a job hunting guide for montanans with criminal records

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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Montana Department of Labor and Industry - Research and Analysis Bureau

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)

Inside Edition 15


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.

Inside Edition16


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.

Inside Edition 17


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.

Inside Edition18


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


Inside Edition 19





3.Employer Phone





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

Inside Edition20



Courses3.SchoolNameandAddress Startdatethroughenddate

Major

Degree


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

Inside Edition 21


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

Inside Edition22


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


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


• 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.

Inside Edition 25


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

Inside Edition26


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


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


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.

Inside Edition 29


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

a job hunting guide for montanans with criminal records

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