Forget Sending Resumes, Try Proactive Approach

All events are held at the Career Resource Center, 40 E. Old Mill Road, Suite 105, in Lake Forest, unless noted.

“How to create a compelling resume"

• Date: March 7
• Time: 10:15 a.m.
• Cost: Free for members; $10 fee for non-members

Getting noticed in today’s competitive job market requires a resume that markets your talents. While a resume will not get you a job, a well-crafted one that articulates your accomplishments and capabilities can make an impact in setting you apart from the competition. Assessing your talents and skills is the essential first step to building a resume. Melissa Jensen will offer you a framework for unearthing your unique talents and accomplishments and then focus on the content and formats that work in today’s competitive market.  Today it is all about understanding, articulating, packaging, and branding your unique talents. Jensen gained years of cross-functional management experience at WW Grainger, finishing her employment there as Director, Employee Development. So she can talk comfortably with clients from many careers.

“Think differently and stop sending resumes”

•  Date: March 14
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free for members; $10 fee for non-members

The economy has created a very different environment for obtaining and retaining a job.  It requires different thinking if you are going to differentiate yourself from the competition in the search for a new career.  This workshop will offer unique search strategies to help you get off the traditional path to finding a job and onto a proactive approach that brings results. Terri Kosecki is an experienced Career Coach who is committed to helping others find their unique place in the business world, achieve their goals, and therefore becoming indispensible to their employer. She has more than 12 years of experience in the recruiting and staffing industry, placing individuals in many vertical roles including accounting, administrative, IT, engineering, marketing, sales and management.

“Expand your connections and your knowledge - Building your network"

• Date: March 15
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Cost: Free

The best strategy for building relationships is helping others solve their problems. Reframe your thinking about what networking is all about. “Show up” and you might be surprised to find the information and connections you are looking for while helping others in their quest for new employment.  Come with specifics on what you are looking for, your inventive ideas, handbills, and business cards. Rich Basarich is a sales and marketing professional with extensive experience growing sales in all industrial engine related global markets.

“What to do about your benefits in the wake of job loss?”

• Date: March 16
• Time: 10:15 a.m.
• Cost: Free for members; $10 fee for non-members

     Working for an employer who offers a health and retirement benefit is one of the smartest things an employee can do. But what happens when you leave the job? What happens to your health and retirement benefits if you are downsized or go to work for another employer? What benefits are you entitled to and for how long? What steps do you need to take to qualify and apply? Victoria Cosentino is a benefits advisor at the U.S. Department of Labor. She has made presentations to companies and the public on various labor issues - providing technical advice and engaging in informal dispute resolution in the field of employee benefits law.

“Wellness 101:  Healthy Living Tips for Career Transition”

• Date: March 21
• Time: 1:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free for members; $10 fee for non-members

There is rarely just one factor that “makes us go tilt." Come and hear wellness expert and past executive coach Carol Wagner share a practical and realistic model that demonstrates that even the little choices make a big difference to our health. It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of a career transition and let go of some of the habits that keep us at the top of our game. You don’t have to do it all perfectly – just a few changes can make a big difference. Wagner is a nationally recognized holistic nutrition consultant, practitioner, and educator.

“Brown Bag networking – Bring your lunch!”

• Date: March 24
• Time: 11:45 a.m.
• Cost: Free for all attendees

The word “networking” has very different meanings and can instantly evoke feelings of excitement and fun or fear and aversion. The truth is we are all good at using our “network” to gather intelligence on topics of interest to us.  Join Betsy Smith, the consummate entrepreneur, as she brings energy and fun to that often daunting task of meeting strangers. Betsy has an interesting background from being a technical recruiter to owning several small businesses.  Relationship building is her strength as she always brings inventive ways to connect with others.