Finding work in a state with 9.1 percent unemployment is not easy. The Illinois Department of Employment Security knows this and is providing a variety of tools and programs to help unemployed workers find a job.

If you are unemployed and have been so for a while, it is easy to get disappointed and stop searching for work. This is a bad idea for two reasons. First, you are even less likely to find a job, and once your benefits run out you will be in a even worse situation to find work. As you know to well, searching for work costs money. Just transportation is a serious expense when you are unemployed and need to get to interviews and distribute resumes.

Second, if you are not actively searching for work, you could lose your benefits. Looking for work and providing the evidence to support your claim is a requirement to receive benefits in the State of Illinois.

Spice up your employment search with these efficient tools the Illinois Department of Employment Security provides. Remember to keep a record of every job search activity in a weekly log. You must log at least three different search activities, such as assisting an interview, sending your resume or jointing a work database to qualify for benefits. These requirements are even more stringent when you are on extended benefits.

Illinois Skills Match

Illinois Skill Match is an online database managed by the Illinois Department of Employment Security and should be your first stop when looking for work.

Illinois WorkNet

This job search engine allows you to provide specific employment specifications to hone your search to your specific qualifications and target job.

Job Fairs

The Illinois Department of Employment Security organizes job fairs throughout the state to help workers get in touch with employees. Please find below the list of job fairs scheduled for the rest of the year.

Genesis Career Network Job Fair

Friday, July 8, 2011

   Orr High School, 730 N Pulaski, Chicago 60624

On-Site Recruitment for Staff Management

Friday, July 8, 2011

   1700 West 18th St., Chicago, IL 606082nd Floor

Staffing Network Recruiting Event

Monday, July 11, 2011

   IDES office, 321 Ouadrangle Drive

Guardian Security Recruiting

Tuesdays, Jul 12, 19 & 26, 2011

   IDES office, 321 Quadrangle Drive, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

IDOT Veterans Fair

Thursday, July 14, 2011

   East St. Louis City Hall Rotunda, East St. Louis, IL 62201

Family Christian Center Job Fair

Friday, July 15, 2011

   Family Christian Center 340 W 40th , Munster, IN46321

IDES Job/Health/Services Fair

Friday, July 15, 2011

   Lisieux Pastoral Center, 371 N. St. Joseph, Kankakee, IL 60901

Summer Job Fair at St. Augustine College

Friday, July 22, 2011

   St. Augustine College, 1345 W. Argyle St. Chicago, IL 60640

Veterans Job Fair

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

   Wheeling AmVets Post #66, 700 McHenry Road, Wheeling, IL 60090

Illinois Department of Transportation Highway Maintainer Resource Fair

Thursday July 28, 2011

   Laura Lee Fellowship House, 212 E. Williams, Danville, IL 61832

On-Site Recruitment for Westway Coach

Monday, July 18 and 25, 2011

   IDES office, 321 Ouadrangle Drive, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Veterans Outreach 2011 – Richton Park Illinois

Saturday, August 20, 2011

   Benjamin O’ Davis VFW Post 311 Hall/22341 South Governors Hwy., Richton Park, IL 60471

Madison County Veteran’s Fair

Thursday, August 28th, 2011

   Southwestern Illinois College, Granite City, IL62040

Jobs Plus

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011

   Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL 62234

On-site Recruitment for Furst Staffing

Every Tuesday

   IDES Office, 1826 S. West Ave., Freeport IL 61032

On-site Recruitment for Staff Management

Every Wednesday

   Workforce Center at Daley College, 7500 S Pulaski Bldg-100, Chicago IL 60653

Training Provider Onsite–MicroTrain

2nd and 4th Tuesdays of Every Month

   IDES Office, 800 Lancer Lane, Grayslake IL 60030

On-site Recruitment for Staff Management

2nd Friday of Every Month in 2011

   IDES Office, 1700 W. 18th Street, Chicago 60608