April 2011
InsIdeedItIonA Job Hunting Guide for Montanans with
Criminal Records
Keith Kelly, CommissionerMontana Department of Labor and Industry
P.O. Box 1728Helena, MT 59624Ph: (406) 444-2840Fax: (406) 444-1394
E-mail: [email protected] site: www.dli.mt.gov
Inside EditionA Job Hunting Guide for Montanans with criminal records
Information about State Department of Labor resources may be of interest to:
• Potentialemployerslookingforincentivestohireindividualswithcriminalhistories
• Individualswithcriminalhistorieswhoarelookingforassistanceinfindingemployment
• Researchersandpolicymakerslookingatcurrentprogramstoascertainwhatprogramsareeffectiveandservetheirintendedpurpose
Updated April 2011
Prepared by theResearch and Analysis Bureau
Montana Career Resource NetworkP.O. Box 1728
Helena, MT 59624-1728(406) 444-2430
www.careers.mt.gov
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ContentsStatement of Intent .........................................................................................................4Things You Need To Know About Your Criminal Record .....................................................4-7What Can You Do to Improve Your Chances of Finding Employment? ....................................7Special Programs for Employers of Ex-Offenders ................................................................8Your Job Search ................................................................................................................9Identifying Your Skills ................................................................................................. 9-11Job Service Workforce Centers ................................................................................... 11-14
Being Prepared .........................................................................................................12 Job Service Resource Centers ................................................................................. 12-13 Montana Job Service Workforce Center Directory .................................................... 13-14Job Search Methods .................................................................................................. 15-16Job Application Forms ....................................................................................................17 Sample Job Application ......................................................................................... 18-21Cover Letters .................................................................................................................22 Sample Cover Letter ...................................................................................................23Resumes .......................................................................................................................24 Types of Resumes ......................................................................................................25 Sample Chronological Resume....................................................................................26 Sample Functional or Skills Resume ............................................................................27The Job Interview ..........................................................................................................28 Think Positive! ...........................................................................................................29 Interview Questions ..................................................................................................29Pre-Employment Testing ................................................................................................30Career Goals ..................................................................................................................30Where Can I Get The Training I Need? ..............................................................................31Other Career Preparation Opportunities ..................................................................... 31-33Tips for Keeping Your Job ................................................................................................33Other Resources ........................................................................................................ 33-35Using Labor Market Information .....................................................................................35
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Thisbookletisdesignedtohelppeoplewhohavebeenconvictedofacrimeorwhohavespenttimeinprisontofindandkeepajob.ThisdocumentwaspreparedbytheMontanaDepartmentofLaborandIndustrytoanswersomeofyourquestionsandtohelpyoufindsupportingagen-cies,people,andpublicationsthatcanaidyouinyoursearch.Whilewedon’texpectyou’llfindtheanswerstoallofyourquestions,wehopethisisagoodstartingpoint.Pleasekeepinmindthatinformationchangesquickly,soforthemostcurrentinformation,pleasecontacttheMon-tanaDepartmentofLaborandIndustry,JobServiceWorkforceCenterslistedonpages13-14.
Statement of Intent
What types of barriers do you face in getting a job?
Ex-offendersfacemanybarrierstogettingajob,includingalackofjobhistoryandworkskills,physicalandmentalhealthissues,loweducationlevels,historiesofphysicalandsexualabuse,alcoholanddrugdependence,andchildwelfareorchildsupportissues.Thesebarriersincludeemploymentlawsthatallow,orevenmandate,employerstoconsideraperson’scriminalrecordincertainoccupations.Themostseriousbarrierstoemploymentarethebiasandstigmaaris-ingfromhavingacriminalrecord.Manyemployershesitatetohireapplicantswithconvictionhistories.Anyoneofthesebarrierscangetinthewayofanex-offender’sabilitytobecomeem-ployed,andtakentogether,theycreatedifficultobstaclestogetting,maintaining,andadvanc-ingonajob.
Gettingajobcanreducethechancesofyourbeingrearrested,reconvicted,andre-incarcerat-ed.Employedex-offendersarelesslikelytocommitothercrimes.Mostexperts,academics,andpractitioners,aswellaspeoplewithcriminalrecordsthemselves,believeobtainingemploymentisabsolutelycrucialtothesuccessfulreintegrationofoffendersintosocietyandtheimprove-mentofpublicsafety.
What types of criminal records do most ex-offenders have?
Itmaysurpriseyouthatmostex-offendershaveconvictionsfordrugrelatedorpropertycrimesasopposedtoviolentones,andamajorityofpeoplewithcriminalrecordsdonothavelongconvictionrecords.Amongfemaleoffenders,themostcommontypesofpropertycrimesareforgery,fraud,andembezzlement.
Insomestates,certaincrimescanmakesomeoneineligibletobecomeemployedincertainoc-cupations.Manyemployersaremorewillingtohireanapplicantwithanonviolentcriminalbackgroundthansomeonewhohascommittedaviolentcrime.
Things You Need To Know about your criminal record
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Can an employer consider an applicant’s criminal record?
Employersmayconsideranapplicant’sconvictionrecordand,insomecases,aperson’sarrestrecord.Generally,employersarepermittedtoaskjobapplicantsiftheyhaveeverbeencon-victedofanoffense,andemployersmaylegallyconsideranapplicant’sconviction(s)inmakinghiringdecisions.Ifanapplicantfailstodiscloseormisrepresentssuchinformation,theindi-vidualcanbelegallyfired.
What occupations may exclude people with criminal records?
Somefederalstatutesprohibitex-offenderswithcertainfelonyconvictionsfrombeingemployedincertainjobs.Dependinguponthetypeofconviction,someprohibitedoccupationsinclude:
• Childcare• PrisonerTransportation• JobsinFDICInsuredInstitutions
(Banks,forexample)• CertainHealthcareServices
• AirportSecurityScreeners• ArmoredCarCrewMembers• InsuranceIndustryJobs• AnyPositionManaginganEmployee
BenefitPlan• GenericDrugIndustryJobs
Whilethereareafewfederalprohibitions,statestatutesmorecommonlyrestricttheemploy-mentofex-offendersincertainoccupations.InMontana,Title37,Chapter1,Part2,MCA,Licensure of Criminal Offenders,providesthatthepublicpolicyoftheMontanalegislatureis“toencourageandcontributetotherehabilitationofcriminaloffendersandtoassistthemintheassumptionoftheresponsibilitiesofcitizenship.”Section37-1-203prohibitstheprofes-sionalandoccupationallicensingboardsfromusingcriminalconvictionsasthesolebasisfordenialofprofessionaloroccupationallicensure.
Despitethisprohibition,ex-offendersoftenhavedifficultygainingprofessionallicensesonthegroundsof“unprofessionalconduct.”AccordingtoSection37-1-316MCA,“unprofessionalcon-duct”includesanyconvictionforacrimeinvolvingviolence,useorsaleofdrugs,fraud,deceit,ortheft,aswellasanyconvictionrelatingtoorcommittedduringthecourseoftheperson’spractice.Alicensingboardmayalsodenylicensurebasedonacriminalconvictionthatsug-gestsapossiblethreattopublicsafety.Manyboards,especiallythoserelatedtohealthcare,willdenyalicensetoapplicantsconvictedofviolent,sexual,ordrugcrimesonthebasisthatdenialisthebestwaytoprotectthepublic.Shouldtheboarddenylicensure,theapplicanthastherighttoahearing,followingthecontestedcaseproceduresundertheMontanaAdministra-tiveProceduresAct(MAPA).
MT Department of Labor and Industry
Business Standards Division301 South Park, Room 430P.O. Box 200513Helena, MT 59620-0517Receptionist: (406) 841-2333http://bsd.dli.mt.gov/
Business and Occupational Licensing Bureauhttp://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/bus_index.asp
Healthcare Licensing Bureauhttp://bsd.dli.mt.gov/license/hc_index.asp
Eachapplicationisconsideredonacase-by-casebasis,sotherearenohardandfastrulesdictat-ingwhichtypesofconvictionsbarlicensureincertainoccupations.Beforepursuingacareerinalicensedoccupation,youshouldresearchthepoliciesandproceduresofthelicensingboardforthatoccupation.Afterall,youdon’twanttocom-pleteatrainingandcertificationprogramonlytofindyoucan’tgetlicensedforyourchosenoccu-pation.Formoreinformationonoccupationalli-censing,usethecontactinformationtotheright.
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How do employers learn about a person’s criminal record?
Theeasiestwayforemployerstofindoutwhetheranapplicanthasaconvictionhistoryistoaskaboutitonajobapplicationorduringaninterview.Althoughmanyemployersarenotrequiredtoconductbackgroundchecksonjobapplicants,manydoperformchecksandhaveeasyaccesstoapplicants’criminalhistoriesthroughcreditreportingagenciesandotherinves-tigativeservices.
Ex-offenders…know your legal rights.
Ex-offendersneedtoknowtheyhavetherighttobeem-ployedinspiteoftheircriminalrecords.Severalstateshavelawsthatlimithowandunderwhatcircumstancesanem-ployermayconsideranapplicant’scriminalrecord.Theselawsmakeitillegalforanemployertodiscriminateagainstanex-offenderunlesshisorherconvictionrecordisrelatedtothedutiesofthejob.Factorsthataregenerallyconsid-eredincludethetimethathaselapsedsincetheoffense,theperson’sageatthetimeofthecrime,theseriousnessoftheoffense,theperson’seffortstowardrehabilitation,andtheemployer’sinterestinprotectingthepropertyandwelfareoftheworkplaceorthegeneralpublic.
Somestateshavetriedtomitigatethestigma,aswellassomeofthelegalbarriers,associatedwithcriminalhistoriesbyallowingex-offenderstosealorexpungetheircriminalrecords,orbyofferingcertificatesofrehabilitationtoex-offenderswhoeitherhaveminimalcriminalhistoriesorhaveremainedoutofthecriminaljusticesystemforspecifiedperiodsoftime.Dependingonyourstate’slaw,certaincriminalinformationmaybesealedorexpunged,restrictingwhohasaccesstotheinformation.Inaddition,certificatesofrehabilitationarehelpful,ifnotcrucial,tosecuringemploymentwithpublicagenciesandremovingbarstoobtaininglicenses.ItmaybeusefultonotethattheWorkforceInvestmentActand,incertainsituations,TANFfundscanbeusedtocoverthecostsofsealingorexpungingrecordsorofobtainingcertificatesofrehabilita-tion.Tofindouthowtosealorexpungeyourcriminalrecordorobtainacertificateofrehabili-tationcontacttheCriminalRecordsandIdentificationServicesSection.
