Work WORKS! Employment Services Newsletter Volume 10, Issue 3 Sept 2019 Inside this issue: Jobtoberfest……………………...1 Client Spotlight………….…....…1 10 Tips to Improve Your Chances at a Job Fair…………..2 Welcome New ES Staff………....2 Tis the Season of Opportuni- 20th Annual ties—Is a Seasonal Job For You?............................................3 Job Fair for People with DisABILITIES Job Search Corner…….…...…..3 Work Towards Employment…..4 * NEW LOCATION * Talking to an Employer— Pechanga Arena 30 Second Ad.…………………..4 3500 Sports Arena Blvd, Employment Services Team..5-6 San Diego, CA 92110 Jobtoberfest is the big- Employment Services gest job fair dedicated to 1202 Morena Blvd., Suite 201 San Diego, CA 92110 employment of people with dis-ABILITIES! Main: 619-276-8071 Fax: 619-276-3542 www.mhsinc.org/employment-services Employment Services provides as- sistance and support to people with MHS Employment Services, my Employment Specialist and mental illness in securing meaning- ful and sustaining regular part-time DOR Counselor, all gave me incentive and and full-time jobs of their choice. purpose to acquire employment once The program focuses and builds on again. Everyone was so helpful and propi- the client’s strengths and abilities. tious in every way. I would also like to Another important element of the mention that their computer services program is learning how to manage symptoms that may interfere with were more than adequate, this helping me finding and keeping a job. acquire a Food Handlers Certificate and Food Allergen Certificate, giving me an edge as my job search went. I am very grateful to all. Employment Services is funded by the Department of Rehabilitation and County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency 10 Tips to Improve Your Chances at a Job Fair Attending a job fair is a proactive way of getting to know companies or industries you're interested in. It's also a great way to make contacts. You can im- prove your chances by being prepared. 1. Once inside, get a list of participating companies and choose which companies interest you. 2. Check out job openings for each company of in- terest, typically found on a listing sheet. 3. Get a floor plan map -- usually at the entrance or information table. Plan a route. 4. Stay upbeat and energized. Try to make an im- pression through your enthusiasm about the work. 5. Try to talk to the hiring manager or senior mem- ber of the team, if possible. The Commission on Accreditation of Re- 6. Let the person you talk to know what you have to habilitation Facilities (CARF) announced bring to the company. Be prepared with a short that Mental Health Systems (MHS), Em- ployment Services program has been statement about yourself and your background -- accredited for a period of three years for less than two minutes. its Community Employment Services for 7. Try to get a name or business card from anyone “Job Development, and Employment Sup- ports.” The latest accreditation (November you talk to so you can use the name as a refer- 2017-2020) is the seventh consecutive ence when you follow up. three-year accreditation that the interna- 8. Follow up by sending a letter and another copy of tional accrediting body has awarded to MHS, Employment Services. This deci- your resume to human resources and the hiring sion represents the highest level of ac- manager. Mention that you talked with them, or a creditation that can be awarded to an company representative, at the fair. organization and shows the organization’s 9. Follow up in a week or so with a phone call, in- substantial conformance to the CARF standards. quiring about the position and the hiring status. 10. Use the job fair as one of many sources in plan- ning your job search. Mental Health Systems 9465 Farnham Street, San Diego, CA 92123 P (858) 573-2600 Welcome New ES Staff Members F (858) 573-2602 mhsinc.org Left, Alysse Engleman, Employment Specialist Central Region; Right, Liz Magana, Admin Assistant Tis a Season of Opportunities – Is a Seasonal Job for You? by Helen Ravanelli, Employment Specialist Have you considered the benefits of applying for a seasonal job? Season- al jobs can provide a great transitional opportunity as well as a paycheck! Consider some of the benefits below as seasonal jobs help you in these ways: Get recent experience to add to your resume Let you practice your work ready skills Help you build confidence about working Explore a job or industry Have some spending money or pay some bills Can lead to a permanent position if you put your best effort into the job, and prove the employer it’s a benefit to have you on their team Seasonal Jobs – Types of Opportunities: Retail – all kinds of retail locations will be hiring soon – or even now Package delivery - driver helper (UPS, FedX, Amazon) Grocery stores Halloween Stores Seasonal Tax Jobs – not just preparers; receptionist, appointment setters, start training fall /winter Salvation Army Fundraisers - “Bell