Pierce County Library offers tools and free certifications for job seekers

Need a new job but don’t know where to start? Check out the “Get Hired “ classes and resources at the Pierce County Library branches.

“The library system’s Get Hired program offers free workshops on job search strategies, professional communications, interviewing techniques and more as well as free technology certifications,” a library news release stated.

Job seekers can improve their job-hunting skills through the following workshops:

•Job Search Strategies – Learn a variety of job-search methods to increase the chances of finding the perfect job. Discover strategies to locate job openings, such as networking, informational interviews and using the internet. Registration required. Workshop will be held from 2 – 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Lakewood Pierce County Library, 6300 Wildaire Road SW.

•Effective Applications and Resumes – Get tips for creating effective applications, resumes and cover letters while learning how to navigate the sometimes sticky situations in the application process. Registration required. Workshops will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Eatonville Pierce County Library, 205 Center St. W., and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Buckley Pierce County Library, 123 S. River Ave.

•Prepare for Job Interview – Learn the benefits of pre-interview prep and how to respond to challenging questions in a positive way. All attendees will receive an interview survival handout. Registration required. The workshop will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Tillicum Pierce County Library, 14916 Washington Ave. SW, and from 2 – 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, at the Parkland / Spanaway Pierce County Library, 13718 Pacific Ave. S.

“A new year often means a new career direction and the Pierce County Library is brimming with classes and tools to help make that goal a reality,” Library Executive Director Georgia Lomax stated in the news release.

The library is also offering free access to technology certifications including Microsoft 2016, Adobe and Quickbooks.

“Job seekers gain a competitive advantage with these certifications and the certificates are ideal for small-business owners, too,” the news release stated.

To earn a certificate, Pierce County library members can enroll at techcert.pcls.us and complete a survey, including a skills assessment, to receive free access to online study materials. Online students can learn and take practice tests. Students then earn a voucher to take an exam for free at the local library.

Specific programs certifications include;

•Adobe programs such as Animate, Dreamweaver, Flash, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

•Microsoft 2016 programs such as Access 2016, Excel 2016, Outlook 2016, PowerPoint 2016, Word 2016, Block Based Languages, Cloud, Database, HTML and CSS HTML5, Java, JavaScript, Mobility and Device, Networking python, Security, Software Development and Windows OS Windows Server.

•QuickBooks programs such as QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online.