Written by guest author: Beverly Leesman, Albuquerque NM Many New Mexicans need a little help these days finding a job. In-person interviews seem like a distant memory. Pandemic restrictions drastically changed how we search for jobs. The traditional interview, where you met your prospective employer at their place of business, seldom happens these days. Recruiters turned to virtual job interviews to maintain safe social distancing and minimize contact. (Steinberg, Scott, 2020) Today’s job hunter needs to get tech-savvy and quick. Goodwill’s Career Specialists can help you. As of February 1st, Goodwill is offering virtual and in-person consultations with Career Specialists. Our career experts can teach you to navigate a virtual world. You’ll learn how to use video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Google Meets like a pro. They even help you download the apps and make sure they work on your phone, computer, laptop, or tablet. The benefit is knowing how to use them to aid your job search. Our Career Specialists will:
Goodwill focuses on work history, polishing up resumes, and providing job leads. If a candidate’s skills strongly match a particular job, we encourage the employer to interview them! “Sometimes the person with the best interview skills gets the job, not the one with the best skill set,” said Ramon Torres, NM Goodwill Employment Program Manager. “Most people need help because after they don’t get a job, they never find out it was a terrible interview.” When someone has been out of work for a while, the stress begins to affect their confidence. A lack of confidence shows in subtle ways, often creating a perfect storm that keeps them from landing that next job. The loss of self-confidence can infiltrate a person’s tone of voice, facial expression and body language. Goodwill can boost job seekers confidence by addressing these issues during mock interviews. “Remember, when you interview,” Ramon Torres advises, “don’t say you are honest, hardworking—these attributes are expected for all employees. They are not considered job skills.” Other interview tips from Goodwill include:
![]() Torres suggests since your virtual recruiter cannot see your desk, take advantage of your at-home-interview. Put your resume in front of you or taped to a wall. Remember, the interviewer can only see you. Place post-it-notes with talking points on your laptop and get ready to nail that job interview. And, of course, when interviewing at home, be prepared for the unexpected photobomb or unavoidable interruptions. We love our kids, but no one needs a visit from a toddler during an interview. Inform your recruiter that your dog may furiously bark if Amazon makes a delivery. And above all, watch out for the scene-stealing family cat. (The Pet Collective, 2020) If that happens, show them how well you handle an unexpected crisis. What to Expect from Goodwill’s Free Job Placement Program Those over 18 years old and looking for full or part-time work are eligible for this free program. Participants range from less than high school educations to job seekers with multiple degrees. All of them want to improve their interview skills and freshen up their resume. Goodwill Career Specialists help veterans, seniors, young people, the learning disabled (LD), handicapped, and those with audio deficiencies. Job seekers with criminal backgrounds, those with gaps in employment, or transitioning to a new field can also get assistance. (R. Torres, personal communication, January 26, 2021) Our free program works with all types of job seekers. As long as a person qualifies to work in the US, Goodwill can help with their job search and teach them to market themselves. Plus, our website leads learners to a portal with free online courses in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Sheets and Docs, Photoshop, and hundreds of others to freshen up outdated computer skills or learn new ones. Expect to meet with a Career Specialist once a week for 30 minutes to go over your progress. Where to Find Jobs Today After the pandemic ends, some jobs may transition back to the workplace; others will not. Call centers; personal shoppers; curbside pickups operations; those who deliver food and goods to homes; and restaurants with established drive-up windows have experienced job growth. Telecom, healthcare, and technology exploded in the number of people needed to fill new jobs. (Steinberg, Scott, 2020) Goodwill’s job placement program can help you find your niche in this fluctuating job market. As national chains closed their doors and local small businesses disappeared, New Mexico suffered. Our unemployment rate rose to 8.8% in December 2020, when the nation’s unemployment rate stood at 6.7%. That translated to 10.7 million Americans out of work across the country. (Johnston, Stacy, 2021) Before the pandemic put our state in lockdown last Spring, we had an employee-friendly market. New Mexico flipped to a pro-employer job market during the pandemic with the coronavirus restrictions and high infection rates—too many applicants for too few jobs. And that is what makes finding a job in this world-wide pandemic a challenge. Worse, there are also new risks associated with virtual job hunting. Sophisticated scammers only want your information, web histories, and web footprint to sell. Avoiding shady marketing scams, pop-up ads, and bogus phone calls keeps you safe. When you receive an unsolicited email with odd typos, broken English, or from a company you never contacted, be leery. If a recruiter offers you a job for which you are not qualified, think twice about replying. That ploy is called a “hook” or a “con,” meant to get you so excited you fall for their scam. