Workforce | Page 7

5 Steps to Your Next Job Lake County Workforce Development offers a five-day workshop series called ‘5 Steps to Your Next Job’ once a month at various locations in Lake County. Participants receive 10 hours of training in the latest job search techniques and network with other job seekers and workforce professionals. When Lorrie was let go after 20 years in validation testing and training, she spent more than a year rethinking her career needs. “I knew I needed to work for both financial and social reasons, but I really wanted to do something different.” After a few months of unsuccessful job search, she began to feel like she didn’t even want to leave her house. She was living off her retirement savings and was ready to give up. When Lorrie attended ‘5 Steps’ in April 2015, she networked with other jobseekers and updated her job search technique. ‘The workshop Downsizing Careers series helped me sharpen my skills around job options, interviewing, and resumes.’ More importantly, attending the series got Lorrie back into routine with daily job search goals. In June 2015, Lorrie was hired to work at the deli of a major retailer. She loves the fact that she is in a busy environment where she is learning entirely new skills. “I enjoy the retail culture. This was the right transition for me.” Mary emailed the Job Center with a question immediately after she separated from a position with a not-for-profit agency after14 years . She was invited to ‘5 Steps’. Mary says she is thankful for the “information, support and direction” during the series. She eventually applied to Workforce Development for a training grant and was funded for Project Management training at Comnet. “Being an unemployed single mother is very scary . . . my Career Transition Support Specialist was very compassionate while nudging me in the right direction.’ Mary needed to earn some income while she completed her training so she kept an eye on job notices sent from the Job Center. In September 2015, Mary began working in customer service for an online delivery company. That has given her the financial freedom to work on completing her training. “When you’re in a really bad place, like I was, it’s great when you meet wonderful people.” Page 7