The morning started much like any other sleepy Saturday. The sun shone high in the summer sky and the hot air was already sweaty with humidity. It was, after all, August in Florence. 
.
…but there was something different about this morning. The world was full of possibility – of excitement – because this particular morning was reserved for Suiting…
.
The referral had come in earlier in the week from Connie’s Workforce Connections, one of our four official Referral Partners, and our volunteers were eager to schedule the #SuitingAppointment and prepare items for our new friend. Well Suited for Work, which is fully volunteer-led and donation-driven, aims to tackle the challenges of poverty in our local communities One Suit at a Time. Our goal is for each client to walk away from their appointment with pre-laundered and pressed outfits that can be worn right off the hanger to an upcoming interview or new employment.

It is time for another #CareerTipTuesday and this week we're excited to provide information and resources for our friends with disabilities. Whether you're returning to the workforce for the first time since experiencing a disability or your disability has been a part of your entire professional career, navigating the hiring process can feel like a landmine. There are countless opportunities to misstep or lose firm footing. 
.
Deciding whether to disclose a disability or to request accommodations can add to the pressure, fear and stress of the process...AND it is important to understand the protections in place in order to make the best decision for you! 
.
Discrimination on the basis of disability is prohibited in ALL STAGES of employment under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes the pre-employment stage! However, even though these protections exist, both discrimination and stigma still remain a reality for many with mental and physical disabilities. 
.
So how do you know WHEN and even WHETHER to disclose such information during the hiring process?
.
Our Tip: Understand Your Options and Resources! 

While the job search process can be stressful, tedious and overwhelming for jobseekers, it also requires significant time, effort and resources from employers. Drafting postings, reviewing resumes and scheduling interviews all take time and effort. Therefore, it is no wonder that many employers choose to streamline the process as much as possible through automation. 
.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often used to screen out unqualified candidates electronically, far before a hiring manager or HR department reviews an application. This means that it is possible for your application to be placed in the proverbial "No Pile" (even if you are qualified for the role), if your application does not meet the requirements as programmed into the system. 
.
So how can you ensure that your application makes the cut, when you possess all the necessary qualifications for the role? 
.
Our Tip: Make the Applicant Tracking System Work FOR You!  
​.

The job search process can be an emotional rollercoaster. It is often a long, repetitive process...and for most folks, it includes A LOT of rejection! Presenting your best self to potential employers requires confidence, introspection and self-awareness. For many of us, this can be emotionally exhausting and mentally draining. 
. 
So how do you stay healthy and confident throughout the process in order to preserve and land that dream job?
.
Our Tip - Practice Self-Care: You're Worth the Time! 

Hiring is a time consuming and expensive process, and as a result, employers work very intentionally to ensure that new hires will not pose any unnecessary risk to the organization. References serve as one of the last opportunities for employers to identify any red flags and confirm that a candidate has been honest about their experience and skillset. 
.
Before an offer is made, employers are likely to check in with a candidate's references. Therefore, who you select can help you reduce any concerns and land that job! 
.
But how do you know who to select and how to ask?
.
Our Tip: Reduce Red Flags with Stellar References

It is time for yet another #CareerTipTuesday and Well Suited for Work is here to help you put your best foot forward following that upcoming interview! 
.
Employers typically consider many candidates while filling a single opening...often interviewing several candidates in a single day. So how do jobseekers stand out against a slew of other candidates?
.
Our Tip: Always Send Thank You Notes

At Well Suited for Work, we know that finding a full-time job takes the time, effort and commitment of a full-time job! Between repetitive applications, keeping up with current postings on a variety of different platforms and preparing for interviews, it's no wonder that folks become discouraged. We also know that a crucial ingredient to a successful job search is confidence. So how do you maintain confidence, fight discouragement and frustration throughout the application process? 

It is once again that time of the week and Well Suited for Work is here to serve up another #CareerTipTuesday. This week we're sharing some tips about discussing your previous or current employer(s) in an interview setting! 
.

It is time for another #CareerTipTuesday and we're excited to share with you some pointers regarding that dreaded questions: What is your professional weakness?
.
This is one of employers' favorite questions to ask. So you know that it's coming, but you may not know how to answer it! That's where we come in! 

​It's time for another #CareerTipTuesday and this week we're focused on giving you the confidence to ace your "30 Second Commercial" with some practice & preparation!
.
Employers often being interviews with the prompt: "Tell me about yourself." You know it's coming, but you may not know how to answer.
.
Our Tip: Practice & Prepare your 30 Second Commercial...or what some folks call your "elevator pitch". This is essentially an overview of who you are as a professional & serves as an opportunity to make a strong first impression!
.