Immediately after Hobby Lobby offered Angie the job she wanted so badly in Eugene, Oregon, she called her Dungarvin Employment Specialist Leanne Holmes to tell her the good news.
“She was just screaming so loudly, I was worried something was wrong,” Leanne said. “I’ve never heard anybody that excited about getting a job before.”
Angie had been working on her job search with Leanne for two months, and throughout that time, she continued to hope she’d get one at Hobby Lobby, a national arts and crafts retailer. Today, she is happily working there part time, stocking merchandise, making sure the store stays clean and tidy, and helping customers find what they need. Leanne continues to check on Angie to make sure things are going well, and she’s heard great feedback about Angie from her supervisor.
As part of Dungarvin Oregon’s Supported Employment Services, Leanne regularly works with individuals like Angie, who need support to prepare for, find and maintain employment that aligns with their interests, strengths and goals.
Leanne helped Angie update her resume and explore the types of jobs she might like. Then, the two worked together to come up with a list of employers to concentrate on — although Angie was laser focused on one.
Hobby Lobby was her favorite place, so I knew she was going to do awesome in the interview.
Leanne Holmes, Dungarvin Oregon Employment Specialist
“She just really wanted to work at Hobby Lobby. It was the first place she applied to, which was in mid-May,” Leanne said. Unfortunately, the Eugene store — not too far from where Angie lives — had just finished a round of hiring and wasn’t looking for more employees at the time. But they advised her to try back in a month.
In the meantime, Leanne helped Angie apply for other jobs. She attended interviews with her and provided constructive feedback about how she performed. When she sensed Angie becoming disheartened after not receiving job offers, she reminded her that she would eventually find the right fit.
“Honestly, Angie’s pretty self-motivated,” Leanne said. “She just needs support in staying focused, and grounded, because she gets so excited. But her positive attitude is amazing.”
When Angie and Leanne checked back with Hobby Lobby, the store granted Angie an interview. This time, Leanne decided not to sit in.
“I just wanted to see if that would make a difference. Plus, Hobby Lobby was her favorite place, so I knew she was going to do awesome in the interview.” And she did!
When asked how she feels about her job search experience, Angie said, “I did it! I got the job!”
Leanne said she’s proud of Angie for staying positive throughout the process. “I told her, ‘no matter what happens from here on out, you wanted this and look at you!’”
If you or a loved one is interested in receiving services from Dungarvin Oregon or another state, please visit https://www.Dungarvin.com.