Resources for Job Seekers

COVID-19 Resources

• COVID - 19 Guided Search - Compiled by 211 Wisconsin. Call '211' or Text your zip code to '898211' for assistance. (Help available in 180 languages).
• Protecting your finances during the coronavirus pandemic (English) (en español) - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
• Financial Resources to Help Get Through COVID-19 - Compiled by UW-Extension. 
• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - Guidance for businesses from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Find Jobs and Explore Career Paths

Explore jobs through major job listing websites or find a job based on skills and past experience.

• Job Searching Websites/Sitios web de búsqueda de empleo en español (Printable Handout) - Major job websites, State, Local, and Specialized
• SkillExplorer - Find information about similar jobs based on past experience and skills
• O*Net Online - Explore careers, find wages, training resources, and military occupation equivalents 
• Apprenticeship Awareness Toolkit - Explore apprenticeships in Wisconsin

Get Ready to Apply for Jobs

Keep personal information (such as job history or reference contacts) in one place and create resumes and cover letters.

• Resume and Cover Letters (Printable Handout) - Read and watch tutorials on resumes or cover letters
• Resume and Cover Letter Builders (Printable Handout) - Online tools to create resumes and over letters
• Job Search and Career Advice en español (Handout)
• Practice Job Application - Use this website to practice filling out job applications. You can even print the results.
• Get Ready for Job Interviews - Websites and YouTube videos to help you in your next job interview.

Apply for Unemployment Insurance

Learn how to apply for Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance and submit required weekly claim forms. 

• My Unemployment Wisconsin - Access Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance benefit services, also available in Español
• Handbook for Claimants - Provides details on applying and receiving unemployment benefits. Español and Lus Hmoob.
• How to Apply for Benefits Online - YouTube Video
• How to File a Weekly Claim Online - YouTube Video
• Unemployment Insurance Tax Notice - Unemployment benefit tax information includes link to more information

Explore State Resources

Use job hunting tools from Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development and other state resources.

• Dislocated Worker Information - Find resources for dislocated ('laid off') workers from the Department of Workforce Development
• JobCenterofWisconsin.com - Find resources for job seekers, employers, and labor market data 
• Resources for Veterans - Employment resources for veterans
• Vocational Rehabilitation - Employment resources for people with disabilities
• Farmers Changing Careers - Farm-to-Non-Farm Career Resources

Explore Job Programs and Community Resources by County

Locate valuable information such as employment and training programs, transportation, and services by county.

• Adams
• Columbia
• Dane
• Green 
• Portage
• Sauk 
• Wood

Overcome Barriers to Employment

Barriers to Employment are life situations or characteristics that keep people from working. Here are a few common ones, and resources to help.

• Age:
  • Youth (Ages 16-24) 
    • Getmyfuture.gov - Information about working as a teen, includes job skills needed and programs available to teens.
    • Employment of Minors and Work Permits - Information regarding age restrictions and work permits
  • Age 50+
    • AARP: SCSEP Job Club Tools - Tools directed at older workers (50+) searching for employment
    • Department of Workforce Development: Older Worker Toolkit - Resources for older job seekers  
• Disability:
  • AskEARN: Job-Seeker Resources - Non-profit organizations and federal programs for job-seekers with disabilities
  • Vocational Rehabilitation - Information for job seekers with disabilities, employers, and service providers 
  • Career Information for Students with Disabilities - Information and links to resources for students with disabilities entering the workforce.
• Language barriers: 
  • Búsqueda de empleo - Job search and information in Spanish from CareerOneStop
  • Bilingual Job Resources - Resources and information for job seekers in Spanish and Lus Hmoob (Hmong)
• Newcomer Status:
  • Working in the US (Trabajar en los Estados Unidos) - Explains how to work in the US as a non-citizen
  • Recognition of Foreign Qualifications - Accrediting organizations for training received outside the U.S. 
  • Refugee Services - Developed by the Wisconsin Department for Children and Families
• Ex-Offender: 
  • LIFTDane: Provides legal assistance to Dane County residents, including: eligible criminal record removals, dismissed evictions, and other legal challenges. 
  • Wisconsin Free Legal Answers: Free legal advice for those that qualify. Additional resources available for everyone. 
  • Fair Shake.net - Resources for recently, or soon-to-be-released incarcerated individuals
  • Fiscaltiger.com/job-help-for-felons/ - A Career Guide and Employment Resource for Former Offenders
  • Financial Resources for Formerly Incarcerated Persons (FinanceJar) - Financial advice and information for formerly incarcerated persons (ex-offenders). 
• People Experiencing Homelessness:
  • Homelessadvice.com - An article with advice on finding work while experiencing homelessness 
  • Homelessness Assistance - Directory of homelessness assistance agencies and organizations in Wisconsin sorted by county

Computer Skills

Use these resources to learn email and computer basics. 

• Computer Skills  - Learn to use the computer for work and in life. 
• Printable computer basics:
  • How to Use a Computer Mouse 
  • How to Use a Computer Keyboard 
  • How to Search the Internet: 9 Steps (with Pictures) from WikiHow, Printable Version with no pictures
• DigitalLearn: Learn computer basics, including Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Word, email, resume skills, and many other skills.
• GCFGlobal: Learn computer basics, including Microsoft Office, mouse skills, typing skills, internet basics, internet safety, and many other skills.
• Northstar Digital Literacy: Build Your Skills: Learn how to use a computer, navigate the internet, use email, and search for a career
• Computación básica: Aprende cómo empezar a usar un computador desde el principio, cuáles son sus partes, cómo conectarlo e instalar programas. Computer basics in Spanish from GCFlearnfree.

Education and Training

Brush up on skills, or find out something new with training programs.

• Workplace Skills Training - Learn workplace skills 
• Training Programs - Find training programs through the Job Center of Wisconsin
• Wisconsin Technical College System - Links to the technical and career colleges in the state. 
• LearningExpress Library: Job Search and Workplace Skills - Information and training to help develop workplace skills, also known as "Soft skills"
• Job Center of Wisconsin Virtual Workshops - Find a wide assortment of virtual training programs from topics including: resume writing, interviewing, LinkedIn, job seeking after 40, and many others. Live and recorded sessions are available. 

Services and Supports

Find services and programs to support families.

• Navigating State Resources - Statewide Links A - Z - Connect to statewide services for help with everything from healthcare to housing, childcare to job assistance.
• 2-1-1 Wisconsin - UnitedWay of Wisconsin's statewide service provider and assistance search.
• ACCESS - Wisconsin's website to apply to programs for health, nutrition, childcare, and employment. Guide to apply available in multiple languages including - Lus Cob Qhia (Hmong) and Guía para postularse (Spanish). 
• Food 
  • FoodShare Wisconsin - Information about the food program for low-income residents
  • Wisconsin Food Pantries - Food pantries in select cities
• Housing - wihousingsearch.org - Search for housing, including low-income, senior, and for people with disabilities. Includes a resource page with shelter and supportive housing listings
• Transportation - Transportation Resources - Please note: resources and programs are not available in all South Central Library System counties.
• Health 
  • Free or Low-Cost Healthcare Clinics 
  • Covering Wisconsin - How-To Sheets - Learn how to find and use health insurance
  • Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator - Search for mental health services by location 
• Childcare
  • Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Information on childcare programs in the state, including subsidized childcare programs for low-income families

  • Search for childcare - Look for licensed, accredited childcare. Also available en espanol. 

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For more information and assistance contact: Mark Jochem

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