Employment Services

Orientations

Attend the Marin Employment Connection’s (MEC) Orientation to learn about the MEC’s Career Resource Center, workshops to help you develop your career objectives and job search, networking opportunities, and referrals to community resources.

Orientation is offered every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday at 1:30 p.m. No need to register, attendance is first come first serve, check in at the third floor reception area. For questions call the MEC at (415) 473-3300.

Career Resource Center (CRC)

Looking for a job? Don’t know where to start in putting together a resume? Need to ace an upcoming interview but your nerves are getting in the way? You can find help for all this and more at the MEC Career Resource Center (CRC). The CRC is a no-fee, self-service center for job and training seekers. Here’s what you’ll find at the CRC:

  • Job-search related use of computers and office equipment
  • Referral to MEC services such as workshops, counseling services, etc.
  • Linkages to information and services provided via the MEC network of agencies
  • On-site recruitments with local employers
  • Use of the MEC Job Board – an online, real-time listing of local job openings
  • Representatives from the Employment Development Department (EDD) Workforce Services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist customers with CalJOBs registration, CalJOBs resume and general job search.  To contact them directly call (415) 507-2103.  For assistance with Unemployment Insurance call 800-300-5616.

To take advantage of the Career Resource Center, simply come to the MEC Monday – Friday, anytime between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

While the CRC is a self-service center and open to any employer or job seeker, the MEC provides additional assistance to eligible job and/or training seekers in these areas:

  • Education and training programs
  • Vocational counseling
  • Services for older workers, workers with disabilities, youth, veterans and other groups with special needs
  • On-site representatives from MEC partners, such as EDD.

MEC provides assistive technology and appropriate accommodations at the Career Resource Center. Some examples of accommodations include, but are not limited to:

  • Help with filling out job applications
  • Extra time using the computers in the Career Resource Center
  • Using a tape recorder for note taking
  • An individual appointment with a counselor instead of group orientation or workshop
  • Written information provided in alternative formats such as large print, on CD or in another language
  • Sign language interpreter

Keys to Employment Workshop Series

The MEC offers a range of workshops on all aspects of job search. You may attend them individually or the full two-week series. Workshops are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis so be sure to check the start times on the calendar and plan to be here early. Parking is limited.

The Successful Mindset for Today’s Job Market: An exploration of the reasons why we work and how our fears can prevent us from getting and keeping jobs.

Career Assessment: Designed to help you identify occupations, make choices, and set job goals based on assessment of your interests, personality and skills.

Master Applications & References: Learn why employers use applications and what they want to know; prepare for and avoid screen-out factors; make points and get interviews. References are a critical, necessary step in the hiring process—understand how to contact and coach your references.

The Internet and Hidden Jobs: The Internet is a great research tool, but most employers rarely post jobs there. If you have been browsing job listings online without good results, bring your specific job goals to this workshop and learn new ways to search for employment.

Networking 101: Build mutual and beneficial relations that lead you to decision makers that can help you tap into the job market.

Resumes: Learn how to make your resume stand out, while also fitting it to the needs of your future employers.

Interviewing Techniques: Learn how to sell yourself and ace the job interview! Improve your answers to tricky and difficult questions. Participate in videotaped practice interviews and receive positive feedback.  This is a two-day workshop, you must attend both days.

Workin’ It Out: In this interactive workshop, you will follow real-life workplace scenarios to learn some strategies and techniques that you can utilize to effectively communicate in the workplace and beyond. Over the course of this three-day workshop, you will improve your interpersonal skills in the areas of giving feedback, taking criticism, problem solving and reconciling conflicts.

Throughout the year we augment our Keys to Employment series with subject matter experts who offer further insight into the changing nature of the workforce and ways to enhance job search tactics.

Veterans Services

The MEC is committed to providing resources and services for veterans and their spouses to obtain employment and access job training opportunities in Marin County and the surrounding area.

Eligible veterans and their spouses are entitled to receive priority consideration for all MEC services including:

  • Access to the Career Resource Center’s computers, phones, printers, fax machines, and copy machines
  • Access to all MEC workshops
  • Referrals to the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other job training programs including on-the-job training
  • Information on the labor market, wages, and trends
  • Vocational guidance and career counseling
  • On-site employer recruitments
  • Referrals to other services within the community

Veterans employment assistance may be available to eligible U.S. military veterans via the Employment Development Department. This includes specialized assessment and job search assistance. For more information, call (415) 473-3300.

