The Job Search Series #3

​I spend my days meeting with clients throughout the county where I live, helping them prepare memorable resumes, creative cover letters, and training them to destroy the interview process. Many of my clients suffer from depression, are disabled, or have had substance abuse problems in the past. This makes my job even harder sometimes, as many of my clients have not worked in years. I carry a caseload of around 30 clients, and meet with them weekly to hone their practical and creative skills in order to put their best foot forward and resume a productive, fulfilling occupation that adds dimension and clarity to their life.

​With the help of the Department of Rehabilitation, many of my clients are retrained, and have gone on to find jobs in the tech industry, with municipalities, as field technicians for utilities or the private machining/gaming industry, as instructors, administrative and executive assistants, and countless other fields.

​I myself have worked in a variety of fields, from tech, to medical, to real estate. Before I helped people look for jobs, I worked as a grant writer for various nonprofits throughout my area. I got into this field to give back. My first tech job was at a startup dedicated to providing effective SEO to small to mid-size companies throughout the United States. I found success there in their sales department, and learned quite a bit about what it takes to make a website relevant on search engines.

​At the center of everything I do is the sphere of mental health. For people who have been out of work long enough, depression and feelings of inadequacy loom. This is especially true for my clients. After a long enough time, depression and anxiety can creep up on anyone. It feels insurmountable, this dull aching that can suck the pleasure out of actions and encounters that used to bring meaning and joy to our lives. I’ve been there. I used to be an unemployed, depressed, lost soul who couldn’t get out of bed before 11:00AM. I could be there again very quickly. It doesn’t take much.

​The good news is, there are people out there who are dedicated to helping others. I thought I would use this opportunity and this platform to address one resource available to those who may have a diagnosis such as depression, or who have resorted to drugs or alcohol to cope.

​There is a Department of Rehabilitation in virtually every state. They partner with nonprofits and government agencies to provide training and job placement to those who qualify. If you’re currently seeing a therapist or doctor for depression or other ailments, they may be able to refer you to an agency that partners with the DOR, or refer you directly to the DOR to provide services. Once you’ve been approved, and you have met with a Vocational Counselor, you’ll likely be paired with someone like myself, an Employment Placement Specialist, who will provide you with support and guidance throughout your job search. If you would like training, the Department of Rehabilitation will pay for it. I know people who have gone to graduate school and achieved their Masters’ Degree on the DOR’s dime.

​If you are not among the subset of job seekers who finds themselves with a clinical diagnosis or substance abuse issue, but you know someone who is, they would surely benefit from the services offered by the DOR and other government agencies. All of my clients receive laptops, new clothes, and a monthly transportation check to assist them with getting to interviews and appointments. It’s usually around $80/month.

​Most counties have a Vocational Services Department that assists clients with finding work. They are usually partnered with the DOR and provide Vocational Counseling, Employment Placement, and Job Coaching for when you do get a job.

​I wish I had known about this resource years ago, when I was home all day feeling lost with no direction or ambition to get there, wherever “there” was. It’s likely that you may well have just stumbled upon this article and find yourself filled to the brim with ambition and determination. Maybe you’ve just recently been let go, and are driven by a sliver of faith and fear, focusing all your attention knowing something better is out there.

​This information is for everyone. Resources abound. I find that people generally find themselves stuck when they have a limited knowledge of the solutions available to them. It just takes some research and a little bit of humility to access resources that may prove instrumental in helping you to secure your next job. The Department of Rehabilitation is there for anyone with a physical disability, a clinical mental health diagnosis, or a substance use disorder who is seeking re-entry into the workforce.