Employerscannotusearrestrecordstoexcludepersonsfromemploymentunlessthereisabusi-nessjustification.Ifitcanbedemonstratedthattheapplicantactuallyengagedintheconductforwhichheorshewasarrestedandthattheconductisjob-relatedandrelativelyrecent,theexclusionwouldbejustified.
Anincreasingnumberofemployersrelyonbackgroundchecksandemploymentquestionnairestoprobeanapplicant’scriminalhistory.Yetmanycriminalrecordreportscontaininaccuraciesandmistakes,rangingfrommissingtoinaccuratelyrecordeddispositioninformation.Inaccurateinformationmaygiveanunnecessarilynegativeprofileofanindividual.Therefore,oneofthemostbeneficialthingsanex-offendercandoistoobtainandmakesurethe“rapsheet”iscorrect.(A“rapsheet”istheofficialrecordofanindividual’sarrestandconvictionhistoryinaparticularstatethatismaintainedbythestate’srepositoryofcriminalrecords.)
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Criminal Record Repository
Thisistheagencyindividualsmaycontacttoobtainacopyoftheirstaterapsheetandlearnabouttheprocessofsealing,expunging,orcleaningitup.Thecriminalrecordrepositorycanalsotelltheindividualwhoelseislegallyentitledtoaccesshisorherrecord.
Therequestormustsendan$8checkormoneyorder,payableto“MontanaCriminalRecord,”alongwithaself-addressedenvelope.Therequestshouldincludetheperson’sfullname,aliasesormaidenname,dateofbirth,andsocialsecuritynumber.Noreleaseauthorizationisrequired.
How can you improve your chances of finding employment?Become familiar with the laws that affect the employment of people with criminal records.
Thisincludesknowingwhichjobshavelegalbarstopeoplewithcriminalrecordsandwhatcanbedonetoliftthosebars.Italsomeansknowingwhetheremployersarepermittedtoaskjobapplicantsabouttheirarrestandconvictionhistory.
Recognize and respond to the legitimate concerns of employers.
Employerswhowon’thirepeoplewithcriminalrecordsoftenfeartheywillincurliabilityiftheex-offendercommitsanewcrime.Thisisknownasnegligenthiring.Theimportantthingtoknowisthatinmostcasesanemployerwillnotfacelegalliabilityifheorshehiresanex-offender.Generally,anemployer’sreasonableeffortstocheckandconsideranapplicant’sbackgroundwillsatisfythelegalrequirementsandeliminatetheriskofliabilityontheemployer’spart.
Youshouldconsultalawyeraboutthestatestandardsfornegligenthiringandfindoutwhatanemployercandotoprotectagainstliability.Thenyoucanpresentthisinformationtopro-spectiveemployerstominimizetheirfearsofhiringanex-offender.Letthemknowthathir-ingthroughserviceprovidersliketheJobServiceWorkforceCenters,whichperformqualityscreeningandrefersappropriatejobapplicants,cansignificantlyreducetheirriskofliability.
Identify employers that will hire ex-offenders.
Youmanynotrealizethatmanyemployers,includingmajorcorporations,hirepeoplewithcriminalrecords.Thesebusinessesrealizethatemployingqualifiedex-offendersmakesgoodeconomicsenseandcanprovidemanyopportunitiesforgrowth.
First,identifyemployerswhohirepeoplewhohaveminimumskillsorworkexperience,aswellasemployerswhohirewithoutdoingacriminalbackgroundcheck.Also,identifyjobsthatdonotposepublicsafetyconsiderations.Thesejobstendtobeinindustriessuchasconstruction,assemblywork,manufacturing,andfoodservices.
Emphasize financial incentives available to employers for those who hire ex-offenders.
Remindemployersoftherangeoffinancialincentivesforthosewhohireex-offenders.Therearevarioustaxcreditsavailable,aswellasWorkforceInvestmentAct(WIA)assistance.Refertheemployertothe“SpecialProgramsforEmployersofEx-offenders”sectionbelow,ortotheirlocalJobServiceWorkforceCenterformoreinformation.
Contact: Criminal Records and Identification Services Section
Eleanor Cooperider, Business Operations Supervisor
Department of Justice, Scott Hart Building, 4th Floor
303 North Roberts,P.O. Box 201403Helena, MT 59620-1403Phone: (406) 444-3481
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Special Programs for Employers of Ex-Offenders
Tax Credits
TheWorkOpportunityTaxCreditisafederaltaxcreditthatreducesthefederaltaxliabilityofprivateforprofitemployers,providinganincentiveforemployerstohireindividualsfromninedifferenttargetedgroups:TemporaryAs-sistancetoNeedyFamilies(TANF)recipients,veterans,ex-felons,highriskyouth,sum-meryouthemployees,FoodStamprecipients,SupplementalSecurityIncome(SSI)recipients,vocationalrehabilitationreferrals,andNewYorkLibertyZoneBusinessEmployees.
Contact:
Christy Robbins, WOTC CoordinatorMontana Department of Labor & IndustryWorkforce Services DivisionP.O. Box 1728Helena, MT 59624406-444-9046or 1-800-726-0615406-444-3037 faxe-mail: [email protected]
Federal Bonding Program
TheFederalBondingProgram,sponsoredbytheU.S.DepartmentofLabor,providesindividualfidelitybondstoemployersforjobapplicantswhoare(ormaybe)deniedcover-agebycommercialcarriersbecauseoftheircriminalhistory.Whilethebonddoesnotcoverliabilityduetopoorworkmanship,jobinjuries,orworkaccidents,itdoesinsuretheemployeragainsttheft,forgery,larceny,andembezzlement.Formoreinformationontheprogram,pleasevisit:www.bonds4job.com.
Contact:
Chris Wilhelm, Bonding Services CoordinatorMontana Department of Labor & IndustryWorkforce Services DivisionP.O. Box 1728Helena, MT 59624406-444-3351406-444-3037 faxe-mail: [email protected]
Employerswhohireex-offendersmayqualifyfor
incentivesofferedbythefederalgovernmentknownasWork Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)program.TheyjoinotherinitiativesandtargetedtaxcreditsthathelpAmericanworkersgaineconomicself-sufficiencyandincreaseAmericanproductivityandeconomicgrowth.
Employersmustapplyforandreceivecertificationfromtheirstateemploymentagencythattheirnewhirebelongstooneoftheninegroupsofjobseek-erseligiblefortheWOTC/WTWbeforeclaimingitontheirfederalincometaxreturn.One of the targeted groups is - Low income ex-felons. Formoreinfor-mation,youcanvisit the WOTC web site at http://mtjoblinc.com/wotc.htmOR,call(800)726-0615.
Inadditiontowelfaretaxcreditsthatareavailabletoemployerswhohirewelfarerecipients,employerswhoarewillingtotrainandprovideworkexperiencetoex-offendersmaybeeligibletoreceiveWIAassistance.
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Your Job SearchTreat the Search as a Job
Jobhuntingisafull-timejob,andyoushouldtrytospendatleastsixhoursadayactivelylookingforwork.Ifyouworkatyourjobsearchashardasyouwouldworkatajob,youwilleventuallyseepositiveresults.
Identify Your Skills
Thinkaboutallthejobsyou’vehadbeforeanddecidewhatskillsyouusedandlearnedthere.Dothesamewithanyhobbiesorspecialtrainingyoumayhave.Askyourselfwhocanusethoseskills(Seebelowformoreinformationonhowtoidentifyyourskills).
Do Your Research
Themoreyouknowaboutanemployer,thebetteryoucanmatchyourskillstotheirneeds.Learnabouttheproductstheymakeorsell,andmostimportantly–whomakeshiringdeci-sions.Don’tbeafraidtocallthemwithquestions;itwillshowthemyouareinterestedinwhattheydo.Researcheverycompanyyouplantointerviewwith.
Use All Your Resources
Yourfamily,relatives,friendsandneighborsareanexcellentsourceforjobleads.Theyoftenknowaboutjobvacancieslongbeforeanyoneelse,soitispossibletobehiredwithouthavingtocompetewithotherjobapplicants.Friendsandfamilycanalsogiveyougoodinsideinforma-tionaboutthewants,needs,likes,anddislikesofpotentialemployers.
Remember, to be a successful job hunter, all you really need is just one person to say Yes.
Manypeoplebelievethatemployersonlyconsideranapplicant’sworkhistoryinmakinghiringdecisions.Whileworkexperienceiscertainlyimportant,youmayhaveacquiredvaluablejobskillswithoutevenknowingit.Haveyoueverrunahousehold?Workedonacar?Fixedsomethingaroundthehouse?Allofthesetasksinvolveskillsyoucanincludeonyourresume.Ifyou’vehadlimitedworkexperience,itisespeciallyimportanttoidentifythesekindsofskills.
Identifying Your Skills
How Can I Identify My Skills?
Beginbywritingalist.Includethefollowing:
• Previousemployment• Volunteerwork• Education
• Hobbies• Day-to-daytasks• Otherskills/experience
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Previous EmploymentStartbylistingallthejobsyou’veeverhad.Listallthetasksyouperformedineachjob,andtheskillsrequiredtoperformthem.Whatmachinerydidyouoperate?Didyouhavetodealwiththepublic?Whatphysicalskillswererequired(strength,stamina,manualdexter-ity,etc.)?Listtheseskillsandconsiderwhichotherjobsneedemployeeswiththeseskills.
Volunteer WorkIncludebothformalandinformalvolunteerwork.YoumighthavelearnedcarpentryskillsbyvolunteeringtobuildhouseswithHabitatforhumanity,butyoucouldalsohavelearnedthembyhelpingyourfriendbuildhisnewdeck.
EducationListallthesubjectsyoustudiedinschool.Inwhatclassesdidyoudowell?Vocationalclassesareespeciallyrelevant,butallsub-jectsshouldbeconsidered.
