Helping Your Job-Seeking Patrons Thrive During Challenging Times

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Format: Computer Lab

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Fee: $75 for those in the California library community.

In a typical day, how many people come up to you at the reference desk, and ask for help filing for unemployment, searching for a job possibility, or creating a resume? The unemployment numbers are just staggering, with the California unemployment rate now at 11.2%.

Unemployment does not play favorites – white collar, blue collar, teenagers, and even senior citizens are all looking for work. Every day people from all age groups and experience levels come to the library for help. Many have never been to the library before – and many have never used a computer before. During these tough economic times, you may feel that your role has changed from librarian to career guidance counselor! If you are confronted with people who are out of work and would like to improve your knowledge of unemployment and job resources and strategies, this workshop is for you

This workshop is for any library staff member who has interaction with the public, whether in a public or academic library. At the conclusion of this workshop, you will have the skills and resources needed to assist your local community survive, and even thrive, during this economic downturn.

Workshop Description: This is an all-day hands-on interactive workshop that will teach you how to help your patrons thrive during these challenging times. The instructor will provide extensive handouts, an annotated webliography, and practical and useful tips that can be used immediately with library customers. The workshop will also include group exercises and activities.

Preliminary Course Outline

  • Unemployment Resources
    • Completing and downloading the EDD application for unemployment
    • California Employment Development Department website
    • Other unemployment tools and resources
  • Career Resources and Choices
    • Meta career resources
    • Wages and salaries
    • Federal employment resources
    • California state employment resources
    • Job searching
  • Networking: Schmooze or Lose
    • Social networking tools
    • 30 second elevator speech
  • More Than Monster.com
    • Job listings
    • Careers and resumes
    • Interviewing skills

Who Should Attend: The workshop is for any member of the California library community who wants to continue to provide valuable and much-needed support to customers during these tough economic times.

Prerequisites: "This course requires that students be comfortable with basic computer skills, including using a mouse, navigating the web, and basic keyboarding."

Check-in: 8:30 to 9:00 AM Instruction: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

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Please note: An additional session will be scheduled in the Sacramento area.

Available for contracting: 
No