Throughout the Illinois workNet Portal there are many documents available to help you in your job search. Listed below are all of the printable resources. Click on any document, in your preferred file format, and print it out.
Microsoft Elevate America Program ___________________________________________
Elevate America Program - Fact Sheet for Individuals: Full description of the Illinois-Microsoft Elevate America program, a public-private partnership between the State of Illinois and Microsoft. The purpose of the program is to provide a no-cost opportunity for individuals to increase their technology skills.
Elevate America Program - Self-Survey for Identifying Your Computer Skills: This self-survey exercise is designed to help individuals evaluate their computer skill level. The questions represent a sample of computer skills and are designed to assist individuals to determine their next steps in the Elevate America Program. The self-survey has not been validated.
Elevate America Program - instructions on how to setup a "My Illinois workNet" account, for Elevate America participants.
- Setting up a My Illinois workNet account instructions, for Elevate Ameria participants. (HTML)
Elevate America Program - Getting your Microsoft Elevate America Vouchers.
Elevate America Program - Instructions for entering vouchers to access online courses.
Instructions for 1) entering Elevate America online course vouchers for the first time; 2) using vouchers to add additional courses, and 3) returning to courses you have already started
(PDF) (HTML) (MS Word)
Basic Computer Skills/New Computer Users: These courses are free, and do not require a voucher. They can be used to increase technology skills prior to being assigned vouchers.
Elevate America Basic Computer Skills/New Computer Users Online Courses - Microsoft Digital Literacy Online Basic Computer Concept Courses: List of offered courses. The goal of the free Digital LiteracyThe ability to locate, organize, understand, evaluate,
and create information using digital technology. It
involves a working knowledge of current computer technology
and an understanding of how it can be used to communicate
with others. 
courses is to teach and assess basic computer concepts and skills. NO VOUCHERA voucher is an access code that will allow you to
take Microsoft Elevate America course(s) online for
free. It is similar to an online coupon. REQUIRED.
Intermediate Level/Business Worker Computer Skills: These courses should be used to prepare for the Microsoft Business Worker Certificate Exams. They may or may not require vouchers (as stated below.)
Elevate America Intermediate Level/Business Worker Online Courses - Microsoft Office 2007 Getting Started and Vista and XP Essentials Online Courses: List of Course Collections that provide the essential knowledge needed to start using any of these Microsoft products. NO VOUCHERA voucher is an access code that will allow you to
take Microsoft Elevate America course(s) online for
free. It is similar to an online coupon. REQUIRED.
Elevate America Intermediate Level/Business Worker Online Courses - Microsoft Office 2007 and 2003 Training Online Courses: List of Course Collections that provide the essential knowledge needed to start using any of these Microsoft Products. NO VOUCHERA voucher is an access code that will allow you to
take Microsoft Elevate America course(s) online for
free. It is similar to an online coupon. REQUIRED.
Elevate America Intermediate Level/Business Worker Online Courses - List of Course Collections. These courses are for individuals who use, or will use, Microsoft Windows XP, Office 2003, Windows Vista, or Office 2007. These courses help prepare individuals for Business Certification Exams. VOUCHERS REQUIRED.
Elevate America Microsoft Business Certificate Exams -This is a list of Microsoft Office certification exams for Office 2003 and 2007. VOUCHERS REQUIRED.
Technical Professional Computer Skills: These courses are for individuals who are, or plan to become, Information Technology Professionals. These courses do require Elevate America vouchers.
Elevate America Technical Professional Online Courses - List of Course Collections for individuals who use, or will use, Microsoft professional information technology applications including server administration, web and application programming, and other professional technical areas. VOUCHERS REQUIRED.
Summer Youth Employment Program ___________________________________________
Summer Youth Employment Program -
Activity 1: Getting Started with Illinois workNet -introduction to using Illinois workNet™, setting up an e-mailA system for sending messages from one individual
to another via telecommunications links between computers
or terminals.
account, and opening your My Illinois workNet account.
Summer Youth Employment Program
Activity 2: Introduction to Exploring Careers and Training - learn about the information and tools available to you for exploring careerProfession or occupation for which one trains and
pursues as a lifework (Webster's New World Dictionary,
Second College Edition).
choices and training and complete an Interest Profile.
