The following article was submitted by Karen Hansen, the Manitowoc Public Library’s Public Services Manager.
In collaboration with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Manitowoc Public Library is excited to regularly welcome job seekers for personalized career and job services. This partnership represents the growing need to creatively connect with job seekers to help them gain employment or advance in their career. When Job Centers around the state closed to the public during the pandemic, the Dewey Street facility never reopened due to a planned closure; however, job services continue to be available online, over-the-phone, and in coordination with community partners.
Karen Hansen
Although the pandemic brought many changes to how businesses, governmental entities, and non-profits deliver services, some of those changes have resulted in innovation, creativity, and more effective resource and space sharing. I believe the Job Center and Manitowoc Public Library collaboration is among those fruitful and positive changes! A natural partnership, the DWD Job Service and Manitowoc Public Library collaboration serves job seekers in an easily accessible location close to public transportation. The Library offers a host of tools job seekers need: free Wi-Fi internet access, computers, low cost printing/copying/faxing, and friendly staff to provide basic assistance. For those who need advanced and personalized assistance with finding a job, re-entering the workforce, creating application materials, and career counseling, Job Services staff from DWD are ready to help. What a creative and fiscally responsible way to share our resources while serving our community!
Currently, DWD staff are available at the Library each week for a few hours on Mondays and Tuesdays. Before your visit, check our calendar for details: www.manitowoclibrary.org/events. Department of Workforce Development staff are pleased to offer the following types of assistance:
- Resume: Expert resume development assistance.
- Cover letter: Help on drafting cover letters as part of application materials.
- Interview: Includes information on answering difficult interview questions and mock interviewing if the client wishes.
- Job Search Assistance: Assistance is given to help individuals that are unemployed, underemployed, or just looking for a change. Resources and techniques are shared to help the process be successful.
- Networking for a new employment opportunity: Most employment opportunities are found through networking. Learn about techniques and resources to effectively network to a new job or career.
- Researching employers: “Why do you want to work here?” Find out resources to answer this key question and decide if the company is a match for you.
- Career Counseling: Our counselor is a dedicated, caring, licensed Career Counselor with Global Career Development Certification and is available by appointment to provide support during times of career transitions and job loss, help individuals assess interests, skills and abilities, assist with discovering options/exploring career alternatives and locating resources to identify available jobs and develop an action plan for career goal success.
- Referrals for individuals with barriers to employment: Get individualized referrals to partner agencies that can assist you with overcoming and removing employment hurdles. Examples include Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) who may be able to assist those with disabilities with staying employed or finding new employment, Fidelity Bonding for individuals with poor credit, ex-offenders or individuals with other situations which may make businesses more hesitant to hire them.
