Resources are there for jobless
A trickledown effect is creating another wave of unemployed.
Tom Street, job search instructor at the Minnesota WorkForce Center in Brainerd, said as people lose jobs and health care coverage or face higher deductibles while they cut back on spending, he's starting to see chiropractic assistants and dental hygienists looking for work.
"That's something new we haven't seen before," Street said.
Kourtney Dagel of Deerwood worked with Tom Street, a job search instructor at the Minnesota WorkForce Center in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
Street said seasonal unemployment has long been part of the lake country of central Minnesota. But the recession means people are jobless for longer periods and more industries are affected. And one domino tends to strike another.
"We are getting different faces than before," Street said.
Street said there has been a 150 percent to 200 percent increase in the number of people coming through the WorkForce Center's doors seeking services. Job hunters range from entry level to mid and upper management.
"It's pretty much all over the place," Street said.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for November noted there are 6.4 job seekers per available job - or 12.9 million more unemployed workers than job openings. That's an increase from 1.1 job seekers per job opening in December of 2000 and 1.7 job seekers per job opening in December 2007.
Tim Bahma, a 42-year-old plumber, moved to Minnesota from Montana to be with his 14-year-old son. He's been out of work for about 50 days. This week, he attended a five-day job-hunting class at the WorkForce Center in the Community Services Building on Laurel Street. The free course covered job applications, resume writing and interviewing tips.
Bahma sat at a computer in the Resource Room, which is open to the public, using a program to help create a resume and customizing it with his own skills.
"I'm looking everywhere right now," Bahma said of the job he hoped to find. "I just basically need to get back to work."
Kourtney Dagel of Deerwood has been looking for a job since September after having a child. She was working as a cook/waitress/dishwasher but has ambitions for a career in nursing or law enforcement. Her goal is to get a steady job she can rely on with options to advance. At the job-hunting class, the 19-year-old was picking up tips on what to say and what not to say during the interview and in the resume.
At 43, John, who asked not to have his last name included, said this is the longest he's ever gone without a job. He started looking in October. Going to the job-hunting class involved a lot of self-analysis of abilities, John said.
"You are trying to do everything you can do to get your resume to stand out," John said.
One of his classmates in the job-hunting class applied for 38 jobs, had two job interviews and no job offers. John said attending the class helped him really look at his skills instead of only at the job he was doing.
"You can take your skills along with you," John said.
The WorkForce Centers, with nearly 50 statewide, are designed to help people find jobs and to help businesses find workers. The resources are available for people who have just been laid-off or those who have been searching for a long time and need a fresh start.
Business specialists are available to work confidentially with businesses and assist when there are layoffs so affected employees know what resources are out there for them. Specialists are available to meet with employees at the job site or act as a sounding board for business operators. Many layoffs go without community visibility beyond the people affected. State notification isn't required until the layoff affects at least 50 people.
As an indication of how many job seekers are out there, a Department of Employment and Economic Development specialist reported businesses with just a few jobs are leery of advertising them because the flood of job seekers would be overwhelming.
The WorkForce Center's Resource Rooms have staff available to assist job seekers and provide computers and Internet access, phones, fax machines, even paper for resumes. There is a reference library, office equipment, networking with other job seekers and workshops aimed at making a job search more successful.
Jim Tretter, DEED Vocational Rehabilitation Services supervisor, assists people with a documented disability who are looking for work. Counselors help develop an employment plan and look into options for school, retraining or on-the-job training funds with employers.
"I think a lot of people out there are afraid to ask for help," Dagel said, noting people may prefer to be independent or may think something is wrong with them if they can't find work on their own. "Don't be scared to reach out for help," Dagel advised other job seekers. "It relieves a lot of stress knowing the help is here."
Hearing Brainerd's high unemployment rates, which has led the state for cities of 10,000 people or more, adds to the anxiety.
"I think that stresses us out even more," Dagel said. Coming on top of pressure to pay bills and keep households going, Dagel said the stress is something people try to hide from their families.
On March 24, a managing occupational stress and employee productivity seminar is planned from 2-5 p.m. at Central Lakes College in recognition of the dramatic changes affecting workers.
John said he found resources and people at the WorkForce Center helped at a time when the odds of finding work are tough.
"They understand what's going on out there and they really help guide us through the process," John said. "I feel much better at least just going out there and tackling the job hunt. The resource is here, but it's up to the individual to have the responsibility to take advantage of that."
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.