Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center  Military and Family Support Center

A successful job search is a result of preparation, persistence and timely follow-up of all leads and involves using a variety of resources such as networking through business, community, professional associations, friends and acquaintances.

Taking a course at one of the Michigan colleges in your career specialty is a great way to meet local professors and students who have a lot of local contacts. Online searches, journals, magazines and newspapers serve to keep you up to date on what is happening in your field and also list the classified advertisements that offer potential employment opportunities.

For job seekers interested in government employment, there are many options right here in Michigan. The federal government including jobs for the Defense Logistics Agency, lists openings through USAJOBS.

The state's unemployment is generally higher than the city of Battle Creek and the county of Calhoun. Reference the following:

• Michigan Labor Market website for current rates
• U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website to compare unemployment rates with other states, and to see Battle Creek's current rate

Michigan's governor is making jobs one of the top priorities. Michigan is offering tax incentives to bring in new businesses. Michigan's history is rich in auto manufacturing. Michigan is planning for the future by offering various training and education programs to prepare our citizens for higher educational and technical jobs such as medical and medical research, technology and going-green industries. Michigan Reconnect is a scholarship program that pays you to attend your in-district community college tuition free; go to www.michigan.gov/reconnect/

See the state of Michigan's website for Michigan educational and job opportunities, links to employment agencies in Michigan and the different programs Michigan is offering.

There are many federal, state, county and city employment opportunities, as well as the Department of Military Affairs and the Veterans Administration within Battle Creek and other local areas. Please visit their respective websites for more information and job postings:

• City jobs
• County jobs
• State jobs

You can also visit the USAJOBS website for openings for other federal jobs with the Department of Military Affairs the VAMC and others.

Transition assistance is not available on the site. The Military Transition Assistance Program is available through the website https://military.com/military-transtion/transition-assistance-program-overview.html

There are many educational opportunities for Military members, Veterans, their spouses and children. Check online to see which provide resources to fund student financial aid. All college campuses have financial aid counselors available to assist their students with loans or grants, as well as military/veteran tuition assistance. Find college scholarship information online.

Federal financial aid information can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website.

Most colleges have financial aid offices for Military members that are students.

Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency offers two methods for filing unemployment claims on its website. You may file a claim by phone or online as long as you meet the criteria listed online. 

Helpful tips for applying online:

• Website load times can be slow. Click a link once and wait for a response without clicking again.
• Apply online during non-peak hours, 8 p.m.-8 a.m. The 24-hours-a-day website operates faster when fewer people are on the site.