TIPS:

• Please be careful to use the correct web address - http://www.cwds.state.pa.us. PA CareerLink/CWDS does not charge a fee for use of their web services.
  

• When creating your Keystone ID try something unusual - a combination of letters and numbers often works well. If you try a fairly common name or word you may find that it is already in use by someone else. There are many users on the CWDS system and no two people can have the same Keystone ID.
  

• Upon registration you will be assigned a random Participant ID# - write this number down - it can be used instead of your Social Security Number when you call, write, or e-mail the PA CareerLink office.
  

• Watch the date formats on your resume. There is an option to show the dates, duration in months, or no dates at all for Work, Military and Education records.
  

• Make sure you are registered on the CWDS website and logged in - if you aren’t registered and logged in, you won’t be able to apply for jobs you find.
  

• Take a look at your e-mail address! Don’t use an e-mail address that sounds unprofessional or that an employer could find offensive. This doesn’t mean you have to change your e-mail address, you can always set up a free e-mail account with Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail to use for your job search efforts.
  

• Check your CWDS resume to make sure all of your information is up to date (address, phone, job history, etc.). If there are changes to be made do it BEFORE you start looking at job openings. That way your resume is up to date and current if you apply for a job through the CWDS website.
  

• Make sure you have completed your "Resume" and "Job Preferences" section and have indicated that you are available for job matching. This is important when employers are searching for potential applicants for their job openings because the system matches with the preferences you entered.
  

• Use "Job Applications" to track the jobs you've applied for - click on "Jobs" in the blue navigation bar and select "Job Applications" from the dropdown box. (NOTE: It is possible you could have jobs in your Job Application list that you have not applied for. This would happen if you clicked on "Apply Now" when viewing job openings but did not follow through on the application process.)
  

• Don’t hesitate to click on links such as "Resources" in the blue navigation bar to find a wealth of information available to you such as Individual Services or Web Resources. One example on the Individual Services page is "Pennsylvania CareerLinked Employers." This page features company logos of participating PA CareerLinked Employers. By clicking on any logo, you can access the company's profile, view their job openings, and apply for jobs. If you click on a company logo, and then click on "View Job Orders," a new screen will come up asking for you to login if you are not logged in already. You will use the same Keystone ID and Password you use for CWDS.
  

• Having problems with CWDS? Have you noticed there is a HELP link at the top of every page? The Help menu will be specific to the page you are on at the time. (Note: You may have to disable any pop-up blockers you have on your computer to use the Help menus.)