HobbiesYoumaynotthinkfly-fishing,sewing,snow-boarding,orbuildingmodelairplanescouldhelpyourcareer,butalltheseactivitiesinvolveskillsyoucouldincludeonaresume.Forinstance,snowboardinghelpsyoude-
Finger DexterityManual DexterityMotor CoordinationStaminaStrengthRapid ResponseSound DiscriminationShape DiscriminationColor DiscriminationDepth PerceptionVisualizingCreativityAesthetic JudgmentStress Tolerance
Hazards ToleranceDiscomfort ToleranceRepetition ToleranceFollowing ProceduresCategorizingRecord KeepingAttention to DetailVerifying InformationInstallingInspectingRepairingTroubleshootingControlling MachinesOperating Vehicles
velopasenseofbalancewhichwouldbeidealforastructuralsteelworkerwhomustworkonhighbeams.Buildingmodelsrequiresat-tentiontodetailandfingerdexterityvaluableinagreatnumberofjobsincludingcomputermanufacturingandelectronicsrepair,nottomentionbuildingarchitecturalmodels.
Day-to-day TasksListallthethingsyoudointhecourseofanaverageweek.Agreatnumberofskillsarere-quiredjusttomanageahousehold.Ifyou’veeverhadtocoordinatetakingkidstoschool,cleaning,cooking,anddoingthehundredotherthingsyoudoinanaverageday,you’vehadexperiencewithscheduling.Ifyou’veeverhadtokeeptrackofyourfamilyorpersonalexpenses,you’vehadexperiencewithbudget-ing.Ifyou’vepeacefullysettledadisputebe-tweenfriendsorfamilymembers,you’vedonesomenegotiating,exhibitedstresstolerance,andusedinterpersonalskills.
Other Skills/ExperienceThisiswhereyoulistanythingthatdidn’tfitintotheothercategories.Listanythingyou’vedonethatrequiredaskillthatyoumightuseinajob.Perhapsyouspeakanotherlanguageorhavehadtocareforadisabledfamilymember.Theseskillsarevaluable—listthem.
Using ComputersProgrammingTechnology DesignCalculatingEstimatingBudgetingMath ReasoningScience ReasoningReadingWritingSpeakingListeningConcentratingInformation Gathering
EvaluatingAdvisingSynthesizingAnalyzingPlanningActive LearningUsing KnowledgeSafety of OthersPersuadingNegotiatingConfrontingInitiatingCoordinatingDirecting/LeadingDecision Making
Managing ResourcesResponsibilityDependabilityFlexibilityPersistenceIntegrityEfficiencyCompetitivenessPeople SkillsIndependent WorkTeam WorkWorking with the PublicAssisting/CaringPerformingInstructing
Skills List: Ifyou’veneverthoughtaboutyourinterestsandexperiencesintermsoftheskillsyou’velearned,itmaybedifficulttobegin.Usethelistofskillsonthefollowingpagetogetyoustarted,butdon’tlimityourselftothoseskillslisted—theyaregeneralcategories,andyou’veprobablylearnedskillsthatareveryspecifictocertainjobs.
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What do I do with these skills once I’ve listed them?
Keepyourlisttoreferbacktoeverytimeyouneedtofilloutanapplicationorwriteare-sume.Ifpossible,keepthelistonacomputerdisksoyoucanaddtoitasyoulearnnewskills.Remember,onaresume,themorespe-cificyoucanbeaboutyourexperiences,thebetter.Insteadofsayingthatyouhavehadexperienceworkingoncars,explainthatyoucompletelyrefurbisheda1972FordMustang,andlistthetasksinvolvedfromrebuildingtheenginetodetailingthehood.Alsore-membertoincludeonlytheskillsthatmightberelevanttothejobyouareseeking.Ifyou’reapplyingforajobsellingstereoequip-ment,theemployermightnotcareabouttheMustangyourestored.
For Additional Help
TheprofessionalsattheJobServiceWork-forceCenterscanprovideyouwithresourcesandassistancetohelpyouidentifyyourskills.Additionally,yourlocalJobServiceWorkforceCentercanprovideyouwithac-cesstotheMCISNetwork’sMicro-SKILLSassessment.Thisprogramcanhelpyoutomatchyourskillstooccupationswhereyoucanusethem.Itwillalsohelpyouidentifywhichskillsyou’llneedtolearnforcertainoccupations.(FormoreinformationonJobServiceWorkforceCenters,seepages13-14).
Job Service Workforce CentersYourMontanaDepartmentofLabor&Industryisanexcellentresourceforemploymentleadsandopportunities.TherearemanyJobServiceWorkforceCentersthroughouttheStateofMontanareadytohelpyouwithavarietyofservices(seelistingofcentersonpages20-21).
Services offered:• DayWork• RegisterforPart-orFull-TimeEmployment• BasicSkills• InterviewPreparation• CoverLetterandResumeWriting
• EmploymentCounseling• TrainingOpportunities• FederalBonding• WORCOpportunityTaxCredit• Andmanymore
JobServiceWorkforceCentersalsoofferavarietyofotherservices,suchascareercounselingforindividualsnotsureoftheirfutureemploymentplans,andclericalandaptitudetesting.Specialservicesareofferedtoindividualsneedingaccom-modationsandtoVeterans.
Becausetherulesandregulationschangesoquickly,theJobServiceWorkforceCenterstaffcannotassistyouwithinformationaboutunem-ploymentinsurance.However,theycanprovidephonenumbersfortheUnemploymentTelephoneClaimsCenternearestyou,wherecustomerservicerepresentativescanansweryourspecificquestions.
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Job Service Workforce Centers: being preparedOnceattheJobServiceWorkforceCenter,youcanusetheresourcecenterormeetwithanEmploymentConsultantformoreintensiveservices.Theconsultantwillexplaintheservicesofferedandquicklyassesshowbesttohelpyouwithyourcareersearch.Atthistimeyouwillprobablybeaskedtoregisterforemployment.Youandtheinterviewerwilldiscussyouredu-cation,skills,andanyspecialinterestsyoumayhave.Yourinformationwillbeenteredintoacomputerdatabasewhereyourknowledge,skills,andabilitieswillbematchedwithemployerswhoneedthem.
WhenyouarriveattheJobServiceCenterbePREPARED-treatthislikeajobinterview.Youcanexpecttofilloutajobapplicationorregisterontheweb,sobringalongtheinformationyou’llneed.
Information to Bring with You:• Yourcurrentaddress• Yourphonenumber• SocialSecuritynumber• Names,addresses,andphonenumbersofpreviousemployers• Datesofpreviousemployment• Names,addresses,andphonenumbersofthreereferences• Otherrelevantinformationsuchasyourdriver’slicensenumber,unioncards,copiesof
transcripts,ormilitarydischargepapers
Remember,theconsultantsattheJobServiceCenteraretheretohelpyou,butyouhavetohelpthembybeingabletoprovideinformationaboutyourselfandyouremploymenthistory.Theconsultantswillbeinterviewingyoutodetermineifyoumeettherequirementsforanum-berofjobsasqualificationshavebeenoutlinedbytheemployers.
Baseduponyourinterviewandqualifications,theJobServiceconsultantmaydeterminewhetherornottheemployerwillseeyouorconsideryourapplicationorresume.Dependingontheavailabilityofpositions,youmaybesentonajobinterviewdirectlyfromtheJobServiceCenter.Dressappropriatelyforthejobsyouareseeking.
Job Service resource CentersTheDepartmentofLaborseekswaystobemoreresponsivetotheneedsofourcustomers.Inmanycases,we’vefoundthebestservicewecanprovideforourcustomersistosimplyprovideaccesstoourtoolsandinformation.ThroughourJobServiceResourceCenterswecanprovideaplacewherejobseekerscanhaveaccesstotheequipmentandinformationtheyneed.TheMontanaDepartmentofLaborhascenterslocatedthroughoutthestateforyourconvenience,andprovidesthefollowingresources:
Job Search Publications Library
MostJobServiceResourceCentershaveanexcellentselectionofstateandnationalpublica-tionswithinformationonjobopenings,jobsearchtoolsandtechniques,wagestatisticsandotheritemsofinteresttojobseekers.
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TV-VCR and Video Library
UsetheTV-VCRandjobsearchvideotapestogetjob-huntingtipsfromthepros.Videosub-jectsinclude:fillingoutastateapplication,interviewingforastatejob,handlingstressonthejob,andusingthephoneeffectivelytogetthejobyouwant.
Telephone and Fax
Usethephoneandfaxestogetintouchwithpotentialemployerstosendyourresumeorsetupjobinterviews.
Printers and Copiers
Mostofficesofferfreeaccesstolaserprintersandphotocopyingmachinesforprintingresumes,coverletters,andrelatedmaterials.
Personal Computers
Personalcomputersareavailableforyourjobhuntorcomputerizedoccupationalexploration.Varioussoftwareprogramsallowyoutolearnmoreaboutcolleges,occupations,employers,andjobs.Specialresumewritingsoftwarecanhelpyouprepareyourresumeandcoverletters.TheMontanaCareerInformationSystemincludesaskillsassessmentandinformationaboutschools,financialaid,militaryservice,andself-employment.Thesecomputersalsoprovideon-lineaccesstothousandsofjoblistingsonMontanaJobSource,America’sJobBank,oranumberofothersites.
Professional Career Guidance
Ifyouneedassistancegettingstartedwithanapplication,resumeortheInternet,orgeneraladviceonhowtogetbackintothejobmarket,you’llfindtrainedstafftoassistyou.
