Powered by Jobs: Employer spreads MODness — one job at a time!

Happy Workforce Wednesday!

This week, we introduce Sophia Arellano, a MOD Pizza recruiter. MOD Pizza is a fast growing chain which believes it is a platform for doing good, or “spreading MODness,” as its website says. Sophia used WorkSource herself to find a job and is now having great success using WorkSource to help fill the many jobs MOD Pizza has available as it opens stores across the state.

Here is Sophia’s story.

MOD Pizza was the original fast casual pizza innovators, and we are currently the number-one fastest growing chain in America. Because of that, we have had a lot of opportunity and a lot of jobs to fill. We have opened over 100 stores each year for the past three years, and we needed a lot of great people to fill those positions. WorkSource has been an amazing partner in helping me do that.

I first heard about WorkSource as a job seeker myself. In 2013, I was released from prison and WorkSource helped provide me with services. I used WorkSource to help me build a resume and to submit applications online. I worked with their employment specialists, and they were really truly very helpful.

So, knowing about their services and then later down the road becoming an actual employer myself, I was able to again use WorkSource.  They have helped me fill positions by sending us people who are job ready: ready to work. WorkSource helps support job seekers and provides them with services to help get them where they need to go. So we know we are getting people who are set up for success.

WorkSource worked for me. It could work for you, too.

As partners in Washington’s WorkSource system and the American Job Center Network, the Employment Security Department helps people – unemployed or not – find new jobs and learn new skills. We help them experience the life-changing Power of a Job.  We also work with businesses to help them find employees because we know they are Powered by Jobs. Today’s post from Sophia Arellano is a Powered by Jobs post.

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#Powerofajob: Employer and new employee celebrate YesVets and helping vets

It’s Workforce Wednesday, when we spotlight Power of a Job success stories.

This week, we bring you Julie Lindstrom and Gabe Galbraith, who work for Mission Support Alliance. Julie recently hired Gabe, who’s a veteran, to work with her in the company’s human resources shop. She knows firsthand the value of hiring veterans.

She also understands how useful WorkSource can be in connecting employers to veteran talent. Employment experts at WorkSource help veterans translate their military experience into skills employers need.

Gabe, meanwhile, gets to pay it back helping other veterans find jobs!

Hi. I’m Julie Lindstrom with Mission Support Alliance in Richland, Washington. We’re so happy to be here today at the YesVets Recognition Program.

I was fortunate to bring one of our teammates, Gabe Galbraith. He’s a recent veteran hire working for me in our human resource department. He’s brings so much to the table and we’re really happy he’s joined our team. I think veterans are uniquely positioned to be successful at companies. Employers would be remiss if they didn’t consider them as candidates to join their teams.

So again, happy to partner with WorkSource and be here today.

Gabe Galbraith comments.  

Hi. My name is Gabe Galbraith. I’m a staffing representative with Mission Support Alliance and a former U.S. Marine.

I’m here supporting the YesVets program in the Yakima area. I love this program and what it brings to our veterans and to those who are transitioning out of the military. I’m excited to work more with our WorkSource veteran representatives in the Tri-City area to bring on more veterans and get veterans hired throughout the state.

The Employment Security Department is a partner in Washington’s WorkSource system and the American Job Center Network. We help people – unemployed or not – find new jobs and learn new skills. We help them experience the life-changing Power of a Job.

#Powerofajob: Job seeker shines after second chance – at WorkSource and with a great employer

It’s Workforce Wednesday, when we spotlight Power of a Job success stories. This week, we bring you Jennifer Ulrich, who found a second chance after a dark period in her past. Through WorkSource training and interview preparation, she gained the skills and confidence to apply for a job she never thought she’d be considered for. At WorkSource Redmond, Jennifer found a new opportunity that has grown into a successful career.

Here is Jennifer’s story:

My name is Jennifer. I’m an assistant manager with MOD Pizza.

Back in July of 2015, I ended up in jail after suffering from an addiction for several years. When I was released in 2017, I found myself in a tight spot. I went down to the DSHS office and they got me connected with WorkSource. While doing the WorkSource program, I was given food stamps, cash, benefits, childcare, clothing vouchers and transportation tickets. We did a lot of resume building, cover letters and mock interviews.

