by Annette Mattei

Are you thinking about getting back into the workforce but aren’t sure how to get started? Or maybe you’re not happy with how your job search is going?

Then we have just the thing for you! The Free Library of Philadelphia is pleased to partner with Southwest CDC in presenting an Employment Boot Camp for job seekers. This four-day course is packed with lots of good, practical stuff to kick your job search into gear. And best of all, it’s free!

Here’s a preview of what’s on the agenda:

• Creating and/or fine-tuning your résumé, cover letter, and thank you letter
• Signing up for Gmail and learning how to use email to submit letters of interest and communicate with prospective employers
• Establishing your online professional presence with a LinkedIn page
• Dos and don’ts for job interviews and workplace etiquette
• Basic principles of time management
• An introduction to financial empowerment and taking control of your credit report

Participants from past Employment Boot Camps had great things to say about their experience:

"The Employment Boot Camp was a life-changing experience for me. The techniques I learned concerning résumé writing was information I never received before. I learned a great deal that I am using and continue to work with the Job Readiness Lab at Southwest CDC." – Daniel Barfield

"The whole dynamic of the Employment Boot Camp was beneficial. I feel like I now have a résumé that will stand out. I was especially moved by the speeches that encouraged me to go out and do the work that is necessary to improve my employment situation. I have to do the work for myself; I am my own best agent."
– Jack Cottom

The Employment Boot Camp begins on Monday, August 21 and continues through Thursday, August 24, taking place at Southwest CDC (6328 Paschall Avenue) in Southwest Philadelphia. Sessions are daily, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Participants who complete the course will receive a free tie or scarf of their choosing from Southwest CDC’s new Tiebrary, inspired by Paschalville’s Tiebrary! (Our thanks to NBC 10 for its donation of ties and scarves.)

We still have spaces available, so sign up now by contacting Cynthia Ryant, Employment Specialist at Southwest CDC, at 215-729-4546 or Cynthia@southwestcdc.org. And if you can’t make the August session, we have another session coming up on October 2–5, 2017. Contact Cynthia if you’d like to reserve your spot for the October session.

The Employment Boot Camp is co-presented by staff of the Southwest Job Readiness Labs, which have two locations in Southwest Philadelphia: Paschalville Library (6942 Woodland Avenue) and Southwest CDC (6342 Paschall Avenue). Follow us on Facebook to get all the latest information on upcoming programs and events. The Job Readiness Labs are part of the Paschalville Partnership, a Free Library-led collaboration of 11 organizations working to transform services for job seekers in Southwest Philadelphia, made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.