50+: Practice Interview Group News & Updates

To Acton Networker group, Tatnuck group, and several others via BCC.

If you haven't looked at my website recently, I invite you to take a look.  I made some big updates yesterday, including:

* Two new service packages--Practice Interview and Career Transition.

* Simple funnel quiz on the home page directs you to the page that addresses your answer.

* My personal news includes how I passed the Strong Interest Inventory certification test. It's a well-known and respected assessment. A lot of college career centers use it.

It's the last week of June; so this coming Wednesday (June 29th) the virtual practice interview group meets at 7pm. I've provided the Zoom link below.

Next week will be the first week of the month; so the virtual practice group will meet on Wednesday July 6th at 10am.

In addition, the virtual Framingham Library monthly group meets on Thursday July 7th at 2pm. I've provided the Zoom links below

* The first in-person practice group meeting of the year will be Wednesday July 20th, 4pm at the Framingham Public Library.

Got any questions?  Send me a note!

Have a great day.

--

Ed Lawrence

www.getstart-ed.com

Authorized DISC Administrator

Member, CPRW Certification Committee; NCOPE

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* Wednesday June 29 Practice Interview Group
When: Jun 29, 2022 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtcu-pqjstG9CwSjDO1njN1m8HssH4A4lD
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

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* Wednesday July 6 Practice Interview Group
When: Jul 6, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqcOutqD8tGtU3BWp8DJidHBWSjJtBruOw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

* Thursday July 7 - Virtual Framingham Public Library Practice Interview Group - 2pm - 3:30

Time: Jul 7, 2022 02:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
        Every month on the First Thu, until Aug 4, 2022 (This is a grant funded program. The grant ends in August.)
        Jul 7, 2022 02:00 PM; Aug 4, 2022 02:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83809281952?pwd=aWpFVG5UeDNvUlR0M3htbnN5VjdGdz09

No registration necessary; just join the meeting.

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50+: Practice Interview Group News & Updates

50+ Job Seekers - MCOA session Tuesday morning - Cover Letters

50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups

Cover Letters

Tuesday May 10 at 10 AM – 12 PM

People are divided on cover letters. Do they matter? What makes for a good one? How do I even start?

Join us as we discuss cover letters. We'll present the cases for & against them, give you three suggested styles, and show you several that worked.

Why you need to know about this: The competition for jobs is fierce. A good cover letter can differentiate you from the rest of the applicants and thus improve your chances of being chosen for an interview.

New to the program? Registration is Required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

For more information contact Denise Magnett: 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

Attended before? Use the same Zoom link you have used on previous Tuesdays.

 

Thanks!

--

Ed Lawrence

www.getstart-ed.com

Authorized DISC Administrator

Member, CPRW Certification Committee; NCOPE

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephensherlock

50+ Job Seekers - MCOA session Tuesday morning - Cover Letters

Resumes Part 2 - The Experience Section--Tuesday January 25 @ 10 AM

50+ Job Seekers in MA Statewide Networking Groups

This free program is available through a grant from the Massachusetts Councils on Aging (MCOA) and  the Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Session 6: Resumes - Experience

Tuesday January 25th: 10 am – 12 pm

Presented by Melody Beach and Ed Lawrence

In this 2^nd of two sessions on resumes, we discuss the Experience section, including:

•  Successful format styles
  
• What experience to include/exclude
• How many years the section should cover
  
• How to write bullet lines that will impress the reader
• How to manage a gap

Why you need to know about this:  Your resume is your primary marketing document. It must present the best you.

Start your journey towards self-realization, reinvention and transformation with these virtual sessions

New to the program? Registration is Required: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

For more information contact Denise Magnett: 50plusjobseekersadmin@mcoaonline.com

Please share this info with anybody whom you feel could benefit by attending.

