EMPLOYMENT

Resources in Cambridge for Job Searching

Employment Note: Starred (***) resources serve persons who are homeless, as well as persons who are not homeless.

*** Cambridge Employment Program (617-349-6166; 51 Inman St.): Provides one-to-one employment assistance for work-ready Cambridge residents (including persons homeless in Cambridge): career counseling, resume development, job search assistance (writing cover letters, using the Internet, interviewing skills), help locating training resources. Referrals preferred.

*** National Student Partnership (Cambridge Office: 617-349-6338; at the Multi-Service Center, 19 Brookline St

Somerville Office: 617-591-9400; c/o Family Center; 366 Somerville Av., Union Square). NSP Staff (1-2 full-time Americorps site coordinators & a team of local college students) provide individualized help with job search (resume development, interviewing, using the Internet and newspapers to locate leads) by appointment, or subject to availability, on drop-in basis.

Impact (617-542-3388; 105 Chauncy St, Boston): Employment assistance for work-ready homeless persons & persons transitioning to housing. Skills/aptitude assessment; resume preparation; help with job search; employer contacts, access to word processors, telephones, voice mailbox, and P.O. box. By referral only.

GEAR (call Beverly Tabb at 617-591-1900) offers a range of employment options for homeless persons in CASPAR’s clothing distribution program & second-hand store (160 Highland Av, in Somerville), ranging from entry-level positions for persons with little or no work history, to positions for seasoned workers seeking to update their references. By referral only.

*** Community Work Services (CWS) (contact Eugene Gloss at 617-720-2233 x 223; 174 Portland St, near North Station, Boston) provides comprehensive employment services, including vocational assessment, work readiness and competitive employment training (janitorial, mailroom, clerical skills, business applications, light assembly) and placement assistance and support to homeless and non-homeless persons. Assistance obtaining Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) eligibility. Case manager referral, verification of homelessness, and 60-day sobriety required.

Spare Change News (617-497-1595; 1151 Mass Av. in the basement of Old Cambridge Baptist Church outside Harvard Square) is a small independent street newspaper written and distributed by the Homeless Empowerment Project, a largely consumer-run organization. Homeless persons seeking employment as vendors or wishing to submit an article (for which they can receive modest compensation) should visit the office during business hours. SCN now publishes a Hire the Homeless Classified Section where homeless persons can advertise their skills (e.g., painting, catering, carpentry, yard work, computer repair, etc.) and solicit business from interested readers of the newspaper. To post a listing, call 617-497-1595 ext. 16 or email scnews@homelessempowerment.org or visit the office during business hours.

*** North Charles Institute (617-547-2992; 260 Beacon St. in Somerville), offers financial and educational support with GED, college, and a range of employment services for Cambridge & Somerville residents with a psychiatric disability that qualifies them for DMH services. Employment assistance includes vocational & job readiness training, career counseling, resume development, job search assistance, help with interviewing, and, for persons with limited work experience or a long absence from the workforce, transitional employment (cleaning, landscaping, receptionist). Orientations Tuesdays 11-Noon. Register first & always confirm dates & times (617-547-2992).

St. Francis House (39 Boylston St 4 floor, downtown Boston) offers two work programs: The First Step Program (617-654-1257) helps participants discover their strengths and interests, and identifies barriers that participants may need to address in order to successfully enter the workforce. First Step is a 15-hour program running Mon-Fri 9 AM-12 noon. Information sessions held every Tuesday at 1:30PM. The Moving Ahead Program (MAP) (617-654-1257) is a longer term, stipended program (14 weeks Mon-Wed 9AM-3PM Thu-Fri 9AM-Noon) focusing on recovery and renewal for persons whose lives have been disrupted by substance abuse and homelessness. Participants are assisted with life skills, work readiness, "workplace literacy," and job search activities. Applications for both programs are available by phone or in-person.

Span (105 Chauncy St 6th floor, Boston, MA 02111) (617-423-0750) provides employment assistance to ex-offenders.

Project Place (32 Rutland St. in Boston's South End; 617-262-3740) offers training and transitional employment programs for homeless persons with 90 days sobriety. Shelters & transitional housing program staff can make referrals to Terengo Argan (ext.18).

"Clean Corners, Bright Hopes" (cleaning and maintaining streets in the Downtown Crossing and other areas) and Project Pepsi (a small business maintaining Pepsi vending machines in metro Boston) offer 6 months of paid transitional employment (full or part time) with on-the-job training and supervision, case management, recovery and life skills support, and assistance with job search.

"Project 90" is a 90 day program offering training in basic work skills and paid 16 hour/week internships in child care, food service, maintenance, and office positions. All participants receive job counseling and placement assistance, case management, computer training, and after-care support please call Rickey Simmons at (617-262-3740 x22).

The Bakery and Cafe at Haley House (617-445-0900, 12 Dade St. in Dudley Square, Boston) offers hands-on paid training to homeless and formerly homeless persons (as well as to teens in school or programs) in the context of a working bakery and cafe. Participants learn bakery, kitchen, and restaurant management skills and the value of teamwork, and get help with job search.

*** Career Source (186 Alewife Brook Parkway, Fresh Pond Mall, Suite 310 in Cambridge; 617-661-7867) provides a range of employment resources, including free workshops and free access to computers, phones, copying, and fax machines, as well as an employment resource room for primarily self-directed job seekers. Certain categorically eligible low income persons (e.g., families receiving TAFDC) may also be eligible for individualized career counseling support and free employment training.

