Employment and Job Seeking
Resources to help you build an effective resume and cover letter, tools to help you find and apply for jobs in your area, information about filing for unemployment, and helpful links for business owners.
Use the links below to navigate:
All-in-one Sites
If you’re brand new to the job hunt, start here. These sites will get you started on a resume, help you determine what skills and training you may need, and help you search for available career opportunities.
Access Washington: Employment
Includes resources to help job-seekers learn new skills, find jobs, find valuable unemployment information, learn about worker’s rights, wages, and safety, find services for individuals with disabilities, research licenses, laws, and regulations, and get information about retirement.
CareerOneStop: Careers and Career Information
CareerOneStop is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and has a large collection of job and career resources in one location. Get resume and interview assistance, look at state job banks and other niche job sites, find education and training opportunities, and much more. Also check out their new tool: mySkills myFuture.
Occupation Explorer, Washington State Employment Security Department
The Career Center allows you to quickly find information for over 800 occupations. The Career Center will help you: Select your skills to come up with a career that fits you; Find out what kinds of training you might need for the career you want, and where to get that training, and; Learn what occupations fit the skills you need as an employer.
WorkSource: Services for Job Seekers
WorkSource centers offer a number of services for job seekers – see what they have available and find the WorkSource center in your area.
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Resume Help
Use the all-in-one sites above to learn what makes an effective Resume. Then use the tools and templates below to build one.
Resume Templates
There are hundreds of free Resume templates out there in the form of clear templates and samples. If you don't want to use the online Resume builders mentioned above, simply input "sample Resume" in your favorite search engine, or check out these templates:
Microsoft Office Online: Templates to use with MS Word
Google Docs: Resume and Cover Letter Templates
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Find A Job
Additional employment resources may be found in this site's sections for special populations: Disabled / Special Needs; Spanish-Speakers; Seniors; and Veterans.
Job Search Sites and Resources
Access Washington: Get A Job
Employment assistance and job-search tools, including links to various state and national government jobs, jobs for teens, and apprenticeship programs. To jump straight to the job-search, visit Worksource Washington.
CareerOneStop: General Job Boards | Niche Job Boards
The best way to ensure that you don't miss your dream job posting is to search in as many places as possible. Search different job boards to find jobs in your fields of interest.
Washington Newspapers
Many jobs are still posted in local newspapers, which are often available online. Find your local newspaper (or the paper for a community you’re interested in working in) on this list.
Freelance Jobs & Temp Work
Make some money while you're waiting for permanent employment. Most areas have a number of temp agencies, and if you have a computer and internet access at home, you can also bid yourself out for freelance jobs online.
Find a Temp Agency
Go to Google Maps and in the search box input 'Temp Agency near YOURCITYHERE, WA' (e.g. this search near Olympia).
Unemployment
Employment Security Department: Unemployment Benefits for Job-Seekers
File online, learn about eligibility, get your job-search log, extend your benefits, and file your weekly claims. Also has information on job-training and other opportunities for job-seekers.
CareerOneStop: ReEmployment Portal
Get help with unemployment benefits, find help for job hunting after a job loss, learn about possibilities with career changing, and find resources to help update your skills.
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Resources for Business Owners
WA Department of Financial Institutions: Small Business Assistance
Washington State's DFI has helpful links for small businesses, including links to help find public and private resources, information on incorporating within Washington State, help on licensing a business, and much more.
U.S. Small Business Administration: Your Small Business Resource
Find resources to help you start, manage, and expand your small business in Washington State. Online tools and resources help you increase your business knowledge and productivity. Check out the SBA Local Assistance map for more local help.