Job Help Available Through Goodwill Center Locally

Helping those displaced by the upcoming Perdue closure as well as changes created by an uncertain economy are at the center of the work of the local Goodwill Career Solutions Center.

Career Coach Sean Boring said connecting individuals with jobs that align with their skills and goals is essential to ensuring long-term success and personal fulfillment.

“Once we help them find that job, what we do is we help them try to find, if there interested, a better job or possibly a career,” Boring said. “We’re looking at somewhere between 600-1000 a year (people) in just this office.

Last year, Goodwill’s network of 161 organizations helped place more than 280,000 people in jobs, and delivered in-person services to more than two million people, according to the NDEA (National Disability Employment Awareness). Boring said retail, professional management, and administrative roles have the greatest need for workers. Boring also said warehouse positions and fast-food restaurants are expected to see growth all over Cookeville.

“We are not a job agency, that’s what makes it nice,” Boring said. “I am the mission side of Goodwill. With my mission side of Goodwill, that allows me to work with other agencies in town and other jobs instead of just Goodwill.”

Boring said technology has impacted the types of jobs available. Boring said that when applying for a job in 2025, many people do not understand the algorithms being used. Boring said on the other hand, technology has been a blessing for various reasons.

“Technology is huge,” Boring said. “There’s very little paper applications anymore, mostly it’s online. There is more and more when it comes from work from home jobs available and also interviewing over the phone, or off of zoom, google meet, or such so on.”

Boring said that next year the job market will be better, and he remains optimistic about the opportunities coming in the near future. Career Solutions Coach Boring said he is committed to helping even more people find meaningful employment, having already assisted over 1,000 individuals this year.