Public Employment Services

April 13, 2006

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There are hundreds of offices of state employment services affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor's Training and Employment Service. There are branches located in every large city and in every county. Originally set up to process unemployment compensation claims, these agencies are still regarded by some as "unemployment offices" and have a negative public image. However, they do much more than pass out checks to the jobless.

They provide a variety of services for job seekers and employers:

counseling
testing
training
placement
analytical and statistical services

Traditionally viewed only as sources of unskilled or semi-skilled workers, the agencies can actually provide all types of employees for every occupation, including professional, technical, and managerial positions.

They have a large pool of job seekers, not merely because they handle unemployment, but because many smart job hunters would rather use their services than pay a private employment agency. Services are free to both employer and job hunter (except, of course, that they are financed through the taxes we pay).

Through a nationwide system of job matching, state offices can locate talent around the country. A Professional Office Network operates by computer to match candidates and employers. Federal contractors are also required to list many of their job openings with the state services.

If you hire a referral from a state employment agency, you may have special Form I-9 considerations that may require you to keep certain records.