and anything else relevant to employment is
important to learn who you are, and what you would like to do. This
stage is crucial to the PEP plan due to the fact that the rest of the
PEP hinges on creating a plan that is personalized.
STEP 2:
The second step of the PEP is the Resume creation /enhancement stage of
the plan. In this stage we look over your Resume, or create a Resume,
and suggest ways to create a Resume that speaks best to the skills and
education that you possess. A Resume is your change in approximately two
paper pages to explain who you are, and virtually everything that you
have done employment related in your life. Your Resume can make or break
getting the job you really want, and due to this a great deal of time
and effort is spent creating the perfect Resume for you.
STEP 3:
The third step of the PEP is the same as the second step, with the
change being that it is the creation or enhancement of the Cover Letter.
What applies to the importance of the Resume, also applies to the Cover
Letter, and so great care is taken here as well.
STEP 4:
The fourth step is to create a reference sheet, if applicable to you.
The reference sheet is a listing of professional and personal reference
with their contact information. The sheet is created with the intent to
hand out during an interview. Remember before adding a person’s name to
your reference sheet, obtain permission and ensure that a positive
reference will result.
STEP 5:
The fifth step is beginning to leave the creation and preparation stage
of the PEP and enter the planning and action stage of the plan. The
fifth step is to begin the Job Search process, a process that continues
until the completion of the plan. It is this stage that resources are
discussed and examined to determine the best locations in which to start
a Job Search. Various mediums such as Internet, Networking, Newspapers,
and good old fashion pavement pounding methods are investigated to
develop leads on available or upcoming employment opportunities. This
step is usually one of great learning, as new resources are usually
illuminated to the client, which they had not previously thought of.
STEP 6:
The sixth step is all about the interview, learning about it and
preparing for it. The interview is typically the stage in the employment
process that causes the greatest amount of stress in clients, and
uncertainty about their skills and performance. The PEP works to
eliminate fears and uneasiness surrounding the interview by discussing
tips and strategies to better prepare for, and perform in, the dreaded
interview. At the GMFRC we can provide resources to educate regarding
interviews, as well as conduct no stress “Mock Interviews”, all in the
attempt to increase your ability to effectively demonstrate your skills
during the interview.
STEP 7:
The seventh step is that of personal planning to increase skills, or to
obtain the necessary skills needed to accommodate the employment you
seek. This is one of the most enjoyable steps of the PEP in that you
begin to plan dates and times when courses or training will be obtained
and begin to see your employment goals getting closer and closer.
Examples of this step would be planning to take course either offered by
the GMFRC or outside agencies. Such skills development courses include
taking courses such as First Aid/CPR, Food Handling, American Sign
Language, Computer Courses, etc. The variation of which client takes
which course is unique to the client and their plan, and the skills they
wish to obtain or develop.
STEP 8:
Step number eight involves conducting a career assessment using a
professionally accredited system to better gauge interests, aptitudes,
and to determine what level of happiness and success you might
experience in different employment areas, based on interests.
STEP 9:
The next step involves being added to the Employment Database, which is
an electronic store of your information for future Job Search reference.
This Database enables the coordinator quick electronic access to your
information should a Job opportunity arise, to ensure quick notification
to the client.
STEP 10:
The final step of the PEP is to have frequent and meaningful follow ups
at regular intervals to assess progression, and to determine new courses
of action and needs. The Employment Database is the primary tool used to
maintain accurate and frequent follow-ups.
In
conclusion, the PEP system is one aimed at client needs, and ultimately
finding the correct employed that is best suited to individual client
needs. I invite anyone who has questions regarding employment, or who
are looking for employment or better employment to please contact
the Coordinator of Employment and Education Services at 765-1494 ext 1816 to put the Personal
Employment Plan to the test for yourself. |
