Illinois Skills Match » illinois unemployment

Free Resume Services For Unemployment Recipients In Illinois

HR — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 05:46:39 +0000

The resume is often the starting point for any job search. The resume is used to help land a job search. A properly written resume is essential for people unemployed but looking for work. Some people may not need assistance in developing their own resume. Others may need some help in getting their’s completed. The background of some individuals may make writing a resume difficult as well. There may be gaps in employment history due to different reasons. People may not have completed college or left an employer under difficult circumstances. People on unemployment often do not have the resources to pay for professional writing services for their resume. The Illinois Department of Employment Security can provide these services to people who need them.

The Illionois Job Link program helps job seekers buils and post an online resume. Users can create an account and follow the online tools for assistance. The benefits of the program are:

You can build your resume online, upload your existing Microsoft Word resume, or copy and paste text from your current resume.
Employers will search for resumes by selecting search criteria based on keyword, talents, experience and education.
Employers will only see your resume if you allow them access.
Illinois JobLink allows you to have multiple resumes to targe specific jobs.

You can control the active status of your resume on Resume, Preferences, Days to Expire. To make your resume inactive, change the number of days to zero. You may want to do this if you are no longer looking for a job.

The department also publishes the Job Link Resource Room Brochure which shows how to publish the resume online. Users need to:

Contact Info and Target Job (Under Disclosure level it is recommended you check “Public” – potential employers will then be able to see your resume).
Confirm Occupation
Work Experience
Education and Additional Info
My References
Review & Save / Print

After completing the appropriate fields in each step click on “Next Step”. The department website also has examples of resumes on their website. They also hold resume and interview workshops in their offices and community groups across the state. Users can also control which employers view their resume and the active status of their resume.

Having an electronic resume has advantages over the traditional paper resume. They are readable by any computer system. They can be easily transferred from email to an employer’s database. It is accessible to several employers who receive electronic resumes. Distribution is also easier where many resumes can be sent out in a fraction of the time in comparison to the regular mail.

In addition to selected employers, the electronic resume can also be sent to various job boards for wider distribution. Boards like Monster.com and indeed make uploading the electronic resume simple. There are also regional help wanted services throughout the state of Illinois that can be accessed. Many of these sites allow the resume to be uploaded for local employers to review.

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Illinois Job Search Requirements While Receiving Unemployment

HR — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:27:58 +0000

People who lose their jobs through no fault of their own find thenmselves with a loss of income. They still need to pay for their homes, feed their families, and meet their basic needs. Unemployment insurance is a benefit set up to help people meet their needs until they find new employment. It is a temporary measure that helps fill gaps until people can get back on their feet.

In the state of Illinois, unemployment insurance is meant to be a temporary benefit. Recipients are expected to be able to work and actively seeking employment. There are several requirements for recipients in regard to their job search. People on unemployment should be looking for employment and keep connected with their counselor or agency representative regarding any changes. While on unemployment, recipients must keep several requirements in mind:

1. You must be actively be looking for a job. You must register for work with the Illinois Employment Service, either online or in person. Their offices may have contacts and listings of possible job leads. Being registered can help with the job search process.

2. You must make at least 2 job contacts per week. Job contacts include filling out job applications and sending resumes. Many companies now only accept online applications. Consult regulations for this in regard to the job search with material given to you or with an agency represntative.

3. You must keep a record of all of your job search activities, including a record of all job contacts, the dates you applied and places you apply for work. When you apply for benefits, you will receive a form on which to record this information which you may have to provide to the agency on a regular basis. A review of certification forms that each claimant must maintain can occur where recipients must document their work search efforts.

4. You must not be disabled. If you become disabled there are different programs available to help you and your unemployment counselor or local unemployment office can direct you to those resources. If you are disabled you must contact the Illinois office so they are aware of this.

Unemployment recipients must fufill these job search requirements each week. They should be prepared to provide a weekly verfifcation so the unemployment office knows they are meeting all of the requirements. The job search records must be up to date. Recipients may be called into their local unemployment office for a periodic eligibility review with an agency representative.

While looking for employment, Illinois residents can take advantage of public offices that assist with the job search. The state has several agencies and webstes that help recipients with the job search. One of these sites is Illinois Job Link. (http://www.ides.illinois.gov/page.aspx?module=10&item=2375) The site provides tools and resources such as job search events and fairs in local areas of the state. Information on workshops and new publications are also available. This site provides information to job seekers in areas like:

Beginning a job search.
Setting up a free Illinois JobLink Account.
Tutorials on how to use the Illinois Job Link

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How to File for Unemployment Benefits in Illinois

Andrew — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:07:12 +0000

Illinois Unemployment Assistance

In the first week that you are laid off work you should file for benefits. It is best to do it right away either online or at your local IDES center. The Illinois Department of Employment Security is geared to provide assistance when you are unemployed and you can clear up any doubts you may have about eligibility as quickly as possible. At the same time you can register for job placement right there at the IDES office or online at Illinois Skills Match. When you make your claim be ready to supply the information that they will need to process your claim.