Ringer” Restaurants/Food Service Warehouse What to do if you’re interested in a seasonal job? Talk to your Employment Specialist first to get tips on how to promote yourself with these opportunities. They can also pro- vide you job leads or connect you directly with the employer. Get help with interview practice, too! Be watching for “Now Hiring” signs in your local area to make your commute easy! Stop by your local Career Center or look them up online to see what employers they are hosting and attend. Do your research, just like you would for a non-seasonal job to make a good impression with the employer. Don’t delay – employers will want to fill these jobs quickly in order to get you trained and ready for a busy season! Remember – tomorrow’s successes start with the steps you take today! Job Search Corner Don’t forget to check out events and workshops at your local Career Center—https://workforce.org/events/ Clubhouses are a great place to network, gain volunteer experience, meet new people, participant in groups, fun activities and learn about 3 resources—Ask your Employment Specialist for a list of clubhouses located throughout the county. Working towards Employment…... Congratulations to Tina who successfully complet- ed Goodwill Industries 3 month paid training pro- gram. Tina has now been hired on as a permanent part of the team at Goodwill Industries. Employ- ment Services could not be more proud of your dedi- cation, persistence and growth Tina! Congratulations to Gigi and Barbara who graduated from LEAP to Success! LEAP to Success is a workshop to supporting woman to gain confidence and empower them to find employ- ment and much more. Gigi and Barbara actively participated and showed up for six weeks of classes. The entire team at Em- ployment Services is proud of your dedication and continued growth. Talking to an Employer…….THE 30 SECOND AD Design a 30 SECOND statement of your Express your knowledge, skills, interest skills that is used to introduce yourself while: & abilities concisely to your target job. That means doing homework about the company and At a Job Fair, Networking, Cold calling, Inter- skill sets required to get and keep the job. Con- viewing, In a thank you note, in a Telephone nect your qualifications with the job/company. call, in an Email or in the skill section of your resume. Do’s: Quantify years experience Know the qualifications of the position and tell Skills the employer why you would be great fit! Give examples Personality traits as they relate to the Here is an example: job Don’t: “I applied for your ______________ position Ramble posted in _________, dated ___________. Personal / Financial problems I have over _______ years experience doing Illnesses _________; ________; __________;and Talk about salary _________. “ Politics / Religion Meet Your Employment Services’ Team Kay Masaryk, MS, CPRP , Program Manager Kay offers a variety of experience with operations and mental health counseling. As Program Manager, she is responsible for the general operation of Employment Services. Her responsibilities include staff training and management, budget review, program problem solving, development and agency representation with Department of Rehabilitation, San Diego County Behavioral Health and CARF accrediting surveyors. She was awarded the “Vocational Support Person of the Year” in 2014. She has worked for over 35 years in mental health services and been with Employment Services since 2002 and has a Masters degree in Counselor Education. April Longhurst, Office Manager April has been with MHS Employment Services since 2001. She started as the Administrative Assistant and is now Office Manager. She has served on the MHS, Cultural Competency Committee, ES Risk and Accessibility Committee and is currently the ES Safety Officer. April was awarded the “Administrative Support Staff Person of the Year 2013” from the San Diego Behavioral Health Recognition Committee. Elizabeth "Liz" Magana, Administrative Assistant Elizabeth started with Mental Health Systems in August 2019 but was previously with MHS Employment Services for 6 ½ years. Her work experience includes over 15 years in Social Services. She has an extensive background in administrative/clerical support and public relations. Elizabeth is responsible for inputting all client infor- mation and assists clients and staff with clerical support as well as co-facilitating all regional ES/DOR Informational Sessions. Elizabeth is Bilingual: Spanish/English, with full fluency both written and verbal. Raymond Zambo, MS, LMFT, Employment Specialist, Central Region “There is no barrier that can hold back a motivated and enthusiastic candidate.” This philosophy has aided Ray to be successful when working with clients who have a disability. With a Masters in counseling and as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he works to create balance within a client's life so they may be victorious with whatever they set out to do.