Event will help with job search

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Minnesota’s unemployment rate reached about 8.3 percent in 2009. That number has dropped almost a percentage point for every year after that, and preliminary numbers for August 2012 show the unemployment rate to be at 5.9 percent.

With presumably more people re-entering the work force, a group from Cannon Falls is holding a career skills clinic Nov. 1 to help those returning to work after a break — as well as underemployed people and those looking for a new career path — brush up on their job searching, interviewing and resume-constructing skills.

“How they should handle themselves: questions they should ask, how to prepare, research the company,” said Jeffrey Latterell, a former human resources director, current executive recruiter and event organizer.

Three community groups – Cannon Falls Council of Churches, First Congregational Church and the Shepherd Center – began looking at ways to give back to the community close to a year ago, Latterell said. With statistics about a high unemployment rate in the media, the groups settled on the back-to-work clinic.

“Primarily the idea was trying to give back something to the community, to try to be helpful,” Latterell said.

The organizers stress that this is not a job fair. Instead it’s a walk-in workshop that will help potential employees maximize their job search and provide tips to help them get the job they want.

“The actual event is going to be a fairly unique experience,” Latterell said.

When attendees come to the clinic, they will first meet with experts who will not only help them negotiate the clinic itself, but also give them advice on where to find job postings and openings.

From there, attendees will be able to rotate through the other educational areas, including stations focused on resume writing, dressing for interviews, asking the right questions during an interview, identifying job training opportunities and coping with losing a job.

One station will address networking, a skill Latterell said is especially important for job-seekers.

“Everything you read says about 70 percent of jobs that are filled are never advertised, but filled by word of mouth,” he said.

Event organizers have tapped nearly 20 “employment experts” — including small business owners, human resource managers and a retired state work force employee — who will be sharing their advice and experiences.

Latterell said the clinic is open to “anybody that’s searching for a job.” That includes people seeking positions from the most basic jobs to executive positions.

“The process is surprisingly similar whether you’re looking for an entry level job or a vice-president position,” he said.

Latterell added that there’s one other thing that would-be employees across the board should do with their job searchers.

“Think of it as a job,” he said. “Work at it eight hours a day.”

If you go…

What: Career skills clinic

When: 4-8 p.m., Thursday Nov. 1

Where: First Congregational Church, 220 W. Main St., Cannon Falls

Cost: Free

More information: Email jeffrey@latterell.com or garyengstrom@mac.com

Tags: cannon falls, news, business