Entering the Workforce
Employment preparation is designed to teach the necessary skills in approaching the job-seeking process. Pro-active counseling begins at this stage and it includes review of the individual's current understanding of what their responsibility is and how to dedicate appropriate time and effort in conjunction with their goal. To facilitate this, we provide patient and determined effort to properly guide the job candidate. We prepare individuals for the opportunities and disappointments that may be ahead in obtaining employment.
Included in these activities are the development of well-crafted resumes and cover letters focused on vocational goals and counselor plan.
Our staff demonstrates interviewing and role-playing techniques, focused on presentation of marketable skills.
We assess compatibility in chosen fields to the current labor market and reality of salary expectations and benefits.
We discuss dealing with adversity during the interview process - how to divert emphasis away from disability and toward character, strength, resourcefulness and ability.
Each participant is provided with materials and review exercises including our published Your Job Search Manual, a unique and comprehensive guide with strategies and other information helpful in obtaining gainful employment. We also provide testing in the same introductory material, helping us reinforce the individual's skills and foresight in preparation for a satisfying job search.
Our experienced and highly successful Job Developers use extensive Strategic Alliances and Organizational Partnerships. Staff advisors counsel individuals on networking and cold-calling techniques, including specialized research and development, emphasizing continuous active participation throughout service period.
We encourage candidates to stay positive during the job search, and provide continuous motivational support encouraging maximum job search opportunities, along with reemphasizing the benefit of work and reducing the fear associated with minimizing benefits and other subsidies. We provide an interim evaluation of organizational skills, reasonable expectations, adapting to new situations and learning by past experience. In this process, we evaluate work tolerance, work adjustment, performance and productivity.
When needed, EEC staff / candidate contacts refine employment strategies as appropriate in light of results obtained through initial stages of search activity, including both refinements and modifications to resumes, interview techniques, and interpersonal and adjustment.
We achieve optimal integrated / competitive placement and rehabilitation results by extensive research, development and technology to develop employment opportunities - maximizing consumer choice and retention in appropriate and receptive work environments. Individuals with disabilities and others with impediments frequently require more effort and employer contacts in their search; our systematic approach levels the playing field with successful outcomes. Job coaches are available throughout service period.
All consumers are provided post-employment follow-up in review of their achievement and satisfaction, along with our policy of long-term assistance.
