Career Center offers resources, events for job seekers

Work Matters Column by Robin Gooden 

As our region continues to grow, opportunities for employment in a variety of key sectors are flourishing in the Lincoln Trail region. However, it can sometimes be difficult for job seekers to know where to look when making that first step toward a new employment opportunity and/or a new career. 

A variety of questions and concerns can emerge. “Where can I look for a quality job that aligns with my passions?” “Where does my experience and educational level translate?” “How can I ensure I am best prepared for a job interview?” “Does my résumé best reflect my qualifications?” 

Fortunately, the Kentucky Career Center - Lincoln Trail (KCC-LT) can help with all of these concerns. Serving Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties, KCC-LT serves as a one-stop solution for job seekers, providing a variety of career services at no cost. 

Leveraging our close relationships with area employers, staff at KCC-LT provide insights on who’s hiring and what skills are in demand. Our career counselors learn about your interests, skills and experience to match you with local job opportunities. For those seeking assistance with job preparation, we provide services such as résumé writing and mock interviews. Services are offered at five locations in the region, including offices in Elizabethtown, Bardstown, Leitchfield, and Lebanon, and an access point at Fort Knox. 

We understand the online job application process can be a source of frustration for job seekers due to the absence of essential feedback. This, in turn, makes it difficult for employers to find the talent they need, as they are unable to see the full potential of the candidates. KCC-LT aims to bridge this gap by creating opportunities for job seekers and employers to meet in-person, allowing both parties to better understand each other's needs. We have several events on the calendar in the coming months. 

On Sept. 12, we will participate in a job fair event at Saber & Quill on Fort Knox from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, KCC-LT is set to take part in a Job & Career Fair event in Meade County hosted by Communicare on Sept. 19. Taking place at 2025 Bypass Road in Brandenburg, this job fair is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

We are also excited to once again partner with the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce for the 2024 Regional Job & Career Fair at the Pritchard Community Center in Elizabethtown. Set for Wednesday, Sept. 25, the job fair will take place in two sessions, including a session from 9 a.m. to noon and a session from 2 to 5 p.m. An annual event, this job fair has proven to be a great opportunity to connect quality employers with job seekers. 

In October, which is designated in Kentucky and across the country as Manufacturing Month, KCC-LT will participate in several job fairs focused on the manufacturing sector. On Oct. 14, a Manufacturing Job Fair will be held at the Nelson County Civic Center in Bardstown, with a corresponding résumé workshop scheduled beforehand. Similarly, a Manufacturing Job Fair will take place in Elizabethtown on Oct. 22 at American Legion Hardin Post 113 in Elizabethtown, preceded by a résumé workshop. 

Also in October, KCC-LT will participate in the 2024 Community Health Empowerment Expo hosted by the Lincoln Trail District Health Department at the Pritchard Community Center on Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Job seekers can prepare for job fair events by visiting a KCC-LT location to create or update their résumés. Sometimes, job seekers haven’t prepared a résumé in a long time and revamping their résumé to help reflect their current skill sets can be a true asset before participating in job fairs. KCC-LT also encourages job seekers to brush up on their interview skills by providing mock interview sessions.

We also host virtual job fairs, held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 1 to 3:30 p.m. EST. Find information on the next virtual job fair at ltcareeercenter.org/jobfair.

Whether you are looking for your first job, your next job, or an entirely new career, we at KCC-LT are here to lend a helping hand. To learn more about all the services we provide for job seekers, along with our upcoming events, visit ltcareercenter.org. 

Robin Gooden serves as Center Manager for the Kentucky Career Center - Lincoln Trail. She can be reached at robin.gooden@workforceinit.com.