How to take advantage of RTWNJ in 2016 – Part Three

Now that you’ve attended a 2 Day Job Readiness Workshop and have sharpened your resume & cover letter, it’s time to clarify what you are going to need to find a new career. Next step, our Employment Development Plan (EDP). We liken the EDP process to a road map or better yet a GPS (global positioning system) for career planning.

Imagine that you’re on a road trip. You are leaving New Jersey and heading to Abingdon, Virginia for a weekend of peace and quiet. Since you are without a map or GPS, you just start driving south. Instead of ending up in southwestern Virginia, you are now located in Cape May. Maybe your plan was going to the beach, but you catch my drift.

Getting focused on an employment plan will really help you narrow what you want to do and how you want to get there. What types of industries are you interested in? Do you need training? If so, what kind of training? Are there jobs in this industry? Where are they?
Really put some thought into your EDP. It is designed to center your job search activities. If you’ve already completed one, but just filled it in to get it done, you may want to do another. Actually, think about it. Don’t use this as a segue to the “next” step.

You will find the link for the EDP below on the right. If you need help, please reach out to your program coordinator for direction.

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The 21 Most Valuable Career Skills Now

In this complex, fast-changing job market, just putting in the hours and being good at what you do may not be enough. You need an edge. And the surest one these days is to possess the skills that are most in demand in your field, that help your employer keep up with the technological, economic, and social forces that are transforming so many industries. The key, of course, is to know exactly what those skills are, how to get them, and what the payoff will be. Read More

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