--

Ed Lawrence

Group Leader, 50+ Program

Authorized DISC Administrator

Member, CPRW Certification Committee; NCOPE

_._,_._,_

Download the flyer to use as a reminder or to share:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R5SRGMrW4VMBLyvRRGJFzh-w1yGuH3LI/view?usp=sharing

Resumes Part 2 - The Experience Section--Tuesday January 25 @ 10 AM

50+ Program offering: "Components for Your Résumé Checklist"

Interactive Workshop Series: Session #5
Components for Your Résumé Checklist

Offered: Tue Mar 9th 10-12N; Fri Mar 12th 1-3pm; and Mon Mar 15th 6:30-8:30pm

Virtual Doors open 15 minutes before session begins.

Workshops begin promptly at the listed start time.

Facilitators: Melody Beach and Ed Lawrence

In the 5th session of our 12-part Interactive Workshop Series, we continue discussing résumés, this time looking at the sections a resume can include beyond the summary statement and work experience sections.

Join us as we discuss what else belongs on a résumé besides your work history, and where it should appear. Topics discussed may skills and education, personal interests, professional affiliations, and more.

This session is the second of two sessions that focus on creating a modern résumé that will make it through the filtering software and catch the attention of a human reader.

--------------------------------

* I've attached the promo; several formats for you to share.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND:

* Multiple exercises in Zoom breakout rooms.

* Lots of time for you to network.

* Flipped-classroom methodology---We don't lecture then tell you to practice what you just learned.

Thanks,

Ed Lawrence 

50+ Program offering: "Components for Your Résumé Checklist"

50+ Program Resume session this week and next

I'm writing to point out how sessions 4 and 5 of our sessions discuss how to write a resume.
Part one deals specifically with writing bullets and a profile summary.
Part two will deal with other sections of a resume.
Part 4 starts this week;  Part 5 will be in a couple of weeks.

These sessions are not the usual type presentations one sees with resumes.
These sessions--like all the ones Melody Beach and I present--are interactive.
You work in breakout rooms for almost half the session.

I hope you will consider joining us--this week and for other sessions, well. The program runs through June.
Thanks,
Ed L

Interactive Workshop Series: Session #4
The Résumé: Bullets and Summary Statements

Offered: 

• Tue Feb 23rd 10-12N
• Fri Feb 26th 1-3pm
• Mon Mar 4th 6:30-8:30pm

Virtual Doors open 15 minutes before session begins.
Workshops begin promptly at the listed start time.
Facilitators: Melody Beach and Ed Lawrence

50+ Program Resume session this week and next

50+ Program session: Fall Workshop Series - Session #5 You are a STAR! - Nov 10

Fall Workshop Series - Session #5
You are a STAR!
Your Quantifiable Achievements give You the Edge
 Tuesday, Nov 10th from 10:00 am – 12 pm

*Virtual Doors open at 9:45 am*
The session will start promptly at 10 am

PRESENTER: Debbi Hope, Hope Associates, LLC
CO-HOST: Melody L. Beach, Melody L. Beach Consulting Group
Host: Susan Drevitch Kelly-50+ Program Director/Founder

In this session, you will learn how to create your achievement statements using the STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action, Result. These quantifiable achievements are the "launch pad" to a great resume, creative success story, effective cover letter and successful interview!

Accomplishment statements are by far the most critical part of a resume. This is a way for you to highlight your strongest accomplishments that are most relevant to the career you are pursuing. They will highlight the "Will-Do" aspects of your experience and demonstrate your ability to make an impact on the company you work for. You will be able to create a results-oriented resume versus a basic accounting of what you did and timelines ("Can-Do").

Bring your most current resume and get ready to get creative and beat the competition.

If you are NEW to the 50+ program and have never attended any sessions, Registration is Required. .  Use this hyperlink to register; select Webinar Series and complete the rest of the form. Upon receipt, you will receive an email with a Zoom link to attend the event.

Download flyer as reminder:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11og15hRxi4nBS5HE2XBxo-PN8PsKOGuJ/view?usp=sharing

Session #5 You are a STAR! - Nov 10

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities in Facilities and DPW

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

• Junior Custodian - Franklin Public Schools Facilities Department

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/jr-custodian-posting-august312020.pdf

• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-july272020.pdf

• Water Operations Person (L4) - Department of Public Works

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/l4-water-operations-externalposting-august2020.pdf

• Recycling Center Laborer - Department of Public Works

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-july272020.pdf

• Substitute Custodian

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/sub.custodian-posting-july272020.pdf

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf) instead.

