Searching for work online
Start with official and well-known sources: Ohio's official job site OhioMeansJobs, the federal CareerOneStop, and the career pages of employers you would actually like to work for. Be careful of scams: no legitimate employer charges you a fee to apply, asks you to pay for training before an interview, or hires you without ever speaking to you. A real job posting names the company, describes the work, and gives a way to verify it. When you find a promising posting, write down the company name and check whether the posting also appears on the company's own website. Save postings in one place — a notebook, a spreadsheet, or your email — with the date you applied and any confirmation number.
Applications and documents
Most applications now happen online, so a few digital basics make a big difference. Create a professional email address using your name (firstname.lastname style) rather than a nickname — employers do see it. Keep your resume as a file you can attach, usually as a PDF, and name the file clearly like 'Maria-Lopez-Resume.pdf'. When filling out online forms, take your time: many ask for the same information in several places, and a typo in your phone number can end the process. Save your work if the form offers that option, and keep a list of the usernames and passwords you create (never in a public place). If an application takes more than twenty minutes, treat it like an appointment and finish it in one sitting if you can.
Online interviews and meetings
Many first interviews happen by phone or video. For a video call, test your camera and microphone in advance, choose a quiet place with a plain background, and make sure your device is charged or plugged in. Log in a few minutes early. Speak a little more slowly than usual and let the other person finish before answering. If your internet is unreliable, tell the interviewer at the start and offer a phone call as a backup. Treat a phone interview the same as an in-person one: stand or sit upright, keep notes nearby, and have your resume in front of you. Afterward, a short thank-you email within a day leaves a good impression.
Skills worth building now
Employers across many fields look for the same basic digital skills: typing, using email, filling out forms, handling files, and basic spreadsheets. You can practice all of these free at a public library or through DigitalLearn. If you want a specific job, ask the employer or a workforce center which tools the role actually uses — often it is simpler software than you expect. Free training from OhioMeansJobs centers and CareerOneStop can connect you to short programs and credentials. Be skeptical of any training program that demands large upfront payment or 'guarantees' a job; legitimate programs let you check outcomes and talk to former students.
A real-world example
Hypothetical example: a resident wants a receptionist job but has only used email on a phone. They visit an OhioMeansJobs center, which confirms what software local offices typically use and offers a free spreadsheet basics workshop. They set up a professional email address, save their resume as a clearly named PDF, and apply to three postings — writing down each company, date, and confirmation. One employer replies for a video interview. They test their camera the day before, use a quiet room at the library, and send a thank-you email the next morning. The process takes weeks, not days, and each application is tracked so nothing is lost.
Steps to take
- Create a professional email address with your real name.
- Save your resume as a clearly named PDF file.
- Search OhioMeansJobs and two employers' own career pages for real postings.
- Track every application: company, date, confirmation number, follow-up date.
- Practice one video call setup (camera, microphone, quiet space).
- Visit or call a free workforce center or library class about the skills your target jobs use.
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Official provider guides
These independent provider guides offer additional learning resources. Check current details directly with the provider; sharing a link does not imply an official affiliation with P.E.A.C.E.
- OhioMeansJobs (opens in a new tab)
Ohio's official job search and career training resource, including free local job centers. Confirm current services with your nearest center.
- CareerOneStop (opens in a new tab)
A free U.S. Department of Labor resource for job searching, resumes, and training program lookups.
- DigitalLearn.org: Free digital skills lessons (opens in a new tab)
Short, plain-language lessons on computers, the internet, email, and more, from the Public Library Association. Free and built for beginners.