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Posts identified for our e-newsletter, “Hot Jobs and Business Resources.”

We can help you navigate through the job hunt jungle!

Typing Information

Job Search isn’t easy, but it is a whole lot easier if you ‘own’ the tools you need to be productive.

Let’s talk about the job search tools you’ll need to perform successful job search:

  • A phone number the employer can call, yours or maybe a neighbor.
  • An email account to communicate with potential employers:
  • Do’s and don’ts when creating and using an email account:
    • DO NOT use your personal email account.
    • Create a new one you use only for Job Search.
    • DO use a professional email name…keep it simple and professional.
    • DO NOT use account names like ‘fortnitedestroyer33433@gmail.com’. It would probably indicate to an employer you are a ‘gamer’ who might be ‘tired’ from staying up all night playing, not a good choice.
  • A word processor to read and write resumes, cover letters, and other documents needed during the interview/hiring process.
  • Microsoft offers ‘free’ and ‘paid’ versions of 365 that include the tools you need, including email, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
    • Check out this article https://www.howtogeek.com/667717/how-to-get-microsoft-office-for-free/
    • If you are a student or teacher, your 365 can be free.
    • If not, you still can get a free version from Microsoft.com, it is a limited version but its ‘yours’ forever and very helpful for your job search:
      • You can only access it from the web (no download or offline version)
      • But you can have free storage for your resumes and letters in the ‘onedrive’ storage provided.
    • If someone in your family already has Microsoft 365 ‘Family’ Home Plan ($99/yr), this is meant to be shared with (6) six people in the family and this is a ‘full’ version. If they add you, you will have your own account and email. Consider splitting the cost with them, especially when you get back to work
    • The article above also includes ‘other’ non-Microsoft options like Google Docs and Apple iWork. Check it out and create your own Job Search tools that you can take with you.

Always remember: to protect your data! ALWAYS log out…don’t allow someone else to access your tools and ruin all your hard work.

Attention Out-of-School Youth Ages 16-24!

CareerSource Southwest Florida’s DESTINATION⇒CAREER$ program provides youth, ages 16 – 24, who are out-of-school, with access to quality education and job opportunities.
How? Through individualized guidance, continued support for educational attainment, and opportunities for skills training for in-demand industries and occupations. All culminating with a good job along a career pathway or enrollment in post-secondary education.

The iCareer pathway passport, which includes work-based learning, is promoted through Work Experience, On-the-Job Training (OJT), job shadowing, internships and short-term occupational skills training.

What is my first step?  Contact a workforce professional at a location nearest you to schedule a one-on-one appointment to learn what options are available to you.
Please use our COVID-19 Career Services Form to schedule an appointment, click this link to access the form.
Click on the following link for a list of the CareerSource Southwest Florida centers:  Locations

What do I bring to the appointment?

  • Photo identification
  • Social security card or other proof of social security number
  • Males born on or after January 1, 1960 must be registered for the selective service.  Online registration is available at the following link:  https://www.sss.gov 

What services are available?

  • Career exploration = $
  • Workshops on how to write resumes, apply and interview for jobs = $
  • How to decide how much money you want to earn throughout your career = $
  • How to increase your earning potential = $
  • General Equivalency Diploma attainment = $
  • Technical skills training = $
  • Work based training where you can earn while you learn = $
  • How to budget and maximize the money you earn = $

All our services are at no cost to you.

Let us help you with career advice and tips on your job search by following us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and “Like” us on Facebook.

Available Business Services

CareerSource Southwest Florida is temporarily providing virtual services while closing public access to its career centers.  Staff is providing information and assistance via our website, telephone, text and email.

The following is a list of Employer Workforce-Related Resources.

Do you have immediate job openings to fill? Let us help you get the word out.
Send job titles, how to apply, wage information and city where work will be performed to bussvc@URL.  

Short Time Compensation Program for Employers:
The Short Time Compensation program helps employers retain their workforce in times of temporary slowdown by encouraging work sharing as an alternative to layoff.

This program permits prorated reemployment assistance benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a Short Time Compensation plan to avoid total layoff of some employees. More Information

US Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division:
The Wage and Hour Division provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19 and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Here is the Florida Reemployment Assistance Application

Trouble finding the online application?
Download a Florida Reemployment Assistance Application and send it by mail.

Below are the links to the 3 versions of the Reemployment Assistance (RA) application that can be printed, completed and mailed to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO).

If you are having trouble accessing the online application, please download a Florida Reemployment Assistance Application and mail to:

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
P.O. Box 5350
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350

Florida Reemployment Assistance Paper Application

Click here for English    |    Click here for Spanish   |  Click here for Creole

Please note that paper applications could potentially take longer to process than completing an online application.

CareerSource Southwest Florida career centers are closed until further notice

Our career centers are closed to the public for walk-in services until further notice.
We encourage job seekers to visit our “Immediate Southwest Florida Job Openings” website page to look for current opportunities.
The following online resources are available to assist you with job search and unemployment claims.

Job Search

Local Employers are currently hiring: Immediate Southwest Florida Job Openings

Employ Florida: http://www.employflorida.com

Unemployment Claims/Reemployment Assistance

COVID-19 Reemployment Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

Information page: http://www.floridajobs.org/job-seekers-community-services/reemployment-assistance-center/claimants/file-an-initial-claim.

You can reach us with questions about our services by calling your local center by checking the center locations page or 1-800-557-3242.

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