Help For Hard Times: Weathering the Economic Storm

Created by staff of the LINC/211 Department of the Memphis Public Library in cooperation with the United Way of the Mid-South.

Help for Hard Times: Weathering the Economic Storm

Struggling to make ends meet in the economic storm?  United Way of the Mid-South and LINC/2-1-1 can help you find the information you need!

Facing a job loss can be a very scary experience.  It is often hard to know where to turn or what to do first.  All of us need help at one time or another.  Fortunately, there are some agencies and organizations which may be able to help you deal with some common problems.

LINC/2-1-1 and United Way of the Mid-South have information about area agencies and services that may be able to help you weather the economic storm.

Just click to get information about different types of information and assistance.  In each section you will see information about key area services, and possibly links to the web sites of state or local non-profit or government agencies that provide those services.  This is not a comprehensive list.

Call 2-1-1 (or our alternate numbers, 901-415-2790 or toll-free 866-735-7211) during our operating hours or search our LINC/2-1-1 Community Information database at  www.memphislibrary.org/linc/211.htm for help in finding resources.

Please be aware that some programs may have waiting lists, have very specific eligibility criteria, or may be at capacity at the time of your call.

Job Security Guide

CBS’ Money Watch has created Job Security Guide with some very good pointers for your job search.  The “Package Contents” are:

The 5 New Rules for Job Security

What Not to Do: 7 Ways to Ruin Your Resume

Real-Life Resume Makeover

How to Ace the New Job Interview

Job Interview Tips

Apprenticeship Opportunities – Sprinkler Fitters

Sprinkler Fitter Apprenticeship Opportunities

Open Date:       January 1, 2010

Close Date:      June 30, 2010

Where:             Simplex Grinnell

6423 Shelby View Dr., Ste 107

Memphis, TN  38137

Time:                8:30-9:30 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month.  Interviews will be scheduled and conducted as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet the following requirements to qualify for an interview for apprenticeship:

1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Provide proof of a high school diploma or GED
3. Submit a completed, signed SimplexGrinnell application
4. Have a valid driver’s license and a dependable means of transportation to the employer’s place of business and/or jobsite, and to the place where classroom job related instruction is conducted.
5. Be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the apprenticeship program, with or without a reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others.
6. Must be able to communicate in English, both verbally and in written format

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Applicants selected for hire will be required to submit to the following, all as condition of and prior to being employed.

1. Human Performance Evaluation
2. Screening for use of illegal drugs
3. Background check

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants must provide proof of high school diploma or GED and driver’s license at time of application.

For questions: Denia Lane, 901-377-8020 ext. 221

SimplexGrinnell is an EEO Employer, M/F/D/V

Job Search Engines Grouped Together

A new site http://netrezjobs.com/ has combined an extensive list of job search engines on one page.  There are some that you may know along with some more specialized sites.

Note: The Commercial Appeal mentioned this website on 1/7/10.  Click here to read the full article.

Job Corps Orientation

JOB CORPS ADMISSIONS is in search of some great young people ages 16-24!

Job Corps is operated through the U.S. Department of Labor and has been a viable (no cost) option for young people for 45 years! The premise of this residential program is to make a young person employable by encouraging self development and providing an environment conducive to creating a more marketable and independent youth. To us, employability includes the following: 1. Hands on training (over 100 competitive trades are offered at various centers across the country including CNA, LPN, Medical Office Support, Culinary Arts, Carpentry, Heavy Equipment Operator, Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Welding, Urban Forestry and much more!) 2. A completed education (earn a high school diploma or GED if a person does not have one already) 3. Mobility (students have an opportunity to earn a driver’s license while in the program)

Job Corps is a drug free environment and drug tests are mandatory upon entry; there are also other “zero tolerance” policies in place to ensure the safety of students and staff, and create an environment similar to work/school.

To Find Out More Information: Contact Honoria Middough, Outreach & Retention Specialist at 901-525-4491 or email hmiddough@chpinternational.com to find out about the current orientation schedule.

No appointment is necessary for orientations however. Once the person attends orientation, they will be scheduled for an interview- at that time, it will be determined if they are suitable and eligible for the Job Corps opportunity.

(All applicants are subject to a background check and cannot be mandated to enroll in this program by any court.)

Current Orientation Schedule is:

Every Monday at 10am and Every Wednesday at 2pm for those 18-24.

