MicroTrain announced that Deborah Towner of Chicago will be awarded the first ever Van Nice – Muller scholarship, an award focused on reaching out and helping out-of-work individuals in Chicago get specific training that is needed for them to get back to work. The scholarship will pay for Ms. Towner’s entire program of coursework at MicroTrain, focusing on the specific training she has been told she needs to secure the office administration position she desires.

“We are proud to be in a position to offer Deborah Towner Van Nice – Muller scholarship,” said Stan Van Nice, CEO and co-founder of MicroTrain. “Her story was compelling, and when we recognized the vital role the training she will receive is going to play in her ability to secure a new job, it became an obvious choice.”

Ms. Towner will be enrolled in MicroTrain’s Office Administration program, which provides the training and background needed to successfully work in an office administration role. The program consists of 6 weeks of classes, including learning all Microsoft Office programs, basic accounting practice including using QuickBooks and Microsoft Project, and basic business skills such as customer service, email, business writing, and more.

“The training offered by MicroTrain is essential for my career, and will allow me to become more effective and professional,” said Ms. Towner. " I am eager to learn these new skills…and they will [help] me be a contributing member of the community and become a more employable candidate."

The Van Nice-Muller scholarship was launched by MicroTrain this past summer to provide assistance to individuals in the Chicago area who are out of work and in need of additional training, and is awarded on a quarterly basis. The next scholarship is scheduled to be awarded in early December. Applications are currently being accepted, and more information can be found at www.microtrain.net/scholarship .

Hump Day Hunting Help: Labor Day Edition

This week: More about the "invisible web," headlines, and leaving a voice mail without sounding like a goober.

• Does Your Cover Letter Contain a Headline?
  Metaphorical or literal?
• Using Job Clubs to Find Mentors
• What Are Resume Keywords and Why Are The Essential?Remember, for big companies, your resume may have to get pasy a scanner first.
• Finding Jobs in the Invisible Web
  Invisible being the part that Google doesn't show you.
• It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's Action Words!
  Yes, they are like little capes and spandex suits for your resume.
• Six Steps for First-Time Job Hunters
• How To Leave an Effective Voicemail in Your Job Search
  Step 1: Know what you want to say!
• 10 Reasons Why You Should Care About Personal Branding
  No? Still not convinced? Really?
• Resumes Need A clear Strategic Target
  File Under: Yep.
• Where The Coolest Jobs Hide
  More about the "Invisible Web."
• Does Your Personal Brand Pass the Acid Test?
  I.E. Will it help you get the next job or are your just fooling yourself?
• Tips in Getting the IT Job You Want by Using SEO and Social MediaWeb Design Blog
• 12 Free Tools To Promote Your Job Search Self
• Job Search 2.0: Build Your Online Reputation to Attract Jobs