Community Employment Resource Centre

Ask A Job Coach

The Community Employment Resource Centre (CERC), located in Port Hope Lakeland Place, 74L Queen St. (beside Town Hall), and Cobourg (The Fleming Building), brings you this weekly column as an extension of our on-line service. It is intended to provide assistance to individuals with regard to any aspect of the job search or to act as a forum for any comments / suggestions regarding the CERC services. We can provide referrals to other agencies, advice on job search issues, as well as dates and / or information pertaining to upcoming job fairs. We invite you to use this service through our website: www.cercnorthumberland.com.

QUESTION

I have recently become unemployed after spending over 15 years with the same employer. I know that things have changed, but I don’t know how. Where do I begin trying to find a new job?

ANSWER

Yes, indeed things have changed. In this case, it is for the better. At present there are a number of agencies that can assist you with the act of getting re-employed. The first step would be to attend a free seminar called "First Step".  The purpose of this session is for you to recognize what services are available and then to determine which avenue best suits your current needs.

You can register for First Step by calling CERC directly or through WES. There are sessions usually three times a week in Cobourg and once per week in Port Hope at the CERC offices.

Watton Employment Services is the “lead” agency that makes referrals to other community partners. Areas where you can find assistance include:

ü Developing Career Direction – to determine an action plan for returning to work

ü Job Search – the how to’s including resume and cover letter assistance, interview preparation

ü Returning to School – either to complete grade 12 or for retraining

ü Identifying Barriers – areas you feel you need to improve in order to become employed (ex. Computer skills)

ü Self-Employment – to identify if this is for you or to develop potential ideas

ü Testing & Assessment – if unsure what direction to take, looking for a new path

If you consider yourself to be “job ready”, in other words, you are not in need of the above items; CERC will provide you with the tools needed to complete your independent job search. This includes equipment like fax and photocopier, computers with Internet access, various directories and company listings as well as many other resources.