VOLUME 4
ISSUE 6
CORD
June 1, 2012
Inside This Issue
1
Amy Harper Lands Great Job
at Grainger
2
Michelle Lomax Earns GED
3
Job Search Avoidances
4
Upcoming Classes/Workshops
---Collaborative Organizations Responding to Dislocation
AMY HARPER USES WIA TO RE-TRAIN FOR
EXCELLENT GRAINGER JOB
When Amy Harper left her job at Alcoa after seven years for a better
opportunity at Lear Seating, she hoped it would lead to a better life for
her and her three children. But after nine months, Lear closed. “I hoped I
might be able to go back to Alcoa, but then they closed too,” she said,
leaving her „high and dry.‟
But following her earning of a Business Technology certificate and an
associate degree in the Administrative Assistant program at Blackhawk
Technical College (BTC), Amy has secured a position as a Collection Rep
One at Grainger [Lab Safety], where she‟s been the past two years. “I
actually worked for Adecco for a bit and learned about collections. I‟d
never done it before and I‟m still honing those skills and mastering the
techniques,” she said. She started at Grainger part-time in February of
2010, becoming a full-time employee four months later. “This is an
excellent company to work for,” she said. “I‟m grateful to be working for
them.”
AMY WORKS HARD TO SUPPORT HER CHILDREN
For Amy, who is a single mother but will be getting married in July, making
ends meet to support her children when they were younger [they are
now 27, 25, and 24] was paramount. The 1984 Beloit Memorial High grad
worked two to three jobs at a time to support them. But she found time to
earn her Health Unit Coordinate certificate (1990) along with her Certified
Nursing Assistant certificate (1995) from BTC. This allowed her to work at
Beloit Memorial Hospital and several nursing homes for almost four years.
“I’m thankful for the WIA
program and all it does to
help people in situations such
as I encountered. I hope
others
will
utilize
these
programs to get back on
their feet. It is a real blessing.”
---Amy Harper
But the enticement of a higher salary led her to the manufacturing
environment…until those jobs all but disappeared. “I couldn‟t have retrained…gone back to school without the WIA assistance,” Amy said.
She‟s now considering going on for her bachelor‟s degree in business
administration, but she‟ll need to schedule that around enjoying time with
her two grandchildren (ages 9 and 2) and her „grand-dog.‟ She also
serves on BTC‟s Administrative Assistant/Legal Administrative and Medical
Administrative advisory committees. She also found time to write a
children‟s book, which she is in the process of submitting for copyright.
“I‟m thankful for the WIA program and all it does to help people in
situations such as I encountered,” Amy said. “I hope others will utilize
these programs to get back on their feet. It is a real blessing.”
PAGE 2
MICHELLE LOMAX RETURNS TO EARN HER GED
Michelle Lomax of Beloit had worked her way up through the ranks in her
15-year tenure at Alcoa to become an administrator. Even though the
former line worker had critical responsibilities in her job, she held back a
little-known secret—she had never completed high school.
When Alcoa closed, Michelle finally made up her mind—she was going to
go back and earn her GED. When she strode across the stage at her GED
graduation on May 17, her family was there to support and congratulate
her, including her now-27 year-old son—the reason she dropped out after
completing the 11th grade. “I became pregnant at 17, and just never
finished high school,” Michelle explained.
But the 43-year-old mother of two other children (daughters ages 23 and
21) decided dropping out wasn‟t going to define her future. She
completed her GED requirements and tests in November, 2011. “It was
embarrassing, because as I took classes at Blackhawk Tech‟s Beloit Center,
I met many former Alcoa workers re-training. They asked what I was doing
there and of course, I told them studying for my GED. They never knew
(given my job) I didn‟t have my high school diploma,” Michelle said.
“They (former coworkers) asked what I
was doing there and of
course, I told them
studying for my GED.
They never knew (given
my job) I didn‟t have
my high school
diploma.”
--Michelle Lomax
But that didn‟t stop Michelle. She utilized WIA funding to help with day-today necessities when studying for her GED classes, but that didn‟t cover
her as she continued on to obtain her business certificate from BTC, so she
was able to be assisted by special Career and Technical Education (CATE2) funding. It helped her to become certified in computer skills such as
keyboarding and Microsoft Office Suite. She has applied for traditional
student assistance through BTC‟s financial aid office as she prepares to
enroll, starting with general business classes (CATE-2) in early June and
enrolling in BTC‟s Administrative Assistant program in the fall.
‘I WAS TERRIFIED…EMBARRASSED’
After being out of school for 22 years, Michelle said when she returned to
classes in 2009 she was at first „terrified, then embarrassed.” After
successfully passing her first GED test, she told herself she could do this and
there was no reason to be embarrassed. “I plan to keep up with my
education and take it as far as I can,” she said.
Her family supported her 100% and was at the graduation ceremony,
where Michelle gave a speech to the crowd. “They‟re very proud of me.
We even posted it on Facebook. It‟s like I told the audience—you‟re never
too old nor is it too late to return to school.” Michelle Lomax is a prime
example!
ADVICE POEM
Michelle wrote the following poem which she read at her graduation:
Stay focused, don‟t get discouraged, just go for what you want
Education is our passport to the future
For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it
Success is not final
Failure is not fatal
It is the courage to continue that counts.
PAGE 3
AVOID THESE MISTAKES YOU MAY BE MAKING IN YOUR JOB SEARCH
Following is a listing of several job search mistakes that are often made. Be sure to avoid these if
you can, to enhance your possibilities of achieving success.

