Tough Times Shrink Post-Labor Day Workforce

NYC's Bottomless Closet Goes the Extra Mile to Help Women Gain Jobs With New,
Fortified Coaching Plus Program

NEW YORK, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- As people nationwide are returning to
work today, following the Labor Day holiday, the U.S. workforce is decidedly
diminished. Layoffs, retrenchments, closings and outsourcing have sent
national unemployment to a four-year high; last month, claims for unemployment
benefits reached a six-year peak.
Unemployed individuals and family breadwinners are struggling to find a
niche in today's troubled and changing economy. Tough times like these call
for extraordinary energy and highly polished skills. That's why Bottomless
Closet, a New York City organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged women
gain a foothold in the world of work, is redoubling its decade-long efforts
and building on proven methods for success.
Bottomless Closet (www.bottomlessclosetnyc.org) first meets clients when
they're referred by some 70 social service organizations that train people for
job readiness. With interviews pending, the women come to be outfitted with
mostly pre-owned business clothing and accessories to create a professional
look. But that's just the start: the nonprofit also teaches them essential
strategies for securing the job. They learn to prepare a strong resume and
cover letter, and craft a plan for positive interviews. Afterwards, they often
turn to Bottomless Closet volunteers -- current or retired professionals --
for postinterview feedback. Once employed, clients may sign on for workshops
offered throughout the year, including Workplace Skills, Computer Literacy and
Career and Personal Development.
Former client Magdalene Martinez, 31, a mother of five, used these
resources to great advantage. "Bottomless Closet's coaching gave me so much
confidence that I decided to apply for a job at the agency that referred me to
them," she said. "I was hired there as a workshop facilitator. That confidence
stayed with me. After four months, I applied for a promotion and am now a
career counselor, referring women to Bottomless Closet. They really go the
extra mile."
Recognizing the need for increased support in a difficult economy,
Bottomless Closet is launching a new initiative this fall for individuals with
potential who are having a harder time securing employment. The Coaching Plus
program will draw on the organization's volunteers as mentors to provide
advanced coaching on interview skills through mock interviews, and
constructive feedback on how candidates can improve. "We also encourage women
to call mentors after their interviews," said Diane Kenney, vice president of
the Bottomless Closet board of directors, who created the Coaching Plus
program. Kenney was formerly senior vice president, human resources at both
Random House Publishing and earlier, Warner Music.
"Lack of experience and understanding of expectations is the hang-up,"
Kenney continued. "We give them confidence by showing what the interview is
trying to achieve from the interviewer's point of view. Many job candidates
lack the most basic interview skills -- a firm handshake, eye contact, a
pleasant smile. And inappropriate questions, such as 'How do raises work
around here?' are killers." As Kenney and other HR professionals on the
Coaching Plus team work more intensively with clients to build positive
interview skills, Bottomless Closet anticipates an increase in the number who
succeed in landing the job.
Bottomless Closet promotes economic self-sufficiency by providing
interview skills, business clothing and ongoing career development and support
programs to economically disadvantaged women. By enhancing their
self-confidence and self-esteem, we enable them to enter and succeed in the
workforce and transform the vision for their lives.
SOURCE Bottomless Closet

Marian Rivman for Bottomless Closet, +1-212-580-3678,
marian.rivman@verizon.net