Outreach: Career Closet
"""You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
We hear this often, but it is especially true for men and women preparing for a job interview. The Knoxville/Knox County Retired and Senior Volunteers Program (RSVP) recognized that individuals who are entering the workforce, often for the first time, may not have an appropriate wardrobe for interviews or the job. So, with a small handful of volunteers, they opened the Career Closet in space provided by St. James’.
The Career Closet provides outfits that make a difference. The person being served feels more confident knowing that s/he is making the right impression on an interview; the employer who interviews and hires him/her knows that the individual will project the image the company wants to display. This service is offered to men and women in our community who are currently engaged in training and educational programs that will launch their new careers. Similar programs are available in other areas of Tennessee. The men and women are given two career-fashioned outfits for job interviews. Later, they may receive an additional outfit.
In 2006, the Career Closet recorded a 62 percent success rate of employment for 230 women who were served with appropriate interview suits.
As part of their graduation from agencies that teach academic and pre-employment skills training, the Tennessee program of Families First and other low-income women receive a referral certificate to the Career Closet. It is open every Thursday and is operated by volunteers through the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program.
Donations of women's suits – pant suits or skirt suits – and dressy blouses are always happily accepted. The Career Closet is also seeking additional volunteers so that more participants may be served. You may contact Becky Hare for additional information.
―Contact: Becky Hare