First on the list of course will be your social security number which you will need to verify by some means such as a valid Social Security Card or a W-2 form or even your wages check stub. Have ready the names and addresses of your employers along with the length of time you worked for them as well as a clear record of the wages you received ( do not leave out your vacation pay or your severance pay if you received them). Other information you will need to submit is whether you are presently receiving any pension such as Social Security and any other money you earn either part-time or doing odd-jobs. Have your husband´s or wife´s social security number available and state whether or not your spouse is presently working.

Other necessary data includes the names of your children, their dates of birth and their social security numbers. This is required even if the child is a step child, and (if under 18 years old) any adopted children. If your child is disabled then age is not important. The person who takes your claim will also want to know if you have worked in any other state during the last two years or for a railroad. Also tell them if you were employed by the federal government or if you have been in the armed forces during that time period. Take great care that the information is accurate because false information or holding back data that applies to your claim would be seen as trying to receive unemployment benefits fraudulently which could incur fines or even a prison sentence. All this information can be presented online or at your local IDES office.

You can then check the status of the claim calling Tele-Serve at 1-888-337 -7234 or TDD/TTY 1-800-662-3943. If you need to locate your nearest IDES office you can call 1-888-367-4382. They will get you started on your job search too. Illinois Skills Match connects people with available jobs by matching the potential employee with any offers of work that come up. IDES is an equal opportunity employer which follows all non discrimination laws whether state or federal in all its programs. If you have a disability you should request auxiliary aids and services. This can be done at the IDES office or bay calling (312) 793-9290 or TTY (888) 340-1007.

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Unemployment Insurance is Available in Illinois

Andrew — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:01:16 +0000

If you are put off work for a week or longer you are eligible for unemployment insurance benefits and your employer will make sure that you receive information about the steps you will have to take to take advantage of the program. In Illinois the unemployment insurance is administered by IDES which is The Illinois Department of Employment Security. There are of course legal requirements to be met for you to receive benefits provided for by your employers who pay taxes on your behalf while you are working for them. These benefits are not financed by deductions from your earnings.

The basis for your entitlement to unemployment benefits is the amount you earned during a period of one year. You must have earned not less than $1,600 during your basic period. IDES calculate your base period as four quarterly periods during which you were working. The last quarter before you claim is not usually counted. So your base period if you claim anytime between January and March 2011 would be October 1 2009 through to September 31 2010. The quarter you earned the most will determine the amount of your benefits but you must have earned at least $440 in the rest of the base period in order to qualify for benefits. It is sometimes necessary for IDES to calculate your base period on the basis of the last four quarters that you worked and this can be arranged so that you qualify for benefits. Other arrangements can be made to take into consideration factors such as worker´s compensation or if you haven´t worked a complete year. If you have any doubts about this you can always get more information from your local IDES office. Apart from the foregoing information you should know that if your employer is not participating in the Illinois Insurance Program you are not entitled to benefits. This can happen in the case of some types of agricultural work and domestic work as well as some railroad and government employment. Benefits can be paid only if you are now completely unemployed or if you have taken on part-time work and are being paid only a fraction of your normal wage.

It is also very important that you are out of work for reasons beyond you control. No benefits are paid if you leave your employment without a good reason and it must be your employer´s fault. If you are on strike you do not qualify for unemployment benefits. Once you file your claim and you are accepted as entitled to benefits you will have to remain qualified for those benefits at all times by being willing and able to work. Should you be on a training course approved by IDES you may still qualify but not if you are a regular student. You may not claim if you are on holiday or if for any other reason you are not able to accept a job such as sickness or family responsibilities.

It is expected that you search for work and keep a record of your efforts every week that you receive unemployment insurance benefits,so that you can prove that you were willing to take on work if it was offered to you. Hopefully this information will be instrumental in helping you get through a difficult time in your life.

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Illinois Unemployment: Illinois Unemployment Programs

Andrew — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:27:00 +0000

The Illinois Department of Employment Security, IDES, provides unemployed workers and young residents the opportunity of finding a job through one of its employment programs. This article is the second article in a two-article series on the main employment programs available to Illinois unemployed workers. In the first article we discussed programs centered especially on young workers, such as the apprenticeship program and the Hire the Future program. We also discussed the opportunities available through Illinois’ Skills Match database and the IDES Job Fairs and Special Events and provided links and details on how to register for these valuable resources. In this article we will continue our review of Illinois’ employment programs and discuss the last five programs we set out to evaluate. These are the Re-Entry Employment Service the People with Disabilities program and the Veterans program.

