Tom started a job as a Collections Manager for an international financial services company in December 2009.   This will fulfill a dream he held during the past five years which were marked by intermittent employment and a recent stay in transitional housing.  Several years of " self-sabotaging behavior" led to a point when he was unemployed and lacked even a telephone or car.  Tom says the Job Center of Lake County was a big help as he sought to re-enter the job market.

Tom said he chose to use the resource room at the Job Center because of the supportive atmosphere.  "There are unexpected job opportunities here.  Several times I came in to use the computer but also got to speak to an employer who was interviewing onsite that day."   He worked with staff members to tweak his resume and used the internet in the resource room to research opportunities.

Tom found the listing for his new job originally at www.indeed.com.  When he saw the job looked like a good match, he customized a cover letter and researched information about the company's Director at www.linkedin.com.  By the time he was called for an interview, he was confident that he could serve the company well.  He was hired at a salary that is 25% higher than his last job. 

Tom wants jobseekers to know that everyone has something to overcome.  "People get discouraged at the front end of a job search. "  He says that he knew some employers would reject his application because of his sporadic work history.  "I found I had to be very creative in my approach.  I just put more resumes out there-any way I could.  Use your network when you're looking for work."