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Searching for a new position is a challenge. Whether you have been recently laid off or are currently employed, this pdf file offers some detailed (including screen shots) instructions on how to use your computer to help you in the search. This file will take a while to download because the graphic-intensive screen captures. For those who are a little reluctant to use computers, the screen shots are reassuring. This article was originally written for the Lion, a Lion's Club magazine. The Lion wasn't able, due to space limitations, to use the entire article and the screen shots. Health Insurance Links Many states have high risk health insurance pools that many be used if you have been refused health insurance by a company. In IL at least, if the rates quotes by Illinois' Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) is lower than a price you've been quoted or are paying, you may be eligate for the IL CHIP plan. Here a link to a web page that lists available policies by state. If you are over 50, AARP's health care plan (http://www.aarphealthcare.com/) may be a good value for you. Who do I contact for more information? For more information on state high risk pools: National Association of State Compreshensive Health Insurance
Plans Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed "What Are High Risk Pools?" - The Heartland
Institute Or contact the state risk pool directly: Alabama
Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Florida (not open for new enrollees) Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska New Hampshire New Mexico North Dakota Oklahoma Oregon South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Many companies will ask that you sign waviers so they can do varioius background checks on you. Many of these companies will contract with vendors who specialize in doing these searches. I worked, breifly, for one such firm. At this firm, the people who did the searches were not actually employed by the company -- they were paid about $5 for each person for whom they did searches. If you figure each person is likely to have at least three references to check and that these folks pay for their own phone calls, the quality of the background checks is not wonderful. Generally, they'll call someone once. If they don't get a hold of the person, they'll leave a message. If the called party does not get the message or return the phone call, they can't verify that employment or reference. For you, this means if you list anyone as a reference be very, very sure that this person will return phone calls to these kinds of companies and will give you a good reference. (I was surprised at the number of references who gave less than glowing information about the folks seeking jobs.) Make it as easy as possible for these folks at reference companies to check your references -- provide full names and phone numbers. Here are some sites that explain the difference kinds of checks an employer can run on you. HireRight -- If your company is owned by a foreign company, I've been told that the company is required by law to use HireRight to verify employment. I've also been told that HireRight is owned by the US government. (I cannot verify that this is true; however, my contact hasn't told be untruths in the past.) Guidelines for using by Strategic HR FindLaw -- lots of good information Employment Law Information Network
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