Have you recently been laid off? Are you unsure of what you should do next? Career Link understands how difficult and confusing it can be. That's why we provide a variety of services and resources to laid-off workers across Central Illinois. We can walk you through the resume writing process, show you how to apply for unemployment insurance, and help you explore options that will allow you to retrain or update your skills.
Applying For Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance (UI) is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Laid-off workers can apply for UI online. IDES is co-located with Career Link in the Illinois workNet Center of Peoria. An IDES representative is also on-site at the Career Link office in Normal. Job seekers collecting unemployment insurance are required by IDES to register with Illinois Job Link. Career Link staff can help job seekers with this online job matching service as well.
Resume Help
Your resume is your chance to showcase the skills and qualities that make you the right person for the job. Resumes help employers make hiring decisions, so yours must be structured and worded well. Career Link's staff members can assist you with resume writing that will allow you to put your best foot forward. All of our offices have Jump Start services available in our Resource Centers. These rooms offer job seekers free computer access to create or update a resume, or to search for jobs online. Career Link's trained staff will also be there to advise you on how to produce successful cover letters and resumes, save your resume in your email, or fax your resume and other required forms to employers. You also have the opportunity to print copies of your resume to take to job interviews, if needed.
Retraining
Losing a job can be an opportunity to retrain or update skills. Career Link's staff can help you explore your options. We also provide Tuition Assistance with funds provided by the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA). Every year, we assist hundreds of eligible laid-off workers with funds to retrain. Laid-off workers receiving unemployment compensation with approval from Career Link can go back to school and collect their unemployment insurance benefits.