8/28/2012
For Immediate Release | Greg Rivara, Phone: (312) 814-0095 (pdf version)
Internet Job Board Part of IDES' No-Cost HR Recruitment Services
QUINCY - Quincy area business leaders today joined Jay Rowell, the director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), to praise an employment website tool that links qualified job applicants with businesses that are ready to hire. The no-cost HR recruitment tool is part of IDES' mission to be the state's employment office for Illinois businesses and workers.
"The path to re-employment goes through IllinoisJobLink.com. Today, businesses across our state seek to fill more than 120,000 positions," Rowell said. "Here, in and around Quincy, there are 1,700 available jobs. In my mind, that means there are 1,700 reasons to be optimistic."
A sampling of Quincy-area job opportunities include nurses, physical therapists, project managers, marketing managers, engineers and truck drivers. Some positions include annual wages of more than $40,000.
Rowell stood with business leaders from Knapheide, Blessing Hospital, Lowe's, Industrial Workforce Ltd., Snelling Personnel Services, Gardner Denver and others at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center to endorse IDES' re-employment services and explain why western Illinois and the Gem City area should be optimistic about the economy and good-paying jobs.
Illinoisjoblink.com is the revamped IDES employment website that links job seekers with ready-to-hire employers. This no-cost, on-line career resource allows individuals to create multiple resumes that emphasize different talents and allows businesses to search for specific skills. The keyword matching technology increases the likelihood of a successful new hire. Illinois JobLink emphasizes Illinois jobs, scrapes other commercial job boards, and compares favorably to private efforts that cost hundreds of dollars for a single advertisement.
Illinois added +140,400 private sector jobs since January 2010 when job growth returned following nearly two consecutive years of monthly declines. Since January 2010, leading growth sectors are Professional and Business Services (+76,000); Manufacturing (+44,600); and Educational and Health Services (+31,900). Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down -35,100.
The July 2012 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Adams County is 6.8 percent, down from 6.9 percent one year ago. The comparable statewide rate is 9.3 percent.
What Quincy business leaders are saying:
"Partnering with the community is critical to our business model. Illinoisjoblink.com helps us accomplish that goal while delivering a qualified pool of applicants."
Ron Tallcott, Human Resources Manager and Executive Recruiter, Blessing Health System, Quincy
"We appreciated the staff at Quincy IDES helping us collect 700 applications and referring qualified applicants to the Kroc Center for our opening in 2011. Staff efforts saved us time and made operations go smoother. Many of our hires came through IDES and are still with us today. "
Mike Lowes, Human Resource Coordinator, The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, Quincy
"It can be challenging finding qualified candidates to fill some of the specialized positions at Lowe's, but our applicant pool has multiplied through the resources and staff of the Quincy office. The Local office also cares for the well-being and security of our Veterans and often refers Vets, which we appreciate."
Scott Bergman, Human Resources Manager, Lowe's, Quincy
"I have used IDES services for more than 20 years and have found the Quincy office a great partner in referring prescreened applicants that meet my business needs. I appreciate these no-charge referrals which reduces my costs of hiring and training."
David Ripper, General Manager, Americas Best Value Inn, Quincy
To place an IllinoisJobLink.com order with the Illinois Department of Employment Security
Quincy
107 N. Third
P.O. Box 889
Quincy, Illinois
62306
(217) 222-1560 ext. 382 and ext.361
