Kelsey’s Place is a non-profit organization that specializes in helping people with barriers to employment.

One of the ways that Kelsey’s Place helps is by offering tips on how to approach a job interview.

“Some people are not great with interview skills or how to dress for an interview,” Kelsey’s Place Vice President Tamera Hinton said.

According to Hinton, presentation and how a person carries themselves can go a long way in the interview process.

“One thing that employers tell us about is that most of the younger generation thinks that its OK to go to an interview in a T-shirt and jeans,” Hinton said. “They just go in their regular day-to-day clothes, which in some cases is fine, but it’s all about that first impression. We try and guide them on the proper attire they should wear.”

However, looking the part is just the first step, and Kelsey’s Place also helps job seekers learn how to maintain the flow of conversation during an interview.

“We have a whole lesson on what to say and what not to say,” Hinton said. “We go over the different types of questions that the interviewer may ask, and what a proper response would be.”

Job readiness classes are offered and can be tailored depending on an individual’s situation.

The classes are designed to prepare an individual for what to expect during the job search, whether that takes one week or one month.

“We go over interview questions and write their resume for them,” Hinton said. “In some cases if they are computer savvy, we’ll show them how to write their resume so that they can update it as they need to.”

The organization presents options to earn a GED with a class held twice a week and tests offered each Friday.

“Being able to help people get their GED is one of the biggest things that we take pride in,” Hinton said.

The GED classes are the only services offered by Kelsey’s Place that are not free.

According to Hinton, the cost associated with the GED tests does not go to Kelsey’s Place but to the testing company.

Kelsey’s Place understands that they are oftentimes dealing with individuals with families and are willing to accommodate any schedule.

“It’s a kid-friendly place,” Hinton said. “If you bring your kids, that’s totally fine. We don’t turn people away.

Kelsey’s Place was established in 2011 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2013.

Increased use of social media has become a larger platform for Kelsey’s Place to help spread the word than it has in recent years.

“We’re able to reach out to a different audience and age group,” Hinton said.