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As a part of ABLE’s commitment to support job seekers, ABLE offers registered associates free online training.  Topics include Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook.  This training is one more way ABLE works to place you first.

Contact Lallian (508) 673-3979 for more details.

PS.  Don’t forget to check out the latest webinars and job hunting tips at our our Career Portal.

Mayor Flanagan hosts a major regional job fair Wednesday, May 9 from 9:30AM – 3PM.

For the first time, private employers will have easier access to criminal information about their employees through iCORI, Massachusetts’ online criminal records database. This will enable responsible employers to assure they are not exposing their business to unacceptable risk. But every new resource has its price. Among the highlights of the new law are stringent record-keeping and notification requirements. Along with new penalties.

Attorneys at Seyfarth Shaw LLP offer the following summary of the recordkeeping rules:

The new CORI law requires employers to follow certain procedures in order to access an individual’s criminal record through DCJIS. Before an employer conducts a criminal record check, it must have the subject of the criminal check sign a CORI Acknowledgment Form authorizing the employer to obtain his or her record and verify the subject’s identity by reviewing a form of government-issued identification. M.G.L. c. 6, § 172(a)(30)(c). Pursuant to the proposed regulations, acceptable types of government-issued identification include: (i) a state-issued driver’s license; (ii) a state-issued identification card with a photograph; (iii) a passport; or (iv) a military identification. 803 CMR 2.09(3). The proposed regulations require the employer’s representative to sign and date the CORI Acknowledgment Form certifying that the subject was properly identified. In the event that an employer is unable to verify an individual’s identity and signature in person, the proposed regulations allow the individual to sign an Acknowledgement Form before a notary public. 803 CMR 2.09(5). CORI Acknowledgment Forms must be maintained by the employer for at least one year.2 M.G.L. c. 6, § 172(a)(30)(c).

To obtain CORI from DCJIS, the individual requesting the record must provide DCJIS with information identifying the subject (name, date of birth, and last six digits of social security number) and certify under oath that: (i) he or she is the authorized designee of the employer; (ii) the request is for the purpose of evaluating an applicant or current employee; (iii) the applicant or employee has signed an acknowledgement form authorizing the employer to obtain criminal record information; and (iv) the requestor has verified the identity of the applicant or employee by reviewing a form of government-issued identification. M.G.L. c. 6, § 172(a)(30)(c). Although not specified in the statute, the proposed regulations state that the employer must submit the subject’s executed CORI Acknowledgment Form to DCJIS. 803 CMR 2.09(1)(a).

The proposed regulations also provide that the Acknowledgment Form is valid for one year from the subject’s having signed the form or until the subject’s employment ends, whichever occurs first. 803 CMR 2.09(9). An employer that submits a new CORI request within one year of the subject’s having signed the original Acknowledgment Form must provide the subject with written notice at least 24 hours prior to submitting the request. 803 CMR 2.09(9)(a). If the employee revokes his or her authorization upon receiving such notice, the employer may not request the employee’s CORI. 803. CMR 2.09(9)(c).3

Employers should be aware that DCJIS will maintain a log of all requests for criminal records, which includes the name of the requesting entity, the date of the inquiry, and the certified purpose of the inquiry. An individual may request a “self-audit” and obtain information from DCJIS regarding requests for the individual’s own CORI. M.G.L. c. 6, § 172(g); 803 CMR § 2.24.

Talk to the Expert about Resumes that Result in Interviews
May 3rd 11:00 AM EST

Your resume will either screen you in or out for an interview. We will be joined on this webinar by one of the individuals who conducts our free resume reviews. They know what it takes to write a resume that gets attention! This call is a must attend for anyone involved in a Job Search

Go to the webinar by clicking on the Career Portal on our Candidates page at www.able.jobs/candidates

Ask not what your career can do for you, but what you can do for your career, today.

Great thought, even if you feel overwhelmed by the looming specter of your job search.

What first step can you take today to bring you closer to a meaningful job?

–Enivision yourself there.
–Lay out the path to that great job.
–Take the first step today.

A federal court on April 17th, blocked the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) from issuing a rule that would require employers to post notices explaining workers’ collective bargaining rights.

The new rule would require employers to display prominently legal rights of employees to collective bargaining. The rule has been bitterly contested by employer organizations as the implementation date has been pushed back for over a year.

Face it, employers can be selective in these days. They are awash in resumes. If you haven’t worked in a while, your resume may get the early heave-ho. But there is a way to plug this hole. Find out in our next career seekers webinar.

Helping you out of the Gap in your resume

April 25th @ 3:00 PM www.able.jobs/candidates/career portal

When you volunteer your time, you are enhancing your job search efforts. During this session you will learn:
• How volunteering opens doors
• How volunteering is a WIN/WIN/WIN
• Where and when to volunteer your time

Part Two of the MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) amendments kick in on May 4th

**Job applicants must signs acknowledgments that their CORI records are being sought.

**Job applicants must be provided with a copy of their CORI record if they are not hired as a result of the criminal information

**Employers must maintain the acknowlegment and the dissemination logs for 1 year.

**Employers must have a written policy on file if they conduct 5 or more investigations.

And much, much more. See the MA website for more information

Mayor Will Flanagan with open the Fall River City Hall to a major job fair on Wednesday, May 9th. The City is co-sponsoring the 5 hour event with the Fall River Career Center. Many local employers have been recruited to meet with job seekers.

Although Mayor Flanagan is hosting the event, companies from other communities, including Westport, Freetown, Dartmouth and Dighton, will likely attend.

Veterans are particularly encouraged to attend the Job Fair.

Like all Job Fairs, this will be a crowded, fast paced “meet and greet”. Employers will see dozens of candidates and leave with boxes of resumes. Candidates will have less than 30 seconds to impress the frazzled interviewers behind the tables.

ABLE Service Coordinators are offering to prep job seekers who plan to attend the Fair. They can assist in preparing a strong resume and in making a strong first impression.

Even if you are just “tire kicking”, it pays to stand out in the crowd. A well known Roman statesman, Seneca, said “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” It’s still good advice 2000 years later.

See you at the Fair:
One Government Center
Wednesday, May 9th
9AM – 2PM