Chronological vs. Functional Resumes

Job searching, interviewing and hiring are all subjective processes. Add resume building to that list. There’s no 100% foolproof way to create a resume that everyone would agree is ideal. So how do you know what’s “best?” Today let’s look at the two primary types of resumes and some reasons why one might work better for you, given your situation.

Slowing it Down for Slow Fashion October

Collage of knit sweaters, a beige sleeveless dress on a mannequin, hanging garments, and denim with stitching.

Fall is the season that brings to mind colorful leaves, pumpkin spice and – mending? Yes! If you haven’t heard of the Slow Fashion movement by now, it’s exactly what it sounds like– the opposite of fast fashion. That means mending, making, reducing and appreciating the pieces in our wardrobe to be more in tune with our impact on the world.

Tell Us What You Think! Lend Your Voice to the Goodwill Industries International Public Policy Agenda

As we look ahead to a new Congress which will convene in January, the Goodwill Industries International (GII) government relations team is proactively working on our public policy agenda for the 116th Congress. While the party that ultimately controls the House and Senate may determine how much weight is given to a particular issue or how we will advocate around an issue, the issue itself is still important.

My Story: Jeremy Johnson

When Jeremy Johnson first came to Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth, he started out in facility-based contracts and then transitioned to the S.T.A.R.S. program when it was launched in March 2016. S.T.A.R.S. is a unique day-habilitation program for adults with significant disabilities that recreates daily living scenarios to give participants a chance to learn real-life skills to overcome their disadvantages and achieve maximum independence. Despite the limitations to his muscles from cerebral palsy, Jeremy got the opportunity to work in e-books, a division of Goodwill Industries Fort Worth’s e-commerce department, because of his level of participation in the S.T.A.R.S. program, his willingness to work and his personal goals.

The Value of Informational Interviewing, Job Shadowing, and Internships

If you’re job hunting, should you spend time conducting informational interviews and possibly doing some job shadowing? Will that generate an income any quicker? Will you end up with a more satisfying job? The answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Applying for jobs and going through staffing agencies might be the quickest fixes, since at least you know the jobs exist. When informational interviewing and job shadowing you don’t know whether or when a job will actually become available.

Salem-Inspired Spooky Tablescape

Autumn table spread featuring pies, cheese, crackers, pretzels, apples, and gourds along a moon-phase runner.

Every fall, like many New Englanders, my family and I make a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts. With its haunting history and one-of-a-kind characters roaming the streets (hey, Laurie Cabot!), Salem is a place like no other. So when it came time for me to plan a bewitching tablescape for an upcoming Halloween party, I thought about those cobbled streets and crumbling tombstones and channeled that mood into a dining table display.

Goodwill Celebrates Workers with Disabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. This year’s theme—”America’s Workforce: Empowering All” —aligns with Goodwill’s defining mission of providing all workers, including those with disabilities, with job placement and training services.

DIY Sanderson Sisters-Inspired Witch’s Broom

Long straw broom with a wrapped handle lying among green groundcover.

2018 marks the 25th anniversary of my favorite seasonal movie of all time: Hocus Pocus! Once I came to this realization, I was desperate to craft something witchy for my Halloween costume this year. Since anyone who has seen the magical movie knows it’s easy to lose track of a broomstick, I figured I’d do a little DIY breakdown of how the Sanderson sisters could have whipped up a few replacement brooms with the help of their local Goodwill. I mean, since they could conjure a potion of eternal youth and lure in all the children of Salem with just a song, I’m pretty sure they could tackle a simple craft project like this! Here’s how…

Celebrate Older Workers

Montage poster of an older mechanic, a chef, and a businesswoman at a computer promoting older workers.

Last year local Goodwill organizations collectively provided job-training and employment services to more than 235,000 older workers – age 55 and over. As the saying goes, “Age is nothing but a number” and the wealth of knowledge and experience that these individuals bring to an employer is an asset.

My Story: Paula Buford

Retired Nurse Pursues a Second Career. Paula Buford was a Qualified Medication Aide for 25 years, working primarily in nursing homes. In 2000, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder resulting in varying degrees of paralysis. She went from working in a nursing home to living in one for seven months, receiving intense physical and speech therapy.

College vs. Learning a Trade

It’s a big decision for young people. College? Learn a trade? Some other option? Today I’ll explore a few pros and cons for each option.