Exciting Events for Fall 2016!

Source:USDA

After a fantastic Summer of reading that saw more people than ever participate in GDL's Summer Reading Challenge, it's now time to look to Fall and the fantastic programs planned for our community. As always, the Grand Blanc-McFarlen branch and the GDL Business Center will be bustling with activity and I want to highlight some of the upcoming FREE opportunities.

Genesee/ Shiawassee/Thumb MichiganWorks! Career Counseling

Join us for another counseling / career services workshop with our local Michigan Works office right here in the Grand Blanc library.  Be sure to bring your resume and look your best as Michigan Works is actively seeking to fill open positions in our area. Also bring your resume and interviewing questions, as staff will be on hand to help you through the application and interview process and explain what is most important to potential employers. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Date: Thursday, September 29, 2016

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Arrive at 2 PM)

Registration available here via Genesee District Library calendar.

 

Fall Legal Series

 The Genesee County Bar Association's Speaker's Bureau has made available three practicing attorneys for our series coming in October and November. Focusing on Estate Planning & Trusts, Starting a Small Business, and Social Security, each session will include plentiful time for Q&A with the attorney after and during the presentation. These lawyers are here to help you navigate these complex issues, so please take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights from legal experts. each session will last approximately 1 hour. Register for each session by clicking on the topic(s) of your choice below.

Topic: Estate Planning & Trusts

Date: Thursday, October 13, 2016

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attorney: Sherri Frame, JD, LLM
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch (515 Perry Rd.)

Topic: Starting a Small Business
Date: Thursday, October 20, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM
Attorney: James Trembley, JD
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch

Topic: Social Security
Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attorney: Brian Barkey, JD
Location: Grand Blanc-McFarlen Branch

Genealogy 101 Classes

I will again be offering Genealogy 101 this Fall here at the Grand Blanc branch, once each in October and November. This is an introductory class and every resource discussed is freely available. This class is a lot of fun and whether you're new to genealogy or been working your lineage for years, you'll enjoy this discussion-based workshop exploring genealogical resources. To register for either class (they are the same) click on the desired date below. Wifi will be available should you wish to explore the resources during the session, but bringing a PC or tablet is not required.

Genealogy 101:

Session A: Thursday, October 6, 2016: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Session B: Saturday, November 5, 2016: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

We hope to see you this Fall and, as always, please call us with questions about these or any other programs at Genesee District Library branches!

Event Reminder

Genesee District Library continues to partner with Michigan Works to aid job-seekers

On Monday, June 3rd, from 10 AM to Noon, the Genesee/Shiawassee office of Michigan Works will host an informative and interactive seminar to better prepare you for your next job interview. Interviews can certainly make you nervous, so stop by the Grand Blanc branch to gain some confidence before you speak to a prospective employer. This is a FREE event.

When: Monday, June 3 10:00 AM - Noon

Where: Grand Blanc McFarlen Library (515 Perry Road)

Registration is required, click HERE and choose the "join" option to reserve your seat.

Looking for work? Read on...

Resume Workshop coming to Genesee District Library

Attend. Get Hired. Succeed.

Looking for a job is stressful and it doesn't take much to feel lost among the many career websites and multitude of opinions regarding your resume. The Genesee District Library has partnered with  the local office of Michigan Works! to host a set of three seminars focused on getting you prepared for your next job. Our next FREE event, "Resume's that Work" is THIS MONDAY, April 22nd from 10:00 AM - Noon here at the Grand Blanc branch.

Michigan Works! has close relationships with many local businesses who are hiring, and has access to job postings found nowhere else. Coming to this workshop might well connect you to your next employer. I have here a list of local, open positions from last week's seminar. Michigan Works can help you take the next step. 

Take advantage of this incredible opportunity. 

Bring Your Resume. 

Make a Reservation Below.

Date: Monday, April 22

Time: 10:00 AM -Noon

Location: McFarlen Library 515 Perry Road, Grand Blanc

Click HERE to make a reservation

Upcoming April Events!

