Job Search Assistance: Making Dreams a Reality

Noticeable shifts can be seen in the employment market over the last decade. Gone are the days of help wanted ads in the local newspaper and notices on the post office bulletin board. Today, even entry-level jobs require training, education, or both — things that take time and financial commitment. Career Link is here to help. We have developed innovative programs for those ages 16 and up. From assistance obtaining a GED to consultation following a large corporate layoff, we have the pleasure of connecting individuals with the proper combination of resources to succeed. Career Link offers Independent Career Services, with no eligibility requirements and Collaborative Career Services, which has eligibility requirements. 

Independent Career Services

Our Independent Career Services are open to the public at our many Central Illinois offices. Career Link's Resource Centers have information on all aspects of job seeking. They offer free access to computers that can be used for creating, printing, and faxing resumes as well as searching the internet for job leads. Career Link staff members are available to advise you on how to write a resume and cover letters or help you save your resume in your email to easily apply for jobs online. We also use these rooms to post notices of local hiring events and supportive services available in our area. Some individuals searching for employment may realize they need to enhance their skills to become more marketable. Career Link can help you explore your options for retraining (see Collaborative services).

Resource Centers in Peoria and Normal are open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All other locations close at noon and reopen at 1 p.m. Job seekers who have applied for unemployment insurance are required to register with Illinois Job Link. Our staff can assist you with this web-based system alongside IDES staff who are on-site at both our Peoria and Normal locations. Auxiliary aids and services are also available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

We recommend the following websites as resources to find local jobs:

Illinois Job Link 

Illinois businesses are hiring, and they are looking for workers on Illinois Job Link. The state's hiring board features more than 100,000 help-wanted ads. Job seekers can build multiple resumes to emphasize different skills and experiences. This site is best accessed with Google Chrome or Firefox browsers.

Indeed.com

Indeed aggregates job listings from thousands of websites, including job boards, staffing firms, associations, and company career pages, giving you a higher chance of finding the right job for you.

CareerBuilder.com

Use CareerBuilder to search for jobs or careers using 13 different criteria, or post resumes and let employers with job openings find you.

Community Colleges

Community college staff can also help job seekers explore options for training. Check with your local community college about their available career services. If you have previously attended other colleges or universities, you may be entitled to career services.

Collaborative Career Services

You must be eligible to receive Collaborative Career Services from Career Link. Career guidance and assessment are available for those who are unsure about what job to pursue or are considering a career change. This assistance is provided in one-to-one appointments with a certified career planner. Through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant, Career Link can pay for you to attend local occupational training programs to learn new skills or earn a professional certification. Are you interested in learning and earning while you're working? We offer On-the-Job Training assistance.

Who is eligible for Collaborative Career Services?

  • Low income and/or receiving public assistance (SNAP, TANF, SSI)?
  • Are you unemployed through no fault of your own, eligible/receiving/exhausted your unemployment benefits?
  • Have you been affected by a business closure or substantial layoff?
  • Applicants under age 25, please see additional ways someone can be determined eligible on the Youth page.

If you can answer yes to one of these three questions, click below to apply today!

Apply Now

If you need assistance filling out these forms, please call 309.321.0260.