Don's Story

Last year, my company decided to close the office in which I was based. I found my remaining time very stressful—juggling the task of looking for a new job and having to train my replacements within the company. As the final days of my job approached, I felt dread about being unemployed and about the upcoming transition. I had been without a job in the past and found it to be very difficult.

As soon as I was notified about the company layoffs, I immediately re-contacted Centerpoint. They had helped me in the past so it was only natural for me to come back to them again. I knew I would need help going through these uncertain times.

Centerpoint helped me discover new ways of thinking about the job search. I learned that networking is more than just talking to people about job openings. I learned about transition jobs and how they can be beneficial. By taking Lifework Renewal™ I better understood the cycle of the job search process. This helped me deal with times when my motivation was low. I also took part in their weekly Job Resource Clinics™. I enjoyed the supportive group atmosphere. Being part of a group was necessary for me during the transition and I always felt better hearing from others. On the flip side, offering support to them helped me feel like I had something valuable to contribute. I also made some great connections there.

During my three months of unemployment, I found myself more productive than I expected. In addition to the job search, I filled my time with community activities, personal development and spending more time with my family. In fact, I found my motivation towards the job search increasing as time went on. Wow, those people at Centerpoint were right!

I had a number of job interviews and was offered a job by the company that I was most interested in. This job is in retail real estate for a large corporation. I’m so excited to go back to work again. Centerpoint, I’m glad you’re there when I need you!