Comprehensive Employment Program

Intro/Orientation
The main focus of this seminar is to get attendees to understand that although finding a job in Rhode Island when you’ve got a record is very difficult, it is not impossible. The primary purpose of the introductory session is to motivate clients and offer them support. In addition, this seminar will also give the clients a brief overview of the other segments of the program. During this orientation, participants will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and get to know the other attendees. An overview of OpenDoors and its other resources will also be given in the orientation. Also, a general OpenDoors intake form will be administered, reviewed and collected. This form will give OpenDoors a better understanding of what issues attendees may need help with that are not related to employment.

Assignment 1: Barriers to Employment
In this short assignment, clients are asked to be self reflective as they analyze what life issues exist for them that may decrease their ability to find, get, and keep employment. Potential issues people may list are drug abuse, attitude issues, transportation problems, etc.

Job Search Plan Workshop
This workshop will emphasize the importance of having a weekly job search plan. The instructor will discuss best practices when looking for work, and will help each client draw up a job search plan of their own. By the end of the workshop, all attendees should have a customized work plan. (An example of a work plan would be: Monday, apply at jobs you saw in Sunday Journal; Tuesday, go to OpenDoors and use computers to search for jobs online; Wednesday, go to businesses in your neighborhood and fill out applications, etc.)

What Will Stop You from Working/ Employer Expectations Seminar
This seminar will build off of the answers clients listed in assignment 1. Discussing personal barriers to employment will allow attendees to engage with one another as we all collectively discuss ways to deal with the various issues. This discussion will segue into a conversation about what an employer expects out of a worker.

Assignment 2: Personal 30 Second Commercial
This homework assignment aims to get clients thinking about how to address their criminal histories and how they have changed during job interviews. The assignment will ask clients to write specific sentences as well as lists of issues they want to make sure are mentioned in the commercial. Clients must address their criminal history in these commercials. These commercials will be addressed and fine tuned during a seminar later In the week.

Interviewing Skills Seminar
During this seminar, the Employment Specialist will discuss best practices for clients’ 30 second commercials, and will outline other basic interviewing styles. The instructor will give commentary on the commercials written by clients, and will answer questions as needed. All attendees should come out of this seminar with a clear and customized 30 second commercial.

Information about Providence Network RI
Clients will be given information about the Department of Labor's Network RI (aka. “the one stop”) location at 1 Reservoir Ave.

Assignment 3: Filling out a job application.
This homework assignment will give clients some practice with filling out a job application. The facilitator will distribute a sample resume that attendees will complete. This will help clients think about issues like clear writing, handling questions about the criminal record (which will be covered in the orientation seminar), and job history. The section where it asks for history of employment will be the basis that is used to create your client resumes later in the program.

Resume Assistance Workshop
The instructor will guide clients as they complete their very own resumes. The instructor will be available for any and all questions as the workshop progresses. S/he will use the sample application filled out earlier in the program as a guide. Those individuals who need extra assistance will receive it during this workshop. All attendees should leave this workshop with 10 printed copies of an up-to-date resume.

Miscellaneous Issues Workshop
This workshop is a block of time allocated to clients to meet one- on-one with an OpenDoors staff member to handle various wrap around issues that may play a part in one’s employment. The meetings are for individuals to get help completing food stamp applications, to get information on SSI/SSDI/ORS, to fill out First Source applications, to have questions about child support or court fines answered, etc. Clients will sign up to meet with an OpenDoors staff member about these issues during Day One or at any point during the week’s activities.

Certificate awards
At the conclusion of the week’s activities, participants will be given an award certificate Indicating that they have completed the job training program at OpenDoors.