Dear Reader:

Forward Careers, Inc. is a private-nonprofit organization with 30 years experience serving businesses and residents of Southeast Wisconsin.

We provide career, skills training, and supportive services to assist individuals that are unemployed or underemployed from ages 14 and up. Our services include career planning, basic skills training, job search assistance, job search skills, and in-demand employer-linked training. 
 
Whether you’re exploring a career change, looking for a new job, preparing to graduate, are currently unemployed or underemployed, we will provide you with the right tools to guide you to reach your career goals. 
 
Not only will you find out what jobs are in-demand, our Career Planners will work closely with you to understand your goals and help you find or prepare for the job you want. We know the job market and have built relationships with many of the region’s businesses across all industries. 
Click Thru Job Fair: January 27, 2021

As part of a unified statewide approach, Forward Careers is hosting a “Click Thru Job Fair” on January 27, 2021 to let job seekers know that there are many employment opportunities available in their local area!
"Resumes that Rock" with Barb Waala will cover how important resumes are today, what's important to hiring managers, how to make your resume stand out, and much more.

February 2, 2021
10:00 am
Live Facebook Stream
"Insights with an HR Manager" will feature Entrepreneur & HR Professional Manny Lara. He will cover secrets on what an HR manager wants you to know!

March 2, 2021
10:00 am
Live Facebook Stream
WIOA: Adult & Dislocated Worker

The Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult and Dislocated Worker program is for individuals ready to make a change and turn their skills and interests into careers that are in-demand and self-sustaining.

Whether you are a career seeker looking to start or change careers, unemployed, underemployed, a veteran, returning parent or an older worker looking to upskill or gain new skills and get back to work in the same or different field, this is for you!
WIOA: employMEnt NOW!

The WIOA employMEnt NOW! program is designed to assist young adults, between the ages of 14 and 24, with planning, training and job placement needs. Based on your skills and interest, we can start planning for college or job opportunities through a work experience, internship, or an apprenticeship.

Don't wait until summer to contact us, start now!
Hot Jobs in Waukesha, Ozaukee, & Washington Counties
Source: https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/wisconomy
Preparing for Hard Interviewing Questions

  • When you’re asked, “Why do you want this job?” - The obvious answer is “to pay bills” or “make more money”, but you should aim for a more thoughtful response. When you apply for the job or you’re preparing for the interview, make note of what sounds appealing about the job duties or a description that stuck out to you. Something prompted you to apply, right? Even if it’s as simple as how the job description perfectly matched your experience and is closer to family/with a company you like/in a new industry, you can find something to promote. Plus, interviewers are typically interested in what motivates you and what you’re looking for in a team or from a role, so frame your answer to meet those expectations.

  • The famed, “What’s your biggest weakness?” - Hopefully by now you know that a stealth-brag is not the way to go. For years, it was acceptable to offer something like “I’m a perfectionist” or “I take on too much work” but hiring managers have caught on. Typically, your potential employer is looking more for your level of self-awareness and how you address any issues that arise. Offer how you’ve worked to improve your skills in an area or prioritized professional development. Everyone has to learn new things on a regular basis to remain on top of their jobs – were you a pro at creative thinking and strategy but lacked formal data analysis? Share how you recognized that weakness and took action to improve.

  • “Where do you see yourself in five years?” - This is tricky. Employers often want to gauge how serious you might be about this role, your commitment to the industry or how you might fit into longer term company plans. But maybe this is your first job (ever or in your field), or you know that in five years, you’d like to be living in a new city, start a business or spend more time with family. Regardless, you don’t have to give away your personal life plan. Demonstrate your dedication by highlighting how you’ve earned certificates or praise, courses you’ve taken, promotions you’ve received, and share how you’d like to continue learning and growing in your next role.

  • Any form of “What’s your spirit animal?” “Describe in detail how to make a PB&J sandwich.” - Some companies still deploy off-the-wall tactics in interviews, usually to test how you think on your feet, solve problems and deal with unexpected situations. Since you can’t prepare for any exact answers, you can think through what makes you unique and understand how you solve problems. As part of your job interview practice, consider your problem-solving style and how you find solutions in the moment. When you’re presented with any of these scenarios, you’ll be equipped to navigate them.


Source: CareerBuilder
Unemployment Insurance News

Madison - Jan 15, 2021: Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek today announced that DWD started issuing Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payments made available through the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act, or CAUWA. The CAUWA extends many of the provisions included in the previously passed Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, including FPUC, while also containing numerous new programming requirements.

FoodShare Recipients Benefit from Temporary Increase, Additional Online Shopping Option

Madison - Jan 13, 2021: Wisconsin households that receive FoodShare will now receive added benefits to help them access food during the COVID-19 pandemic. This temporary increase will begin this month and last until June 2021.

Also announced that the grocery store chain, ALDI, is joining Amazon and Walmart as online shopping options for FoodShare households.
INCOME TAX PREPARATION SERVICES

The IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals.

The VITA program has operated for over 50 years, offering free tax help to:
  • People who generally make $57,000 or less
  • Persons with disabilities; and
  • Limited English-speaking taxpayers

Below are local VITA sites:
La Casa de
Esperanza
Waukesha, WI 53186
Social Development
Commission
Milwaukee, WI 53205
Forward Careers, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Service Provider. If you have a disability and need information in an alternative format, including language assistance or translation, and/or need assistance with this information, please contact us at (262) 695-7800 or call through Wisconsin Relay Service 711. Funding provided by the WOW Workforce Development Board through the Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act/Emergency Recovery Grant/Department of Corrections Windows to Work, Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Labor H-1B TechHire Grant, Department of Children and Families - John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, Women & Girls Fund of Waukesha County, & United Way of Washington County,