Will Works Podcast

In this episode, Cleo reveals that she will be moving into a new position and will no longer be a co-host of the podcast. Cleo discusses her career journey so far, what she'll be doing in her new role, and Cleo and Patrick reflect on their experiences as podcasting co-hosts. (Cleo you will be missed!) Make sure you continue to tune in, as Patrick will host the program and be joined by special gues...

Garry A. Reichert, Lead Business Advisor for the Entrepreneur & Business Center (EBC) at Joliet Junior College joins the program to discuss his own career journey and the services that the EBC provides. Discover how the EBC supports both entrepreneurs that are creating a net new startup, or even small business owners that are looking to take their business to the next level. 

In this episode, you'll hear from a former student of the Will County Career Certified Program about how and why she chose to pursue a CDL license. Discover some of the advantages of pursuing a career as a truck driver and details about what it takes to obtain a CDL license. You'll also learn about a valuable new resource dedicated to helping new CDL drivers prepare for their careers. 

In this episode, you'll hear from Cleo and Patrick as they reflect on episodes from the past year. They also share insights about their experiences attending the Joliet Chamber Leadership School. 

In this episode, you'll learn how LinkedIn can help you in your job search and tips for how to leverage LinkedIn to help you achieve your career goals. You'll also discover why LinkedIn is a great resource for both job seekers and employers. 

In this episode you'll learn about how employers can support returning citizens in connecting to the workforce and some of the challenges that returning citizens face as they look for work. Discover 4 points to think about when it comes to supporting this talent pool. 

In this episode, Cleo and Patrick discuss Joliet Junior College's Connect to Your Future Program and Will County's On-the-Job Training Program. Discover how to access occupational training in high growth, high demand occupations in Will County, as well as eligibility requirements for both programs. This episode also features the first "5 Minute Free for All" segment, where Cleo and Patrick go beyo...

In this episode, Cleo and Patrick reveal the top 10 things that job seekers are looking for from employers, based on a recent article by John Salvadore, Managing Partner at GRN Coastal. To read the article, visit  https://www.adhq.com/about/ad-news/top-10-things-job-seekers-are-looking-for

In this episode, Cleo and Patrick reveal the top 10 traits that employers are looking for in job seekers, based on a Forbes article. Discover the importance of continuous learning, keeping an open mind, and more!  To read the referenced Forbes article, visit:  https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2020/11/09/the-top-10-skills-recruiters-are-looking-for-in-2021

In this episode, you'll learn about the importance of hiring persons with disabilities and how very often it only takes minor accommodations to tap into this talented labor pool. Discover some of the biggest barriers that people with disabilities face when seeking employment and the business case for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace. 

At the time of this recording, there were 29,000 people in Illinois on unemployment and approximately 21,000 jobs posted by employers. What are the various factors that are keeping people out of the workforce, and what can employers do to attract talent? Tune in as Cleo and Patrick share their thoughts about this topic and discuss their reflections on the previous two episodes of the Will Works Po...

In this episode you'll hear from an employer as he discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted his company's day-to-day operations, and the lasting impact from the pandemic. Discover staffing challenges as well as what businesses are doing to recruit talent. You'll also learn about the range of efforts that employers are making to ensure the health and safety of their workers. 

In this episode you'll hear from Gloria, a job seeker who shares her career journey, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted her job search efforts. Gloria reveals the support that she has received from the workforce system, and the different types of interviews that job seekers may face. 

Tune in for episode 2 as your hosts Cleo and Patrick discuss the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the hiring landscape. Discover some of the challenges that employers are facing and as well as the barriers that workers are facing as they attempt to return to work. You'll also hear about some of the innovative services available to help connect workers to employment. 

In this introductory episode, Cleo and Patrick reveal the purpose of the podcast, share their respective backgrounds and how they came to their current roles, and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing job seekers and employers in the post-pandemic environment. They also share their favorite places to eat in Will County!