Want a New Job or New Career
for the New Year?
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As the calendar turns over to a new year, it's time to think about your goals for 2023. If you take a look at many of the resolutions people make this time every year, you'll see losing weight, eating healthier, exercising and spending more time with family and friends. But have you thought about finding a new job or discovering a new career? What about starting your own business?


The average person spends about one third of their lives working, so why not do something you love, something that inspires you, something that gives you a sense of purpose?


Not sure where to start? NCWorks Career Centers in our region offer many free and valuable resources to help you accomplish your goals.


Let's take a look:

Find a New Job


Have you been out of work for some time? Are you working in a job that no longer serves your needs? Want to make more money or have better benefits? Now is the perfect time to find a new job!


Recent statistics show our area with an unemployment rate of under 3% (one of the lowest in North Carolina), and almost 20,000 available job openings. It is definitely a job seekers market!


So, what steps should you take to get started? Use the checklist below to see if you are ready. If not, contact your local NCWorks Career Center and ask to speak with a Career Advisor who will be happy to assist. Many of these topics are also covered in our job-seeking skills workshops.


  • Create (or update) your resume. The first step to getting hired is to impress the hiring manager with your resume. Present your strengths, skills, experiences, accomplishments and credentials so employers can easily see you’re a great fit for the job. Don't forget about the importance of keywords as many employers use scanning software to filter out resumes.
  • Brush up on your interviewing skills. A resume may get you an interview, but it is the interview that will get you the job. Clearly communicate your strengths, skills and experiences so an employer will see that you are the best candidate for the job.
  • Network. Remember the saying, "it's not what you know, it's who you know?" While that might not always be the case, successful networking can help you to identify job leads and connect with employers.
  • Set up a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network and growing rapidly. A professionally written LinkedIn profile allows you to create an online brand which can help open doors to opportunities and networks that you may not have been aware of. 


Now you are ready to start your job search! Some good advice would be to set up an account on the state's workforce website, NCWorks.gov, and create a customized profile. This will allow you to upload a resume and make yourself visible to the employers who use our system every day to find qualified candidates.


Don't forget that NCWorks Career Centers also offer in-person job fairs where you have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with HR professionals from local, regional and national companies! In 2022 alone, more than 80 employers took advantage of this service.

Discover a New Career


People change careers for many reasons:


  • Better pay.
  • Current job is too stressful.
  • Want a better work-life balance.
  • Need a new challenge.
  • No longer passionate about the field they are in.


Regardless of the reason, much thought should be put into this decision. Do I have the skills necessary to make this change? Are there jobs in that field available in my area?


NCWorks Career Advisors can help you answer these questions by:

  • Examining the local labor market to determine what jobs or career pathways are most in-demand.
  • Offering assessments to help you identify your career and job interests. We have two workshops - Identifying Career Interests and Finding the Fit with the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory - that would be a great starting point.
Obtain Training

Maybe all that you need for a new job or a new career is to upgrade your skills.

NCWorks offers assistance with tuition, books & fees for eligible persons to attend community college free of charge. This can be short-term training lasting a few weeks or months, a 1-year diploma program, or a 2-year Associates degree.

In addition, we may be able to pay for certificates or credentials that are specific to your industry, and our on-the-job training program can pay for a portion of your wages while you are in employer-provided training.
Technology Resources

NCWorks Career Centers have all the technology you need to be successful in your job search.

Our computer labs have high-speed Internet, Microsoft office, and access to printers, copiers, scanners and fax machines, and many of our computers are equipped with cameras that allow you to participate in virtual interviews with employers.

Do you have your own laptop? Bring it in and access our free wi-fi.

Keep an eye out for our monthly newsletter for upcoming job fairs and hiring events as well as our schedule of workshops. If you are on Facebook, like or follow us here for more frequent updates.


We look forward to working with you in the new year!!!


If you have any questions, contact your local NCWorks Career Center for more information.

You are receiving this message because you are registered with NCWorks Online. Our goal with these emails is to keep you up-to-date on the many resources available to help you find a new or better job, learn about training opportunities or discover a new career. We hope that you find this information valuable and look forward to assisting you!
NNCWorks Career Center services are administered by
the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board.
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Mountain Area Workforce Development Board is an
Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of
Career Development, Training and Employment Services.