• A unique jobs search function to help veterans find civilian jobs that match the skills they learned in the military

• Information and advice about writing resumes and finding apprenticeships and jobs ideally suited to their military experience

• Information about the Florida law that gives veterans hiring preference when they apply for public-sector jobs.

• Information for Florida businesses and organizations about tax incentives available for hiring veterans.

• A centralized jobs posting site for employers seeking veterans with specialized skills.

• Employers are able to enter open positions directly on www.EmployFlorida.com or through their local One-Stop Career Center.

Deter - Detect - Defend

• Stealing wallets, purses and your mail (bank and credit card statements, pre-approved credit offers, new checks, tax information)
• Stealing personal information you provide to an unsecured website, from business or personnel records at work and personal information at home.
• Rummaging through your trash, the trash of businesses and public trash receptacles
• Posing as someone who needs information about you
• Buying personal information from inside sources

• PLACE a fraud alert on your credit reports. Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Contact the toll-free fraud number of any of the following three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report:

• CLOSE the accounts that you know have been opened fraudulently, or tampered with.
• CONTACT the Internal Revenue Service Identity Protection Unit. An identity thief might use your Social Security number to file a tax return in order to receive a refund, or use it to get a job.
• FILE an FTC ID Theft Complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can find detailed information here to help you deter, detect and defend against identity theft.
• FILE a police report with your local police, or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. The FTC Complaint can be incorporated into the police record for maximum protection.
• FILE an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) which offers an easy to use reporting mechanism to alert authorities of suspected violations.

• Know your employment classification
  Ask your employer about your status and how you're being paid. Be clear about whether your employer considers you an employee or an "independent contract worker."

• Tally your tips
  Tips are taxable income, so you will have to tell the IRS in 2011 what you made in tips this year. Keep a record of what you earn.

• Keep your pay stubs
  Without pay stubs, employees have little to help them report their income. Often, the stubs have cumulative information, so the last one will be enough to save.

• Know what's withheld
  Read your pay stubs carefully, knowing what money you receive isn't the same as knowing what money you earned.

• Be aware of tax-filing basics
  Many students may be working their first job and they'll have to file taxes perhaps for the first time, so consider these tax basics

• Find out what businesses will be there and research them.
• Develop some questions you'd like to ask employers.
• Make sure you have proofread your resume - at least twice. (If you don't have a resume, assistance will be available.)
  
• Be sure your resume contains your updated contact information.
• Attire for Hire. First impressions at a job fair are important. How you represent yourself sends an immediate message to employers about how serious you are in your job search.

• Take time to talk to employers. Take time to get additional information and make an impression.
• Use your research to appear confident and knowledgeable. Do your homework!
• Have a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. Showing interest and good manners is important, regardless of the type of job you are looking for. Every employer appreciates someone who is dedicated, conscientious, and attentive.

• Follow up with a thank you note. Follow up is an important part of attending a job fair.

• General E-Learning in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• IT Professionals or those interested in entering the IT field
• Microsoft® Certification in Office Products

"Florida’s Extended Benefit (EB) period ended on June 5, 2010. Qualifying individuals will receive the benefits retroactive to that date if benefits lapsed. The Extended Benefits (EB) program pays up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to individuals who previously exhausted the up-to-79 weeks of regular state and Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits.  AWI estimates the Governor’s Executive Order will benefit approximately 250,000 long-term unemployed Floridians.

The new federal law also extends the deadline for establishing eligibility in the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program by approximately six months, retroactive to May 2010, and extends the phase-out date for the program to April 30, 2011.  The agency estimates nearly 900,000 EUC claims may be filed as a result."

"Those who believe they may be eligible under the new dates should visit www.floridajobs.org or call (800) 204-2418.  Eligible beneficiaries will be able to begin certifying for any weeks to which they may be entitled within the next two weeks, once the agency completes necessary programming. Certifying online at www.floridajobs.org is the quickest and most efficient way to process payments."

Career Central is a one stop center for Pasco and Hernando county residents seeking a job or changing careers. They will help you in your job search, provide training, and teach you interviewing techniques. Their website Career Central is loaded with tools and information. You can visit one of their three office locations or stop by the

Hudson Library on January 13th, 20th, and 27th between 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM.   For more information call the Hudson Library at (727) 861-3040. 



Hugh Embry Library on January 28th between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  For more information, call the Hugh Embry Library at (352) 567-3576.

There are other one stop career centers throughout Florida. Click on this Workforce Florida link to find the career center near you.  To see when the Careeer Central bus is coming to a location near you, you can click on this link or go back to the home page of this blog and scroll to the bottom center column heading, "Career Central Bus".

A great place to start (or continue) your job search can be found at Employ Florida. This site allows you to create a resume and search jobs throughout the state, including government and private sector jobs.