Maine's CHOICES CEO Project
September 23, 2008
The Power of Work: The Art of Creating Opportunity
Overview
This conference was primarily for service providers who help job seekers and workers with disabilities find good jobs and develop lasting careers.
In this fast-paced, highly interactive seminar, Denise shared her top twelve employment tools that have been proven effective by thousands of employment counselors and job search trainers throughout North America in a variety of settings and with a multitude of client and participant groups. Drawing from her vast repertoire of books and publications, Denise chose twelve tools which can be used individually or in groups, with people who are new to or experienced in the job market and for purposes of motivation, self-esteem, vocational assessment, job placement and job retention.
Summary of the Tools
The Spirit Tree – A powerful model for understanding and influencing human motivation.
Beyond Roadblocks - Helps identify and move beyond real and perceived job search barriers. Critical for individuals with multiple barriers to employment.
The Any Game – A fun and interactive way to help individuals identify vocational priorities and work preferences. Perfect for folks who say, “I’ll do anything” or for people who have unrealistic expectations in their short term goals.
Assets and Strengths – Creatively identifies life values, assets and natural abilities of the job seeker. A great ice breaker or opening activity for a job search class or job club.
The Employment Proposal – A tremendous tool for creating new employment opportunities based on a person’s abilities and unidentified needs of a business. A compelling alternative to the resume or application.
Do What You Love – A step-by-step approach to helping people see their employment possibilities and write their own employment proposals
The Two Minute Summary – Takes the job seeker through a sequential process of identifying key skills, traits and accomplishments that can be articulated in a two minute summary. Great for interview preparation.
Sampling and Crafting Tool for Writing Cover Letters – A job search essential for making the writing of cover letters quick, painless and enjoyable!
Stepping Stones and Weekly Balance Check – The ultimate job seeker’s planning tools for breaking the job search into doable parts, setting daily goals and viewing weekly results. Helps keep the job seeker active, motivated and encouraged throughout the job search process.
Work Search Skills Inventory – A comprehensive inventory of 35 specific skills and abilities essential for an effective, intelligent and proactive job search – assists the job seeker in assessing their strengths and weaknesses in the job search process.
You Shall Overcome – Takes individuals through a seven step process of evaluating their fears, hopes, attitudes and beliefs with regard to becoming employed and empowers people with the idea that they have the power to overcome many of their barriers by changing habits in both their thinking and doing.
New Beginnings – A simple but profound exercise that reminds people of how they have showed great courage and strength throughout their lives. A wonderful exercise for closing a workshop or a job club meeting - especially helpful for people in transition!
Featured Speaker
Denise Bissonette was the principal speaker for the conference.. Denise is an inspiring and informative speaker who spoke two years ago at the “Future of Maine’s Economy” conference about connecting all workers — and particularly workers with disabilities — with work that they are good at and that leads to satisfaction and success.
More information on Denise Bissonette can be found here.
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