April is a busy month filled with activities here in Grand Blanc. Not only is Money Smart Week April 21-27, but the library is welcoming both Genesee/Shiawassee Michigan Works! and GreenPath Debt Solutions. The details for each event are below.

Set of 3 FREE Seminars

Monday, April 15, 22, and 29th

10:00 AM - Noon

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

 April 15: Forces Impacting Your Job Search

April 22: Resumes' that Work

April 29: Breaking the Hidden Job Market

Please pass this information along to anyone who is struggling to find work, and wants more information on the current status of the job market. These are local hiring experts who know this area well. 

After being cancelled back in March due to weather conditions, the debt professionals from the Flint office of GreenPath Debt Solutions will return to present "How to Understand Your Credit Report." This is another FREE event. Please register online by clicking HERE. 

Date: Thursday, April 18th

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

Bring your questions for a post seminar Q & A session!

Money Smart Week is fast approaching and I hope the previous posts regarding some of the free resources available have been helpful. Keep checking back for posts, there is so much more to share! The highlight of Money Smart Week will be Tuesday, April 23 at 6:45 PM here at the Grand Blanc branch, as we will join a live webcast which includes more tips and information from finance experts from across the country. The library has also received a great deal of excellent resources from FINRA that will be available at this time.

Please register for this event through the GDL's event calendar, available on our website, thegdl.org, very soon.

Upcoming Resume and Interviewing Workshops

Need to update your resume?

Have an upcoming job interview?

Genesee District Library's own Heather Gill, a certified professional in human resources (PHR), will host an informational session on  Wednesday, November 7th at 2PM, here in the Grand Blanc branch. Entitled "How to Write a Winning Resume," Heather will discuss the "do's" and "dont's" when organizing your experience and qualifications. This is a free event, but you must register in advance. Register by clicking here.

After your resume is well-organized and ready for a potential employer, your mind will likely go to the critical first interview. What questions can you expect? How should you dress? On Wednesday, November 14th, the Grand Blanc branch will be hosting "Sharpening Your Interviewing Skills" at 2PM. This even is also free, but registration is also required. To register, click here.

If you're working during these two events and would still like some information about resume writing and interview tips, please stop by the Business Center, or contact me directly (click "Contact Us" at top of page), and I will gladly assist you in any way possible.

Writing your Resume?

If you've asked more than one person how your resume should be formatted you've probably heard 2 or more different answers. This is for good reason: a resume is a reflection of you, an individual with specific experiences, talents, and views. While resume's are unique, there are certainly best practices that should be considered.

The Genesee District Library offers a free resume builder on all public computer terminals. Your resume can also be formatted and easily altered in Microsoft Word, also available on GDL computers. Print, Fax, and Copy services are available here in the Grand Blanc branch. 

If you have questions about your resume, the Business Center Librarian is happy to speak with you and assist you in formatting a resume which will best suit your specific career goals. Please see the "Reference Desk Hours" tab at the top of the page for availability. 

Lastly, I wanted to list several books which might help you in constructing your resume:

Career Change Resume (2003, Available for Download)

The Damn Good Resume Guide (2012)

Gallery of Best Resumes (2012)

The Google Resume (2011)

The Quick  Resume & Cover Letter Book (2011)

Resume and Cover Letter Phrase Book (2011)

Resumes for the 50+ Job Hunter (2009, Available for Download)

Same-Day Resume (2012)

 

Choose the "Find Books" tab at the top of the page and search by title for current availability. 

There are many more relevant titles here in the Business Center, so stop by!

 

Job Hunting?

Looking for work can be frustrating. Very. Frustrating.

Yesterday I spoke with 2 patrons who were looking for work, and it was yet another reminder of the diverse and relevant sources here in the Business Center. Maybe you're looking to refresh your resume or need to prepare for an important interview. Google any job-related term and you get a multitude of hits, but it can be daunting to sift through the results and decide who to trust. 

While the task of job-hunting can be daunting, and much of the process is out of your control, there are many actions you can take to be prepared. Stop by McFarlen Library and browse the many resources related to resumes, interviewing and other workplace etiquette and be better prepared for your next opportunity.