State offers mobile app to help Missourians find jobs

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. Most Americans across party lines have serious concerns about cyber attacks on U.S. computer systems and view China and Russia as major threats. That's according to a new poll by The Pearson Institute and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP Photo, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, a person uses a smart phone in Chicago. Most Americans across party lines have serious concerns about cyber attacks on U.S. computer systems and view China and Russia as major threats. That's according to a new poll by The Pearson Institute and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP Photo, File)

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development has a new initiative to meet job seekers where they are - on their mobile devices.

The MoJobs Connect mobile app, which launched earlier this month, allows users to access the services typically provided by Missouri Job Centers, like the ability to create and upload resumes, search and apply for jobs, and more.

"We work with employers across the state to post jobs to find job seekers who would be interested, so this is a more Missouri version of like Indeed or something like that," said Jessica Duren, assistant commissioner of MDHEWD's Office of Communications and Outreach.

Upon opening the app, users will see a list of recent job listings that correspond to the resume they have linked to their account.

MoJobs Connect is also linked to the Jobs.mo.gov Twitter feed, which helps promote the information, tips and resources provided by the Office of Workforce Development.

Additionally, the app helps users locate their nearest Job Center, save job listings and view recent job searches and postings.

Duren said the app is similar to the MoJobs online platform, which the department noticed people were accessing but not logging into to take full advantage of its offerings.

"This is basically bringing that speed from the MoJobs account right to the palm of their hand in the app form," she said.

The app also makes the Office of Workforce Development services more accessible.

Most people conduct job searches when sitting at home or in line at the grocery store, Duren said, so it seemed fitting for the department to break into the mobile app arena.

"You can do all the things on a phone that you can do on a computer now, so we want to meet customers where they are, and we need to be more mobile," Duren said.

Mardy Leathers, Missouri director of workforce development, said the new app will expand the reach of services and "help more job seekers than ever before."

MDHEWD will continue to maintain its Missouri Job Centers around the state so job seekers can still receive one-on-one help in their job searches.

MoJobs Connect is a free app available in the Google Play Store and Apple Store for Android and iOS devices.