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here (https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe).

Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities in Facilities and DPW

Town of Franklin: Job Opportunities with DPW, Facilities, Fire and Police

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.  

• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-july272020.pdf

• Substitute Custodian

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/sub.custodian-posting-july272020.pdf

• Police Patrol Officer 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/academy-trained-patrol-officer-posting-july2020.pdf

• Firefighter/Paramedic - 2 vacancies 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/ff-paramedic-job-posting-july132020_1.pdf

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment (https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf) instead.

Town of Franklin:  Job Opportunities with DPW, Facilities, Fire and Police

50+ Program - Friday 5/22 Session - Plan Your Work & Work Your Plan

Date: Friday May 22nd; 9 AM - Noon

The majority of job-seekers don't have a plan for their job search. They wrote a resume and LinkedIn profile and think they are ready, but they don't really know where to begin and wage an effective and ultimately successful job search campaign.

Now is the time to plan the campaign. Pandemic or no-pandemic, the mission remains --- Create a marketing plan to get your product — you -- from the starting line to the finish line, where finish line means "an offer".

Rather than present some one-size-fits-all, pulled from a book, this session presents people who have enjoyed some success in the jobsearch. They will tell you how they did it. You can decide what steps make sense for you and your own personal journey.

Guest Speakers: Suzanne Brandt will share her recent experiences of what worked and what didn't; Patricia Buickerood will talk about understanding how your talents, interests, and experience must intersect market needs. Michael Volk will discuss dealing with unusual tax and finance issues.

Special Guest: Tim Wilson will teach us how to make rock soup (how he started his business and the challenges he's faced).

After starting his career in Information Systems, Tim moved to human resources to apply his experience in resolving system and people issues. In 1999, he launched T.A. Wilson Associates, a management consulting and organizational development firm providing solutions to business issues such as optimizing employee productivity, managing a diverse workforce, and training individuals, teams, and organizations.

Pre-Registration (once per town location) is required: The hosting town for this event is Franklin. https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

Download your copy of the flyer
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n4epoFUpOJJ6VMNW5Q3w_5Y0SeLSaAIc/view?usp=sharing

50+ Program - Friday 5/22 Session - Plan Your Work & Work Your Plan

"50+ Job-seeker" sessions go virtual

Hi, most of you know me, but given how many people have been laid off recently, many of you probably do not.

To members of the Acton Networkers Group (ANG):

My name is Ed Lawrence; long-time ANG member; laid off 5 times during my hi-tech career. I've presented at ANG; worked for a State career center, and at the Boston University Center for Career Development. I'm currently a group leader (Hopkinton; Franklin) for the 50+ Job-seeker Program that was offered in 17 towns.

A short while ago, I shared the message from our director explaining how the 50+ program is going virtual. This is a great (and FREE) program with a proven track-record of success helping job-seekers.

I'm writing to promote the virtual program and suggest that you sign up.

I've attached a promo for you to share or print, but since Yahoo seems to drop attachments these days, I'm going to point out some info we need you to know:

1. Money drives everything. If you've been laid off recently, you totally understand. So, I need to point out how in order for the MCOA to keep this program going, it needs to show the State (and maybe Feds) that people are attending---SO WE NEED YOU TO REGISTER FOR THE PROGRAM.

Register at: https://50plusjobseekers.org/outreach/registration/

2. Once you register, we add you to a list. For example, I keep a spreadsheet that I use for mailings to people who attend Hopkinton and Franklin sessions. Those mailings include the meeting dates and topics and invitations to join online sessions. You don't pre-register; you don't receive the info for the sessions.

3. Once you've registered for the program, you can register for any of the online sessions. Please understand, this two-step process is our attempt to prevent the general public and strangers from joining the meetings.

