1. Laura Robb
Oak Park Career Center
(248) 691-8437 x 2974
22180 Parklawn
Oak Park, MI 48237
www.oakparkcareercenter.org

2. Today
• Our Agency’s services
• The 55 + Program
• Challenges of our times
• Resources I use that may be of
help to you

3. Where are we located?
Oak Park Career Center is…
• At 9 Mile and Coolidge
• 4 Streets West of Coolidge
• First building South of 9 Mile
• In the Clinton Center
• Entrance on Parklawn faces West

4. We are part of a statewide system
Twenty-five Michigan Works! Agencies
oversee a statewide network of over 100
Michigan Works! Service Centers.

6. Services for Job Seekers
FREE Access to Computers with Internet, Fax,
Copiers and Resource Library
WORKSHOPS
Skill Testing and Career Interest Assessment
Career Counseling and Planning
Job Postings and Michigan Talent Bank
assistance www.michworks.org

7. Services for Job Seekers
Workshops
Resume Writing
Interview Skills
Career Transitions
Networking for Job Seekers –
using www.Linkedin.com

8. Assisting those over
55
with career services

9. Myths Quiz
•Are you 55 +
Savy?

10. 55 +
A national grant and a regional initiative ~
to assist job seekers over 55 by providing
Intensive career services and
AARP Worksearch login.

13. 55 + GRANT BOTTOM LINE
• No Worker Left Behind ended - no training funds.
• High customer response
• Macomb Community College and Oakland CC
designed a Credit for Prior Learning-fee based
• Entrepreneurial Training course – fee based
• Customers are using FAFSA Pell grant for training.
• Taking advantage of free training, on-line.

14. Challenging TimesChallenging Times
Most of our customers are experiencing a huge
roller coaster ride of emotions and challenges:
Job Loss – Shock - Hurt Feelings – Damaged Self
Esteem – Loss of confidence – Lowered energy
Lost savings, retirement plans, homes.
The worst job market since the great depression.

15. Media Project – Over 50Media Project – Over 50
and Out of Workand Out of Work
MEET PAM
• http://www.overfiftyandoutofwork.com/100
stories/pam-buckley/

16. PLATO
• “Be kind, remember everyone you meet is
fighting a hard battle.”

17. Age Discrimination
 Mentioned by the majority of job
seekers over 50.
 Likely that it exists.
 Don’t take it on as your “story”.
 Business has changed – shedding
higher level earners.
 Keep your skills young, appearance
fresh and attitude solution oriented.

18. Keep the skills you have
Add to – Stay Current
RESOURCE SHEET IN HANDOUTS for
a large number of websites and ideas.
Everyone keyboard 35 wpm and higher
Everyone have email for job search and
connecting
Microsoft OFFICE suite
Lean SOCIAL MEDIA – network, connect.
Research.

19. IMAGE ISSUES AND AGE
 Our Image – It’s US, just US Up to Date:
- Resume, portfolio, references, interview
skills
- Hair style and color
- Dress
- Fitness
- Attitude – posture, handshake
- Knowledge of electronic media – email,
linkedin, FACEBOOK, Microsoft office.

20. Free Training – Career
Resources
 AARP Website has on line classes
 www.office.microsoft.com/training
 Michigan Works! Offices for Workshops
 Libraries – Classes and video training
 My Skills My Future - .org
 www.onlineonetcenter.org
 www.bls.gov

22. Temporary Agencies
 “There’s not going to be enough aggregate
demand to justify a lot of new hires.” “Big
businesses have been so disciplined about
cutting payrolls and adding temporary jobs.”
 The booming temporary-help industry, has
added more than 300,000 workers in the last
year. “It allows them the leeway to determine
whether there’s truly a need and to delay a
commitment.”
 Temp Agencies list at www.michigan.gov
1-8-11 Chicago Tribune

23. www.michworks.org
EMPLOYERS ARE POSTING MORE JOBS NOW – AND THE
MAJORITY OF RESUMES LOOK, very Unprofessional, very
undeveloped.
1. ATTEND A RESUME CLASS.
2. POST THE NEW RESUME ON THE TALENT BANK
3. TAILOR A COVER LETTER WHEN APPLYING
4. TAILOR THE RESUME TO SPEAK TO THE POSTING
REQUIREMENTS.

24. Learn and use SOCIAL MEDIA
• 80 MILLION PEOPLE ON
Linkedin
• The MAJORITY of
Employers are using Li
to passively search for
candidates of interest.
• Stay in touch with your
“CONNECTIONS” even
after job change or job loss.
• Former HR Director found!

25. Networking is a way to separate
from the pack

26. Get support

27. Support Sources
• Job Clubs at Michigan Works!
• Job Clubs at Churches, Community
Centers
• Community College and College Career
Service Centers

28. Get out and look intoGet out and look into
something new!something new!

29. Take time for yourself

30. THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS
• When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's
lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the
great heron feeds.
• I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still
water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am
free.
— Wendell Berry

31. Let’s connect on Linkedin!
http://www.linkedin.com/in/laurarobb
Laura Robb and
Linked in GROUP: Oak Park
Career Center

32. Any Questions?