If you lost your job in a recent layoff, you are eligible for some of the federally-funded services provided through the workNet DuPage Career Center, including workshops and a possible $10,000 grant for upgrading your skills or certifications.
Training Grants
You may be eligible to receive a WIOA occupational training grantfor up to $10,000 to be used to go back to school in order to upgrade your professional skills or obtain a professional certification.
Individualized Assistance
You can receive one-on-one assistance with updating your resume, or with practicing for job interviews.
Job Search Workshops
Our job search workshops will teach you how to prepare for your job search, the best resume format to use, interview skills, how to make the most of LinkedIn, and more.
Here are 10 Things You Must Do to Get Through Your Layoff and Begin Searching for Your Next Job.
Losing your job is not your fault. The company made the decision to eliminate jobs, not you. You will feel a range of emotions as you experience job loss grief; denial, shock, anger, depression, etc. Share your feelings with friends and family so you can move forward and start developing your job search strategy.
Apply for unemployment insurance and register with Illinois JobLink right away. This will provide a foundation for conducting your job search.
Look into health insurance coverage options. Ask your former employer about rules and costs under COBRA, check out insurance options on the marketplace under the Affordable Care Act and/or look into an individual health insurance plan.
Develop a new daily routine that includes a set time each day for your job search. Stick to your plan and don’t derail your job search by lack of action. It will take a great deal of focus and determination to not only launch into action, but to stay active in the process.
Start your job search by researching companies and job opportunities. Determine if additional training, education or professional certifications are necessary for you to become re-employed. workNet DuPage can assist you with this research, and you may be approved for a WIOA training grant that you can use to get occupational training or a certification.
Start updating your resume. When applying for jobs make sure you are tailoring your resume and cover letter for the specific position you are applying for. If you need assistance with your resume contact workNet DuPage Career Center and sign up for the Job Search Boot Camp. This 4-day program will get you ready to look for a job in this highly competitive market!
Conserve your money. Develop a new monthly budget and look where you can cut unnecessary spending and stick to the budget.
Contact your creditors, mortgage company, landlord, car loan, insurance, utilities and credit cards. Explain you have been laid off and ask if you can go on a reduced monthly payment plan until you find employment.
Don’t throw all your eggs in one basket. You find the perfect job, apply for it and get an interview, maybe a second or third interview. You start thinking a job offer is coming any day and then a rejection letter arrives in your inbox. Continue to apply for jobs while you are interviewing!
Look into volunteer opportunities. Not only will volunteering keep you active, but will provide networking and potential employment opportunities!
Questions?
If you have questions about any of this, please feel free to contact Susi Pihera at: spihera@worknetdupage.org or 630.955.2041
Peek Inside: At this location, we offer our customers a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, from CNC machining all the way to complete product assembly and fulfillment.
Fun fact about our company: a robot works right alongside our machinists to produce parts with quality and efficiency!
You would like to work at our company if
you are interested in the wide range of evolving technologies, processes and creativity that go into the world of modern manufacturing.
In the next year, we expect to hire CNC machinists
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma and vocational or technical training in machining. We offer additional on-the-job training once a new machinist with the foundational skills and experience joins the team so they can continue to master their craft.
Our best machinists have: a passion about the art and science that goes into taking a raw piece of metal or plastic and forming it into a high-precision design.
CNC Machinists From this position, you could grow into
Master Machinist
Machining Business Manager
Owner of your own machining business
In the next year, we expect to hire Assembly Operators
To get that job, you typically need a high school diploma, a mechanical aptitude and a willingness to learn and closely follow processes and work instructions.
Our best assembly operators are eager learners and pay attention to details. They enjoy working on different types of mechanical work every day.
Assembly Operators From this position, you could grow into
lead operator
supervisor
manufacturing manager
FEATURED ORGANIZATION:
Company Name: The Jel Sert Company
DuPage Location: West Chicago, IL
Total number of employees in DuPage: 900 during peak season
Peek Inside
The Jel Sert Company is a leading manufacturer of food and beverage products. For the past 20 years, our team has been dedicated to establishing an exemplary manufacturing infrastructure that supports the needs of some of the world’s largest Consumer Packaged Goods and pharmaceutical companies.
Jel Sert is committed to providing employees with development opportunities as we are invested in their long term success and advancement within the organization. An individual development plan assists employees in career and personal development and allows employees to reach short and long term career goals.
You would like to work at our company because
We are committed to attracting the best talent and developing our employees to exceed their potential. Our employees take pride in their work and are always looking for ways to contribute their ideas, skills, experience, and passion. We reward and value creativity, professionalism, teamwork, honesty, and longevity.
In the next year, we expect to hire 2-3 technicians
To get this job, you typically need a Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with electrical, hydraulics, programming, and mechanical PLCs is required.
We pay $2.00 per hour shift differential for all time worked on 3rd shift. *Rate of pay depends on one’s experience, education, and skills.
Our best technicians have: Strong mechanical and electrical skills Additionally, someone that takes pride in their work, is honest, creative in their ideas, and works as a professional in a team environment.
All Technicians are sent to College of DuPage for classes. Technicians are scheduled for a series of six mechanical and six electrical classes. Classes are during work hours, so Technicians are paid for their time in class. We adjust their hours to spend half their shift on the floor and the balance in the class. Jel Sert pays for this training which includes classroom and lab work. All Technicians are involved in this training despite their experience level.
TECHNICIAN
From this position, you could grow into