*** The Title 5 (Senior Aide) Program at Citizens for Citizens (617-623-1392 x 141 office ) helps low income Middlesex and Norfolk County residents 55 & older re-enter the workforce, beginning with part-time paid placements at non-profit and government agencies. Placements, which may last up to 1 year, pay $7.50/hour stipends that don’t count against eligibility for Food Stamps or federal housing assistance. Persons receiving SSDI benefits may participate in the program without losing their benefits.

*** Operation Able (131 Tremont St #301 in Boston, 617-542-4180) provides employment and training services to mature workers 45 and older from diverse backgrounds. Job seekers may obtain information about agency programs and services by attending one of their weekly Information Sessions, conducted every Friday at 10am. Some of the training programs are costly; scholarship assistance may or may not be available. Low-income Middlesex (Cambridge), Essex, Suffolk (Boston), and Worcester County job seekers over age 55 are eligible to participate in Operation Able's Title V (Senior Community Service Employment) Program to get the training they need to re-enter the workforce, beginning with part-time stipended ($7.50/hour) placements at non-profit and government agencies. Program stipends don’t count against eligibility for Food Stamps or federal housing assistance. Persons receiving SSDI benefits may participate without losing their benefits. Call Polly Harold 617-542-4180 x133.

*** The Veterans Training School (VTS) at the New Eng. Shelter for Homeless Veterans (17 Court St in Boston; 617-371-1812 www.neshv.org/currentcoursedescription.html ) offers job training, resume development, interview prep, and lifetime placement assistance to all unemployed and under-employed veterans. Courses offered include Commercial Drivers License Class B, Security Officer Training, Fundamentals of Culinary Arts, Website Design and Photoshop, Fundamentals of UNIX/Linux for Network Management, as well as a number of short-term courses. For other veterans benefits, see the Dept. Of Veteran Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Program website at www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

Pine Street Inn sponsors a mix of transitional employment and work-readiness programs for homeless persons, giving priority to PSI residents). Strive (617-892-9492), a 3-week program for persons who have had difficulty finding or holding a job, helps participants develop the communication skills, attitude, and awareness they will need to enter the workforce; the program offers basic instruction in interviewing, using computers to prepare resumes and cover letters, and job search. The Food Service Training Program (617-521-7285; 444 Harrison Av., Boston) provides 3 months of paid, full-day hands-on and classroom training preparing students for entry level kitchen jobs in restaurants/cafeterias. Clothing and food program graduates receive job placement assistance. Participants in all programs must be clean and sober.

Resume tips (see Resume template for extra help!)

- List your most relevant job experiences, avoid listing all jobs of a similar nature
- Select positions which demonstrate a variety of skills and interests
- Employ strong action verbs to describe tasks & responsibilities
- Focus on acquired skills
- Be clear and concise
- Use bullet points rather than long sentences
- Organize your resume in a logical format (e.g. by function or by time)
- Match the needs of the hiring company
- Be positive, avoid negatives
- Get an outside opinion (e.g. from a friend) before sending it out

Cover letter tips:

- Focus on facts: brief and to the point
- Demonstrate interest in the position and availability in case you receive an offer
- Avoid negatives: these can be explained during interviews
- Try to avoid salary history: if this is not possible, state you are flexible about salary based on the opportunities the position will provide
- Organize the letter in a clear, logical format
- Your cover letter is not a summary of your resume: your cover letter should be an argument for why you are the best candidate for the company and the position
- Try to be different and stand out: avoid the use of clichιs
- Personalize your cover letter if possible: it should be addressed to a specific person

Outline of a standard cover letter:

First paragraph:
Thank the interviewer for taking the time to consider your application and inform him/her of the position you are interested in.

Second paragraph:
Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position, and state the skills, strengths, and experiences you have acquired which are suitable for the requirements of the position.

Third paragraph:
End by thanking the interviewer and mention you look forward to hearing from them. If you feel it is appropriate, suggest a way of following up (e.g. a call within a few days).

Interview tips:

- Know your qualifications and how they relate to the position
- Know everything you can about the industry and the company
- Dress appropriately for the position you are interviewing for: if you don't know what kind of outfit is appropriate, ask when setting up the interview
- Be on time! Allow extra time for traffic, parking, and slow elevators
- Sell yourself! Look the interviewer in the eyes, show enthusiasm, be confident!
- Don't ask about salary and vacations during the first interview unless you are sure the employer is interested in hiring you
- Follow up! This will really make you stand out from the rest: send a thank you note or e-mail to every person you met at the company within 48 hours of the interview. In your letter, summarize your conversation and re-emphasize the skills you would bring to the position. Above all, avoid using a generic thank you note!!

How to get clothing for an Interview:

Solutions Wear: interview appropriate clothing, by referral, by appointment, Contact Sonya 617-576-0039.

American Friends Service Committee (appointment / provider referral required) ph: 617-876-5312 fax: 617-876-5309 (Tu,Th 9am-12noon & 1-4pm) Call/fax to arrange client pick-up of clothing, including work-quality clothing & household items

St. Francis House (617-542-4211; 39 Boylston St, downtown Boston) has work-quality clothing; case mgr referral req’d.

Rosie's Place (Boston): women's clothing: by appointment only: call 617-442-9322

Dress for Success (Boston): used professional clothing for women entering the workforce by appointment only (M-Th, 10-4) (617-323-7544). Member agency has to make appointment and send referral with details about the client’s upcoming job interview. A second outfit is available for clients upon starting their new job.

Tailored for Success (Malden): professional work-quality women’s clothing. Appointment / referral required (781-324-0499).

Sample Resume Format

Download a sample resume format here!