BonnerSprings.com

For most adults, looking for a job ranks up there with root canal work for fun experiences.

To ease the process and improve the prospects of local residents on the job hunt, the Bonner Springs Library is offering workshops on résumé writing and interview skills from the nonprofit alliance Workforce Partnership.

The library has offered two of the classes, and Kathleen Schram, assistant director, said both sessions were well-attended, and attendees said they felt the classes had helped them update their résumé and job-seeking skills.

The idea came about, Schram said, because staff had noticed many patrons using the library’s computers to look for jobs.

“So we decided to work together (with Workforce Partnership) to offer classes to make it easier for them,” Schram said.

The economic turmoil of the last couple of months has affected the goals of many seeking employment, said Scott Anglemyer, executive director of Workforce Partnership.

“We are seeing some job seekers interested in those jobs that they wouldn’t have been a few months ago,” he said.

Workforce Partnership serves the counties of Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties and offers outreach programs to both employees and employers, Anglemyer said.

In the face of a gloomy economic outlook, Anglemyer said there was still hope for those on the job search.

“One message we really want to get out,” Anglemyer said, is that “no matter how bad the economy gets, there are some jobs out there.”

For example, “it seems like we’re seeing more customer service collection, especially with household debts and mortgage such a big issue,” Anglemyer said. “I think employers are putting more of a premium on collections, so at least some of the increase due to those companies” that specialize in debt collection.

The next classes to be offered at the Bonner Springs Library will be the résumé-writing workshop, at 6 p.m. Nov. 3, and a job interview workshop, which will focus on self-presentation and preparation, at 6 p.m. Nov. 17. Signup to attend either is necessary by calling the library at (913) 441-2665 or stopping by at 200 E. Third St. Those attending the résumé workshop should bring their résumés.

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