Webinar Topic: Veteran Resources in Illinois workNet®
Webinar Date/Time: November 23 & December 1, 2010
Webinar Materials: Archived December 1 Webinar (32:17 minutes) 
, Webinar PowerPoint
(PDF) 

The webinar highlighted the resources and guidance available in Illinois workNet. This included a demonstration of veteran resources on the individuals pathway, bussinesses pathway and the workforce professionals pathway.
Webinar Polling Questions
Yes 19 (76%)
No 6 (24%)
Local content (i.e., news, events, veteran resources) 19 (79%)
Illinois workNet veteran page resources 4 (17%)
Prepare for a job page (i.e., resume writing, interviewing) 10 (42%)
Education page (i.e., find training programs) 9 (38%)
Find a Job page (i.e., job search tools, networking) 13 (54%)
Hiring Veteran pages (businesses pathway) 2 (8%)
This is my first experience with Illinois workNet 5 (21%)
Other 3 (13%)
Yes 21(66%)
Yes, but more specific veteran instructions are needed 11(34%)
No 0
Yes 28 (90%)
Yes, but more specific veteran instructions are needed 3 (10%)
No 0
Yes 25 (83%)
Yes, but more specific veteran instructions are needed 5 (17%)
No 0
Yes for the individuals pathway 20 (65%)
Yes for the businesses pathway 5 (16%)
Not at this time 11 (35%)
Customizable Flyer 15 (48%)
Customizable Postcard Handout 3 (10%)
Customizable Business Card Handout 8 (26%)
Include in Orientations/Workshops 27 (87%)
Link to the Veteran Resources Pages (Link to Us) 15 (48%)
Share on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube 5 (16%)
Include in Newsletters 12 (39%)
Partner Meetings 13 (42%)

Q: Is there a functional resource for translating Military skills into private sector job skills?
A: There are quite a few tools available through O*Net. Use the Military to Civilian Skills Sheet to match your military skills to civilian jobs.
http://www.illinoisworknet.com/vos_portal/residents/en/Tools/Documents/Military_Civilian_Skills_sheet/?tmb=vet On Military.com there is an MOS translator that Veterans can use to translate their skills by simply typing in their MOS, and the system will immediately translate the skills related with that MOS to civilian job titles, and also gives them "buzz" words to use while building resumes. The military.com site is a source listed on the Skills and Interests page on Illinois workNet:
http://www.illinoisworknet.com/vos_portal/residents/en/Prepare/Skills/ We are also currently working with a specialist that will create videos on how veterans can transition their skills.
Q: We have a number of veterans who struggle to complete the US jobs application. Is there a guidance page to help them get through it in a simplified manor?
A: See resources for translating military skills to civilian skills at
http://www.illinoisworknet.com/vos_portal/residents/en/Prepare/Skills/ TipsDepending the the branch of service, some Vets will receive a CD with their skills and how they transition into civilian. My husband retired from the Navy and received a CD to assist with the transition.
https://my.usajobs.gov you will need to create an account and then click on a job to get to the application pages. It is very lengthy and the terminology is hard to understand.