I Need Help

“I really could use some help . . . I need to write a resume. The company I’m applying to wants me to do the application online. I need help finding financial assistance.” The Newton Falls Public Library staff recognizes the difficult situations many individuals and families are facing at this time and the variety of questions being asked because of the area’s economic condition.

The library has a wide assortment of books such as Vault Guide to Resumes, Cover Letters & Interviews by Howard Leifman, Marcy Lerner and the staff of Vault, The Damn Good Resume Guide: a crash course in resume writing by Yana Parker, and Over-40 Job Search Guide: ten strategies for making your age an advantage in your career by Gail Geary to aid people in all aspects of job searching. Once you examine the information and hints in these materials to understand what would be the best approach, you can use the library’s public access computers to type your resumes and cover letters. The word processing program loaded on the computers also has resumes which can be used as guidelines. All that is needed is a library card from one of the six libraries in Trumbull County (Bristol Public Library, Girard Free Library, Hubbard Public Library, Kinsman Free Library, McKinley Memorial Library, and Newton Falls Public Library) who have joined together as the Trumbull Independent Public Libraries [TiPL] Consortium. You can get a card by bringing in a driver’s license or photo ID with your current address. If it does not have your current address, bringing along a piece of mail or other official paper with your name and address will suffice.

Online applications, job as well as unemployment, require the applicant to have to an email address. The library staff cannot assist in filling out applications; however, we can direct you to a selection of email providers who offer free accounts. While online, checking your email, take time to examine the Trumbull Mahoning Columbiana Counties One Stop [http://www.onestopohio.org] and Ohio Career and Information Center [http://ocis.ode.state.oh.us/Default.aspx]. Both these sites are filled with valuable information, providing online job searches, ideas of where to look for a job, and information about cover letters, resumes, interviewing, and more.

Ohio.gov [http://ohio.gov] has numerous valuable resources for those needing assistance. There are links for Ohio Means Jobs, Home Energy Assistance Program, applying for unemployment, and the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services. The latter includes information about unemployment compensation, health care, food and cash assistance, child care and support, and employment training. In Trumbull County, Community Solutions Association has Trumbull 2-1-1 [http://trumbull211.org]. There you can get connected to sources of food, clothing, shelter, and utility assistance and other services. They can be reached online or by phoning 2-1-1.