Tag Archives: employer perspective

FAQ Friday – What do I do when I can’t get an interview?

Sometimes the answer may be simply that there are many applicants to choose from. Remember there are a lot of employers out there and maybe getting an entry level job elsewhere could help you get a job with their perfect employer at a higher level in the future. In the meantime…Computrol

Get a Second Opinion on how you present yourself to prospective employers in a résumé, cover letter or in person. Ask an Idaho Department of Labor consultant to review these items and how you can better portray yourself to the employer.

Can YOU Read Your Writing? Was your application legible? Some company hiring managers won’t even consider you if they can’t read your writing. Did you fail to complete your application, explain your strong skills, abilities, and training or education? Did you go to the office on Monday, the busiest day of the week, or at closing time? Try a mock “turn in your application” the exact way you did with the last company you visited, and do it with someone who will give you some feedback. You may discover some issues you haven’t thought of before. Make sure everything is filled in on the application, and if the subject doesn’t pertain, a simple (n/a) is adequate, but don’t leave it blank.

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FAQ Friday – Why do I have to wait a week to receive unemployment insurance benefits?

Everyone who files for unemployment insurance in Idaho is required to serve one waiting week and will not receive benefits for that week.

A waiting week reflects an unpaid week when you successfully file your weekly report and meet all the eligibility requirements for receiving unemployment insurance.

People who file for unemployment insurance are required to serve only one waiting week per benefit year, which is a calendar year from the date you file your claim. Once you serve your waiting week – even if you are laid off several times a year – you won’t serve a waiting week each time.

Sometimes people hear the ‘waiting week’ and think that means they are supposed to wait a week until filing their initial claim or a weekly report. Help us abolish this myth and DO NOT WAIT to file. If you don’t file, your waiting week is not counted as served and will only further delay the date you receive a benefit payment.

It is possible to work a partial week and still have that count toward your waiting week, however if you earn more than 1½ times your weekly benefit amount, that week does not qualify as a waiting week.  If this happens, the next week reported on your claim that meets all eligibility requirements will be counted as your waiting week.

Why is there such a thing as a waiting week? One reason was to reduce costs of the program or restore stability to a depleted UI trust fund.  Another reason is to provide administrative convenience.  Some states, such as Wisconsin and Kentucky have adopted a waiting week just within the last few years. Most states do not have waiting periods over one week.

Software Pulse Works to Build Idaho’s Rep as a Software-Savvy State

by Alisa Bondurant, Business Solutions Specialist, Idaho Department of Labor;  Idaho Technology Council Volunteer

Reputation is one of the most valuable assets a community can develop. That’s why the Idaho Technology Council’s Software Alliance needs help growing Idaho’s reputation through Software Pulse, a website space designed to promote Idaho’s thriving software community. Just as a beating pulse establishes the healthy state of an individual, Software Pulse demonstrates the vibrancy of Idaho’s software community.

The need to grow Idaho’s reputation is clear. Many Idahoans travel outside our state and meet people who are skeptical when they hear about our thriving software community. During last year’s Venture Capitalists Unplugged event, many financiers commented they didn’t know what was going on in Idaho. This comment was echoed by David Cohen, founder and CEO of TechStars, when he came to Boise a few months ago to speak to our community at a special event hosted by the Idaho Technology Council. It’s clear that many people still associate Idaho with potato chips and aren’t aware of our burgeoning high tech and software businesses.

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The Effective Job Search: Think Like an Employer

by Sharon O’Toole, Workforce Consultant, Canyon County

If you are like most job seekers, the whole hiring process can be confusing. When you are looking for a job, the most valuable thing you can know is what really works. Start by trying to look at the hiring process from the hiring manager’s perspective as they review resumes:

Will this applicant meet my needs?

What the manager needs to know the most is whether or not you have the skills and knowledge to do the job effectively. If your resume is not targeted specifically to the position you seek, you skills may seem  unrelated. If the employer is hiring a plumber, being an electrician, no matter how skilled, won’t do. If a salesperson is needed, the employer will not be interested in a secretary. That’s why it’s so important to identify and feature transferable skills. Carefully select skills and accomplishments from your list that speak directly to your ability to do the job.

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