This is the latest in a series about what is going on at the Pima County Public Library.
We take great pride in serving library customers through the Job Help program. Weβve seen it truly touch lives and that brings us such happiness. Those of us who teach Job Help have more stories to share than thereβs room for here, but a few wonderful moments stand out in our minds.
There was the woman who received a phone call during a Job Help session, hung up the phone, and said, βI got the job!β Every person in the room clapped, even those who didnβt know her.
Weβve watched many people come full circle, including a man who regularly attended and is now working at another organization helping people get jobs.
Another person increased his computer skills and soon began volunteering at his sonβs school. Shortly after, the school created a job for him. He served as the schoolβs liaison for a new computer program being installed.
These are just a few of the stories weβve gathered over the years. There are so many more. We see much joy, some frustration, and even tears (both happy and sad) in Job Help. Weβve made friends and watched them make positive changes. Itβs a privilege to be a part of their lives.
It is beyond special when former customers return to tell us theyβve gotten a job. Or when people stop in for help updating their rΓ©sumΓ©s and applying for new positions. Sometimes they swing by to simply tell us how happy they are or that theyβve received a promotion.
In addition to job and computer help, our customers are in need of essential community resources. To meet that need, we created an extensive toolkit in the form of a notebook thatβs displayed on a table.
We have handouts on job fairs, workshops, classes, information for veterans and interview tips. We also have contributions from former Job Help customers whoβve acquired jobs and share helpful information and tips gleaned from their own search process. We encourage customers to take copies of anything that will empower them to be successful.
Plus, thereβs the library itself and all the incredible resources online in the E-Library: Brainfuse Online Tutoring, DigitalLearn, Career Transitions, and LearningExpress Library, to name only a small selection.
Every Job Help customer has the advantage of using our laptops and receiving one-on-one assistance within a group setting. They love the WinWay RΓ©sumΓ© Writing Software that guides a person in creating a rΓ©sumΓ© and cover letter thatβs ready to print or email to potential employers. Itβs also a great tool for job searching and has plenty of other helpful features, including job application assistance, an interview simulation and a salary maximizer. Did we mention itβs completely free?
Filling out an online application can be difficult and time consuming. For some people, submitting an online application might also mean using a computer for the first time. Needless to say, theyβre not always terribly excited about it. But with the library here for them, they have nothing to fear. Weβve got tutorials to share and classes for every skill level.
A gentleman came into the library with his fiancΓ©e, who needed help with her rΓ©sumΓ©. When we asked him if he also needed assistance, he said he had a good skilled trade job, but it didnβt matter anyway since he didnβt have a degree and therefore couldnβt have a rΓ©sumΓ©. It was wonderful to witness his delight hearing that he most certainly could.
While the program has evolved over the years to meet the needs of the community, not much has changed fundamentally. The goal remains the same: to help people become independent job seekers by teaching them skills that they can use any time and any place. We want to help people feel good about themselves and be successful at applying for jobs.
There is no single Job Help customer. There are first-timers and those who come again and again. They are of varied ages and even more varied skill levels. They are seeking part-time and full-time jobs, exploring vocational options, or transitioning to new careers. Whatever their motivation, whatever their past, the overall goal remains the same: to secure gainful employment. We relish the opportunity to work with them and be part of their journey.
The program also inspires incredible camaraderie. People help each other. They share job leads, information about companies and even assist one another determining which bus route to take to interviews.
Weβve seen it happen over the years and each time, the same result. People feel comforted when they can see that they arenβt the only person looking for a job. They hold each other up and encourage one another along the way. Some of them have even met for lunch once a month and celebrated life events together.
One young man in particular comes to mind. He was quite down on himself when other Job Help customers began praising him. It worked. As his confidence grew, so too did his determination.
Year after year, we are inspired by our customersβ perseverance in the face of challenges and moved by their hard-won successes. Itβs an honor to know and help them.