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OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department has added new features to the WorkSource website that will make it easier than ever for employers and veterans to find each other.

The changes are part of an effort to implement a 2011 state law that granted legal protection to private-sector employers who want to give military veterans a preference in their hiring decisions.

Now, job-seeking veterans and eligible spouses who post their résumés on go2worksource.com can check a box that makes their military status visible to employers who want to hire veterans. When employers search the site for job candidates, they can search for veterans’ résumés.

Similarly, employers who post jobs on go2worksource.biz can check a box indicating that they will give veterans a hiring preference – and veterans can search the site for “veterans preference” jobs.

Washington is the first state in the nation to enhance its employment website is such a manner.

“The veterans-preference law will help open doors for veterans if employers can find them,” said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. “We wanted to do something to make it easier for them to connect.”

Employment Security manages the go2worksource websites on behalf of the statewide WorkSource employment system. This week, the department is sending emails to about 14,000 veterans and employers in Washington letting them know about the new law and the new Web tools.

Veterans already receive priority access to WorkSource employment services and priority referrals to jobs that are listed with WorkSource. In addition, WorkSource has employment specialists who focus on helping veterans with their training and employment needs.

Locations of local WorkSource centers are posted on go2worksource.com or in the blue pages of telephone books. WorkSource is part of the American Job Center network.

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WorkSource employment website for job seekers: www.go2worksource.com

WorkSource employment website for employers: www.go2worksource.biz

Broadcast version

Washington’s Employment Security Department is making it easier than ever for employers and veterans to find each other.

Now, job seekers who post résumés on go2worksource.COM can check a box that lets employers know if they’re veterans. 

And businesses that post job openings on go2worksource.BIZ can check a box indicating they will give veterans a preference in their hiring process.

Then, veterans and employers can use the sites’ search tools to find each other.

A state law adopted last year gives private-sector employers a legal right to give veterans and some spouses a hiring preference.

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