 Orientation is once per month for those 16-17 year olds: the next one is January 11th at 2pm 100 N. Main Street, Suite 906- Memphis, TN 38103/901-525-4491 x 11

*please note, no jeans or tennis shoes should be worn to orientation; a collard shirt should be worn by males as well*

Honoria Middough, Outreach & Retention Specialist

CHP International- Job Corps Admissions

100 N. Main Street, Suite 906 Memphis, TN 38103

901-525-4491

Second Chance Program Accepting Applications 12/28/09

The Second Chance Program is a private/public partnership between the City of Memphis and local businesses that is designed to connect ex-offenders who are willing to work with employers who are willing to hire them. Since its creation by the City of Memphis in 2001, the Second Chance program has provided employment and support services to former offenders in Memphis and Shelby County to help them succeed in life as law abiding citizens.  For Frequently Asked Questions click here.

Applications for the Second Chance Program will be accepted on December 28, 2009.  Please call 901-545-0343 for information and to find out if you qualify.

Census 2010 – Jobs

There are many employment opportunities available with the U.S. Census Bureau.  Available positions include:

• Census Takers
• Crew Leaders
• Crew Leader Assistants
• Recruiting Assistants
• Census Clerks

For more information, including a practice test, is available at

www.2010censusjobs.gov or 1-866-861-2010.

Try a Job with the U.S. Government

If you are interested in pursuing a job with the Federal Government, now is the time to start researching.  Read this article for more.  Also, you may begin your search at http://www.usajobs.gov/, the official job site of the U.S. Government.

Turn a Holiday Temp Job into a Permanent Job

ABC’s Good Morning America’s Job Club offers some advice on what to do to turn a seasonal job into a permanent one.  Click here for more.

“Creating Careers for Christians” Job Fair 11/6/09

“Creating Careers for Christians” Job Fair @ St Paul Date: November 6, 2009 Time: 9AM – 3:00PM Facility: St Paul Baptist Church 2124 East Holmes Road Memphis, TN 38116

List of Confirmed Companies

Comcast	Carthage Intermodal
Kelly Services	TDOT Career Express
Mary Kay Cosmetics	Medtronic
Methodist Healthcare	ServiceMaster
Shelby County Schools	University of Phoenix – Memphis Campus
UPS	Sitel
Social Security Administration	Summerfield Associates
Swift Transportation	U.S. Navy
Army National Guard	Tennessee Career Center

Dress for Success – Career Club for Women

Career Transformation Club “CTC” 

The Career Transformation Club is offered through Dress for Success Memphis and its new Working Woman’s Career Center.

The Career Transformation Club is a Breakfast Club, offering Personal & Professional Support for women who are in transition to a successful career.

When: Every Tuesday beginning October 27, 2009

Time: 9:30am

Where: Dress for Success Memphis 2730 Colony Park Drive, Suite 7 Memphis, TN 38118

Dress for Success Memphis:   Where Success is Our Focus

Phone: 901.363.3100 Fax: 901.363.3788 E-mail: denise@dfsmemphis.org

Dress for Success Memphis

2730 Colony Park Drive, Suite 7 Memphis, TN 38118

Suits to Self-Sufficiency

Job Fair Thursday, 10/22/09 @ STCC-Macon

SOUL CLASSICS 103.5 Job Fair

Find your next job at the SOUL CLASSICS 103.5 Job Fair, Thursday, October 22nd at Southwest Tennessee Community College, Macon Campus from 10am-4pm.

While you’re there, you can meet with representatives of Save-A-Lot, Avon, Davita Dialysis, City of Memphis Government, UT Medical Group, Coventry Health & Life, The Villages @ Harrison Creek, AWG Inc, A Nu Life 4-U, Citadel Broadcasting-Memphis, Southwest Tennessee Community College, and more!

The Job Fair will be huge. Admission and parking are free to the public.

Job Fair @ Botanic Gardens 10/14/09 10-3

Putting Memphis Back to Work

Date:October 14, 2009

Time:10:00 AM – 3:00 AM

Facility: Memphis Botanical Garden

750 Cherry Road Memphis, TN 38117

Description: Part of the “Putting America Back To Work Job Fair Series”! 15,000 jobs by 2010! National Job Fair Event

Top Employers From The Entire Memphis Region! Dress for Success. Bring Plenty of Resumes All Job Seekers Welcome FREE ADMISSION!

Science Careers

If you are looking for work in the scientific community, you will definitely want to check out the Science Careers site from the journal Science.  In addition to offering great articles and information about different scientific fields, you can find postings for biotech, pharmaceutical, faculty, and postdoc jobs around the country.

Do You Twitter?

If you do, here are the top 10 job tweeters to follow, according to CareerBuilder.com.