On Monday the Washington Post reported that the Mayor’s “One City One Hire” would take a more aggressive approach to matching 10,000 unemployed DC residents with jobs.  The article was not specific with the type of jobs, employers or the demographic of job seekers.

I am currently looking for a job, and yes I am aware that by writing this post potential employers will read it.  I am sure they will see one of my keen abilities which is to assess an organizations overall effectiveness, suggest improvement that are viable and understand how those changes will effect actual people’s lives.

I finished my Masters degree of Public Health from The George Washington University in January of 2010.  While I am positive I will find a career in the nearer future, I thought it would be wise to utilize EVERY service that is available to me as a DC resident and as a job seeker.  Since my loans are thick it seems like federal and local government will be my best choice for loan repayment.  Anyone who has applied for government jobs you know the acid churning experience– pass the Tums! Here are the top 3 things I could use help with:

1. “Who you know” (with hiring power)  Everyone in DC knows that if you even want a chance in local or federal government in DC you have to know “someone (special).”  I actually ask people everyday “How did you get in [your current government job]?”  and most answers are “My cousin, uncle, sister, brother-in-law, frat brother hooked me up.” So, if I would like a job with DC Gov. don’t you think going to DOES would be a good place to start?  I thought so…

2. Ranking Factors/ KSA’s (kind of). DC Gov, why do you still have ranking factors?  The Feds have basically rid themselves of the black hole of KSA’s (for all you non-government jargon people KSA= Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) This is one of the single greatest measures that President Obama has accomplished.  So why does DC still have ranking factors? (stares at brick wall)  Anyway, I need help understanding what the “right” answers for these questions are, and the most efficient way to answer them.

3. Interviewing skills.  I  could benefit from one-on-one or organized group interviewing skills.  Who couldn’t?  One interview I had a while ago I almost asked for a Twix.

About a month and a half ago I decided I would check out the One-stop DOES center located at the Reeves Center on 14th & U Street, NW open daily from 8:30-4:00.  Five o’clock would be better and at least one night that is open late for folks that are underemployed, there is nothing in the neighborhood that is a governmental office that is open past 5:00 where you can be quiet and get work done.  Here is what I discovered when I checked out the One-stop:

1. College degree?  Masters degree?  Don’t come here! If you have any kind of higher education (above a college degree) DOES staff does not have staff or programming to serve you.  There is one workshop called “Cracking the Code: How to apply for Federal Jobs,” but honestly, there are many former OPM folk offering this workshop around the District, I have been to a few over the years.  With a background in public health & safety my entire professional goal has simply been to serve the people.  So I am supportive of programming for various need levels.  Many of the job connections through DOES and programming are geared for job readiness, basic skills, vocational job searches, and entry level jobs.  Everyone needs to start somewhere (again, I don’t have a job and do what it takes to pay the bills) but what is the message that DOES is sending?  To me it is almost as if the attitude is let’s just pass folks through, get then something and keep it moving.  Chronic unemployment is due to many factors one of which is lack of upward mobility.  Is this DOES’s mission?  I am not sure.  I think it should be.
2. You can only “register” for services if you attend an orientation.   Before Dec. 1st, DOES orientation was only held 2 days a week, it is now 3 days a week.  However, once the 25 or so capacity room is full you have to come back two days later and hope you get a spot.  Orientation is typical it explains the services and programming offered:  GED classes, basic computer classes, how to create a DC Networks account (in my opinion the most wonky awful system known to job searches), etc.  I have asked many times if the orientation serves as a federal mandate where participants data is collected and that’s how DC gets money for the programming but no one will give me a straight answer.  If not, it is not necessary for everyone to attend.
3. Professional Atmosphere– not up in here. You would hope that the large signage that states “CELL PHONES ARE PROHIBITED” and “NO EATING AND DRINKING,” are clear- but maybe not?  Come to think of it, I don’t think they have it in Spanish.  Anyway, I can’t imagine why the front desk staff doesn’t enforce these rules regularly.  If it were my employment center everyone would have to dress professionally when they entered the door.  For everyone saying “Not everyone can dress in business attire,” yes they can! There are programs to outfit folks who can’t afford business wear like Dress for Success.  My basic thought is that if you don’t know how to act in a professional setting at the Department of Employment Services why would you know how to act on the job?  Cussing, making racist comments, spinning Rick Ross, looking at inappropriate content online is not acceptable in the workplace and shouldn’t be at DOES.
4. Don’t plan on “Cracking the Code” at DOES.  Can you imagine that the software for internet explorer is so out of date that you can’t use some search engines like USAjobs.gov!  Why have the workshop? I have made several attempts to fix the issue first by telling someone at the One-stop; they told me it could not be fixed.   I then called 311 and spoke with the Office of the Chief Technology Officer they told me I couldn’t make a request for a software upgrade as a citizen, and that only the agency can make the request.  Hmm, ok.  So then I moved up to the next level of management who told me that it might be fixed in the next 4-5 months.  So, I guess we are stuck with an out-of-date browser and no code-cracking.
   

   Screen Shot -USAjobs.gov on DOES IE- no blue search buttons

   

   Screen shot- USAjobs.gov from updated computer- blue search buttons

5. Social Media and jobs.  No.  They don’t do that here.  But don’t worry every chance I get I discuss with the 70%  or more of folks sitting around me that are surfing Facebook while job searching of the importance of online profile to employers.  I ask them if they are aware of their privacy settings on their Facebook?  Most folks have no idea.  Why doesn’t DOES partner with the Department of Labor’s partnership with Facebook- “Social Jobs Partnership?”
6. Positive, inspiring, job search motivator? check out Mr. Dwight Marable. He recently served as an employment specialist and now facilitates the workshops.  I have heard some refer to him as “The Rev” so that might give you an idea of his personality.  There have been a few employment specialists at DOES who have made themselves available to me and assisted me (their caseload are enormous, so I am not even mad at anyone), and the head of the One-stop continues to attempt to improve the sites but you can always tell who is really cares about your success and Mr. Marable does this with each person that walks through the door.  The Rev continues to lift my spirits every day I make that one-stop.

Just to clarify I would never expect an employment center to give me a job offer, but I would hope that it would be positive, clean, and it would encourage a positive self-image, inspiration and a sense of hope.  It only takes one job and sometimes one person, on one day to give you the strength to look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself ”tomorrow will be the day.”