How would you the following benefit in a resume or cover letter?

[jjcollins]

Recently I was part of series of ongoing layoffs resulting from our products going to overseas plant sites. While the layoff is difficult to deal with our plant manager applied to and was granted benefits falling under the Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act (TAA) of 2009. This benefit that is the subject of this question is presented below:

"On-the-Job training (OJT) is approvable if the training meets certain guidelines. Your TAA Counselor will assist you. For as long as the training continues, the TAA Program will reimburse your OJT employer up to 50% of your basic starting full time wage. This may help you get the job over other candidates. The Program will purchase tools and uniforms for you, if the OJT employer doesn’t usually furnish these items. Tools purchased by the Program remain the property of the Division of Employment and Training until your OJT is completed. Then, ownership will be transferred to you. The maximum duration of OJT is 104 weeks.

From my standpoint this benefit makes me more marketable, i.e. a highly motivated, skilled individual at bargain basement prices. Is this a fair assessment and if so what is the most effective way to present this?

Thanks,
Jeff

[David Sandusky]

Thanks for the context above

From my standpoint this benefit makes me more marketable, i.e. a highly motivated, skilled individual at bargain basement prices. Is this a fair assessment and if so what is the most effective way to present this?

I can see where the training could make you more marketable and it seems the program provides a win:win for people that would otherwise be completely unemployed. (let me know if I am understanding you correctly as I am not familiar with the program).

The bargain basement price could mess-up your perceived value related to what you offer and a fair market wage. Within an existing company I can see where employers can get used to paying 1/2 wage for talent given the subsidized training budget. Make sure they value you. Marketing yourself outside is easy because you are looking at positions that pay what you are worth including and training that ads value to them. In other words, target positions that acquire what you have done and your potential at a fair market price - explain the situation you are in about layoffs and operations moving oversees...interim training, etc.

Qualify my response if I am not on page with your question. by clicking reply to this tread.

[jjcollins]

We're almost on the same page. Basically I hope to use this benefit to get my foot in the door, so to speak. Being in a science based field many times companies get real specific with job requirements. I was hoping that this benefit could be used as a way to get them to look past the specific job requirements and see that I could bring value with my current scientific skills, high technical aptitude, strong sense of team etc. What I'm having trouble with is deciding what would be the best way (time) to present it to the employer (recruiter).

Thanks Dave!!!

... back to shoveling...

[David Sandusky]

I get ALL of what you are saying now. That is the magic for all our abilities - to market potential. Companies hiring to spec and resumes as apposed to people and culture is part of the problem resulting in poor hires.

Here is what you do, in a simplistic form. Take your core values, competencies and really know your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) and do your homework about a target company and hiring manager. Know a lot and make a value proposition based on shared mission to accomplish future tasks for the betterment of the companies customer, market and community.

When you look at it like this, you will stop looking for open positions primarily and start targeting companies where you can make an unmistakable impact.

It is hard work most don't do. Do this and you will win. Strategic Career Plan!