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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 address appropriate?
Facebook profile and Twitter account

6. 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?

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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!

10. 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 s
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
Popup ads

11. 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!

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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

15. 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

16. Insurance for Your Employers
Fidelity Bonding
Insurance for Your Employers

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. How to Apply
Employers must request fidelity bonding by calling a nearby IDES office, or the State Bonding Coordinator at (312)
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.

20. 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.

21. Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Federal Tax Credit Available to Employers

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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.

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