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Our Goodwill Career Specialists can show you how to spot schemes. Now You Know that Goodwill Finds People Jobs. Want to be One? If you are ready to get expert help finding a new job there are two easy ways to get started. Call 505-881-6401 or click here: https://www.goodwillnm.org/job-search-help.html and submit your application to participate. There are no obligations, no hoops to jump through and no reasons why you shouldn’t take advantage of this free help. ### Goodwill Industries of New Mexico was founded in 1941 with the mission to provide skills training, job development, and social services for New Mexicans. Goodwill® provides a wide array of free programs and services to individuals in 33 counties of the state. In 2021, Goodwill's goal is to serve 21,100 individuals and place 1750 individuals in community-based employment. For more information about Goodwill and its programs and services, visit https://www.goodwillnm.org/free-services.html. References Johnston, Stacy. (2021, January 26). “Current News Release: Economic Update January 26, Jobs State of New Mexico, US, Workforce Connection.” New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS). (Accessed 2021, January 31.) https://www.jobs.state.nm.us/gsipub/index.asp?enc=JdKtFhuODzQ+aO5C6MuCGQ== Steinberg, Scott. (2020, May 24). “Coronavirus hiring: How Recruiters are selecting and interviewing job candidates during the pandemic.” CNBC @AKEYNOTESPEAKER. (Accessed 2021, January 30.) https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/24/how-recruiters-select-and-interview-job-candidates-amid-coronavirus.html The Pet Collective. (2020, August 3). “The Pet Collective. “Cats on Zoom Calls” episode of Try Not to Laugh.” [Video]. YouTube and Facebook. (Accessed 2021, Jan. 31.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=762tbD11LxI; (Original Source) https://www.facebook.com/thepetcollective/videos/287253372699156
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![]() A great way to find hidden treasures at Goodwill New Mexico is by shopping at our Clearance Corner store. This store is unlike our other retail locations. The merchandise is displayed in large bins and separated by categories; hardline (houseware, tools, equipment) and softline (textiles). Shoppers can move easily through the wide aisles and search through the bins. Plus, we refresh the inventory hourly, so there is always an opportunity to find amazing items. Items are priced by the pound. At Clearance Corner, your entire cart is weighed, and you pay a single price a check-out. And now your shopping experience can be even more exciting because we've moved to a larger location and increased our store hours. Clearance Corner will reopen, in its new location, on January 4th, 2020. New Location and Hours New Location: 5000 San Mateo Blvd, NE Albuquerque, NM. New Hours: Mon-Fri: 9AM - 2PM For more info call us at (505)881-6566 ![]() This year has been tough on everyone. During these stressful unprecedented times of the pandemic, it could be easy to neglect self-care. However, our culture is truly changing, and taking time for self-care and relaxation is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity! Whether you like to relax solo or find solace with family on a casual night in, self-care is more than just slathering layers of moisturizer on your face and gearing up for a bubble bath. Self-care is about being conscious of what you are eating, reading, and watching. It's about creating a healthy environment and thoughtfully choosing how to spend your time. Self-care even extends to the clothing and housewares you choose to surround yourself with. And this is where Goodwill becomes a great resource! According to Elizabeth Beecroft, an LMSW quoted in a recent article published on Refinery29.com, "the act of getting dressed is directly tied to your mental health. "Getting dressed in the morning can play a role in your mood throughout the day and lead to further productivity, optimism, motivation, and an overall improved mood." Your local Goodwill is packed with luxurious fabrics and cozy textiles. Could you find instant calm by wrapping yourself in silk, cashmere, fleece, or chenille? Probably! Especially if it only costs a few dollars! And what's so wrong with looking decadent while couch surfing? Goodwill also offers hundreds of home decor items and furnishings that can spice up your space. Our homes have become our sanctuaries, and the way our environments look and feel has become paramount. So, pull yourself out of the recliner and make a trip to the closest Goodwill store. You'll get some fresh air and probably find something inspiring for only a few dollars! We have 12 retail stores across New Mexico and three specialty stores. Explore the savings Goodwill has to offer! Your self-care routine will