Fidelity Bonding Workshop Tips for Getting and Keeping A Job Job Readiness Fidelity Bonding Workshop Tips for Getting and Keeping A Job

Job Readiness Applications Cover Letter/ Resume/ Letter of Explanation Preparing for an Interview Soft Skills/Performance Skills

Job Applications Instructions: Type carefully or write neatly Gather previous employment history Use ‘N/A’ for questions that do not pertain to you DO NOT leave question blank Never use these phrases: ‘Will discuss at the interview’, ‘Negotiable’, ‘Available Anytime’ Answer all questions completely Include all Military experience

Resumes Purpose Summary of your experiences and skills relevant to the position Highlights your accomplishments It’s purpose is to get an interview Tailor separate resumes to fit each career field in which you are job searching

Interviewing First Impressions are IMPORTANT Personal Appearance Dress up ( No wrinkled clothing and shoes are well cared for) Cover tattoos and avoid face piercings Online Presences Is your email address appropriate? Facebook profile and Twitter account

Interviewing Prepare yourself to answer a variety of questions Tell me a little bit about yourself What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Do you have any questions for me?

Tell Me a Little Bit About Yourself Interviewing Tell Me a Little Bit About Yourself Talk about the following Accomplishments Recent positions held Certifications-Licenses-Training Contribution you can make to the company Do NOT talk about Your age Your children Your political, moral, ethical or religious beliefs Poor opinions of your previous boss

Top 10 Interview Mistakes Interviewing Top 10 Interview Mistakes Arriving Late Incomplete Answers Dress Wrong Failure to ASK questions Bad Mouth Talk to Much Appear Arrogant Discuss Salary Too Soon Lack Research Forget to Follow Up

Internet Safety But you need to take precautions! And much much more!! The Internet is a wonderful tool. There is no limit to what you can do. Communicate around the world Buy/Sell things Watch or upload videos Access info on practically anything View maps and get directions Get weather info and alerts And much much more!! But you need to take precautions!

What Are Some Risks of the Internet? Internet Safety What Are Some Risks of the Internet? Bad People Connecting with people that want to steal $$ or info Promise $$ prizes Try to become your friend Tell you that you have a problem – like relative in jail or computer problem Phishing attacks Trick you to get sensitive info – like passwords, social security number or debit/credit card info Emails Text message links Popup messages on your computer Malware Software downloaded to a computer for malicious intent Usually looks like something you want Videos or documents attached to email Popup ads

What Should You Do To Stay Safe? Internet Safety What Should You Do To Stay Safe? Verify everything before you click Don’t share sensitive info with strangers Keep all software updated Use strong passwords Run Antivirus software Backup all data If something sounds to good to be true- it probably is, so no not fall for it!

Social Media What Is It? The creation and sharing of information, thoughts, ideas and other forms of expression using technology LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Snapchat

What Can Social Media Be Used For? Stay in touch with family & friends Inform & impress others (employers/schools) Promote a business or a cause Discover new interests/ideas Stay informed (news, interests)

What Are Some Downsides? Social Media What Are Some Downsides? Embarrassment Inappropriate photos or comments Impact your future Employers/Colleges may look at your social media Endanger yourself Putting personal info on your site Bullying Frequently occurs on social media sites Getting addicted Some people can’t live without social media

Reasoning, Problem Solving and Decision Making Soft Skills Soft skills relate to a person's ability to interact effectively with coworkers and customers Important traits which employers look for such as; - Independence and Initiative - Attendance & Self Presentation - Leadership & Teamwork - Career Development - Work Ethic - Positive Attitude - Understanding the Big Picture - Communication Reasoning, Problem Solving and Decision Making

Insurance for Your Employers Fidelity Bonding Insurance for Your Employers

Fidelity Bonding What is it? A fidelity bond protects employers against employee dishonesty, theft or embezzlement. A fidelity bond is no-cost insurance coverage that enables employers to hire job applicants considered to be an employment risk. Since the program’s inception in 1966, more that 40,000 bonds have been issued with a 99% success rate.

Who is Eligible? Bonding assistance is available to people who have a firm offer of full-time work and any of the following backgrounds: Limited work history Poor credit history A record of arrest, conviction or imprisonment Veterans with dishonorable military discharge TANF and SNAP recipients Designated community residents Vocational rehabilitation recipients SSI recipients Note: Self-employed individuals are not eligible for this program.

How to Apply Employers must request fidelity bonding by calling a nearby IDES office, or the State Bonding Coordinator at (312) 793-9601. If eligibility is met and the applicant successfully certifies, bonding becomes effective on the applicant’s first day of work. Upon certification, the coverage provider mails the bonds directly to the employer.

Coverage How much can an employee be bonded for? An employee can be bonded for at least $5,000 depending on job responsibilities. Bonds may be issued for $5,000 up to $25,000 in increments of $5,000. How much does it cost? A fidelity bond is free-of-charge to the employer for up to two six-month periods. How long does the bond last? Coverage usually begins on the first day of employment. The bond initially cover’s a six month period. Employers can renew the bond for an additional six months up to one time before purchasing the bond from a commercial provider.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit Federal Tax Credit Available to Employers

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) What is it? The work opportunity tax credit is a Federal tax credit available to employers who hire individuals from target groups within significant barrier to employment. What are the benefits? WOTC reduces an employer’s cost of doing business, requires little paperwork, and is easy to apply for. WOTC can reduce an employer’s Federal income tax liability by as much as $9,600 per employee hired. There is no limit to the number of individuals an employer can hire to qualify to claim the tax credit.

Who is Eligible? Veterans with dishonorable military discharge TANF and SNAP recipients Designated community residents Vocational rehabilitation recipients SSI recipients Ex-Felons Summer Youth Employees

How Much is the Tax Credit? Employers can earn a tax credit between $1,200 and $9,600 per employee. Amount depends on target group and number of hours worked in the first year. Employees must work at least 120 hours in the first year of employment to receive tax credit.

How to Apply Employers must apply for employees Complete IRS Form 8850 Complete ETA Form 9061 Mail completed forms and signed IRS and ETA forms to the WOTC Unit of IDES Chicago Forms must be completed with 28 calendar days of the employee’s start date Wait for final determination from the IRS. This will indicate whether the employee is certified as meeting the eligibility for tax credit. After the employee is deemed eligible by IDES Chicago, file for the tax credit with the IRS.

Questions? Questions that cannot be answer during the session will be forwarded to Thomas Brown with contact information.