By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
Seeking a new job is a daunting task in a competitive economy so the Lawrence Township School District is offering a series of free workshops aimed at assisting township residents who are re-entering the job market.
The first workshop, set for Wednesday afternoon, is geared toward helping job seekers spiff up their resumes and cover letters. The session is set for 1 to 5 p.m. at the school district’s Technology Center at Lawrence High School at 2525 Princeton Pike.
Township residents can walk in to the resume-and-cover-letter review session, said Rebecca Gold, the district’s director of personnel. Residents will receive a one-on-one review of their paperwork by school district supervisors Barbara Beers and Tina Salmastrelli.
Ms. Beers is the supervisor of language arts, and Ms. Salmastrelli is the supervisor of related arts, which includes the business department at Lawrence High School. Ms. Gold said she also will participate in the free review session.
Job seekers have a limited opportunity to present themselves to prospective employers, Ms. Gold said, so it is “crucial” to make one’s resume and cover letter stand out in a stack of job applications.
“We want to help people get another job and to make themselves more marketable in a troubled economy,” Ms. Gold said. “Who better than the business supervisor, the language arts supervisor and the human resources director to help (review the resumes and cover letters)?”
“I know there are places to go (for resume and cover letter assistance), but they charge a fee,” she said. “This is our way to give back to the community in a way that we can help other people. (Job-seekers) want to market themselves in the most favorable way.”
The free seminars — future sessions include interview skills and dressing for success — grew out of a conversation between herself and Superintendent of Schools Philip Meara, Ms. Gold said.
“Mr. Meara and I had a discussion about how we, in these difficult times, can reach out to the community to help people,” she said. “From that conversation came the seminars. There is a lot on television and in the media about how to market yourself in a troubled economy, and that’s what gave us the idea (for the seminars).”
“The people in the community have always been supportive of the district, and this is one of many things we can do to give back,” Ms. Gold said. “It’s so simple. Why didn’t we think of this earlier?”
Information on next week’s seminar as well as future seminars will be made available on the school district’s cable television channels — Comcast Channel 19 and Verizon Channel 37 — and on the district’s Web site at www.ltps.org.
Residents who have questions may contact the school district by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling the district office at 609-671-5440.

