Looking for work right now is very challenging and we know many of you who've been laid off haven't been on the job hunt for many years. The good news is there are people who want to help you.
John Garofalo was laid off and out of work for more than a year.
"I wasn't sure what to do. I tried online postings and that wasn't effective," Garofalo said.
What was effective? The Career Transition Partnership or CTP.
Deacon David Papuga of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorestown is one of CTP's founders.
"Everything we do is done by volunteers and for free," Papuga said.
The volunteers are from businesses, Virtua Hospital, and churches of all faiths in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties.
The partnership offers regular workshops on topics like building job search strategies, e-networking, and putting together a personal marketing plan and resume.
It also helps match the unemployed with South Jersey companies that are hiring and its website lists jobs by county.
"We have through our efforts and coaching, we have put over 70 people in jobs and these are not part-time jobs; these are in their professions and we're hoping for 80 by the end of this year," Papuga said.
Meantime, John is now the Vice President of Human Resources for the YMCA of Burlington County.
He says he has CTP to thank and now he's volunteering.
"We have professional HR people in the business who run the training and teach the seminars , it's a fantastic service," Garofalo said.
CTP is also looking for more volunteers and facilities to host the seminars.
For schedules on upcoming seminars and more information, click here - http://ctpnj.org/