Re-Entry Program

The Re-Entry Employment Service is a program offered to employers rather than workers. However, it benefits both employers and employees by providing employers with additional incentives to employ ex-offenders who have completed their sentence and wish to return to the workplace. The program allows employers to receive tax incentives for each re-entry worker they employ. If you are interested in finding a job through the re-entry program click here for more information. Finding work in Illinois in the current economy is not easy, but it is even harder if you were formerly incarcerated or have a criminal conviction. If you are a veteran who also has a criminal conviction you may find assistance through the Incarcerated Veteran’s Transition Program, IVTP, for help finding a new job.

The Re-Entry Employment Service Program offers ex-offenders with a free individual assessment, access to the Illinois Skills Match database, special job referrals, job readiness workshops and help preparing a resume. If you would like a quick summary of what this program is about click here to watch a brief video.

People with Disabilities

The People with Disabilities program is managed by the Division of Rehabilitation Services, which works with people with disabilities and their families to provide them with the help they need. If you are a resident of Illinois and have some type of disability this program can help you find a job and help you access any of the following state and federal programs for disabled people.

Veteran Services

The state of Illinois wants to thank veterans for their services and help them find a new job. This program offers special job offers, employment workshops and access to the Illinois Skills Match database. It will also provide you the information and knowhow required to join any of the following state and federal programs for veterans.

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Illinois Unemployment: IDES Illinois Employment Programs

Andrew — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:53:00 +0000

The Illinois Department of Employment Security, IDES, is the agency in charge of providing employment services to unemployed workers in Illinois. There are many programs you can enroll and benefit from. Which one is best for you will depend on your personal circumstances. This two-article series will provide detailed information on nine of the main employment programs in Illinois. We will analyze each employment program in detail and provide links and details on who it is for and how you can apply.

In this article we will discuss information about the following Illinois Department of Employment Security programs: Apprenticeship, Hire the Future, Illinois Skills Match, Job Fairs & Special Events. Any of these programs could provide you the opportunity of find the job you need.

Apprenticeship

Apprentices under the Illinois Department of Employment Security have the opportunity of enrolling as a paid worker in a special training program managed by a labor organization or trade association. If you choose to become an apprenticeship it is likely you will work in the construction industry. The benefits of the apprenticeship program is you will be joining a growing industry, with good wages opportunities, a long-term employment expectancy and instead of getting into debt to get the education you need, you will be paid during your training. Click here for access to an application form. Print it and send it to your closest Illinois Department of Employment Security, IDES, office. If you need help finding your closest office, click here.

There are a wide variety of trades you can train for. Through this program you could become an architectural iron worker, a boilermaker, a carpenter, a bricklayer, a ceramic tile layer or a cement mason, to mention a few. For a complete list of available trades click here.

Hire the Future

The Hire the Future program assists young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 to find work and to provide them with the work experience they need to work. To join you must visit the Illinois Skills Match Enrollment page and complete the form. Click here to access your personal form.

Illinois Skills Match

The Illinois Skills Match is a database designed to help employers find the workers they need. To join you must register yourself by visiting Illinois Skills Match website. Your information will be entered into the program and designed to help employers and the skilled workers they need meet.

Events and Workshops

The Illinois Department of Employment Security also offers Illinois special events and workshops on the search for employment. The events are organized by government and community agencies. The IDES keeps an up-to-date calender of the important dates for each race and culture.

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Illinois Unemployment: Three Tools You Should Not Miss When Searching For Work in Illinois.

Andrew — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:42:57 +0000

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

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Illinois Unemployment: Illinois Youth Services Invest In The Future

Andrew — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:40:00 +0000

In May 2011, Illinois unemployment rate was the same as the national average, that is to say 9.1 percent. However, if you are unemployed and young, your chances of finding employment in Illinois are much slimmer. The Illinois unemployment rate for teenagers is 25.8, 1.6 percent higher than the national average 24.2 percent. The situation is even worse for Illinois black teenagers, which have an unemployment rate of 47.7 percent and Illinois Hispanic teenagers, which have an unemployment rate of 26 percent. White teenagers had an unemployment rate of 24.7 percent.

What is the cause of this rise in teen unemployment? Unfortunately the situation in Illinois mirrors the situation in the nation as a whole. According to Greg Rivara, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the reason is adults are being forced by into jobs they would have previously not accepted and that would have been open to teenagers in a better economy.

