Finding career success with JFS Employment Services
Laura was already a JFS client when she came across fliers in our office, and then one of the mental health services professionals referred her to the Employment Services program. Laura reached out in January when she was about to close her in-home daycare business. She was ready to transition into a new career and worked with April, a JFS employment case manager, updating her résumé, creating cover letters, targeting job search tips, and interviewing preparation.
“April walked me through my decade-old résumé and helped me pull out the skills and strengths I’d written off and forgotten,” shared Laura. “We discussed my strengths and which roles and industries where I would fit, and, more importantly, which roles and industries would fit me. By helping me pick out my strengths, I got increasingly more specific ideas of what I wanted, and not just who would be willing to hire me. Throughout the process, I gained confidence in my skills, strengths, and experiences.”
Laura added her new, reformatted résumé to her profiles on various career platforms, and within a few days, she received a handful of requests to speak over the phone, which led to a dozen interviews. Ultimately, Laura received four job offers within a month from distinguished, national organizations and accepted one.
“I’m happy where I am in commercial lending as a portfolio manager assistant, where I help businesses collect the appropriate documents and information to complete their loans,” said Laura. “Initially, I was looking for more customer service-oriented positions and accepted an offer, but got a different opportunity that I learned about, interviewed for it—and got it. Choosing between the two opportunities took serious consideration (one paid more, the other was closer, and more flexible), but it came to choosing the best fit overall. I changed my mind about what I thought I wanted, but I found something better. It’s been a significant change, which can be overwhelming at times, but remembering how I got to this point is a huge sign of my personal growth and the professional growth to come.”
When asked if there were anything else she would like to share with readers, Laura said, “I wish I would have reached out sooner. I talked myself in and out of it for months (even longer because of the uncertainty of my position) when all I needed was to submit a simple form, a small click for something so transformative. I let my lack of confidence keep me from taking steps towards a new career, so if anything, a lack of confidence and need for change is a sign to speak to career services. I can’t express enough how glad I am that I went through JFS career services.”
Laura’s JFS Employment Case Manager, April, said, “I have really enjoyed working with Laura. It has been wonderful to see how much her confidence bloomed throughout the process of working together to find new employment. She has so much expertise. I enjoyed piecing those skills together and amplifying them on her resume and discussing tips for highlighting that expertise with confidence in job interviews. I am so glad she is doing work that she not only enjoys but is excited about growing.”
If you’re ready to learn more about employment services for job seekers, learn more about what JFS offers.