To receive guidance and referrals for a variety of veterans benefits and services, contact Marin County’s Veterans Service Officer at (415) 473-6193 or email .

Reentry Services

The MEC collaborates with the Marin County Probation Department to serve both Adult and Youth Probationers.

Youth Working for Change (YWC) is a job-readiness program for Marin County youth sponsored by the Marin County Probation Department and operated via the MEC . The goal of the program is to promote employment as an opportunity for youth involved with the juvenile justice system who are interested in making changes in their lives. The experience of employment can help provide the self-confidence and direction that many of these youth can use to turn their lives around.

Check out the video below to learn more:

Assembly Bill 109 is a major corrections reform legislation that realigns responsibility for adult offenders who have historically been supervised by State of California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to county probation departments. The Marin County Probation Department manages this significant task through intensive community-based supervision of adult offenders released from prison, in conjunction with local treatment and service providers. Additionally, the Probation Department funds a full time Employment Development Counselor at the MEC who provides the full spectrum of employment services, as well as the soft-skills training workshop “Makin’ it Work.”

MEC Employment Counselors

Vocational counseling can be helpful if you face challenges that prevent you from easily identifying a career goal and obtaining a job. After attending the MEC orientation, you may choose to meet one-on-one with a career counselor who can provide assistance with your job search. If you need more in-depth services and are eligible, you may be enrolled into the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, which allows you to work more intensely with a career counselor for a more extended period of time.

Services for Older Workers

The MEC partners with the Marin County Area Agency on Aging to operate the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP is a training program administered by the Department of Labor that provides subsidized, service-based training for Marin County workers age 55 and older. For more information contact Employment Development Counselor Steve Knudsen at 415.273.3214.

Services for Spanish Speakers

Se encuentra disponible un consejero de empleo que habla español en el Centro de Recursos de Carreras MEC (Career Resource Center MEC).

Lunes de 1:00 p.m. a  4:00 p.m. y Miércoles de 9:30 a.m. a 12:30 p.m. para ayudarle con los siguientes servicios:

  • Acceso a computadoras, Internet, fax, fotocopiadora y teléfono
  • Información y referencias para recursos públicos
  • Ayuda para llenar formularios de Seguro de Desempleo
  • Formularios para Seguro por Incapacidad
  • Biblioteca de referencias
  • Información sobre capacitación vocacional
  • Ayuda para hacer un currículum
  • Referencias a clases de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL)

Ayuda adicional como ayuda para completar las solicitudes de empleo y prepararse para las entrevistas está disponible al hacer una cita con el consejero que habla español.  Llame al 415.472.3314.

Training Resources

If you recently lost your job, are facing a layoff or are currently receiving unemployment insurance and are interested in training opportunities in fast-growing industries, look no further. You could be eligible for funds to offset your training costs. MEC provides education and training services to individuals who qualify for WIOA funds, currently up to $3,500 per client – if you enroll in a training program for a targeted industry specific in Marin.

The best way to learn about education and training opportunities is to attend the Training Opportunities Information Session (TOIS). Here, you will find out if you might be eligible for training services. You’ll also find out more about career planning, how to research labor-market information and how to apply for training services. Call 473-3314 to find out what day it is offered or check the events page. Admission is first come, first serve. Late arrivals will not be admitted.

Computer Classes

Have trouble making sense of LinkedIn? Don’t know where to start with an Excel spreadsheet? The Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) Regional Occupational Program’s (ROP) lab can help! The on-site lab is open to all MEC customers at no-cost who are seeking employment or those interested in improving their computer skills.

Sign-up in the Career Resource Center on the second floor starting at 8:00 a.m. Limited seating, first-come first-serve basis. All workshops incorporate hands on project based learning.

  • Microsoft Office – Desktop version of Microsoft’s productivity suite, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Office 365 – Presents an overview of the cloud based productivity suite that features collaboration, file sharing and remote access from virtually anywhere on any device. Participants will work with Outlook, contacts, calendaring, and document sharing using an enterprise version of the program. Experience with Microsoft Office is recommended.
  • LinkedIn – An online application to promote your career objectives. Connect to and support a network of likeminded professionals. LinkedIn is another way to articulate your skills and experience as a reflection of what an employer wants so they can visualize you in the job. There will also be an introduction to Twitter, as it relates to employment.

Check out the MEC Calendar for dates and times.

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