Preparing for the Job Interview-Handout

"Preparing for the Job Interview: Know the Company" is a hands-on training session to learn how to use the Library’s resources to gather information that will help a job candidate discuss the company’s objectives, recent developments, history, competitor overview, and industry forecast. The powerpoint handout from the Thursday, July 2, 2009 presentation is available to download here: Download Preparing for the Job Interview.  This is a 3.08 MB PDF file, please be patient when downloading as it may take a few minutes.

Illinois Minimum Wage Increase

On July 1st, the Illinois minimum wage will increase from the current $7.75 to $8.00.

Public Act 94-1072, signed into law December 18, 2006, increased the Illinois minimum wage from $6.50 to $7.50 and established annual increases of twenty-five cents that go into effect every July 1st. These increases are scheduled to stop when the wage hits $8.25 in 2010.

Resume Writing, Cover Letters, Interviewing

While the Library has many helpful print sources to assist in creating a resume or cover letter, we also want to highlight a valuable online source, LearningExpress.  Sections include Job Search and Workplace Skills improvement as well as tests and courses for individual career paths.  Brief online sessions to draft a well-written professional resume or cover letter are self-paced, as is the session on practicing confident interview skills and making a successful impression on a new job. LearningExpress is available to all patrons from within the Library, and from home or remote access to MPPL resident cardholders.

Jump Start Your Business presentations

The Mount Prospect Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce recently wrapped up the last session in the Jump Start Your Business program, a co-sponsored series designed to help local businesses be successful.  Topics included Demographics, Negotiating Leases, Building Relationships, Promotion and Publicity, Exceptional Customer Serivce, and Trends in E-mail Marketing.  The Chamber has posted the podcasts and presentation materials for many of these sessions.  We are looking forward to our fall series, which will include: The Stimulus Plan/COBRA, Alternative Financing, and Internet Marketing. 

Job Dislocation: Making Smart Financial Choices after a Job Loss

FINRA’s Investor Alert, “Job Dislocation: Making Smart Financial Choices after a Job Loss,” offers guidance and tips for the public on maintaining financial stability during a period of unemployment.

Topics covered in this publication include:

1) immediately taking the right financial steps in the event of unemployment

2) protecting against investment fraud during a period of job dislocation

3) understanding health insurance options, and

4) asking the right questions about employer benefit plans.

Downloadable Alerts are available at www.finra.org/JobLossAlert in both English and Spanish, as well as posted to the Jobs/Career Board at the Library.

FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is the largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. FINRA is dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through comprehensive regulation.

Swine Flu Info

Two federal government agencies and a U.N. agency have posted useful information regarding the current swine flu outbreak.

• National Library of Medicine (NLM), Medline: Swine Flu

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Swine Influenza

• World Heath Organization (WHO), Swine Influenza
  

Homeowner/Homebuyer Assistance

It is critical that homebuyers and homeowners are aware of the legitimate assistance available to them, as well protecting themselves from financing and refinancing scams.

 

Homeowners looking for help should visit a new website called MakingHomeAffordable.gov, which has information on the administration's $75 billion effort to help homeowners out of mortgage trouble. It includes a listing of HUD-approved mortgage counselors. People can also call 1-888-995-HOPE. Homeowners are encouraged to call if they suspect a company is perpetrating a scam.

 

Expanded Tax Break Available for 2009 First-Time Homebuyers

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204672,00.html

  

First-Time Home Buyer's Assistance Program in Mount Prospect

http://www.mountprospect.org/services/community_development/planning/cdbg/first_time_homebuyer.html

  

HUD in Illinois (includes steps to avoid foreclosure, search for affordable rentals, and homebuying programs)

http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=il

Health Coverage for the Unemployed

Assistance is becoming increasingly available for the unemployed in need of health benefits.

 

COBRA Continuation Coverage Assistance Under The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009:  Eligible individuals pay only 35 percent of their COBRA premiums and the remaining 65 percent is reimbursed to the coverage provider through a tax credit. The premium reduction applies to periods of health coverage beginning on or after February 17, 2009 and lasts for up to nine months for those eligible for COBRA during the period beginning September 1, 2008 and ending December 31, 2009 due to an involuntary termination of employment that occurred during that period.

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html

 

The unemployed and uninsured may visit Walgreens for free clinic visits through the end of 2009. Visits may include tests and routine treatment, however patients are responsible for prescriptions. 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090331/ap_on_bi_ge/walgreen_clinics

Local Job Fairs

Local job fairs are a fast-moving and prime networking opportunity for job-seekers. MPPL wants to share some sources which provide upcoming dates and locations for you.

 

Arlington Heights workNet Center posts a monthly fair schedule at http://ah.worknetncc.com/default.asp?contentID=78

 

Chicago Job Fairs, Career Fairs, Employment Fairs & Open Houses

http://www.chicagojobresource.com/jobfairs.htm

 

National Career Fairs

http://www.nationalcareerfairs.com/

 

Please continue to visit our job and career resource board within the library.  You may also contact our Reference Department directly to schedule time with a librarian and receive assistance with submitting online job applications, using template resources for resumes or cover letters, and review sources for software training and skill building.

Digital TV Transition

The transition from analog to all digital television broadcast has been postponed for some regions and will take place sometime between March 14 and June 12, 2009.  The Digital TV Transition website has updated information as well as a list of stations that have transitioned as of February 17.  To date, the Chicago broadcast market has not been affected and continues analog broadcast.