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Consider Your Skills

The Illinois Career Information System provides a SKILLS Assessment that helps you identify your present job skills, identify occupations that match those skills, understand what skills are required for a given occupation, and determine what training and skills you need for a particular job. 

To use SKILLS Assessment, on the Illinois Career Information System External link opens in a new window sign in page, use Option 3 to login and then from the left menu under Assessments and Links select SKILLS (English or Spanish). 

Another great way to identify your job skills is to make a list of skills you have learned through your job experiences, educational experiences, internships, volunteer activities, summer jobs, and hobbies. Writing down your job skills will also help you develop your resume.  To view resume examples, visit the Prepare Your Resume section of Illinois workNet.

Below are some websites that provide information about and access to free self-directed assessments:

  • The Riley Guide External link opens in a new window - Learn about a variety of assessment tools some are free and self directed and some require assistance and coast a fee.
  • CareerOneStop: Skills Profiler External link opens in a new window- Complete an online form that will help identify your skills and occupations related to these skills.
  • O-Net External link opens in a new window - The online Skills Search function is designed to help you use your skill set to identify occupations for exploration.

 

Basic Skills

Having basic skills such as math, reading, and writing can be the determining factor in getting the job you want. To review or practice basic math, reading, and writing skills visit the links below.
  • Math.Com The World of Math Online External link opens in a new window - provides a review of Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and much more.
  • Homework Spot External link opens in a new window - provides resources according to grade level and by subject - Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Math, Life Skills, and many more.
  • Goodwill Community Foundation (GFC), Global Learning Website External link opens in a new window - offers free online tutorials covering the basics of computers, the Internet, Microsoft Office 97 through 2003, and life skills. The website also provides free online classes covering Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
  • TypingTest.com External link opens in a new window - provides a free typing test which only takes a couple of minutes to complete. The test measures typing speed, accuracy and net speed. The website also provides four free typing games.

Explore Your Interests

A job that allows you to work in your interest areas can be rewarding and enjoyable.  To begin your job-search planning process, explore your interests by reflecting upon activities that you've done and really enjoyed and accomplishments that have made you proud.

Interests can be grouped into themes and scales such as realistic, artistic, enterprising, social or organizational.  Ask friends, family, and co-workers what interests and passions they see in you, and what you are good at.  Be honest with yourself and think hard.

To identify jobs that may match your interests, start by using the Countdown Interest Survey  External link opens in a new window.  This interest survey assists you in trying to identify jobs that you may like to further investigate. 

For a more comprehensive evaluation of your occupational interests, examine the Illinois Career Information System (CIS) Interest Profiler.  It is designed to assist individuals in identifying their occupational interests and how those interests relate to work.  The Interest Profiler helps to identify an individual's strongest work-related interests and match occupations to an individual's job-related interests.  To find out what occupations most closely match your occupational interests, follow these simple instructions:

On the Illinois Career Information System sign in page,

  • Use Option 3 to login,
  • Select the Interest Profiler link under the Assessment and Links header on the left navigation bar,
  • Visit the Interest Profiler   External link opens in a new window now to match jobs to your occupational interests.

If you have questions about the results received from the Interest Profiler or wish to discuss your occupational interests in further detail, contact or visit the trained staff at a Local Resource Room near you.

Local/State Information

Get Local Information

Enter a zip code to view local and statewide promos under this section. Local promos are blue and statewide promos are orange.

   

Could this be YOUR LIFE?

Could this be Your Life logo

Ever wonder how those everyday life choices could affect your career, family life, and choosing a place to live?

If so, then check out this online interactive game brought to you by the Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, and take the journey through Could this be YOUR LIFE.  This interactive game will teach you about the consequences of making career and life choices.

To access this interactive game, visit the Could this be YOUR LIFE External link opens in a new windowweb site.


Job Corps: education and training programs for young adults.

Job Corps logo Welcome to Job Corps Chicago Region, dedicated to helping youth aged 16 yrs - 24 yrs find success through education and career technical training.  Whether you are a student, parent, or employer we invite you to explore this site to learn more about how the Job Corps program can benefit you.  The federally funded program serves the entire United States, including the 18 centers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin, known as the Chicago Region.  Where do I sign up? Link opens in a new window

Looking for Free Online Courses to Improve your Computer Skills?

Global learning Logo

If you answered Yes to the above question, then take a look at the Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) Global Learning website.  Sponsored by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACT), Global Learning offers free online tutorials covering the basics of computers, the Internet, Microsoft Office 97 through 2003, and life skills.  GCF Global Learning also offers free online classes covering Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

For more information and to access this free online site, visit the Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) Global Learning External link opens in a new windowweb site.


Looking for Wage Information in the State of Illinois?

IDES Wage Information Logo

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides information on entry level, median, and experienced hourly and annual wages for occupations in the State of Illinois.

Wage information is available for Illinois, Metropolitan Areas, Economic Development Areas, counties and Local Workforce Areas.  To access this information, visit the IDES Wage Information External link opens in a new windowwebsite. 


Visit Career Coach,

Career Coach a free online personalized career counselor for women and men.  Find the right career and make a step-by-step plan to reach your goals.  Visit the Career Coach web site to learn more External link opens in a new window.

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Illinois workNet Centers are an equal opportunity employer/program. At Illinois workNet Centers, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers on this website may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY (800) 785-6055.