Career Advising
Career advisors are available to meet with you for one-on-one job-search assistance. To speak with a Career Advisor, contact the CONNECT Front desk or call 408-730-7667 to schedule an appointment

Ask the Career Advisor
Have a question for an advisor but don't think you need a full 1-on-1 meeting.  This group session offered daily is your opportunity to drop-in and have your questions answered.

Advice Line
Have a quick question for an advisor and can't get to the CONNECT center?  Call our advice line at 408-730-7667 and leave a message with your question.  A career advisor will return your call.

Managing Change
An interactive workshop to help you move through the stress and uncertainty created by job loss. Learn how to work through your emotions, launch an effective job search, and explore what's next for you.

Focus

Who Am I?
A starting point for those interested in conducting career assessment. Participants will take assessments and participate in activities to define their skills, interests, and values, and learn how to apply this information in all stages of career development.

Career Exploration
Learn how to gather information about career options, develop an understanding of how to access the latest career information resources, and discover the value of career exploration in making smart and informed career decisions.

Résumé/Applications

Résumé Facts
Learn the answers to the most common résumé questions including: What goes on the résumé? Do I need to customize my résumé? What are the best ways to organize my information? And is a cover letter necessary?

Résumé Critique
Have a career advisor review your résumé and provide you with information, ideas, and assistance in creating your résumé. This service is offered during career advising appointments. 

Customize Your Résumé
This is an opportunity for you to work independently on your résumé and customize it to a specific job posting. A facilitator is available to provide assistance as needed. Please bring a copy of the job description and a hard copy or electronic copy of your résumé with you. Résumé Facts is required prior to attending this class. 

Job Applications
If your job search includes filling out applications, and most jobs do at some point, learn how to not screen yourself out. Discover how to successfully address legal issues and sticky questions.

Job Search

Generating Job Leads
The more exposure you and your resume have during the job search, the more likely you are to find a job.  Learn about the visible and hidden job market and best ways to tap into your network.

Job Search Tips for the Mature Worker 
Mature job seekers frequently have concerns that their age or number of years of experience may create obstacles in their job search. Learn how to identify age-friendly employers, age-neutralize your resume, and answer the tough interview questions. 

Using LinkedIn 1
Learn the basics of LinkedIn including setting up your profile, managing your account settings, and adding connections.

Using LinkedIn 2
Learn how to use LinkedIn as a job search tool including finding people, using groups, and locating job postings.

LinkedIn Lab
Dedicated time to use what you've learned in LinkedIn 1 and apply it in a group setting to develop a more effective LinkedIn profile. Please bring an electronic version of your résumé and a job description with you. LinkedIn 1, an established LinkedIn profile, and knowing your LinkedIn password are required prior to attending this class. Due to the nature of this workshop, late arrivals will not be accommodated.

Informational Interviewing
Build your confidence requesting and conducting informational meetings with people who have the advice, information, referrals you need.

Interviewing/Negotiations

Ace the Interview
The most simple interview questions can be the most difficult to answer. Learn how to handle questions about your salary requirements, your weaknesses, and your strengths. Discover effective, proven techniques to prepare you for tough job interviews.

Basic Interview Practice
Prepare responses and practice with a partner the 4 most common interview questions: "Tell me about yourself, what is a strength, what is a weakness and what are your salary requirements?" Ace the Interview is required prior to taking this class.

Presenting Accomplishments
Add impact to your interviews by learning how to talk about your successes, highlight your strengths and minimize your weaknesses by turning negatives into positives. It is recommended to bring a copy of your resume and a sample job description with you to this workshop. Ace the Interview is required prior to taking this class.

Behavior-Based Interviewing
"Tell me about a time when..." Prepare for tough questions asking how you handled specific situations in your past, including both successes and failures. Create your own job profile and practice responding to related questions. It is recommended to bring a copy of your resume and a sample job description with you to this workshop. Ace the Interview is required prior to taking this class. 

Negotiating the Offer
Discover what, other than money, is negotiable. How should you position yourself? What do you ask for first? Can you get a sign-on bonus? Get these questions answered, and practice negotiating with a partner.

• Learn communicating skills that will help you resolve problems, respectfully present your point of view and listen to others.
• Enhance your ability to give and receive feedback.
• Learn facilitation skills to improve team dynamics and increase productivity.
• Apply collaboration and consensus building techniques used in high- performance teams.
• Learn skills to analyze and creatively solve problems in a team setting.

Computer Skills

Students must be able to attend all sessions of each class.

Intro to Computers
Basic overview of how a computer works and how to use the Windows Vista Operating System. Class also provides an introduction to the internet and internet-based email.

QuickBooks
Class reviews the functions and features of QuickBooks including accounts, lists, customers, vendors, sales tax, invoicing, inventory, reporting, and more.