thank you! ![]() Veterans, veteran family members, and other unemployed New Mexicans in need will continue to receive free services through Goodwill’s new virtual platform. This means that qualifying New Mexico veterans and their family members who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can receive help with job placement, temporary housing, rent, utilities, childcare, emergency supplies, assistance with VA or other public benefits, and much more. Additionally, the virtual services provide critical job placement assistance to any unemployed New Mexican. Goodwill can introduce job seekers to an extensive partner network of local employers who are hiring now. “New Mexicans need Goodwill’s free programs and services now more than ever. It was an obvious choice for us to adapt to offering services virtually,” says Goodwill’s Marketing Manager, Pamela Russom. As a nonprofit partner in New Mexico for 79 years, Goodwill remains committed to advancing its mission to provide skills training, job development, and social services to New Mexicans. Goodwill offers free programs and services to individuals in 33 counties of the state. In 2019, Goodwill served over 20,000 individuals and placed over 1600 individuals in community-based employment. Halloween is going to be different this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued recommendations and guidelines for low- and high-risk Halloween activities. Those guidelines can be found here. The guidelines are advising against traditional activities like door-to-door trick or treating. But New Mexico's parents are getting creative and thinking of ways to celebrate Halloween in the house! "There is no way the pandemic will stop our Goodwill DIY shoppers from celebrating Halloween safely. Those we have spoken with tell us they are not going door-to-door, instead, they are planning to have fun in the house. They also want to spend way less money to celebrate. This makes Goodwill a perfect place to shop for Halloween décor and clothing pieces for DIY costumes", says Goodwill Marketing Manager, Pamela Russom. Goodwill wants all New Mexico kids and kids-at-heart to have fun this Halloween! So, we put our heads together and did a little research to determine what parents across the country are planning. Here are some of the fantastic Halloween ideas we found! Costumes DIY Halloween costumes from Goodwill are the trend for 2020! Parents are looking for old clothing that can be altered, distressed, or repurposed. Among the most popular costume ideas are everyday heroes like police, doctors, and nurses and the good old-fashioned choices such as zombies, kitty cats, and creepy dolls. Our team of Halloween "experts" this year are kids ranging from 7 – 13 years old. Within 10 minutes of starting their shopping adventure at our Goodwill store on San Mateo Blvd, they found inexpensive clothing, shoes, and accessories to create their DIY costume. Each costume should cost you less than $20 even after you include the price of make-up and other accessories that you may not find at Goodwill. Here are supply lists, prices, and our "easy to make" ratings for the three DIY costumes we tried:
Décor ![]() Interest in supplies for Halloween craft projects is at an all-time high at Goodwill. We narrowed our DIY choices to the easiest and most entertaining projects we could find. Spell Book = $2.99 (price may vary) Rating: Easy What you need: Old books from Goodwill, mod-podge (make it yourself) paper towels, string or yarn, candle, black, brown, white paint (make it yourself) This spell-binding project is only moderately messy. Prep your workspace with a trash bag or paper bags to avoid mishaps. ![]() Trash Bag Spider Webs = $.99 (price may vary) Rating: Easier What you need: black trash bags, plastic spiders, scissors You may not need to leave the house to pull off this project. Although, the Halloween section at your Goodwill has tons of plastic spiders looking for a good home. Plus, kids of all ages will enjoy this inexpensive project. Just watch the younger children if you allow them to use scissors. ![]() Head in a Jar = $2.99 (price may vary) Rating: Easiest What you need: A jar or glass container, a rubber Halloween mask This is a hands-down favorite of Goodwill. We always have old jars (containers) and Halloween masks on hand. Plus, even the youngest kids can handle this craft project. So easy, so spooky, so fun! In-House FunOk, Albuquerque Moms and Dads, what's the Halloween plan? The New Mexico Governor's Office has shared CDC guidelines on high-risk Halloween activities. Guidelines call for no door-to-door trick or treating. Boooooooo! But don't get witchy about it! Instead, cast a spell to create your own indoor fun! Would you like a few fun and economical ideas for celebrating in the house? Don't worry; Goodwill’s got you covered on supplies for affordable fun!
Catherine Roster, Professor of Marketing, Anderson School of Management, University of New Mexico thinks it may have! Dr. Roster is a consumer behavior researcher who specializes in consumers’ decisions about getting rid of possessions and the impact of clutter on consumers’ health, safety, and psychological well-being. She graciously shared her findings from a recent project with Goodwill Industries of New Mexico.
