Janet Hanke Email and Phone Number

Provide employment assistance to job seekers receiving public assistance benefits. Assist job seekers in overcoming barriers to employment. Ensure that individual's home, family and basic needs are stabilized to create an environment conducive to job searching. Track job search activities for each customer. Provide resume writing assistance, interviewing practice and job search training. Create and present workshops to job seekers on Cover Letters, Emotional Intelligence, Networking Skills, etc.

Implement Federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program in county One Stop Center. Maintain a caseload of up to 50 long term unemployed job seekers, assisting them with interest assessments and career planning, job search strategies, resume targeting, interviewing skills and placements. Conduct workshops on Resume Writing, Cover Letter Preparation and Interviewing Skills. Create and revise curricula based on needs of job seekers. Facilitate Job Clubs for WIA customers. Actively work with Business Service Representative, providing up-to-date information on each job seeker and recommend business contacts to facilitate referrals of job seekers to open positions. Operate and staff Mobile Career Center at local libraries and community events. Conduct quick assessments of walk in customers; critique resumes; assist with enrollment in Maryland Workforce Exchange online job search system. Provide career and human services counseling to customers. Using extensive knowledge of community agencies, state and federal resources, refer customers to other agencies and community groups to receive support during unemployment. Provide general support to the One Stop Center including assistance to non-WIA job seekers. Interact effectively with state employee co-workers. Consistently exceed projections and goals set for enrollment into the WIA program, job placement and customer retention in jobs.

Assist job seekers in registering and enrolling in the Maryland Workforce Exchange (MWE) system, creating a resume in the system and searching job openings. Monitor computer Resource Center of 30 computers - answering customers' questions and assisting with job search cites. Review and critique resumes and provide career development support and advice. Provide indepth one-on-one career consulting. Assist customers with various computer applications including setting up e-mail accounts, completing online job applications and using job search sites. Created and conducted a basic Introduction to Computers workshop for customers with no computer experience. Volunteered for this task based on analysis of average customers' computer skills on initial visit to office. Conduct Workforce Center Orientation workshops on a weekly basis. Use staff portion of MWE system to track customer referrals to open jobs, contact employers for hiring reports and monitor intensive career development activities. Back up front desk receptionist. Complete weekly office schedule; compile weekly intake reports of all customers served for 3 counties; complete mailings of job openings weekly to local community service organizations. Assist veterans in job searches and work with disabled job seekers.

Interview resumé clients concerning previous work experience, training and career objectives. From interviews and old career documents, prepare resumés, government applications and resumés, cover letters and other career documents. Work with clients during editing process to ensure all customers receive accurate documents that best highlight their skills and experiences. Advise clients on job search strategies, interviewing techniques and employment negotiations. Any gaps in other employment were filled by more hours put in to this business.

Assisted customers applying for temporary cash assistance (TCA) benefits. Completed family investment plan (FIP) for each family detailing barriers to employment and set goals for overcoming those barriers. Referred customers to DSS services as well as outside sources to work towards employment and self-sufficiency. Worked with existing TCA customers to provide them with a support network while they looked for employment. Tracked job searches for over 120 customers. Organized an Employment Seminar for TCA customers which included speakers who discussed soft skills including attitude, attendance, motivation, communication skills, etc. Monitored a Computer Lab for customers assisting them with computer skills, writing resumés and job searches. Also assisted TCA customers that were work exempt due to disabilities and attempting to obtain Social Security Disability Benefits. Managed a caseload of 84 customers in various stages of applying those benefits or appealing rulings, completing paperwork, etc. Sorted through caseload of disability customers and reorganized files, set up tickler system and tracked incoming paperwork from customers. Saw customers on a walk-in basis, so multi-tasked while being interrupted frequently. Tracked all actions with customers in customer database. Interacted with customers from all walks of life - all ages, from all socio-economic backgrounds, education and experience levels.

Managed $3M career connections/school to work grant for the three Southern Maryland public school systems. Tracked expenditures and ensures all were in compliance with 14 major grant requirement sections. Prepared and submitted periodic reports to the MD Department of Education and the Steering Committee. Provided administrative support to the Executive Steering Committee and reported on grant activities at meetings. Coordinated grant activities with three public school systems incorporating tech prep into all facets of public school education – not only each county’s Technical Centers. Served as liaison to educators concerning work-based education. Managed and monitors subgrants awarded to individual schools. Coordinated first annual technology fair with three public school Technology Centers and other school to work programs.

Created temporary employment and staffing service with no prior business experience. Interviewed and placed over 1,000 employees in short and long term temporary positions throughout Southern Maryland. Developed skills assessments that tested basic math, language aptitude and work skills – administrative and secretarial, computer skills and basic labor skills. Assisted employers with job descriptions to ensure getting the most qualified people for their openings. Assisted employees in negotiating permanent positions that resulted from temporary assignments. Wrote resumés for customers as well as assisted temporary employees in developing and improving their resumes. Marketed business to employers in the Southern Maryland area. Interacted with the business and civic community serving on a variety of boards and organizations. Presented workshops at Dept. of Labor Licensing and Regulation, in local high school and middle schools, to women’s organizations in the community. Contracted by College of Southern Maryland to provide professional training to their customers (local hospital, large construction company, etc.) on sexual harassment, interviewing potential employees, disciplinary actions and other human resources issues. Created approved curricula for these training sessions. Developed and wrote policies and procedures manuals, employee manuals, substance abuse policy, benefits package and corporate policies all in compliance with state and federal labor laws.