LIFT-The Bronx volunteers worked with Melvin to revise his résumé to showcase his experience as a home health care provider, a Certified Nursing Assistatn (CNA), and as a patient transporter at Montefiore Hospital. They researched subsidized programs for him to renew his CNA certifications and helped him register and stay on top of his schedule of classes so that he was able to complete his recertification.
With these pieces in place, Melvin worked with LIFT-The Bronx volunteers to create a job search strategy, simultaneously applying for goal positions as a CAN or nurse’s aide in nursing homes and hospitals and more immediate, part-time work using his experience in security, maintenance, and housekeeping. Despite his strong background and qualifications, Melvin could not secure employment due to the lack of available positions in the field and the intense competition for those positions. LIFT-The Bronx volunteers doubled down to strengthen Melvin’s interview skills and helped him renew his CAN certifications again. They also encouraged him to volunteer as a healthcare aide at St. Luke’s Hospital to demonstrate his ongoing development and practice as a healthcare worker, where he now volunteers three days each week.
Melvin has since secured several interviews and is working diligently to apply to multiple jobs each week. Because he has developed more career skills, and consistently comes into LIFT-The Bronx on-time (he has yet to miss a client meeting), prepared with notes in hand, and armed with a smile and a heart full of determination, LIFT-The Bronx is confident that Melvin will secure his ideal position in the coming months.
Melvin says that LIFT-The Bronx has helped tremendously in his job search process. “LIFT helped me develop my resume and conduct job searches during my appointments,” said Melvin. I feel much more confident now that I’ve come to LIFT. I feel better about my job prospects.”