Montana Job Service Workforce Center DirectoryAnaconda Job Service
307 E. ParkAnaconda, MT 59711Telephone (406) 563-3444Fax Number (406) 563-7827E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/anaconda
Billings Job Service
2121 Rosebud Drive Stop BBillings, MT 59102-6274Telephone (406) 652-3080Fax Number (406) 652-0444E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/billings
Bozeman Job Service
121 North WillsonBozeman, MT 59715Telephone (406) 582-9200Fax Number (406) 582-9210E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/bozeman
Butte Job Service
2201 White Blvd.Butte, MT 59701Telephone (406) 494-0300Fax Number (406) 494-5481E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/butte
Cut Bank Job Service
501 East Main StreetCut Bank, MT 59427Telephone (406) 873-2191Fax Number (406) 873-5393E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/cutbank
Dillon Job Service
730 North Montana, Ste. #4Dillon, MT 59725Telephone (406) 683-4259Fax Number (406) 683-2903E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/dillon
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Glasgow Job Service
74 - 4th Street N.Glasgow, MT 59230Telephone (406) 228-9369Fax Number (406) 228-8793Job Hot-Line (406) 228-9523E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/glasgow
Glendive Job Service
211 S. KendrickGlendive, MT 59330Telephone V/TTY (406) 377-3314Fax Number (406) 377-5831Job Information Line (406) 377-5823 E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/glendive
Great Falls Job Service
1018 7th Street SouthGreat Falls, MT 59405Telephone (406) 791-5800Fax Number (406) 791-5889Job Hot-Line (406) 453-5556E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/greatfalls
Hamilton
Bitteroot Job Service274 Old Corvallis Road, Suite DHamilton, Montana 59840Telephone V/TTY (406) 363-1822Fax Number (406) 363-1823E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/hamilton
Havre Job Service
160 First AvenueHavre, MT 59501Telephone (406) 265-5847Fax Number (406) 265-1386Job Hot-Line (406) 265-1587E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/havre
Helena Job Service
715 Front StreetHelena, MT 59620-1505Telephone (406) 447-3200Fax Number (406) 447-3224Job Hot-Line (406) 447-3222E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/helena
Kalispell
Flathead Job Service427 First Avenue EastKalispell, MT 59901Telephone (406) 758-6200Fax Number (406) 758-6290TTY (406) 758-6296E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/kalispell
Lewistown Job Service
300 First Avenue NorthLewistown, MT 59457Telephone (406) 538-8701Fax Number (406) 538-7249E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/lewistown
Libby
Kootenai Job Service417 Mineral Ave. Suite 4Libby, MT 59923Telephone (406) 293-6282Fax Number (406) 293-5134Job Hot-Line (406) 293-6282 Option #1E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/libby
Livingston Job Service
220 East Park StreetLivingston, Montana 59047Telephone: (406) 222-0520Fax: (406) 222-1593TDD: (406) 222-1593E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/livingston
Miles City Job Service
12 North 10th StreetMiles City, MT 59301Telephone V/TTY (406) 232-8340 Fax Number (406) 232-6270Job Hot-Line (406) 232-6350 E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/milescity
Missoula Job Service
539 S. Third Street WMissoula, MT 59806Telephone/TTY (406) 728-7060Fax Number (406) 721-7094E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/missoula
Polson
Lake County Job Service417 B Main StreetPolson, MT 59860Telephone (406) 883-7880Fax Number (406) 883-4564Job Hot-Line (406) 883-3311 E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/polson
Shelby Job Service
202 Main StreetShelby, MT 59474Telephone (406) 434-5161Fax Number (406) 434-2351E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/shelby
Sidney Job Service
211 North CentralSidney, MT 59270Telephone (406) 433-1204Fax Number (406) 433-7453Job Hot-Line (406) 433-6665E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/sidney
Thompson Falls
Sanders County Job Service2504 Tradewinds Way, Suite #1Thompson Falls, MT 59873Telephone (406) 827-3472Fax Number (406) 827-3327Job Hot-Line (406) 827-4562 E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/thompsonfalls
Wolf Point Job Service
201 Main StreetWolf Point, MT 59201Telephone (406) 653-1720Fax Number (406) 653-1196Job Hot-Line (406) 653-1194E-mail: [email protected]://wsd.dli.mt.gov/local/wolfpoint
Montana Job Service Workforce Center Directory (continued)
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Therearemanydifferentwaystolookforemployment,andstaffattheJobServicecanhelpyoudeterminewhichwillworkforyou.Itisbesttotryseveralmethodstofindemployment.Ifonedoesn’twork,trysomethingelse.Remember,theharderyouworkandthemorepeopleyoucontact,themorelikelyyouaretofindwork.
Direct Contact:
Thedirectapproachisagoodidea.Developalistofbusinessesthatusuallyneedpeoplewithyourskillsandtrytogetajobinterview.TheMontanaDepartmentofLaborproducesseveralpublicationsthatcanhelpyououtinthisarea(seepage38).Gotothepersonnelofficeofthebusinessesonyourlistandasktospeakwiththepersonneldirector.Theywillknowwhenajobbecomesavailableandmaybeabletosetyouupwithaninter-view.Ifyoucannotscheduleaninterview,besuretoleaveyourresumeandacoverletter.Afteryouleave,continuetofollowupwiththepersonneldirectororanothercompanycontactonupcomingjobopenings.
Job Search Methods
Internet:
OneofthemostpowerfultoolsinthehandsofemployersandjobseekersistheInternet.TheInternetoffersanidealwaytobringemployersandemployeestogetherbecauseinformationcanbesharedsoquicklyandeasily.TherearethousandsofwebsitesontheInternetwhereyoucanlookforwork.OneofyourbestsourcesistheMontanaDepartmentofLaborandIndustryhomepageathttp://dli.mt.gov.Hereyouwillfindlabormarketinformation,listingsofJobServiceWorkforceCentersthroughoutthestate,Montana’sJobBank–MontanaJobSourceandlinkstootherDepartmentofLaborandIndustryservices.
Direct References:
Besuretotellyourfriends,familyandotherjobseekersaboutyourjobsearch.Theymayhaveinsideinformationaboutajobopportu-nity,orknowsomeonewhodoes.Askthemtoletyouknowiftheyhearaboutjobopenings.Thismethodcansometimesbeoneofthebestsourcesofjobleads.
Government Jobs:
AlargepercentageofjobsinMontanaaregovernmentemployment.Informationaboutfederalgovernmentjobopeningscanbefoundatwww.usajobs.opm.govorbycalling(912)757-3000.
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Ifonemethoddoesn’tworkforyou,tryanother.Ifyouthoughtyourinterviewwentreallywellandyoudidnotgetthejob,youmightconsidercontactingtheinterviewerandaskingiftherewasaparticularareaduringtheinterviewwhereyoucouldmakeimprovements.
Montana State Government
YoucanfindStateofMontanagovernmentjobopeningsatMontanaJobSourcehttps://jobs.mt.gov/jobs/login.seekoratJobLincwww.mtjoblinc.mt.gov.ToapplyforaStateofMon-tanajobyoumustsubmitaStateofMontanaApplicationforEmployment.Theformmaybedifferentforsomeagencies(StateFund,Universities,i.e.),socheckcarefullyonthejobvacan-cyannouncement.TheseformsareavailableatJobServiceofficesorcanbedownloadedfromthewebsiteslisted.Remembertoattachsupportingdocumentationwithyourapplication(transcripts,certificates,DD214ifyouareaveteran).Whenfillingoutyourapplication,keepinmindthatyoucanuseworkhistoryfrompaidwork,volunteerism,oranyjobsyouhaveheld,includingworkwhileyouwereincarcerated.Thevacancyannouncementmayalsostatethatyouneedtosubmitanswerstosupplementalquestions,aresume,transcripts,typingtestresultsorotherdocumentation,soreadtheannouncementcarefullyandsubmitallnecessarydocumentation.Itisalsoveryimportantthatyousignanddatetheapplication.Theapplica-tionsaredueby5p.m.ontheclosingdateandcaneitherbemailedtotherespectiveagencyordroppedoffatanyJobServiceWorkforceCenter.Remembertoallowtimeforthemailtobedelivered,astheydonotacceptpostmarksunlessstated.Itgenerallytakesafewweeksbeforeyouwillhearanything,sodon’texpectacallwithinadayortwo.
Newspaper “Help Wanted” Ads
Checkoutthehelpwantedadsinthenewspaper.Answeranyadsthatfityourinterestsandabilities,evenifyoudonotmeetallofthequalifications,sincesomecompaniestendtoexag-geratethenecessaryqualifications.Also,theemployermaynotfindanyonewhofitsallofthequalificationsortheemployermaylikequalitiesthatyoupossess.Mostadswillindicatehow
torespond—byphone,bymail,orinperson.Itisveryimpor-tanttodoastheadsays.Donotdelay—followuponeach
adquickly.Fromtimetotime,youwillfindgoodjobsadvertisedinthenewspaper,butdon’toverestimate
yourchancesoffindingajobthere.Keepinmindthatsomelistingsarenotemploymentopportunities,butcompaniesseekingtobuildaresumebaseortogatherinformationaboutthejobmarket.Also,be-wareof“noexperiencenecessary”ads.Whiletheseadspromisehighpay,theymayindicatecommissionworkoraninvestmentofmoneytosecureadealer-ship,franchisesaleskit,orotherbusinessventure.Ifitsoundstoogoodtobetrue,itprobablyis.
Persistence pays - keep trying and you’ll be hired.
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Job Application FormsMostemployerswillaskyoutocompleteanapplicationform.Theseformsarecriticaltoyourjobsearchbecauseemployersusethemtochoosepeopleforinterviews.Employersoftencom-plainthatapplicantsdonotproperlycompleteapplicationforms.
Bring the following information with you:
• addressandphonenumberwhereyoucanbecontacted-ifyoudonothaveyourownphone,provideanumberwhereyoucanreceivemessages
• socialsecuritynumber
• names,addressesandtelephonenumbersofpreviousemployerswithdatesofemployment,andstartingandendingwages
• listofschoolsubjectswhichmayhelpyouqualifyfortheposition
• names,addressesandtelephonenumbersforatleastthreereferences-askeachindividualforpermissiontousethemasareference
• driver’slicensenumber,unioncards,copiesoftranscripts,militarydischargepapersandotherrelevantinformation
Keepthisinformationuptodateandbringitwithyouduringyourcareersearch.Itwillsaveyoualotoftimeandshowexcellentorganizationalskills.
Tips For Completing Application Forms• Read and follow all directions carefully.
• Reviewthewholeformbeforestarting.
• Ask questions ifyouarenotsureaboutanythingontheform.
• Neatly print theinformationrequestedinblackorblueink,orifgiventheopportunitytoreturntheform,havetheinformationtyped.
• Checkspellingandgrammar.
• Do not leave any blank spaces. Ifanitemdoesnotapplytoyouindicate“none,”“notap-plicable,”or“N/A”intheblankprovided.
