If you are interested in the advanced services we offer, you must obtain a Service Card and schedule an appointment with an Intake Specialist.  Advanced services include:

There are five core Job Search Workshops. This workshop series is designed to teach job seekers everything needed for a successful job search from the beginning of the process to the end. The workshops are offered in sequence, and the series begins every two weeks. Completion of all five workshops grants you the opportunity to participate in the enhanced Personal & Professional Development Workshops. The five core Job Search Workshops are held from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. For a schedule of all Workshops, check the Events Calendar.

Research & Networking

Learn how to research yourself (skills and accomplishments), and companies (by industry, region, and the names of decision makers.) Find the “Hidden Job Market” by developing networking contacts. Learn how Illinois workNet can assist in the research process.

You must attend this workshop in order to attend remaining workshops in the series.

Resume, References, and Cover Letters

Learn effective resume formats and the value of targeted resumes. Understand the importance of references. Receive examples of cover and thank you letters, plus information on the subject of salary history.

Telephone Job Search Skills

Learn telephone techniques to cold call employers, tap into the “Hidden Job Market,”  and ace the telephone screen. Get tips on how to project a positive voice image via the phone.

Interviewing Skills

Learn effective face-to-face interviewing techniques, the methods and types of interviews, and how to answer behavioral-based questions.

Negotiation Skills

Learn techniques that are crucial to salary and benefit negotiation, including researching potential salary using current and accurate labor market information.

Personal & Professional Development Workshops  cover different topics related to job retention, workplace issues, career assessment, etc. each month. In order to attend these workshops, each of the five core Job Search Workshops must be completed.

Career Counseling  is available for individuals who are unsure about what type of job to pursue, are considering a career change, need assistance in developing an appropriate employment/training plan, etc. This type of assistance is provided in one-on-one appointments with an Assessment Counselor.

A Career Exploration Workshop is also offered for individuals in need of career guidance. Participants are scheduled to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment at least one week prior to participating in the workshop. The workshop provides participants with:

- A list of career characteristics and job activities that are often rewarding to someone with the same “type” as the participant

- A client’s “type” description with an emphasis on career characteristics

- A list of the 50 careers with the highest percentage of the participant’s “type”

- A list of the 20 careers with the lowest percentage of the participant’s “type”

- A commentary on type preferences as they relate to the various tasks of career exploration, such as gathering information and decision-making

Workforce Investment Act (WIA)Training Grants can be issued to eligible individuals who are lacking the skills or certifications needed to obtain full-time employment. These scholarships can be applied toward a wide range of occupational/vocational training programs offered at WIA-approved schools/training providers.

You can view the list of State approved training providers and programs in the Quick Links section. In the Quick Links section you can also: view information on how to put together research for your Career Counselor on the type of training you are interested in; research occupations, types of training, etc. through the Illinois workNet website.

Case Management  begins after an individual has received a training grant. Training grants are issued by Career Services Counselors, and, once a student has received a grant, his/her partnership with their Counselor continues until he/she has obtained full-time employment. Through ongoing monthly communication, Counselors help ensure that training is progressing smoothly. They also monitor grant recipients’  ongoing needs by tracking job search progress and employment status.

Parents Alliance Employment Project (PAEP) offers Job Training/Development/Coaching Services for eligible individuals. For more detailed information on PAEP, please view www.parents-alliance.org/.

Job Training and Preparation

Assist individuals with disabilities in seeking employment to develop skills, attitudes, interpersonal skills, work behaviors, and functional capacities to achieve identified employment outcomes.

Job Development and Placement

PAEP staff use assessment information about each participant seeking employment to target the types of jobs available from potential employers in the local labor market. Job development activities include contacting employers and building networks to develop and identify job opportunities, completing work-site analysis, negotiating job carving or other job accommodations, and assisting the individual in finding jobs and employers well-matched to their employment goals.

Job Coaching and Support Services

Once an individual is placed into employment, PAEP provides job training and coaching services to ensure long-term success on the job. Job-site training services include assisting the individual with performance on the new job task and helping him/her understand the job culture and industry practices.