The Iowa Workforce Development Center

[jiacinto]

Have any of you been there? Are these agencies helpful?

[Bluzmann57]

1. Yes I have been there

To the one in Davenport. They referred me to the job I currently hold. So if used as a tool in your job search, it can be helpful. Good Luck and go Hawks! Sorry to the non-Iowans out there, it's an Iowa thing.

[Lisa0825]

2. I am an employment counselor in Texas

I work at a Texas workforce office. It varies from office to office, as well as state to state, though we all have federal goals we are supposed to meet. But let me tell you what *I* do, and hopefully you can get all the same services there.

I counsel individuals regarding the local labor market, the outlook for their particular field, and basic motivational things. You'd be amazed how many people come back after getting a job, to thank me just for cheering them up so they didn't give up.

I review and critique resumes (and write them sometimes, but don't have time to do that for everybody). We (my coworkers and I) have to take resume prep classes, so most of us are much better than the average person who writes one once every 4 years or so.

I help search the state database of jobs to find jobs that match their skills.

I can refer people to other supportive services, if they need profesional clothes for interviewing or help with rent or utilities.

I can provide up to $200 in a year for essential items, such as transportation expenses, uniforms, certification tests, or in one case, a new tire!

Our office provides computers with internet access, tutorial CDs to learn MS Office Suite, faxes (sending faxes from Kinko's is NOT cheap!!!), copiers, books on resume and letter writing, phones (including long distance if for job searching), Job Search Skills Classes (includes resume writing, finding the job leads, interview skills, practice questions, etc), stress management seminars, and referrals to individual counseling through our Employee Assistance Counselor when needed.

We also have some limited money available for training, on a scholarship basis. Our first job is to get people working ASAP, but if we determine that that is best achieved by sending them to classes or training first, then that is an option to consider.

We also offer services to employers, such as free job ads, free space and assistance with job fairs, prescreening of applicants, etc.

Good luck with your job search!

[jiacinto]

3. The IA office has all of that

And it's going to be helpful. The fact that I can send free faxes is going to be beneficial.

[TXlib]

4. Good luck, Carlos!

Sounds like you're grabbing the bull by the horns!