• Be specificaboutthejoborjobsforwhichyouareapplying.
• Be honest, don’t stretch your qualifications.Mostapplicationsrequireyoursignaturedeclaringthattheinformationyouhaveprovidedisaccurate.Applicationsarefrequentlyverifiedandlying on a job application form is usually grounds for dismissal.
• Be reasonable ifaskedtoprovideyoursalaryexpectations.Youmaywanttowrite“nego-tiable”toavoidunder-pricingorover-pricingyourselfbeforeyouevengetaninterview.
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Sample Job ApplicationPersonal InformationYourname,adress,andtelephonenumber.Ifyoudonothaveatelephone,youwillneedtogiveanumberwhereyoucanreceivemessages.
Name:HomeAddress:City,State,Zip:HomePhoneMessagePhone:SocialSecurityNumber:EmploymentObjective:
Emergencycontactnameandphone:
Work HistoryListworkexperiences.Youwillnedthenames,addresses,andtelephonenumbersofanyprevioussignificantemployers,thedatesyouworkedforthem,yoursupervisor’snames,yourjobtitles,startingandendingsalaries,andabriefdesciptionsofyourdutiesoraccomplish-ments.Beginwithyourmostrecentemployer.Youmaywanttoincludesummer,temporary,part-time,andvolunteerworkthatshowyouhaveskillsorintereststhatrelatetothejobyouareseeking.Youwillneedthesameinformationforpreviousemployers.
1.Employer Phone
Address: Startdatethroughenddate: Title
Startpay$/Endpay$ Supervisor
Dutiesandresponsibilities(Emphasizedutiesandresponsibilitiesthatapplytojobsforwhichyouareapplying).
Highlights(Includerecognitionyouhavereceived,projectscompleted,andresultsofyourwork).ReasonforLeaving
2.Employer Phone
Address: Startdatethroughenddate: Title
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Startpay$/Endpay$ Supervisor
Dutiesandresponsibilities(Emphasizedutiesandresponsibilitiesthatapplytojobsforwhichyouareapplying).
Highlights(Includerecognitionyouhavereceived,projectscompleted,andresultsofyourwork).ReasonforLeaving
3.Employer Phone
Address: Startdatethroughenddate: Title
Startpay$/Endpay$ Supervisor
Dutiesandresponsibilities(Emphasizedutiesandresponsibilitiesthatapplytojobsforwhichyouareapplying).
Highlights(Includerecognitionyouhavereceived,projectscompleted,andresultsofyourwork).ReasonforLeaving
Education and TrainingListtheschools,colleges,tradeschools,businessschools,andadulteducationprogramsyouhaveattended.Youmaywanttolistdiplomasyouhaveearnedateachschool,aswellastherelevantcoursework,activities,andawards.Beginwithyourmostrecenteducation.1.SchoolNameandAddress Startdatethroughenddate
Major
Degree
Activities,athletics,accomplishments,awards,honors,andmemberships.
Courses
2.SchoolNameandAddress Startdatethroughenddate
Major
Degree
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Activities,athletics,accomplishments,awards,honors,andmemberships.
Courses3.SchoolNameandAddress Startdatethroughenddate
Major
Degree
Activities,athletics,accomplishments,awards,honors,andmemberships.
Courses
Military ServiceIfyouhavehadmilitaryserviceexperience,includethebranchofservice,highestrankachieved,andtypeofdischarge.Besuretolistallotherdutiesortrainingthatrelatetotheworkyouareseeking.MakecopiesofyourDD-214andgiveittoemployerswhorequestit.Itisveryimportanttohavealistofyourtransferableskillsfrommilitaryworkintothecivilianworkforce.
Branch HighestRank
JobTitles StartDate
Dischargedateandstatus
Training
Skills and AccomplishmentsListspecialskillssuchastypingorcomputerandsoftwareknowledge,foreignlanguagesyouspeakorwrite,equipmentormachinesyoucanoperate;transferableskills,suchasdirectingtheactivitiesofothers,sellingorwritingtechnicalmanuals;specialcertificatesyouhavetooperatemachines,equipment,orvehicles;andcurrenthealthandsafetycards.OfficeEquipmentOtherEquipmentSpecialSkillsLicensesInterestsorhobbiesLanguagesMemberships
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Training and WorkshopsListTraining,seminars,andworkshopsyouhaveattended.Thismayincludeformeremploy-ers’trainingprogramsandworkshops.
Title Sponsor Date
Training
Certificates
Title Sponsor Date
Training
Certificates
Title Sponsor Date
Training
Certificates
ReferencesListthenames,titles,andtelephonenumbersofthreepeople(whoarenotyourrelatives)whohaveknownyouformorethanoneyear,preferablypeoplewhoknowyourskillsandabilitiesastheyrelatetowork.Besuretogetpermissionbeforereleasingtheirnamesandtelephonenumbers.Talktothemaboutyourjobsearchandgetafeelfortherecommenda-tionstheywillgiveyou.Donotlistrelatives.
1.NameTitleEmployerAddressPhone2.NameTitleEmployerAddressPhone3.NameTitleEmployerAddressPhone
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Cover LettersAlwayswriteacoverletterwhensendingyourresumetoaprospectiveemployer.Coverlettersare,insomeways,moreimportantthanresumes.Whileresumessummarizeyourqualifica-tions,coverlettersshouldsellyoutotheemployer.Youwantthelettertoconvincetheem-ployertotakeactiononyourresumeandinviteyouforaninterview.
• Thecoverlettershouldbeaddressedtoaspecificperson.Ifyoudon’tknowtheper-son’snameandtitle,callandask.
• Thecoverlettershouldbrieflyexplainwhyyouareinterestedinthecompanyandwhatyoucancontributetotheteam.
• Referenceyourenclosedresume.
• Thecoverlettershouldbebriefandtothepoint.
• Don’tusejargonorbetootechnical.
• Acoverletterhasthreesections:theintroduction,middle,andending.Normallyeachsectionislimitedtoonebriefparagraph.
• Themostimportantpointtogetacrossintheintroduction(firstparagraph)isyourreasonforwriting.(Seesamplecoverletter.)
• Themiddle(secondparagraph)coversyourmainqualificationsandaccomplish-ments,andthereasonsyouareinterestedinthejob.
• Theending(lastparagraph)isarequestforaninterview.Oneoptionistorestateyourinterestinthejoborthatyouwillcallnextweektoseeaboutsettingatimeforaninterview.
• Itisalwaysimportanttofollowupyourletterwithaphonecalltomakesuretheyreceivedyourapplicationpacketandtoseewheretheyareinthehiringprocess.
• Beforecalling,planwhatyouaregoingtosay.
• Payattentiontothetimeofdayyouarecalling;forexampledon’tcallarestaurantmanageratlunchtime.
• Themorecallsyoumake,themorecomfortableyouwillbecome.
A sample cover letter is included on the following page.
Inside Edition 23
Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
March29,2004
Mr.KennethD.Wilson
PersonnelManagerKwickLithoService,Inc.
1405BridgeStreet
Missoula,MT59851
DearMr.Wilson:
Yesterday,ItalkedwithMarkAndersen,yourrepresentativeattheMissoulajobfair.Fromourconversation,Ibecameveryinterestedinapplyingfortheoffsetpressoperatorposition.KwickLithoService,Inc.isaleaderinthefull-serviceprintingoperationandIameagertooffermyskillsingraphicdesignandpro-duction.
Currently,IamenrolledingraphicproductionclassesatTheUniversityofMontana.Mycourseworkhasincludedafullrangeofprintingtasksincludingdesign,three-coloroffsetandwebpressoperation,andtheuseofpre-sensitizedanddirect-imageplates.Aftercompletingthesecoursesnextmonth,Iwouldliketheopportunitytoputmytrainingintopracticeinapositionsuchastheonethatyouhaveadvertised.
WoulditbepossibletoscheduleatimewhenImightvisityou?IwouldliketotalkwithyouaboutmyqualificationsandmyinterestinworkingforKwickLithoService.
Sincerelyyours,
(skipfourspacesforyoursignature)
DanielHeidelburg
304NewburyStreet
Missoula,MT598512
Phone:406-555-6789
Sample cover letter
Copyright @2003, University of Oregon. All rights reserved. Created by intoCareers, a unit of the University of Oregon.
Montana information copyright @ 2003 Montana Career Information System. All rights reserved.
Inside Edition24
Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
• Yourresumeshouldincludeyourname,ad-dress,telephonenumber,workqualificationsandajobobjective.Listtheminanorderthatbestfitsyourgoalsandthejobinquestion.
• Giveasinglegoalorobjective.Beaimedatonejoboremployer.Ifyouhavemanyjobobjec-tives,youshouldwriteanewresumeforeachtypeofjob.
• Beskillsspecific.Don’tlistvaguequalitiessuchas“goodworkethic,”butdescribeactualachievementssuchas“reducedcompanydeficitby50percent.”Usespecificfigureswhenpos-sible.
• Yourresumeshouldhighlighttheareasofyourexperienceandtrainingthatmatchthejobre-quirements.Onepageofwell-organizedinforma-tionwillsaymoregoodthingsaboutyouthantwoorthreepagesofunnecessarydetails.
• Yourresumeshouldemphasizeyourstrengthsandminimizeyourweaknesses.
• Informationshouldbearrangedinaformatthatallowsaprospectiveemployertolearnalotaboutyouinashortperiodoftime.
• Manytimesanemployerhastolookatalotofresumesbeforeselectinga“fewresumes”tointerview.Yourresumeshouldhavegoodeyeappealandselltheemployeronyou.
• Havewhitespaceshowing.Iftheinformationistoodenselywritten,readersmaymissyourkeypoints.
• GiveyourresumethetimeandefforttomakeitPERFECTnotjustgood.Thiswillgiveemploy-erstheimpressionthatyoupayattentiontodetails.
• Ifyougetaninterviewwithoutsendingaresumeinadvance,besuretotakearesumetothein-terviewwithyoufortheinterviewertokeep.
• Considerthetypesofskillsandexperienceyourpotentialemployerwillbelookingfor,andem-phasizethoseinyourresume.
