If you or someone close to you has a criminal background you know that it can feel very isolating at times. Often felons feel that they are cast aside from society and unable to re-enter the workforce, but there are opportunities to explore!

I recently discovered a program offered by Goodwill called “Jobs on the Outside” located in North Carolina.

It’s a free program that assists individuals with a criminal background successfully obtain and keep a job.

J.O.T.O offers:

•Career coaching •Job search and placement assistance •Resume preparation •Community service agency referrals

You can learn more about Jobs on the Outside [by clicking here] (https://www.triadgoodwill.org/train/jobs-on-the-outside-joto/#.W1HlTNhKjOS).

Have questions? Contact Goodwill [here] (https://www.triadgoodwill.org/contact-us/#.W1Ho9NhKjOQ).

Please feel free to pass info along.

Let’s help one another succeed! : )

Just a little reminder that:

YOU have skills and experiences that make you unique.

YOU are capable and in charge of making things happen.

YOU are stronger than you think.

YOU have something great to offer others.

YOU are amazing!

Having a tough day or feeling down?

------> Comment below, we are here for you! : )

Feeling nervous?

Don’t worry, before a job fair it is 100% normal to feel a little anxious. Here are some tips to help you keep calm!

Don’t forget to breathe! Speaking to an employer can feel like a high-pressure situation, but it is important to take a breath and collect yourself when you are feeling nervous. When you are asked a question and you feel yourself blanking, it’s ok! Just take a breath and pause for a moment. To you, it will feel like a LONG time, but in actuality, it will be just a few seconds. Sometimes those few seconds are all you need to clear your head and refocus!

Prepare for outside forces. Things like weather, traffic, and other delays can cause our nerves to SKY rocket. Avoid them by leaving EARLY and planning your route. Check out Google maps a few days prior and see how long it will take to arrive at 1350 Tremont St., Roxbury Crossing, MA 02120. If you’re driving get gas the night before, if you are taking the train or bus have your pass with you or money ready to buy a ticket/pass. Be sure to check the weather too to see if you need an umbrella so you are comfortable and stay dry when you arrive.

Pack the important things. Don’t forget to bring a small notebook and pen to jot things down. You will want to review your notes when you get home so everything isn’t a blur! Also be sure to bring 40-50 copies of your resume as well as a business card if you do have them. It’s always best when you are prepared and ready to go so you aren’t stressed that you forgot something or scrambling at the last minute.

Present yourself in the best ways possible. Think about how you would ideally want to present yourself as well as how you want your personality to come across to your interviewer. They are meeting you for the first time, so think about how you will come across. Practice answering questions in the mirror or record your responses and play them back. How do you sound? By prepping ahead of time and planning what you want to say, it will help build your confidence. Don't forget to smile, sit/stand up straight, listen, respond, and maintain good eye contact.

Remember to keep calm and [introduce yourself to the employer] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6d46f61d-c53b-5ec5-9d7c-69cc61713f6a) with a firm handshake. Give them a good vibe! Don't forget, they are human JUST like you and have been in your shoes. They will not only understand, but they will expect you to be a bit nervous.

Check out some other great tips to help you [prepare here] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/29869635-4d8f-502f-b912-2211f8b674d8).

Wishing you the best during the fair!

If you haven't registered, grab all the [info here] (https://www.jobcase.com/ulem-boston-job-fair).

You have got this!!

This is your friendly reminder to NOT give up!!! Motivation is something we all need more of, but sometimes things get tough and you can lose yours. Often the longer someone must look for a job the more down they can feel, but don’t lose hope and most importantly NEVER give up. Here are 4 tips to help you recharge that motivation!

Set goals Write 3-5 things you want to accomplish each day. This will help you focus and gives you something to circle back to until the list is completed. Make sure to give yourself a little reward when you’ve finished all of your goals! : )

Write yourself a note Motivation comes from within and who better to motivate you than yourself? A simple, “YOU are amazing!” written on a sticky note posted somewhere you will see it, can really help first thing in the morning to start your day. Remember not to be too hard on yourself and think positively.

Get some air If you feel cooped up in your home, try taking a walk outside. Fresh air has been proven to help boost your mood, immune system, and oxygen levels allowing you to think more clearly. Sometimes you just need to step away for a bit, especially when you are feeling frustrated or upset.