4. We have some participant guidelines for the online sessions; they boil down to simple courtesy.

I have the honor of facilitating the first virtual session --- Hopkinton virtual session is:  1pm - 4pm Monday April 6th (Franklin on 4/10 will be 9 am - Noon)
Three hours may seem like a long-time, but our in-person sessions were 3-hours (check-in and network for a half-hour; two-hour presentation; half-hour post-session-networking). And I think we will keep you entertained. (And will we even need three hours? You'll let us know!)

I have two special guests lined up for Monday:
1. Diane Darling, a nationally known networking and social networking expert.
2. Kara Cohen, of the AARP, who will talk about how AARP can help you.

In addition, we plan to take advantage of Zoom features, such as breakout rooms, to enable networking in small virtual groups.

Please note---Every participating town Group Leader will offer virtual sessions. So, if you have a favorite group leader or friends you used to meet at the in-person sessions, you can sign up to see them (virtually) again.

I hope this note explained what you need to know, without boring you.
Best wishes to you all. Be safe.


Ed Lawrence
Group Leader, Hopkinton and Franklin
www.50plusjobseekers.org

Hopkinton session flyer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Ff2vuNxXmz6udj4HU3GCiV716M8Kcga/view?usp=sharing

Participant guideline

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qPWG-jftNhPcsjVgy1wKFeK1ji7Df-YI/view?usp=sharing

Monday April 6th "50+ Job-seeker" session

Franklin Veterans: Hire A Vet Breakfast - March 18

Best Bet "Hire A Vet" 2020

The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary is sponsoring a breakfast to assist veterans seeking employment to meet with potential employers.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 At 7:30 AM

MIT Endicott House, 80 Haven Road, Dedham, MA

Please RSVP to John Gorham at: (781) 292-3290 or email: jgorham@bulfinchgroup.com

Veterans Please Bring Resumes/Business Cards. Be ready for an interview!

Franklin Veterans: Hire A Vet Breakfast - March 18

Shared from the Town of Franklin page
https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/hire-vet-breakfast

Attention Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities with DPW, Facilities, and Fire Dept

Job Opportunities

To apply for a vacant position, please submit a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov.  Please put the job title in the subject line of your email.

• Heavy Motor Equipment Operator - Department of Public Works 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/hmeo-external-posting-october252019.pdf

• Part-Time and Substitute Custodian positions - Facilities Department 

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/part-time.and-substitute-custodians-oct252019.pdf

• Firefighter/Paramedics - The Town of Franklin's Fire Department is in the Massachusetts Civil Service system. 
  • If you are currently a Firefighter/Paramedic in a Civil Service community and are interested in working for Franklin, send a resume and cover letter to apply@franklinma.gov. 
  • Please note: new hires must have and maintain a paramedic certification and complete an Associate's Degree within 5 years of the date they are hired.   

If you do not have a resume, you may send a completed Application for Employment instead
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/application_for_employment_-_town_of_franklin.pdf
 

To receive notifications of all job opportunities in the Town of Franklin, subscribe here https://www.franklinma.gov/subscribe

Attention Franklin Residents: Job Opportunities with DPW, Facilities, and Fire Dept

 

Franklin 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group -> Developing a Winning Resume

Franklin 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group

Friday October 25 

9:00 – 11:00 AM

Doors open at 8:30 AM for networking!

Facilitator: Edward Lawrence; Career Coach
Co-facilitator: Erin Rogers; Social Services Coordinator

Guest Speakers: Barbara Janczunski.

Franklin 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group

This session focuses on creating a reader-friendly résumé that captures attention, establishes credibility and effectively targets the right decision- makers in human resources & the hiring management.

Common questions addressed in this session include:

• What are the gate keepers/recruiters really looking for in a resume?
• How do I create a resume that will find its way to the hiring manager’s desk?
• How do I develop a resume that will really serve as a marketing tool targeted at the right job in the right industries?
• What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)? How do I get through it and avoid the black hole?

Pre-Registration is Required: www.mcoaonline.com/50plusregistration

For additional information about this program, please contact Erin Rogers; 
Social Services Coordinator 
Franklin Senior Center 
erogers@franklinma.gov
(508) 520-4945

Download your copy of the flyer with all the details here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/101q3q2UP0GOjTZH_9_y04c47gT0RwVSu/view?usp=sharing