ResumesTheresumeisoftenthefirstcontacttheemployerhaswithyou,soyourresumeshouldbeeffectiveandattractivetomakeagoodfirstimpression.Resumesareabriefsnapshotofyourskillsandexperiences.Rememberthemainpurposeoftheresumeistolandaninterview.
• Employerscheckthedatesonyourresumelookingforgapsinemployment.Bepre-paredtoexplainanybreaksinemployment.
• Ifyouhavelargeemploymentgaps,useafunctionalresumeratherthanchronologi-cal.Bygivingdates,gapsofemploymentaremorenoticeableandalsocanrevealage,whichhasnobearingonabilities.
• Titlesheldandemployer’snamesaresellingpoints.
• Trynottousetheexpression“responsiblefor”and“dutiesincluded”oreven“self-employed.”Tellwhatyoudidusingactionverbssuchas“assistedcustomers,”or“re-pairedengines.”
• Listachievements.Workexperienceshouldnotbeonelongstatementofqualifiedac-complishments.Keepsentencesshortandto-the-point.
• Printyourresumeonahighquality,8½x11-inch,whiteorivorypaper.
• Resumesshouldbenomorethantwopagesinlength.Oneispreferable.Remember,thisisasnapshot,notabiography.
• Experimentwiththespacingofheadings,text,andmarginstoseewhatismostap-pealing.Beconsistentwithspacingandpunctuation.
• Resumeshouldbetypedwithnotypographi-cal,misspellingorgrammaticalerrors.
• Thereisnoonerightwaytowritearesume.Yourfinalproductwilldependonyou,yourbackground,andthetypeofpositionyouareseeking.
• Saveyourresumeinacomputerfileordisk,ifyoucan.Thiswillallowyoutoeasilychangetheresumetofiteachjobyouapplyfor.
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Resumescomeinseveraltypes.Thetwomostcommonlyusedresumesarechronologicalandfunctional.
Chronological Resume
Thechronologicalresumelistsworkexperienceinreversechronologicalorder,listingyourmostrecentexperiencefirst.Thisisthemostpopulartypeofresume,andemployersarefa-miliarwiththisstyle.Thisstyleisgoodtousewhenyouhaveasteadyworkhistoryandyourworkexperienceisrelevanttothejobyouareseeking.
Functional Resume
Functionalresumessummarizeandstressyourskillsandabilities,ratherthanyourworkhis-tory.Thistypeofresumeisgoodifyouhavelittleworkexperience,donothaveasteadyworkhistoryorwanttochangecareers.(Pages 35-36 show examples of chronological and functional
resumes.}
Whicheverstyleyouchoose,yourresumeneedstoconvincetheemployerthatyoucandothejob.Startsentenceswithactionverbssuchas:created,developed,andachieved.Don’tbeafraidto“tootyourownhorn.”However,remembertobehonestanddon’texaggerate,becauseemployersgenerallycheckreferences.Ifyouarehiredonfalsestatements,youcouldbefiredwhentheyarediscovered.
It’sbestnottoputthedateonyourresume,soyoucancontinuetouseitforalengthoftime.Includeanypersonalinterestsorprofessionalmembershipsthatmightindicateuseofskillsrelatedtothejobordemonstrategoodcharacter.
Ifyouhavenoworkexperience,listsummerjobs,extracurricularschoolactivities,honorsandawards;anddescribeoutsideactivitiesthatindicatetalentsandabilities.Donotforgetaboutvolunteerworkormilitaryexperience.
References
Atthebottomofyourresumeincludeonelinethatsays,“Referencesavailableuponrequest.”Referencesareimportant.Theyarepeoplewhocanvouchforyourskills,abilities,andchar-acter.Choosepeoplewhoknowyouwellandwillspeakhighlyofyou.Onceanemployerhascomethisfar,theymustbeconsideringyouseriouslyforthejob.Yourreferencescanmakethedifferencewhetheryouarehiredornot.
Preparealistofreferencesonaseparatesheetofpapertogiveoutwhenrequested.Putyournameatthetopofthepage(likeyourresumeandcoverletter)andincludethenames,titles,addresses,andphonenumbersofyourreferences.
Ifyouhaveworkexperience,formersupervisorsmakeexcellentreferences,asdoteachersifyouwererecentlyinschool.Personalfriendsmakegoodcharacterreferences.
Always contact the person before using them as a reference and bring them up to date on your recent work and education experiences.
Types of Resumes
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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
Sample Chronological Resume
GAIL BELLCAMP212 Maple LaneHelena, MT 59624 (406) 555-2377 (home)(406) 555-2389 (message)
OBJECTIVE
Full-time work as an Assistant Accountant.
EXPERIENCE
Accounting Clerk I, Helena College of Technology. February 1998 to present.· Maintain accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, and payroll for an operations
budget of $700,000.· Implement new ledger process and management procedures that save employee and
management time.
Machine Forming Operator. ABC Company, September 1990 to October 1998.· Readcomplexblueprintspecificationtoassemble,install,andaligndiesinpress.· Inspectedworkforconformancetospecificationsandmadenecessaryadjustments.· Received Zero Percent Error Award, 1996, 1997.
Machine Tool Cutting Operator. ABC Company, March 1986 to September 1990.· Observed, regulated and controlled all phases of operation.· Planned work process and sequence of operations using blueprints and 1ayouts.· Set up and operated automated cutting machine to cut metal stampings.
Set-Up Operator. ABC Company, February 1978 to March 1986.· Monitored gauges and dials to assure machines ran properly.· Set up and operated a variety of machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, and
drill presses, on a custom basis.· Performed routine maintenance, decreasing breakdowns by 40%.
EDUCATION
· Associate of Applied Science, Accounting Technology. July 1989 to December 1989. · Montana State University, Billings, MT. COMPUTER SKILLS Lotus 1-2-3, Excel.
REFERENCES
Available upon request.
Copyright @2003, University of Oregon. All rights reserved. Created by intoCareers, a unit of the University of Oregon. Montana information copyright @ 2003 Montana Career Information System. All rights reserved.
Inside Edition 27
Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
JAN MOSSIER1140 Franklin Boulevard Gardiner, Montana 59030
Home Phone: (406) 555-3773Message Phone: (406) 555-2224
OBJECTIVE
To gain a technician assistant position in computer manufacturing.
SUMMARY OF SKILLS
• Able to solve and repair electronic equipment. • Contribute to teams and create good work relationships.• Energetic, hardworking, willing to learn.• Basic understanding of IBM.
EXPERIENCE
ELECTRICAL SKILLS• Built a TV scrambler from a circuit board in electronics class. • Rewiredlamps,repairedplumbingandappliancesinhomemaintenanceprojects.• Operated power tools (saws, drills, sanders) to cut and help frame buildings.
BUSINESS SKILLS• Tracked and priced inventory with team to improve product availability to customers in
grocery store.• Greetedcustomersandhelpedthemtofindhard-to-locateitems.Cashieredandcalcu-
latedcashflowattheendofeachshift.
COMPUTER SKILLS Set up and entered personal budget on Excel, using IBM computer.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
• Stock Clerk/Cashier. Sunny’s Market (1999-Present)• Construction Helper. The Builder’s Group (Summers 1996-1998)
EDUCATION
Gardiner High School, Gardiner MT (1999)Related courses: drafting, basic electronics, management
Sample Functional or Skills Resume
Copyright @2003, University of Oregon. All rights reserved. Created by intoCareers, a unit of the University of Oregon. Montana information copyright @ 2003 Montana Career Information System. All rights reserved.
Inside Edition28
Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau
The Job InterviewTheinterviewisyouropportunitytopersonallyconvincetheemployeryou are the best person for the job.Remembertovolunteerinformationaboutlawviolationsonlywhenyouareasked.Ifyouhavelargegapsinemploymentbecauseofimprisonment,itisbesttodealwiththesegapshonestly.
Be prepared tobeturneddownmanytimesbeforereceivinganoffer.Evenwhenyouarenotchosen,remain polite andaskthattheykeepyouinmindforanyfutureopenings.It’spossiblethepersontheychoosewillturnthepositiondown,orafterashorttimejustwon’tworkout.
Soalwayskeepthedooropen,andremember that persistence pays.Ifyoufeelthatyouwouldreallyliketoworkforanemployer,checkbackwiththemfromtimetotime.Trytofindoutasmuchaspossibleaboutthecompanybeforetheinterview.Callthecompanyandaskforthereceptionisttosendyouacompanybrochure,aproductcatalog,oracorporatestatementifoneisavailable.
• Firstimpressionsareimportant.Peopleoftenmakeuptheirmindswhetherornottheywillhireapersoninaveryshortperiodoftime.
• Asageneralrule,dressfortheinterviewinthetypeofclothingwornbythebetter-dressedemployeesholdingsimilarpositions.
• Wearsomethingthatyouwillbecomfortablein,makingsureyourclothingisneat,clean,pressed,andfitsyouwell.
• Yourfingernailsshouldbetrimmedandclean,anditisalwaysagoodideatouseabreathfreshener.
• Avoidperfume,cologne,orafter-shave.
• Takeacopyofyourresume,anotebook,andapenwithyou.
• Youmaybeaskedtofilloutanapplication,sohaveallthenecessaryinformationwithyou.Asampleapplicationisprovidedinthisbook.Youcancompleteitandtakeitwithyou.
• Plantoarrive10-15minutesearly.Al-lowtimefortrafficorgettinglost.Evenifyourexcuseforbeinglateislegitimate,yourinterviewermayseeyouassomeonewhomakesexcuses.
• Ifsomethingdoesgowrong,callandlettheinterviewerknowthatyouwillbelate.
• Becourteoustoeveryoneyoumeet.Goodmannersshowrespectforyourselfandothers.
• Waitforaninvitationtobeseated.
• Nosmokingorchewinggum.
• Ifyouarenervous,rememberthattheymaybenervoustoo.
• Situpstraightandmaintaingoodeyecontact.
• Beconfidentandenthusiastic.Letthemknowthatyoureallywantthejob.
Asmuchaspossible,present negative information in a positive manner.Stressthatyouhavemadethebestofyoursituationandthatyouhaveagoodattitudeaboutyourexperience.
Agoodattitudeisimportantforanyjobhunter,butitisparticularlyimportantforapersonwithahistoryofproblemswiththelaw.Tellthemyouarewillingtoworkhard.