You Have a Bad Attitude---Poor attitude can be ascertained by a potential employer
through phone calls, in interviews—even in the tone of a letter. Be sure you connote
enthusiasm and interest in all of your contacts with the potential hirer.

You Haven’t Checked Your References—Be sure you‟ve always pre-screened your
references. Be sure they will support you. Also be sure your references are of proper stature—
including a friend or relative as one may be OK, but be sure the majority of your references
are managers or former supervisors who can attest to your positive attitude and skills.

You Discount Part-Time or Temporary Work---Many employers, due to the recession, want to
hire temps or part-time as they ease back into fuller production. Oftentimes these employees
are eventually hired full-time, or if they don‟t, this can be a lead-in for a good reference to
another position.

You Have Not Kept Your Options Open---Don‟t hesitate to apply for multiple positions.
Diversify your search so that if one position doesn‟t work out, you still have others „in the
hopper.‟ You also can present yourself as more passionate, interested, energetic and
enthusiastic about finding employment—which makes you appear to be a more valuable
candidate.

You Think It’s All About You---In reality, it‟s about the hirer and their needs. They really don‟t
care about your circumstances or situation. They‟re looking for ways to improve their bottom
line, and you need to show them how you can help them do just that.

Your Search Strategy Is All Over the Place---Have a clearly defined, focused and targeted
strategic approach to searching for your job. Have your actions and search history recorded
so that you know where you have applied, results, etc.

You Eschew Job Descriptions---Don‟t wait for your „dream job‟---it may never show up.
Instead, even if you don‟t possess all of the qualifications listed in the job description, go for it.
Even if you‟re not hired, the interview process provides quality experience, and if they don‟t
find a „perfect‟ candidate…you may be the one they remember!

You Have a Messy Portfolio---If your resumes, transcripts, background information, etc. isn‟t
organized before you go to an interview—organize it immediately! A messy briefcase implies
that you‟re unorganized, unprepared and messy. Having documents at your fingertips
implies you‟re serious and ready to work for them.

You Take ‘No’ As Their Final Answer---It may mean „No‟ only for that one position. Be sure to
send a thank you note, wish them well, and perhaps another position will arise and your
response will keep you foremost in their mind.

You Do Not Display Tact---Be sure to regularly keep calling about your resume, but don‟t
overdo it. Don‟t be pushy—just a simple call every so often will indicate your interest and
persistence, which could place you near the top of their contact list.

You Have Too Much Work History---Especially with older job-seekers, the most recent 10-15
years is most critical. You don‟t have to go back to your high school jobs or early college jobs
unless they relate directly to a special skill that may tie-in with the job posting.

You Have Poor Business Acumen---The small things sometimes make the difference—how you
treat other workers, your use of language, your manners, etc. Small but consequential.

You Have Not Utilized or Perfected the Thank You Note—Don‟t be over-effusive nor too short
and terse…generally three to four brief sentences would be appropriate and appreciated.