Summer Youth Employment Program
Activity 3: Introduction to Job Search Preparation and Resume Writing - learn about preparing for a job search and the tools available in Illinois workNet™.
Summer Youth Employment Program
Activity 4: Introduction to Job Searching and Applying for a Job - learn about job searching resources on Illinois workNet™ and review information on applying for a job.
Summer Youth Employment Program
Activity 5: Introduction to Interviewing for a Job - learn about web resources you can use for preparing before, during, and after a jobPosition of employment; situation; work (Webster's
New World Dictionary, Second College Edition). and
interviewEmployers review job applications and resumes and
based upon the review, determine which job applicants
qualify. Applicants that appear qualified based upon
their application or resume are typically invited
to participate with a job interview. A job interview
may be in person with one employer representative
or a group, over the phone, or online through a video
feed. The interview provides the employer an opportunity
to learn more about the applicant and to select an
applicant to be offered the job.
.
Summer Youth Employment Program
Activity 6: Introduction to Workplace Skills - learn about workplace skillsThe sum total of one’s marketable or occupational
abilities, experience and knowledge.
, soft skillsCluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes,
and social graces that make individuals good employees
and compatible co-workers (work ethic, attitude, communication,
time management, problem solving, teamwork, self-confidence,
etc.).
, and include behaviors and attitudes that will help you keep a job.
Illinois workNet Summer Youth Employment Program: Assessment and Activities Alignment to the Work Readiness Skills Goals for WIA and ARRA – This document shows the alignment of Workforce Investment Act (WIA)This Act was signed into law on August 7, 1998, capping
a seven-year effort to consolidate and streamline
the nation's employment and training programs. WIA
replaced the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA),
enacted October 13, 1982. Under WIA, the federal government,
states, and local communities join efforts to develop
a system providing workers with job search assistance,
training, and advice. In addition, all entities work
together to provide employers with skilled workers.
See the Resources section of the course for more information.
and ARRA with the Illinois workNet activities and where the information is located within www.illinoisworknet.com. (click on the download format - MS Word 
, PDF , Large Font )
Illinois workNet Summer Youth Employment Program: Job Performance Profile – Overall job performance considers both workplace skills and the ability to complete job assignments. Use this sample performance profile to become familiar with how employers may rate your performance.(click on the download format - MS Word , PDF )
Portfolio ___________________________________________
Portfolio Information Worksheet - use these worksheets to organize your portfolio in preparation for your job search.
Job Search Records - use these worksheets to assist you in organizing your job searches.
Resume Checklist Packet - this helpful resume checklist packet that also includes listings of action verbsAction verbs are used on resumes to identify the skills,
experience, and accomplishments of job seekers.
and key words divided into specific skill and career areas.
Action Verbs (PDF) ,
(MS Word) used when writing your resume and cover letters to increase the strength of your writing and make potential employers take notice of your accomplishments and skills.
Key Words (PDF) ,
(MS Word) - used when writing your resume and cover letters. Because electronic resume scanners are programmed to look for key terms in your resume, use key words so it will not be discarded.
Resume Examples - select the resume example and format you wish to use as a guideline for developing your professional resume.
Functional ResumeResume organized by skills and functions with limited
information on employment history.
: a resume organized by skills and functions with limited information on employment history.
Chronological ResumeResume format that emphasizes employment history in
reverse chronological order.
: a resume format that emphasizes employment history in reverse chronological order (most recent job first).
Combination ResumeResume format that combines the strengths of functional
and chronological resumes.
: a resume format that combines the strengths of functional and chronological resumes.
Youth: a resume format for youth with minimal work experience.
Job Search ___________________________________________
Getting Started - use these worksheets to walk you through the steps to find training and to find a job.
Find a Job (PDF) ,
(MS Word) information to help you in your job search: including creating a resume, looking for a job, filling out a job application and interview skills.
Career Exploration - use these worksheets for exploring careers.
Job Interview Work Sheets - keep track of important information about the interview, open and print these helpful Pre- and Post-Interview Work Sheets.
Be prepared to negotiate salary and benefits - print this helpful Negotiation Practices and Monthly Expense Worksheet.