Participants work through a guided exercise to brainstorm any and all possible experiences and skills to include on their resume. They learn strategies for creating a resume, including formatting and word choice. If necessary, we work together to identify opportunities in the community to gain additional skills and experiences, like volunteering, to include. Knowing that the resume is an evolving document, the participant will be shown how to modify and save their resume in the future.

The interview preparation starts with identifying general best practices and useful strategies during interviews. This includes brainstorming answers to possible questions asked in an interview and potential responses to them. We use our Mock Interview Report Card to offer feedback following each of the practice interviews. Participants complete at least two mock interviews, one in-person and one virtually to practice both options. To make the process as realistic as possible, at least one of the interviews is done by someone with whom they are unfamiliar, and both will be recorded. We analyze them together, identify strengths and weaknesses and, if necessary, repeat an interview. The hypothetical position will be tailored to the participant’s strengths and interests. If the individual needs support in using Zoom or another video conference platform, we offer instruction to empower them to use this for an interview. Additional mock interviews can also be conducted for a secondary area of interest or potential position.

The career exploration work begins with identifying the individual’s strengths and interests in order to narrow their focus. We will first interview the participant about their strengths, weaknesses, and hobbies, and complete a Strength Self Assessment. The participant will also ask two people (one of whom is not a family member and can speak to their work ethic/attitude) to complete a Third Party Survey/Inventory, so we can get a clearer understanding of the participant’s skill set and how it may align with different career paths. If there is not recent testing data available baseline reading and math assessments will be given. It will be important to understand a participant’s strengths and skill set, as it relates to their interests and potential career field. The participant will complete an interest inventory to suggest potential career fields to explore. We work with the participant to identify 3-5 career paths to research further, using the results of the interest inventory, their self reported strengths, and those of a third party evaluator to begin. We will support the participant in finding entry level compensation, required education/training, job market analysis, and other relevant information related to these fields. Specific job listings, for both entry level and qualified positions in the field, will be analyzed.

The Postsecondary Education/Training Counseling work will be built around the participant’s career paths of interests, through a previously established vocational goal. If applicable, we will look further into the education/training and determine where it is available, what is involved in the training, associated costs, and the application process. We will introduce the participant to the FAFSA and any other relevant financial aid information. If the training center/school is within a reasonable distance of Portsmouth, NH, a visit may be coordinated with the participant. Otherwise, virtual tours and interviews are an option. This would be possible at Universities, Colleges, Trade Schools, or other training centers. The possibility exists for the participant to complete a session of the program at a college to gain exposure to the environment.

Participants will learn about different postsecondary education or training options. They will research admission requirements, tuition, scholarship opportunities, and job market outlook with this credential. We can accompany the participant on a tour to get a firsthand understanding of campus and the program.

To gain a firsthand understanding of a certain role and its environment, participants can attend on-site job tours. Job Tours focus on an individual learning about a specific business, its environment, and the broader career field. We will prepare for the Job Tour through researching the business and drafting potential questions. Once on-site, the participant will be able to hear directly from employers more about the business, different positions there, and what they look for in candidates. They will be able to see and experience the environment firsthand, while interacting with members of staff.

Participants can take part in Informational Interviews, which is more of a Question and Answer session with an employer, that is more centered around a job or career field, rather than specific company. They will prepare questions and complete an interview either remotely or in person.

We work with the participant to help them identify their desired work preferences like environment, schedule, tasks and transportation. We review different strategies for searching and applying, then begin to identify openings that meet the participants’ work styles and preferences. We can also support their application submissions.

We are able to help communicate accommodation requests with an employer and help with hiring paperwork. Once hired, we support the transition into work and can coach the participant on site to best set them up to be successful long term.