Reach out to family and friends Life gets so busy, but there is no better time to check in with your loved ones. Talk about the difficulties you are facing and share your thought. Know that are NOT alone in this. Everyone has been where you are right now, and they can certainly relate. If you don’t feel like chatting with your loved ones, you could always post [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/community) in the Jobcase community. We are there for you!

So, what are somethings YOU do to stay motivated in your everyday life?

Many times when recruiters and people saw my resume they notice I managed a Pizza Hut. Sometimes they smirked or made a comment. I have had MANY people laugh right at me. I just smiled and asked if they know that Bill Parcells was once a Pizza Hut manager? He was the head coach of the New York Giants and led them two Super Bowl titles! Yup. I read that he was so successful as a manager that the franchise owner tried real hard to make him stay when he quit the job in order to take his first coaching gig. YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOUR JOB WILL TAKE YOU!! That man learned how to manage a business and then went onto manage a football team to several victories! I learned a lot from my job and hope you all will too. No matter how small it may seem every experience is an important one! Don't let anyone stop you.

When my husband said he wanted to go from a professional chef to a software engineer his family thought he was crazy. The thing was, he wasn’t happy and wanted more for himself and he made it happen. So, how do you make those big decisions? How do you change your career and do a complete 180?

Here are some tips to get you started!

1- Live a day in the life Shadow professionals in fields your interested in to observe work first hand. Reach out and ask if you can assist that person for a week or offer to volunteer your skills. This way you can get a hands-on feel for the job and see if you truly like it.

2- Make a list of what you enjoy Remember when you were young? What did you love at that time? What made you feel inspired and happy? Was there something others always commented on that you did well? Focus on these things and create a list. It will help you take a look at what you enjoy and would want to move towards in the future.

3- Seek out a career counselor Consider speaking with a professional [career counselor] (https://www.thebalance.com/how-to-choose-a-career-counselor-or-coach-2059777) to help get yourself on track. They can assist you in narrowing down what you are looking for and get you focused on some options.

4- Upgrade those skills Look for ways to develop new skills in your current job which will help pave the way for change. If your company offers any type of training (on-site or off), sign up for as many classes as you can and learn. Or, consider investigating your options further by taking some [online courses] (https://www.lynda.com/) to glimpse what you might enjoy.

5- Consider a new role in the SAME industry Think of alternative roles within your current job that would utilize the knowledge you already have. For example; if you are a programmer who no longer wants to program you could consider project management within your field. There are many ways to take your current skills and transfer them within your field.

Has anyone changed careers before?

How did you like your new one? Was the transition difficult for you?

I made EVERY excuse in the past NOT to push myself to do what I love. My job literally made me sick with stress and I knew It was time to leave, but I was scared of the what if's. These are the things I told myself...ready?

My marriage and family won’t survive my making this change I’ll be too old by the time I make this change I don’t have what it takes to reinvent myself I’m out of touch I have nothing special to offer

NONE of them were true! You are the one to blame for your own path, no one else. If you don't like the one you are on take this as a sign to make a change. You don't have to settle on one thing, but you do need to figure out what you want and go for it.

Life is too short...read more, learn new things, explore your options, and do something about it!

You click, apply, interview, and follow up...but then NOTHING happens. You kinda start to wonder...is it ME? It’s not you, it’s them. Sometimes a job just isn't interested. Why waste time feeling rejected when you can move on to a better one?! Just know that until you’re hired on paper that you aren’t truly hired. No matter how many nice things they say or handshakes they give you. SO............

Keep looking. Keep working. Keep hoping.

Sometimes it’s nice to remind ourselves that yes, I AM amazing. Maybe an employer hasn’t seen that yet or even said it to you, but it doesn’t mean that you aren’t. For me, I know I am amazing because I am an awesome mother and wife, a great friend and a pretty good singer...but mostly in my shower. We each have something inside of us that makes us great. Don’t forget it, even if NO one tells you, know that you are.

We can either be positive or negative, miserable or happy, thoughtful or selfish. YOUR attitude in 2018 determines where you want to be and what happens next. Only you can make the choice, so make it a good one.

#Mywordsofwisdom