A special website has been established to help individuals explore job retraining options. This site also includes links to many other resources.
You may be able to receive help with job training through a program called The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) which combines federally-funded job training programs to help you find a job or train for a new career. These centers provide help with interview preparation, resume writing and may even help you with printing copies of your resume.
If you are eligible to receive help through this program, you may also be able to get help with tuition and other school expenses to be able to be re-trained for jobs that are needed in your area. You will apply for services at your local Illinois WorkNet location. All of the Illinois Community Colleges have programs available that can help prepare you for employment. Contact your local college to talk with a counselor regarding what is best for you.
A list of a few more available employment resources.
- Careerinfonet: Career tests and descriptions
- Diversity Jobs: Listings of professional and technical jobs nationwide including specific cities
- Illinois Work Info: Worforce and career information for employers, job seekers, local workforce planning boards
- Job Accommodation Network: Information about job accommodations and the employability of people with disabilities
- Monster.com: Global online network for careers
- The Internet Job Source: Lists state and federal government jobs by industry or state
- The Keirsey Temperament Sorter II: Online personality tests including versions in Spanish (this is included since there is a free version available but a more detailed analysis is available at a fee)
- USA Jobs: Easy access to federal job opportunities
Credit Report and Employment
Being unemployed and looking for a job is a challenge, to say the least. The process is now being complicated as many employers request credit reports before making a hiring decision. You need to know your rights.
Employers use the credit reports for many reasons, including assessing responsibility, reliability or identity.
During the hiring process, the future employer must ask you to provide written approval before the credit report is requested.
If the report results in you not being hired, the employer is to provide you a copy of the report and a statement as to your rights.
After you review the report, you can dispute information that is incorrect or incomplete.
If you are concerned about your credit reports, you can contact all three major credit bureaus and request a copy. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The Federal Trade Commission provides information as to how to obtain your credit report, or you can contact the credit bureaus directly.
- Trans Union (http://www.transunion.com/) | 800-888-4213.
- Equifax (http://www.econsumer.equifax.com/) | 888-532-0179
- Experian (www.experian.com/customer/index/html) | 800-972-0322
- If you have bad credit and want to clear it up, there are many credit-counselling services available. The National Foundation for Consumer Credit manages a website that provides advice about debt management as well as resources to non-profit agencies that may be able to help you. Be careful in seeking credit repair services since there are scam artists who make false or misleading claims. Check out the FTC’s site for ways to choose a credit counselor.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has information about how to Avoid Foreclosure as well as other valuable advise. Information from HUD that directly relates to Illinois is also available through HUD.