Trytoconveyconfidenceandenthusiasm.Ifyouarenervous,takeadeepbreathandfiguretheworstthatcanhappenisyoujustwon’tgetthis job.
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Think Positive!Employersvalueanemployeewithapositive work attitude.Accordingtoemployers,promis-ingemployeesarethosewhoareenthusiastic,friendly,motivated,andwillingtoaccepttaskspleasantly.Putyourselfinapositiveframeofmindbeforeyoumeetwithanemployer.Figureoutawaytoturnyourweaknessesintostrengths!
Attitude – Whetherornotyouenjoyajoboftendependsonyourattitudetowardit.Remember,yourattitudeiscontagious.Apositive attitude canmakeyourworkmoreenjoyable,andcanmakeyourcoworkersfeelgood.Ontheotherhand,anegativeattitudecanmakeajobmiserableforyou,andforeveryonearoundyou.
Respect - Treatotherpeoplelikeyouwantthemtotreatyou.Rememberyouhavetoearnrespectfromothers.Itisnot automatically given.Whenyouareworking,makesurethatgoodideasarecreditedtothepeoplewhocreatedthem.Ifyoumakeamistake,admitit.
Trytoanticipatethetypesofquestionstheinterviewermightaskyouandrehearseyouranswers.
Ifthesubjectofyourcriminalrecordcomesup,donotgointogreatdetailoruselegaltermsto
describeanyoffenses.Stresswhatyouhavelearnedfromyourexperiencesandthatyouhave
changed.Apossibleresponsetoaquestionaboutprisontimemightbe:
Yes,Ispentsometimeatthe_______correctionalfacility.Iwasyoung,andIdidsomedumb
thingsthatIregretnow.Ididalotofgrowingupinprison.Imetsomepeoplewhohelpedmea
lotandreceivedsomegoodjobtrainingthere.WhileIneverwanttogoback,itwasagoodlearn-
ingexperienceforme.
Ifyoudon’tunderstandaquestion,asktheinterviewertoclarify.Ifyoudon’tknowananswer,
behonestandjustsayso.Alsothinkaboutquestionsyoumightliketoasktheinterviewer,as
itshowsagenuineinterestinthecompanyandthepositionyouareseeking.Learnasmuchas
possibleaboutthecompanybeforeyouinterviewandknowwhatkindofpositionyouareseeking.
Aftereachinterview,thinkaboutwhatyoudidrightandwrongsoyoucanimproveinthefuture.
Themoreyouinterview,themorecomfortableyouwillbewithyournextinterview.Send the interviewer a short thank you note immediately after the interview.
Othertypicalquestionsmaybesomethinglike:
“Whatareyourstrengths/weaknesses?”
“Whatareyourlongrangecareergoals?”
“Whyareyouinterestedinworkingforthiscompany?”
SampleinterviewquestionsandanswerscanbefoundintheJobSearchsectionoftheMCIS
website,whichcanbeaccessedatyourlocalJobServiceWorkforceCenter.
Interview Questions
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Pre-Employment TestingSomeemployersmayrequireyoutocompleteatestoraseriesoftests.Testingcanprovideemployerswithinformationaboutyouraptitudes,interests,andpersonality.Somecompaniestestforgeneraltechnicalknowledgeorskillinaparticularareasuchastypingormath.Testresultsareusuallyoneofmanyqualifyingfactorsemployerslookatwhendecidingwhotohire.
Drug ScreeningManyemployersareconcernedabouttheeffectsofillicitdruguseonsafety,productivityandrelatedissues.Asamatterofpolicy,somecompaniestestjobapplicantsandcurrentemploy-eesfordruguse.Employersmayormaynottellyouinadvancethatdrugtestingisrequired.Someapplicationformswillincludestatements,information,orquestionsaboutalcoholanddruguse.Ifyourefusetotakeadrugtest,theemployermayrejectyourapplication.
Career GoalsInthepast,companieswerecommittedtohelpingtheirworkersdeveloptheskillstheywouldneedtoadvance.Today,thisresponsibilityisleftuptoyou,theemployee.Youshouldthinkofyourselfasworkingfor“MyCareer,Inc.”Youneedtoensurethatyourproduct(thatis,you)hasthebestcompetitiveadvantagesavailable.Yoursuccessdependsonyourwillingnesstolearnnewskillsandtosetgoalsforyourself.
Setting GoalsThefirststepinturninganydreamintoarealityistosetspecificgoals.Thinkaboutwhatyouwanttobedoinginoneyear,infiveyears,intenyears,intwentyyears.Ifyou’renotsurewhatyouwanttodo,startbylistingyourskillsandexperience.
Identify Your SkillsTohelpyouidentifyyourskills,youmaywanttowritea“super”resumewithdetaileddescrip-tionsofeveryjobyouhaveheld.Thesejobscanbepaidjobs,volunteerjobs,oractivitiesathome.Listalltheskillsyoulearnedandusedinthesejobs.Markwhichjobsandskillsyoulikethebestwithahighlighterorpen.Rememberthis“super”resumeisforyoualone,sodon’tworryaboutimpressinganyone.
List Potential JobsLookatthe“super”resumeyouhavecompleted.Youmarkedtheactivitiesandskillsyoulikethebest.Usethesemarkedskillstomakealistofjobsyouwouldliketohold.Somejobswillrequireskillsthatyoupossess,otherswillrequireyoutoimproveyourskillsorlearnnewonesentirely.Basedonthetypesofjobsyouwant,markthoseskillsyouwouldliketoimprove(withadifferentcolorhighlighterorpen).Behonestwithyourselfonwhatskillsyoudohaveandhowwellyoucandothem.
The PlanNowthatyouhaveanideaofwhichjobsyou’dlikeandwhichskillsyou’llneedtoimprove,youcanbegintoplanhowyou’llgetthere.Findoutwhichskillsarerequiredforeachjobandwhereyoucanlearntheseskills.Generally,youcan learntheseskillsatcolleges,vo-techcenters,atprivatetrainingproviders,onyourcurrentjob,fromyourcurrentemployerand/orfromyoursupervisorandcoworkers.
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Sofaryouhavelookedattheskillsyounowholdandtheskillsyouneedtoimproveorobtain.Nowyouneedtodecidewheretogetthetraining.Somejobsrequireadegree,acertificate,alicense,oragradefromarequiredcourse.Youshouldconsiderboththetimeandmoneyyourtrainingwilltakewhendecidingwheretoobtainsuchtraining.
Manycommunitycolleges,universities,andotherproviders,offercoursesthatcanhelpyoulearnmoreskillsforyourjob.Continuingeducationcoursesareoftenscheduledintheeve-ningsoronweekends.Manycomputerequipmentandsupplystoresoffercomputersoftwarecourses.Makesureyourtrainingcoursesarelegitimateandaccredited.It’syourtime,money,andeffort;makesureitpaysoff.Remember,manycollegesnowofferon-linecourses.Ifthetrainingyouneedisnotofferedlocally,youmightbeabletotakeclassesathomeonyourcom-puter.
Rememberthatanytrainingdependsonyourattitude.Beopentolearningandyoucansur-priseyourselfwiththenewskillsandabilitiesyouobtain.Remembertheteacher,aswellasyourclassmates,canalsoberesourcesforyou.
The Montana Career Information System is available at all Job Service Centers and on the Internet, and can be used in many ways.
Where Can I Get The Training I Need?
• Lookuptheoccupationsyouwanttoexploreandfindouttheskillsneededandtheprogramsofstudyrelatedtoeachoccupation.
• Findalistoftheschoolsandtrainingprovidersinyourstateofferingthatparticulartraining.
• UsetheSchoolSorttodevelopalistoftwo-andfour-yearcollegesthatoffertrainingintheprogramofstudyyouwant.
• UsetheOccupationSortcomponenttofindalistofoccupationsthatmatchyourpreferredworksettingandneeds.
• Build/Createaresume.
• Jobhuntingtips,tools,andresourcestoassistyouinobtainingtrainingandemployment
Other Career Preparation OpportunitiesAdult Basic Education (ABE)
AdultBasicEducationisaprogramwhichprovideseducationalservicestoadultswholackbasicliteracyskills(reading,writing,language,math,andotherskills).Adultsage16orolderwhoarenotfull-timestudentsforthepurposesofMontanapublicschoolABEcomputationareeligibletoreceiveABEservices.
Mostcommunitiesofferinstructionalprogramsforadultsbeyondtheageofcompulsoryschoolattendancewhowanttoimprovetheirbasicskills.SomeABEstudentsstudytocompletetheGeneralEducationDevelopment(GED)testrequirements.TheGEDcanleadtoahighschoolequivalencycertificateordiplomawhichisgenerallyacceptedinplaceofahighschooldiploma.
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Distance Learning
Collegesnationwidearebeginningtoofferfully-accreditedcoursesviatelecoursesandtheIn-ternet.Themaindifferencebetweendistancelearninganda“regular”courseisthatyoulearnbywatchingtelevisionprogramsoraccessingdataontheInternetratherthanattendingon-campuslectures.Youregisterwithacollegejustasyouwouldforaregularcourse.Theadvan-tageisthatyoudecidehowtofitstudytimeintoyourbusyschedule.Distancelearningoffersflexibility,makingacollegeeducationpossibleevenifyouhaveafull-orpart-timejob,can’tmakeittocampus,orhavefamilyresponsibilities.
GED Program
TheGEDTestingProgramwasestablishedin1942bytheAmericanCouncilonEducation,aprivate,nonprofitassociationofcollegesanduniversities,toprovideadultswholeftschoolforavarietyofreasonsareputable,fair,andcosteffectivemeansofdocumentingtheyhaveachievedhighschoollevelacademicskillsandknowledge.TheGEDTestingProgramisacooperativelyadministeredanddeliveredprogrambetweentheAmericanCouncilonEducation(ACE)/GEDTestingService(GEDTS),state/provincialdepartmentsofeducation,andlocaltestcenterswhichareestablishedfollowingACE/GEDTSguidelines.