Findings from Dr. Roster Recently, I interviewed a group of professional organizers, experts who help people declutter for a living. My goal was to learn how the pandemic had impacted people’s motivation to declutter. Most agreed that their clients were highly motivated to clear out spaces in their homes. It was surprising to learn that people’s decluttering motivations varied widely, depending on their personal circumstances. For those who were fortunate enough to have extra time on their hands, the pandemic represented an opportunity to organize, redecorate, or transform spaces for different uses or purposes. But many people all of a sudden found their work and home were colliding. Stuff piled on the dining room table had to be cleared out quickly to serve as the children’s schoolroom. Bedrooms became dorm rooms for adult children kids returning from college, or home offices for telecommuting adults. There were not enough hours in the day as people assumed new responsibilities, like homeschooling while trying to do their jobs. For these folks, extra time did not create the decluttering. Immediate needs drove it, and this only added to the stress of the pandemic. I also learned from the focus group that people cared less about what happened to the things they decided to get rid of - they simply wanted them gone. They no longer had the luxury of storing bags of items while deciding if they wanted to donate or sell them. Those storage spaces, like closets, sheds, and garages, were being taken up by toilet paper and canned goods! In some ways, the pandemic may have helped people with a tendency to hang onto everything. Several of the organizers remarked that clients of theirs who formerly had a great deal of difficulty getting rid of things became more decisive and gained more clarity as to what was really valuable in their lives during the pandemic. One told a story about a client who realized “she doesn’t need 50 pairs of shoes in different shades of the same color.” Others noted that clients were more willing to be creative in re-imagining spaces. And perhaps most importantly, all of the organizers agreed that people gained a new awareness of the value of family instead of things. In today’s throwaway world, it’s more important than ever to reuse the things we already have in circulation. The process of upcycling involves taking something old or already used, and repurposing and revamping it into something even better. Whether you’re new to the concept of upcycling furniture or you’re just curious, and want a DIY project, there are lots of ways you can take existing items and give them new life. Read on to discover more about products you can upcycle yourself to enjoy unique products for the home while contributing to a greener world.
The Benefits of UpcyclingUpcycling furniture is a great way to reuse items and give them a fun personal touch. There are many amazing benefits to upcycling, including:
Upcycling Ideas for Different RoomsFrom your home’s entryway to the bathroom and beyond, there are several ways you can use upcycling to add new looks and new furniture to various rooms. Entryway
Goodwill generally offers a selection of deeply discounted bar stools, small tables, bistro tables, folding tables, chairs, lamps and more. Think about what you need to make it comfortable.
Organize the learning area. How will your student organize their materials? You could use plastic tubs, shoe boxes, or shelves to store learning materials and supplies. Goodwill always has a ton of different storage options. Set the daily schedule. This timing might be different for every family. But, because children function best within structure, maintaining a routine will be super important. Start with setting a schedule that is similar to their traditional school day. If you want to be precise, while also offering a learning opportunity, try tracking time with an unusual wall clock or any clock with hands. You can also build a cheap activity chart with materials you find at Goodwill. An old frame glued onto cardboard makes great bulletin board! Build in fun activities. Goodwill has so many items for arts and crafts it is overwhelming. Pick a project on Pinterest and we guarantee you can find 90% of the supplies here. Keeping them busy on a project will also, hopefully, give you some free time. It’s all about creativity, parents! 1. Gather and prepare all job search info needed/required
2 . Prepare a resume and a cover letter
3. Check your online personal profiles for professionalism
4. Take advantage of continuing education and training to broaden your skills
5. Set aside time for finding job announcements and applying for jobs
6. Only use trusted job search engines such as Indeed or Glassdoor
7. Spend more time applying for jobs and less time “looking”
8. Communicate professionally
9. Prepare for each interview
10. Interview Tips
![]() New Mexico Veterans and their families can find FREE HELP to recover from housing and economic hardship at Goodwill. Goodwill’s free services are broad but include independent housing, covering past due rent or utilities, and job placement support to secure the veteran a great job. The process is swift. All of this usually takes place within hours to days of the qualified veteran’s approved application for assistance. This comprehensive level of assistance is not new to Goodwill. It’s part of the many free social service programs available to all New Mexicans since 1941. Marketing Manager, Pamela Russom, says, “we have nine free programs and services. Three of which cater specifically to veterans. Our dedicated teams consist of caseworkers with master-level degrees and backgrounds in the military. We know exactly how to help a veteran get back on their feet, and we have the resources to make it happen fast. Last year we served over 1800 New Mexico veterans.” If you know a veteran or are a veteran in need, please call Goodwill’s corporate office at (505)881-6401 between the hours of 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. Veterans can also go online and submit their application for services here. |
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