Getting back to work is one of the strongest paths to housing stability. Mainely Empowering Foundation put together this free, self-guided page to help you assess where you stand, connect with Maine employment resources, and get to a resume that gets noticed — using a trusted, free resume builder and our own step-by-step guidance.
1. Job Readiness Assessment
Check off what you already have in place. This isn’t a test — it’s a quick way to see your next best step.
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Missing a few boxes? That’s exactly what we’re here for — reach out to our team and we’ll help you close the gaps.
2. Employment Resources in Maine
These are free, publicly available resources for job searching, training, and career support in Maine.
- Maine JobLink — the state’s official job search and posting site.
- Maine CareerCenter — free in-person and virtual career counseling, resume help, and job placement support across Cumberland and York Counties.
- Maine Community College System — short-term certificate programs for in-demand fields.
- 211 Maine — for childcare, transportation, and other supports that make working possible.
Not sure where to start? Contact us and we’ll help match you to the right resource.
3. Build or Improve Your Resume
A strong resume doesn’t need to be fancy — it needs to be clear, honest, and easy to scan. Work through these steps in order.
Ready to build it right now?
Use OpenResume — a free tool that walks you through each section below and gives you a polished, ATS-friendly PDF at the end. No account, no login, and nothing you type is ever uploaded or saved online — it all stays in your browser.
Open the free resume builder →- Choose a simple format. One page if possible. Reverse-chronological order (most recent job first).
- Lead with contact info. Name, phone, email, and city/state (no full street address needed).
- Write a 2–3 sentence summary. Who you are and what you’re looking for — skip generic phrases like “hard worker.”
- List your work history. Job title, employer, dates, and 2–3 bullet points of what you actually did. Use numbers where you can (e.g. “served 50+ customers daily”).
- Add education and training. Include certificates, even short ones.
- List relevant skills. Both technical (cash handling, forklift, Excel) and interpersonal (customer service, teamwork).
- Proofread. Read it out loud, or ask someone else to check it. Typos are the #1 reason resumes get skipped.
Common mistakes to avoid: unprofessional email addresses, unexplained employment gaps left blank instead of briefly noted, and exaggerating experience. If you have a gap, it’s fine to note it plainly (e.g. “Family caregiving, 2023–2024”).