Know What’s on the Internet About You—Chances are they will check up on you, so know
what‟s out there. Clean up what you can, check your privacy settings, and if there‟s
something that doesn‟t appear positive, talk to them about it.
PAGE 4
CHECK OUT THESE OPPORTUNITIES
There are many Dislocated Worker workshops that may be of interest to you
(even if you are not in the WIA program—these are open to all). Call the Rock
County Job Center for information or to schedule a session—Julie Funk: (608)
741-3462, 741-3447 to register, or call 741-3578.
All Classes listed here are at the Rock County Job Center as listed.
Java & Jobs
Fri., Jun. 1, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. C
Resume
Mon., Jun. 4, 9-10:30 a.m., Rm. J
Interviewing
Mon., Jun. 4, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. J
Literacy Council Logon & Learn
Tue., Jun. 5, 9 a.m.-noon, Rm. B
Ability Profiler
Tue., Jun. 5, 12:30-4 p.m., Rm. B
Destination Employment, Part 1
Tue., Jun. 5, 1-3:30 p.m., Rm. C
Choice, Change & Adjustment
Wed., Jun. 6, 1-3:30 p.m., Rm. B
Community Resource Fair
Thu., Jun. 7, 1-4 p.m., Rm. K
Java & Jobs
Fri., Jun. 8, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. C
Resume
Mon., Jun. 11, 9-10:30 a.m., Rm. J
Choice, Change & Adjustment
Mon., Jun. 11, 9-11:30 a.m., Rm. B
Interviewing
Mon., Jun. 11, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. J
Literacy Council Logon & Learn
Tue., Jun. 12, 9 a.m.-noon, Rm. B
Ability Profiler
Tue., Jun. 12, 12:30-4 p.m., Rm. B
Destination Employment, Part 2
Tue., Jun. 12, 1-3 p.m., Rm. C
Java & Jobs
Fri., Jun. 15, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. C
Resume
Mon., Jun. 18, 9-10:30 a.m., Rm. J
Interviewing
Mon., Jun. 18, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. J
Literacy Council Logon & Learn
Tue., Jun. 19, 9 a.m.-noon, Rm. B
Destination Employment, Part 3
Tue., Jun. 19, 1-3 p.m., Rm. C
Choice, Change & Adjustment
Wed., Jun. 20, 1-3 p.m., Rm. B
Java & Jobs
Fri., Jun. 22, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. C
Resume
Mon., Jun. 25, 9-10:30 a.m., Rm. J
Interviewing
Mon., Jun. 25, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. J
Literacy Council Logon & Learn
Tue., Jun. 26, 9 a.m.-noon, Rm. B
Ability Profiler
Tue., Jun. 26, 12:30-4 p.m., Rm. B
Choice, Change & Adjustment
Wed., Jun. 27, 9-11:30 a.m., Rm. B
Java & Jobs
Fri., Jun. 29, 9:30 a.m.-noon, Rm. C
ARROWHEAD LIBRARY CLASSES (June 1-19)
Internet Basics
Thu., Jun. 7, 10 a.m.-noon, EFPL
Financial Literacy
Thu., Jun. 7, 1-3 p.m., EFPL
eBay Buying & Selling
Thu., Jun. 7, 5-7 p.m., HPL
Introduction to Computers-Vista
Mon., Jun. 11, 10 a.m.-noon, BPL
Word Processing Basics-Word 2007
Mon., Jun. 11, 1-3 p.m., BPL
Introduction to Computers
Mon., Jun. 11, 5:30-7 p.m., HPL
Internet Basics
Tue., Jun. 12, 10 a.m.-noon, BPL
Word Processing II
Tue., Jun. 12, 1-3 p.m., BPL
Financial Literacy
Tue., Jun. 12, 6:30-8 p.m., HPL
Financial Literacy
Wed., Jun. 13, 10 a.m.-noon, BPL
Individual Instruction (1 Hr. Sessions)
Wed., Jun. 13, 4-8 p.m., CPL
Spreadsheet Basics-Excel 2007
Wed., Jun. 13, 1-3 p.m., BPL
Word Processing Basics-Word 2010
Wed., Jun. 13, 2-3:30 p.m., HPL
Job Seekers Open Lab
Thu., Jun. 14, 4-7 p.m., HPL
Spreadsheet Basics-Excel 2010
Mon., Jun. 18, 9:15-10:45 a.m., HPL
Individual Instruction (1 Hr. Sessions)
Mon., Jun. 18, 1-7 p.m., OPL
Individual Instruction (1 Hr. Sessions)
Tue., Jun. 19, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., MPL
Word Processing II-Word 2010
Tue., Jun. 19, 6-7:30 p.m., HPL
Key-- (PL=Public Library)—BPL-Beloit, 364-2905; CPL-Clinton-676-5569;
EFPL-Eager Free, Evansville, 882-2260; HPL-Hedberg-758-6588; MPL-Milton-868-7462;
OPL-Orfordville-879-9229
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“A friendship founded on
business is better than a
business founded on
friendship.”
---John D. Rockefeller
The CORD Newsletter is
designed to provide helpful
information and tips to area
dislocated workers. Have
comments or ideas for stories?
Contact the editor:
Gregg Bosak, SWWDB,
Rock County Job Center,
[email protected]
or call (608) 741-3463