Job board improves functionality

Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth Acting Director Andrew S. Levin today announced a new enhancement to the Michigan Talent Bank Web site that will make it easier for job seekers to retrieve their User ID's and PIN numbers. By clicking on the "Forgot Your User ID and PIN" button, job seekers can now opt to have their information sent to them securely via text message on their cell phones. Previously, job seekers could only request the information through e-mail or by calling the Michigan Talent Bank help desk.

"The Michigan Talent Bank offers all of the resources of other national job-search Web sites without any cost to the employer or job seeker, and this new feature makes it even easier for job seekers to access the site," Bureau of Workforce Transformation Director Liza Estlund Olson said. "This award-winning Web site has become a go-to resource for employers, whether the employer is a small local business or a major international corporation."

Job seekers and employers are encouraged to use the Web site at www.michigan.gov/talentbank. In 2010, other enhancements and tools were added to the site, including:

Job seekers creating resumes can upload data from a resume previously saved as a Word, PDF, text, or HTML file when creating a new resume.

Creating and updating resumes is now quicker and easier. The new multi-page format saves data more frequently.

New style options have been added such as creating bullet points, offering job seekers more flexibility in presenting their qualifications.

Job seekers now have a choice of three different resume types: Chronological, Functional and Combination. Job seekers can switch between types at any time to tailor their resume instantly to various job openings.

Job seekers can e-mail their resumes as a PDF file, a popular request from employers. They can also conveniently save those PDF resumes to a storage device or in their e-mail for future use.

Improved employment searches more accurately match job titles, creating better job matching for both employers and job seekers.

Job seekers and employers can further refine their search by identifying employment criteria such as full-time, part-time, seasonal, or temporary.

"The Michigan Talent Bank is very easy to use for both employers and job seekers," continued Estlund Olson. "Currently, the Michigan Talent Bank has more than 38,000 posted job openings and averages 8,800 new job postings a month."

The Michigan Talent Bank has won numerous national and state technology awards since its launch in 1998. Interested job seekers and employers can join the Web site free of charge at www.michigan.gov/talentbank.

DELEG staff is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer questions about the use of the Michigan Talent Bank by calling toll-free at 1-888-253-6855 or via e-mail at mtbhelp@michigan.gov.

Job seekers and employers who are interested in receiving personal assistance in finding jobs and workers can contact their local Michigan Works! Agency by calling 1-800-285-WORKS (9675).