The good news is the Illinois Department of Employment Security has created a program for teens looking to start work. The program is called Illinois Hire the Future. It started as a summer program for teens looking for a summer job and has now evolved in a year-round program for students.

Benefits

The Illinois Hire the Future program provides incentives to employers who give students a chance to start work. It provides employers with low cost workers while giving students a chance to develop their skills and get a feel of what the workforce requires from them.

Requirements

To qualify for Illinois Hire the Future you must be between 16 and 21, be attending school, have an 8^th grade level in Math and reading, a tardy rate of 10 percent or lower and an attendance rate of 90 percent or higher. Openings are limited in the program, so participants will be elected based on their academic performance, attendance records and the recommendation of principals and counselors.

Employers are required to pay minimum wage. How long they decide to employ you or if they decide to pay your more than minimum wage is up to each employer.

Other opportunities for young Illinois workers are the Illinois Department of Employment Security Apprenticeship Training program and the Illinois WorkNet Centers. For more information on these programs click on this link.

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Illinois Unemployment Help: Illinois Skills Match Guide

Andrew — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:51:00 +0000

Finding a job when you are unemployed is a full time job. Especially in states like Illinois with a high unemployment rate. The unemployment rate in Illinois is so high, it qualifies for all the unemployment insurance compensation programs available in the United States. Unemployed workers in Illinois can qualify for up to 99 weeks of benefits, but even so many workers run out of employment benefits before they find a job. What can you do to improve your chances of finding suitable employment? One tool at your disposal that many workers do not use to the full is the Illinois Skills Match website. This free online job matching service can be the key to finding that elusive job post you are looking for. However, if you are new to unemployment, do not have experience searching for a job or are not familiar with online job search programs, you may be missing out on the services this powerful engine can provide.

Step 1.

Register yourself with Illinois Skills Match. This should be the first thing you do after registering with the Illinois Department of Employment Security for unemployment benefits. You can use your job searching efforts as proof you are actively searching for work if you are audited by the IDES to confirm you are still searching for work. A requirement to continue receiving unemployment benefits.

Step 2.

Fill in your profile with your education, work experience, relevant skills, salary requirements and how far you are willing to commute. Filling online job search profiles can be time consuming and tedious. However, a well written and thought out profile gives you the advantage when an employer is searching for a suitable employee. Think of what skills an employer will be looking in a worker like you. Consider the skills you have developed throughout your working life. Include how much experience you have. Save your profile so the system can start matching jobs to your profile.

Step 3.

Check Ilinois Skills Match regularly. The system will match employers who are searching for workers with skills you have. Once you see an employer interested in a worker like you, you can contact the employer directly and arrange for an interview. In some cases, employers may express interest in a specific worker and request the Illinois Department of Employment Security to contact him or her directly.

The Illinois Skills Match website is easy to use, is useful for both employers and employees and can make finding a new job that much easier.

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Unemployment Resources: Check the Benefits of Illinois Skills Match

Andrew — Sun, 29 May 2011 12:11:00 +0000

When you have a difficult task in front of you, it pays to have the right tools to get the job done. Having the tools is, of course, not enough. You need to know how to use them. Finding work in an economy like Illinois’, with an unemployment rate of 8.6 percent, is not an easy task. Illinois Skills Match provides the help, direction and resources you need to improve your chances of finding a new job.

So, What Is Illinois Skills Match?

Illinois Skills Match is a free (but powerful) job search and matching system that runs on the internet. It is designed to match job offers with applicants registered in the system. One of the beauties of Illinois Skills Match is that in never stops working. You can use it to search for work any day of the week, any time, regardless of if it’s a holiday or a weekend.

Okay, But How Does It Work?

The first step is for employers to register the job opening they need to cover. They must specify with skills each job posting requires.

The second step is for unemployed workers, you must introduce you skills set, the wages you require and what distances you are willing to travel.

Step three, Illinois Skills Match will link job openings to employees by their skills, availability and salary requirements.

Step four. You must check your Illinois Skills Match profile regularly and see what job matches are available to you. You can then apply for job matches.

Alternatively, the employer may express an interest in your profile and the Illinois Department of Employment Security will send you a message either by phone, email or mail.

Notice you must make sure your profile is accurate, up-to-date and well written. This is your advert to the employment market. It pays to get it right. Note also you must check Illinois Skills Match’s website regularly, at least once every 45 days, or your account will become inactive.

Benefits:

Free Service. This premium job search engine is provided at no cost to employers and employees.

You have complete control over the information you store on your profile and is available to employers.

You can use it to search for work anywhere with an internet connection at anytime of the day or night.

You may print a job seeker profile which you can use to create an effective resume.

Saves you time by matching you with suitable jobs while ignoring posts you are not interested in or not qualified for.

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