Job Corps
JobCorpsisafederally-funded,residentialtrainingprogramforyoungpeople.Morethan100JobCorpsCentersnationwideofferyouthanopportunitytoincreasetheirbasicskills.Mon-tanaresidentsareeligibletoattendtrainingatoneoftheregionalcenterswhichofferprogramsinawidevarietyofoccupations.TobeeligiblefortheJobCorpsprogram,youmustbebetweentheagesof16and24.
Other Career Preparation Opportunities (Continued)
Apprenticeship Training Program
Apprenticeshipisanorganized,formaltrainingsysteminwhichworkerslearnaskilledtradethroughacombinationofon-the-jobtrainingandrelatedtechnicalinstruction.Oneadvantageofapprenticeshipoverothertypesofvocationaltrainingisthattheapprenticegetspaidwhilelearning.Theaverageapprenticestartsat50%oftheskilledworkerrate,andworksonapro-gressivepayschedule,earningatleast85%oftheskilledworkerratebythelastsixmonthsoftheapprenticeship.Apprenticeshipslastfromtwotofiveyears,dependingonthetrade.
TofindoutwhichoccupationsareapprenticeableinMontana,andforinformationonworkingconditions,wages,currentandprojectedemployment,visit:http://mcis.dli.mt.gov/apprentice.asp. OrcontacttheMontanaApprenticeshipTrainingProgramat:
P.O. Box 1728Helena, MT 69624
(406) 444-3998
TheMontanaApprenticeshipTrainingProgramisnotahiringagency.Theycanprovideyouwithinformationonlocalsponsors,wagesbygeographicarea,apprenticeshiphoursrequiredandpayincreaserates,buttheycannotgetyouajob.Tofindoutaboutspecificapprentice-shipopportunities,contactyourlocalJobServiceWorkforceCenter(listedonpages13-14).
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Vocational Rehabilitation
VocationalRehabilitationisastate/federalpartnershipwhichhasbeenworkingsuccessfullyformorethan76yearsinhelpingeligiblepersonswithdisabilitiesobtainandmaintainemploymentandliveindependentlyintheircommunities.TheVocationalRehabilitationprogramhasenjoyedstrongbipartisansupportbecauseofitspositiveimpactsuponthelivesofpersonswithdisabili-tiesanduponsocietyingeneral.
For more information on any of these programs, contact your local Job Service Workforce Center.
Tips for Keeping Your JobCongratulations! Now that you have a job - hang on to it.
Your employer expects you to:• Be on time-everyday.• Displayapositive andcooperative attitude.• Dotheextrathings-give 110%.
• Beflexible,workwithyouremployerifsituationschange.
• Work at work -leaveyourpersonallifeathome.
• Useyoursickleaveonlywhenyouarereally sick.• Keeplearning,look for opportunities toadvanceyourself.• Ifyouwillbelateormisswork,call your employer.• Weartheproper clothing – if you don’t know, ask!• Ask questions -ifyoudon’tunderstandsomething,askforabetterexplanation.
• Respect Others-Coworkerswillrespondbyrespectingyou.• Admit your mistakes-Youwilllearnmoreandbebetteratyourjob.Peoplerespectthose
whoownuptotheirmistakes.
• Use appropriate language-Don’triskoffendingothersandcreatingahostileworkenvironment.
Other resourcesUnemployment Insurance Office
Unemploymentcompensationisasocialinsuranceprogramde-signedtoprovidebenefitstomostindividualsoutofwork,generallythroughnofaultoftheirown,forperiodsbetweenjobs.Inordertobeeligibleforbenefits,joblessworkersmustdemonstratetheyhaveworked,usuallymeasuredbyamountofwagesand/orweeksofwork,andmustbeableto,availablefor,andactivelyseekingwork.
Theunemploymentcompensationprogramisbaseduponfederallaw,butadministeredbystatesunderstatelaw.
AllunemploymentinsuranceservicesinMontanaareprovidedbyphonethroughlocalUnemploymentInsuranceCenters.
Unemployment Insurance
Telephone Centers
Billings406-247-1000
Helena406-444-2545
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Veteran’s Benefits
Veteranswithservice-connecteddisabilityincomecontinuetoreceivebenefitsunlessanduntilconvictedofafelonyandincarceratedfor60daysormore.Veteranswithnon-service-connect-eddisabilitylosebenefitsifconvictedofeitherafelonyoramisdemeanorandincarceratedfor60daysormore.Veterans’healthbenefitsarenotavailablewhileincarcerated,butareavail-abletosomeonewhoisonprobation,parole,workreleaseorahalfwayhouse,orinastatehospital.
Will your benefits be automatically resumed when you get out of prison?
YourawardforcompensationorpensionbenefitsshallberesumedonthedateofreleasefromincarcerationiftheDepartmentofVeteransAffairsreceivesnoticeofreleasewithinoneyearfollowingrelease.Dependingonthetypeofdisability,theVAmayscheduleyouforamedicalexaminationtoseeifyourdisabilityhasimproved.TheVeteransAdministration(VA)requireswrittenproofthattheindividualisnolongerincarceratedtorestartbenefits.Thiscanbesup-pliedtooneofthe58VARegionalOfficeswhenrequestingreinstatements.Formoreinforma-tioncallyourlocalVeteran’sofficeat1-800-827-1000orvisityourVeteran’srepresentativeatyourlocalJobServiceWorkforceCenter.Seeofficelistingsonpages23-24.
MT Dept. of Corrections - Prison Industry ProgramMontanaCorrectionalEnterprises(MCE)providesworkandtraining,throughvocationaleducationclasses,formorethan325eligibleinmates.MCEoperatesfourprograms,includingemploymentinranchindustries,dairyindustries,canningindustriesandtheproductionoflicenseplates,signs,furni-tureandupholsterymanufacturing,aswellastelemarketing,printing,andlaundryservices.
Contact: Sharon Sager
Montana Correctional Enterprises350 Conley Lake RoadDeer Lodge, MT 59722406-846-1320 ext 2323406-846-2957 faxe-mail: [email protected]: www.cor.state.mt.us
Contact: Judy Little
Adult Community Corrections DivisionMontana Department of Corrections
5 South Last Chance GulchHelena, MT 59620
406-444-4910e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.cor.mt.gov/commcor/default.mcpx
Work Release Program/Pre-Release Program
AdultCommunityCorrections,adivisionoftheMontanaDepartmentofCorrections,supervisestheAdultPre-releaseUnit.Theunitcontractswithfivenon-profitpre-releasecentersforhousing,treat-ment,andsupervisionofbothmaleandfemaleinmates.Inmatesareexpectedtoworkinthecom-munityaftertheirtransfertothisunit.TheMon-tanaDepartmentofCorrectionshastheauthoritytoassignanyinmatetocommunitysupervision,includingplacementinapre-releasecenter,afteranadministrativereviewbythedepartment.
Montana Department of Corrections Resources5 South Last Chance GulchP.O. Box 201301Helena, MT 59620-1301
Ph: 406-444-3930Fax: 406-444-4920Website: www.cor.mt.gov
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Using Labor Market Information
TheMontanaDepartmentofLaborandIndustry’sResearchandAnalysisBureauisYOURsourcefortimelyandaccuratelabormarketinformation.Usethelistingsbelowtotakeadvan-tageofthepublicationsavailableinprintorontheweb.Ifyoudon’tfindwhatyouneed,giveusacallandwe’lldoourbesttohelpyoufindthelabormarketinformationyouneedtohelpmakeyourworkforcerelateddecisions.
Career Related Information:
Montana Career Guide–Designedforhighschoolseniorsandgraduates,thispublicationprovidesinformationaboutcollegesanduniversities,financialaidforschool,occupationaloutlookandwages,andavarietyofcareerplanninginformation.
Online Career Information:
Apprenticeable Occupations in Montana–Listsalloccupationswithactiveapprenticeshipprogramsinthestateaswellascurrentemployment,wageandjoboutlookinformation.AvailableontheCareerResourceNetworkwebsiteathttp://mcis.dli.mt.gov/apprentice.asp
Licensed Occupations in Montana–ListslicensinginformationforalloccupationsinMontanarequiringlicensure.Includescurrentemployment,wageandjoboutlookinformation.AvailableontheCareerResourceNetworkwebsiteathttp://mcis.dli.mt.gov/licensed_occupations.asp
Informational Wage Rates by Wage and Occupation –SummarizesaveragehourlyandannualpayfornonfarmprivateandpublicsectoroccupationsandalsoshowsU.S.average.
Job Projections for Montana’s Industries and Occupations–Informationonwherejobsareandwherethey’llbeinthefuture.Basedpartlyonpastemploymenttrendsandthelikelihoodthatthosetrendswillcontinue.IncludesbothU.S.andMontanaprojections.
www.ourfactsyourfuture.org
Legal Assistance
Freeorlow-costlegalresources,bothincivilandcriminallaw,arehelpfultoindividualswithcriminalhistoriesinlearningaboutrelevantstatelawsgoverningtheexpunge-mentorsealingofcriminalhistoriesoraddressingotherlegalissuesresultingfromhavingacriminalhistory.
Contact: The State Bar of MontanaP.O. Box 577Helena, MT 59624406-442-7660406-442-7763 faxe-mail: [email protected]: montanabar.org
TheProbationandParoleBureau,alsoundertheauspicesofAdultCommunityCorrections,supervisesmorethan8,700adultprobationersandparolees.AdultCommunityCorrectionsad-ministerstheIntensiveSupervisionProgram(ISP),aspecializedformofadultprobationandparolelasting6to9months.ISPusesaheightenedlevelofsupervision,monitoringdevices,andclosescheduling.ISPoffendersliveathome,holdorseekjobs,andliveundergreatersupervisionthanotherprobationersandparolees.
Contact: Ron Alsbury, Probation and Parole Bureau Chief
1535 11th AvenueP.O. Box 201301Helena, MT 59620-1301406-444-9529e-mail: [email protected]
Division of Adult Community Corrections
P. O. Box 1728Helena, MT 59624-1728www.ourfactsyourfuture.org
Phone: (406) 444-2430Toll-free: (800) 541-3904
Fax: (406) 444-2638
1,000 copies of this public document were produced at an estimated cost of $2.31 per copy, for a total cost of $2,305.46, which includes $2,305.46 for printing and $0.00 for distribution.
B U R E A U
www.careers.mt.gov
MONTANA CAREERRESOURCE NETWORK
Department of Labor and Industry