Theresa, my caseworker, was so helpful and so friendly. We did a lot of one-on-one meetings and she really was able to guide me in the right direction.

I heard about a hiring event at the Redmond WorkSource, and that’s where I got connected with the MOD Pizza recruiting manager. I was kind of hesitant about trying to apply, because I wasn’t sure if they would hire anybody with a checkered background. They told me that wouldn’t be a problem and that they are able to accept Impact hires (where MOD gives people a second chance), so I was super excited.

I applied, had an interview and was accepted with open arms. They told me just to be me, and I absolutely love that. Within four months, I was promoted up to a captain and, six months later, I was made assistant general manager. And now, I just found out that I’m going be opening my own store!

I’m super excited to be working with a company that accepts me for who I am and doesn’t judge me on my background. I give a huge thanks to WorkSource, because without them, I wouldn’t have been able to connect with MOD. WorkSource worked for me!

The Employment Security Department is a partner in Washington’s WorkSource system and the American Job Center Network. We help people – unemployed or not – find new jobs and learn new skills. We help them experience the life-changing Power of a Job.

#Powerofajob: Searching for “the unemployment office,” job seeker instead discovers herself

Welcome to Workforce Wednesday!

The Employment Security Department is a partner in Washington’s WorkSource system and the American Job Center Network. We help people – unemployed or not – find new jobs and learn new skills. We help them experience the life-changing Power of a Job.

 Every week, we spotlight a different Power of a Job success story. This week, we bring you a job seeker, who found more than she ever expected at WorkSource Vancouver. She started out looking for the “unemployment office.” What she discovered was her confidence, along with abilities she didn’t know she had.

 Once upon a time, Employment Security did have “unemployment offices.” Located around the state, they were called “Job Service Centers” that helped people with unemployment claims as well as their job search. In the late 1990s, however, our call center started handling all unemployment claims and questions by phone. Neighborhood WorkSource offices replaced Job Service Centers and now provide an array of job search and training services for job seekers and employers.

Here is her story:

I started out looking for the unemployment office. When I couldn’t find it anywhere, somebody suggested that I go to WorkSource. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been using all the programs they have.

And then I finally got into the Strategies for Success [life-skills] class. After being employed for 20 years, it has really helped me discover who I am, helped me come out of my shell and get over the shock of being unemployed.

Going through all the classes — it’s been wonderful! We go one-on-one and we get into groups. I’ve been able to educate myself on what I need to do in order to get back into the workforce and into a whole different program than what I was in before. It’s been so beneficial.

The people here at WorkSource have been so helpful – helping me to learn computer skills that I didn’t know and didn’t realize I had to have. It’s just been an eye-opener.

I suggest this to anyone; I wish people who are working would go to this class, too, because it’s been so helpful.

So now I’m ready to get back out into the workforce! I have a lot more confidence in myself and that’s pretty much it. It’s just been a wonderful experience working on my strategy for success, and someday I know I’ll be successful!

#Powerofajob: Older job seeker discovers “it’s not over” when you lose your job

Welcome to Workforce Wednesday!

The Employment Security Department is a partner in Washington’s WorkSource system and the American Job Center Network. We help people – unemployed or not – find new jobs and learn new skills. We help them experience the life-changing Power of a Job.

Every week, we spotlight a different Power of a Job success story. This week, we bring you Marsha Ives, an older job seeker who learns at WorkSource that “It’s not over” when you’re older and you lose your job. At WorkSource, Marsha learns new skills and discovers opportunities she had never before considered.

I came to WorkSource because I had a job for a very long time in a man’s world, and now I’m an older woman. I took a couple of WorkSource computer classes, which taught me at least how to get an email! And the Strategies for Success [life-skills class series] has been awesome, because now I’m thinking about possibly being an advocate for children or the elderly — something I’m really passionate about but never thought about doing for a living.

I took some skill assessments at WorkSource, which was awesome. I learned that some things I might really be good at! And I learned why it’s not over when you’re my age and you lose your job.

WorkSource is awesome. There are great people who work here. I would recommend it. I took the classes, learned how to look for a job, write a resume; I had never written a resume in my life and had no idea! I had heard the word, but didn’t know what it really entailed.

I would definitely recommend WorkSource.