Recent economic news has been brighter as of late with consumer confidence starting to move upward, and monthly unemployment rates and jobless claims declining. But every silver lining has a cloud, and that cloud are people who have been out of work for a long time. Nearly a third of Americans who were unemployed last month have been without a job for 26 or more weeks, double the rate recorded before the recession began late in 2007. Those out of work for extended periods of time are often less likely to be hired than those unemployed for shorter stretches. The result is a more devastating impact to household savings and long-term earning potential for those job seekers.
Category: The Goodwill Blog
One Indispensable Career Advice Tool
When you’re looking for a job, trying to enhance your career or even thinking about switching fields, you might find that the journey is full of false starts and complications that you didn't anticipate. It can be a frustrating experience, but the trick is getting real advice that you can help you get ahead.
Providence Goodwill Utilizes Donation Bins for Citywide Sustainability
Providence, RI Mayor Angel Taveras recently announced a partnership with Goodwill Industries of Rhode Island (Providence) to divert textiles and clothing from the city’s trash and recycling streams.
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My Story: Cherise Turner
Goodwill helped me get out of the Welfare to Work program and become self-sufficient by helping me train and providing the tools needed to apply for and obtain a job. Over the past several years Goodwill has taught me work ethic and gave me opportunities to grow by allowing me to attend seminars, help out
Settle into the Season with DIY Halloween Décor Inspiration
One of the best things about a change in seasons is making the most of each one by embracing its unique qualities and in the world of Halloween decorations, there are a lot of different paths a person could take.
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Teach a Man to Catch a Lot of Fish
There’s a famous proverb about poverty and charity that says, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” I’ve always thought this saying needed to be updated by adding, “…but teach a man to catch a lot of fish, to sell them at the market and to save his money to buy more boats, and pretty soon he catches enough fish for everyone.” Okay, it needs a little work, but you get my point. The challenge of course isn’t teaching the man to fish, or even to catch a lot of fish; the challenge is getting him to save his money. That challenge has never been greater than it is today.
How to Explain Gaps in Employment
It is not uncommon for individuals to have gaps in employment at some point during their life. Despite the reason, these gaps will stand out on your résumé, and you may be expected to explain them during an interview. Be prepared to overcome this hurdle by having your answers ready ahead of time. Chances are very high that the employer will ask questions about it, and not having a reason for your employment gap may lead the employer to draw their own conclusions.
Miami Valley Goodwill Connects Veterans with Employers with the Help of Retired Military Personnel
Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley (OH) is dedicating a new program to the meaningful, long-term employment of veterans in the Miami Valley. The Veterans and Employers Connection is a community partnership led by the Goodwill intended to meets the needs of veterans and employers in the area by coordinating a broad range of resources available to them.
My Story – Jean Edmond
I went to VR (the Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida (Fort Myers). They helped me fill out the application and interview and get the job at Goodwill. When I got the job here, I felt really happy.
Goodwill® Makes Halloween Dreams Come True
When you shop at Goodwill, you are no longer limited by the availability of certain ready-made costumes or by the funds in your bank account. You’re limited only by your imagination. Anything is possible! No matter how obscure your costume idea is, it can happen with a little help from your local Goodwill.
Poverty Reduction: A Tough Row to Hoe for Policymakers
This week, representatives from numerous national human services groups in the United States, including Goodwill®, participated in a discussion about a complex challenge that Americans have struggled to address for generations – how do we improve opportunities for people who have economic disadvantages? While the language we have used over the years has evolved from “poverty reduction and safety nets” to “economic mobility and opportunities,” such conversations inside the Beltway often visit and revisit the following two persistent challenges and implicated federal- level policy recommendations. 1) Programs and resources are fragmented, often overlap, and operate in silos; therefore, policymakers should enact legislation that fosters increased collaboration. 2) Public funding is limited and dwindling for programs that aim to lift people and families out of poverty; therefore, policymakers should protect funding for these programs. Let’s set the politics aside for a moment to look at Congress from a systemic perspective in order to examine why it enacts laws that perpetuate an underfunded and fragmented poverty-reduction system.
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Seven Ways to Sabotage Your Next Job Interview
We've covered steps to make your job interview a success, but what about what NOT to do? Avoid these missteps to present yourself in the best possible light to your potential employer.
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