Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Kansasjoblink.com?
Kansasjoblink.com is Kansas State Government's first computer application to provide comprehensive workforce development services across the boundaries of multiple state agencies. It provides the ability for job seekers to search for available jobs through the Internet. It provides functionality for employers to post job orders through the Internet. It provides comprehensive career information. It provides a technical link between unemployment insurance and job service. It provides a technology platform for multiple state agencies to access data on the same client, even though they may not be that agency's primary customer, providing more seamless services. It provides service delivery organizations to share their successes directly with job seekers who need training, providing the basis for heightened competition and better service delivery.

2. How does Kansasjoblink.com improve customer service?
A. Job Seekers and Case Managers

Kansasjoblink.com serves as the backbone of Kansas' system of one-stop workforce development centers. Kansasjoblink.com is the link between multiple state agencies, and 70 federally funded workforce development programs. The Job Link is the tool that allows job seekers to come to a one-stop center, interact with any of the case managers regardless of which state agency employs them, and receive services. The Kansasjoblink.com takes Kansas from one-stop toward no-stop, seamless service.

B. Employers and Job Seekers

The Kansasjoblink.com is the tool job seekers can rely upon to assess their skills and employers can rely upon to determine how well a job seeker measures up to their standards. A better match equates to lower subsequent training costs and higher retention rates.

C. Job Seekers, Service Providers and Case Managers

A single mother with five children but no G.E.D., is likely to qualify for many programs. Kansasjoblink.com eliminates the need for duplicate data entry in many cases, so the single mother will need only to provide the core information once.

The Kansasjoblink.com provides access to data on service providers. From online information regarding what training is available in an area, to directions to facilities-complete with maps, Kansasjoblink.com improves choice.

3. What Does the Kansasjoblink.com application replace?
Kansasjoblink.com will replaces the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) system which was a locally based system that tracked JTPA participants, training referrals and training costs. Effective July 1, 2000, JTPA was replaced by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). WIA requires tracking participants across more than 70 workforce-related programs and collecting outcome data to better assess the results of those workforce programs. Kansasjoblink.com enables Kansas to track and collect the participant data required by WIA.

4. What major new functionality does the Kansasjoblink.com provide that is currently unavailable?
A. Employers

Employers have the ability to post job orders and search for qualified applicants through the use of skill gap analysis or the Workkeys assessment tool. Kansasjoblink.com provides employers the ability to immediately determine how well potential employees' skills match those required in the job order. Those employees with the best match are given four stars. Employers receive a visual representation indicating where skill gaps exist and their severity. Based on the number of close matches, employers can easily expand or narrow their search.

As an employer becomes interested in a candidate, Kansasjoblink.com provides functionality for the employer to contact the candidate via e-mail.

Kansasjoblink.com allows employers to have an Internet home page located within the application to which they can refer candidates. Employers may also post their logo. Job seekers can visit an employer-specific area and view all current job openings for that employer.

When employers post job openings, Kansasjoblink.com allows them to save data. If, for example, an employer frequently has a certain job come open, they can inactivate a job order then reactivate it as necessary, eliminating repetitive data entry.

Also, where benefit information is similar, it can be saved and posted into multiple job orders.

Kansasjoblink.com provides sample duties for certain categories of jobs. This helps when an employer may have writer's block or when the job order may otherwise have been incomplete.

B. Job Seekers

In addition to providing job search capabilities, the Kansasjoblink.com application allows job seekers to file for unemployment, store individual preferences, such as method of contact, amount of information released via the system, and whether they would like to get information regarding new features of the application.

Kansasjoblink.com provides to job seekers skill assessment tools which can be used through the Internet. This allows job seekers to assess their skills without having a caseworker intervene, making the system more efficient.

The "guide me" functionality provides job seekers with step-by-step instructions for completing an on-line resume. Job seekers may store multiple objective statements and multiple resumes. Sample objective statements and cover letters are also available. Kansasjoblink.com generated resumes can also be printed for job interview purposes.

Kansasjoblink.com captures employment preferences such as minimum salary required, benefits, schedule and location. The application also captures the
service needs of job seekers, such as day care and transportation. The application provides a standard list of services available from which a case manager can pick.

Kansasjoblink.com provides the ability for an Internet job seeker to search for a job, training or services without the involvement of a case manager.

C. Case Managers

Kansasjoblink.com is Kansas' first attempt to provide linkages between multiple agencies through the Internet. The unique application will allow for the display of a single screen of summary information, which lists the services/programs in which a job seeker has been involved and the one-stop services used. This moves Kansas one step closer to common intake for similar programs.

Kansasjoblink.com will provide case managers the ability to receive valid data from the legacy systems of core partners. Core partners will have access to data normally collected by a different state agency.

Kansasjoblink.com captures case notes entered by a case manager in free form. These notes could include any additional information not included on an assessment form or any special comments the case manager may have.

Kansasjoblink.com captures job seeker training needs to develop targeted skills. Training could range from how to dress for and conduct oneself during an interview to the steps involved in achieving an advanced degree.

Kansasjoblink.com captures data on what referrals were made for a job seeker either to service or training providers.

Kansasjoblink.com creates an electronic version of an employment plan based on previously collected job seeker data. The plan includes job goal, a job seeker "to do" list, as well as agency responsibilities. The plan consists of a template that uses pick lists to facilitate the entry of information and matching of service needs.

Kansasjoblink.com tracks information on assigned training. This includes length of training period, type of training, anticipated start date, anticipated end date, and weekly participation.

Placements into employment are reported through several methods including self-entry or through unemployment insurance wage record data.

For clients who are eligible, Kansasjoblink.com allows state workers to manage an individual's training account. The application can track training expenses against individual budgets and expenditures by program or funding source.

Kansasjoblink.com will produce federally mandated reports pursuant to the 1998 Workforce Investment Act. It will also produce reports at the state, SDA and local levels.

D. Local Workforce Investment Boards

Kansasjoblink.com captures information necessary to assist in identifying gaps in local training needs. For example, Kansasjoblink.com maintains information regarding the availability of training for a particular skill in a local area. This helps identify gaps between employer training requirements and the local availability.

Information on training services can be customized at the local level. This includes types of service, locations, providers, contact information, maps, etc.