Weekly Workforce Development Skills: Finding a Job

June 10, 2024

Providence House continues to build our resident’s workforce development skills. Last week, we focused on parenting and self-care during the summer holidays. This week, we will learn skills for finding a job.

Topic: Finding a Job

Looking for a job can be stressful. To be successful in a job search, you have to understand different kinds of jobs and how to find them. You will need to spend time and energy to find a job. That is why you should treat a job search like full-time work. Before you look for a job, think about your skills and the different kinds of work you can do.

Types of Work
There are different types of employment. Many full-time jobs have a 40-hour workweek. Full-time jobs often come with benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation. Some full-time workers earn an annual salary, while others are paid by the hour. Part-time jobs vary from a few hours to 30 or more hours a week. Most part-time jobs pay workers hourly and do not provide benefits. A temporary job lasts for a set period of time, such as the summer months or the holiday season.

Looking for a Job
How do you find job openings? Start by networking, or talking to friends, family, neighbors, and people you worked for in the past. They may know of open positions. You should also visit the nearest workforce center. In most states, these state offices have lists of jobs. They also offer free help to job hunters, such as job training, resume reviews, and interview tips. Job fairs are another place to learn about jobs. These events provide a place for employers and job hunters to meet.

You can also search for a job on the Internet. Employment websites list many kinds of jobs. On these sites, you enter keywords about the kind of position you are looking for, such as “sales” or “restaurant.” The site will show available job listings. Some company websites list their open positions. You may even be able to apply online. No matter how you look for a job, it is important to talk to the people who hire. Don’t give up if you don’t find a job right away. Finding a job can take a lot of work, but the effort is worth it.

 

As Providence House staff talks with residents this week, they’ll share their experiences with job searches, mistakes they’ve made along the way, and how they learned from those mistakes. Intent listening, encouragement, and guidance are key.

 

Workforce Development at Providence House is open to its residents and the community as a whole. Have questions? Contact Dr. Whittney Polley, Director of Education at 318-221-7887 or wpolley@theprovidencehouse.com.