PA CareerLink® has been partnering with our neighborhood libraries over the past several months in bringing their services closer to our patrons. One of our primary goals is connecting jobseekers to reliable resources, and this has made a natural partnership (be sure to check out the Free Library’s guide for job seekers to get connected with resources and keep up to date with events happening near you).

We asked Jim Rudick, Community Workforce Connector for PA CareerLink, to elaborate on the expanding services they are providing, and here is what he shared with us:

"PA CareerLink® Philadelphia and the Free Library of Philadelphia have been collaborating together to deploy support throughout Philadelphia to help any and all job seekers in the city. myself and Franklin Muñoz, the PA CareerLink® Community Workforce Connectors, have joined forces with partnering libraries and staff members to ensure that career seekers are getting the most from their library visits.

We are equipped to offer a variety of services at participating libraries. Currently, many people have taken advantage of the Customized Job Search, which provides a personalized approach to navigating barriers associated with looking for employment. A career seeker is able to sit down one-on-one with Jim or Franklin and speak candidly about what they are looking for in a career and how to overcome certain barriers one might have. The most common requests are resume help, job search assistance, interview tips, and how to register with PA CareerLink®.

PA CareerLink® workshops held at library facilities also provide an avenue of opportunity for jobseekers to participate in an engaging discussion on a particular employment-related topic. Not only do participants interface with PA CareerLink® staff members during these workshops, but they are also connecting with peers who may be searching for employment as well. Workshops cover an array of topics, from how to begin your personalized job search, to confidently acing your dream job interview, leaving participants with valuable knowledge in the specified topic. Below are some of the workshops offered:

• Welcome to PA CareerLink® –  Resources/Services that are offered at all PA CareerLink® locations in Philadelphia
• Navigating PA CareerLink®– How to navigate the PA CareerLink® website to find jobs, engage with employers, and brush up on job readiness skills using virtual tools
• Do’s & Don’ts of Resume – How to create an effective resume
• Peer Mock Interview – Practice answering interview questions with peers
• Modern Interviewing – How to confidently answer modern-day interview questions

PA CareerLink® understands the frustrations and emotional vulnerability of securing employment. A great initiative we have started at the Free Library of Philadelphia is support groups. This open forum allows job seekers to talk about their struggles with finding employment, the rejection involved, and the many barriers faced. PA CareerLink®, together with the Free Library of Philadelphia, are excited to offer programs and solutions to help individuals to obtain the skills needed to secure employment.

In addition, the Free Library of Philadelphia and PA CareerLink® host larger-scale events, such as hiring events, resource fairs, and Interview Pre-screen Days, to help support job seekers in obtaining needed resources and ultimately gain sustainable employment."