My pretty cool new volunteer venture

I hinted a couple weeks ago at something pretty exciting. It made the front page of the July 9 Arizona Republic newspaper:

What the story didn't fully explain:

The Great State of Arizona accepted a federal grant under the Workforce Investment Act to open additional Access Points for the state's Workforce Connection program. I am going to be an Access Point Trainer.

Starting next Sunday afternoon, one of the big churches in my 'hood is opening an Access Point office, so anyone from the community, not just church members (and not even restricted to those of the Christian faith) can stop in for resume reviews, interviewing tips, and help in accessing job boards and filling out applications. Or, if they just need someone to vent to or to pray with, I can do that as well.

The staff at the Workforce Connection sites are all extremely competent and compassionate, but are overwhelmed; Arizona is still facing a $2Billion budget shortfall (they missed their June 30 deadline) so is making cuts across the board, many times resulting in cuts to programs and services that are most in demand. Access Points bring the services into more neighborhoods, and simply helps to spread the services across more people.

The Trainer position is volunteer for now; the grant money goes towards the material. Because it is under a federal grant, it is portable, so if I end up moving to Seattle or Minneapolis or wherever my next job will take me, I could conceivably volunteer in a new state. And, it is another bullet point on my resume.

I have said several times that, while I have no pleasure in being unemployed, I do find the process of looking for work to be fascinating. And, I've long held to the saying, "Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." I've wanted to find opportunities to teach / coach / train / mentor, and this seems like a pretty obvious convergence of desires, interests, and current situation. I'm pretty excited about it.

And I get my picture in the paper to boot!

Dress for Success, in job searching

A number of years ago, I had a debate with my high school civics teacher over the book, “Dress for Success.” I called it a debate; I’m sure Mr. Niemela called it something else. I just would not accept that anyone should be judged by anything other than his or her own merit. I believed that if you work hard and produce good work, then success will follow.

I still believe that. But, as I’ve gotten older and have spent a few years in the business world, I do understand that if you want anyone else to take your success seriously, they have to take you seriously as well.

When you’re out of work and looking for work, then your job is to find a job. Why, then, would you show up to networking meetings or employment seminars wearing gym shorts and flip flops and baseball caps?

And what is with the entitlement attitude exhibited by some of these people? Losing your job is traumatic, and being unemployed is stressful. You are not helping yourself at all, though, by arguing with presenters who are trying to share information, or Tsking when you don’t agree (just ask Mr. Niemela).

I’m sure these folks are not expecting an employer to shake their hands and offer them a position on the spot, but you never know. As I spend more time networking and meeting people, I am seeing more and more employers at these various events, and today, one was even pre-screening at an event I was at.

Even if there are no employers at some of these events, the other 9.5% unemployed workers are all potential resources, potential leads, or if nothing else, a sympathetic ear. I have to say this, though: My heart goes out to everyone who is currently looking for a job, and I am more than happy to pass along some helpful advice, or potential leads. But, I am more likely to want to help those who seem to be taking their job search seriously. And wearing your Kobe Bryant basketball jersey to a seminar does not scream to me that you are taking your job search seriously.

I think I just realized I’m turning into my dad.