Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Rick Zapata

Regional Extension Agent

Consumer Sciences & Personal Financial Management

April 28, 2009

Even though we are in a prolonged recession, employers are still looking for good employees.  For those of you who have been laid off or those of you just wanting to change jobs, searching for a new job in this recession can be difficult but not impossible.

The Alabama Career Center is a good place to start your job search. They have people there to help you input a resume into their computer system and hundreds of employers can locate your resume on this computer system. You can also browse the system for jobs that are posted. Some of these jobs may be in your area or in other parts of Alabama.

When you develop your resume, you should focus on job skills. Where you have worked before is not nearly important as what skills you received while working. Employers are looking for people with real job skills, not a thick resume. In order to prepare a skills based resume, you will need to sit down with some quiet time and make a list of the job skills that you have. If possible put the skills into “skill sets”, which are closely related skills. For instance, if you are skilled at several types of welding, those skills in the various types of welding would form one skill set. Likewise, if you have supervisory skills, they would form one skill set. The average person is reported to have 700 skills.

When listing your skill sets, don’t forget the personal skills that you possess. These are just as important to many employers. For instance some personal skills are:

1. Punctual to work

2. Work well with others

3. Conflict resolution abilities

4. Problem solving abilities

5. Able to work unsupervised

6. Friendly

7.Willing to work overtime

8. Teachable spirit

9. Ability to learn quickly

10. Trust worthy.

Employers hire people who can fit in to their organization and who will help them make money. You will want to show the new employer that you are trainable and eager to learn something that will help their business.  The difference in jobs today from the jobs your grandfather had is the need to continue to learn new things.

If you have never used a computer to look for a job, the people at the Career Centers will help you get started. Most current employers are looking for employees who can use a computer. There are several sources in Baldwin County where you can receive computer training. Most libraries offer free computer classes and Faulkner State Community College has beginner and advanced classes. There is a new state program (W.I.A.) that will pay for you to go to Faulkner free of charge if you meet current requirements. The Career Center can help you with this application process. I would encourage everyone who has been laid off to look into this W.I.A. training program and get some type of computer training. Most modern jobs will require you to use a computer of some type.

If you are out of work or wanting to start your own business, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will start a Small Business workshop on April 30th, from 6-8 pm at the Fairhope Public Library. This is a free course that will help enable you to start your own small business. The workshop will be held over four weeks or so and will require you to attend one night per week.

If you are out of work or simply wanting to look for another job, there will be a job search workshop on May 19th, and May 20th, also at the Fairhope Public Library. These are separate classes and you will need to attend both starting at 1:30 pm each day. We will cover developing a skills based resume, job networking, and internet job search techniques. Students who are seniors this year would also benefit attending this workshop.

The workshops are free, but seating is limited. Please register by calling 251-937-7176. Good luck with your job search.

Email:  rrz0001@auburn.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.