Michigan is on a mission to become a premier state for inclusive and equitable access to economic opportunities, and it all starts with connecting people to meaningful careers.
At the heart of this initiative is the Michigan Career Portal, powered by Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Talent Solutions. This platform is designed to bring together job seekers, employers, educators and students in a smart, accessible and user-friendly way.
“As we spoke to individuals from Michigan, and those who live outside of Michigan and were considering a move to the state, we were told that understanding what career opportunities were available was a key consideration for them,” said Beth Swanson, Talent Solutions Specialist at MEDC.
“Our goal was to provide an easy way for job seekers -- from post-high school to mid and senior career levels -- to find open positions across Michigan that align with their skills, experience, education and certifications.”
To make this happen, the portal features a comprehensive data feed of open positions that refreshes daily, currently listing more than 140,000 jobs. These opportunities cover a wide range of industries and skill levels, including more than:
- 1,400 apprentice job openings (like construction, electrician, plumber, machinist and HVAC);
- 3,000 construction openings;
- 2,000 automotive technician roles;
- 1,500 master plumber positions;
- 2,000 industrial electrician roles;
- 1,700 heavy equipment operator jobs;
- 1,300 CNC operator openings; and
- 5,000 production technician openings.
The portal also leverages AI technology to simplify and enhance the job search process.
“We wanted to make the job search easier by using smart technology to quickly match the job seeker’s resume information to open positions and provide a list of recommended job openings to review,” Swanson explained.
Designed for all levels of tech comfort
Ease of use is another key feature of the platform.
“We would say that it is a moderately easy platform to use, as most individuals have some experience with technology in a variety of contexts: the electronics in their home, smartphones and often a variety of electronics at school or work,” said Swanson.
The platform was designed for users who are early-stage through later-stage job seekers.
“This includes high school graduates and mid-to-late-career individuals. It was developed with significant input from actual job seekers.”
Those who are comfortable using desktops or tablets, browsing for information and creating documents like resumes will likely find the portal very user-friendly.
Tips to get the most out of the Michigan Career Portal
Swanson also shared several best practices for job seekers:
- Upload a resume. “We recommend that a job seeker upload their resume to the portal and always make sure the Match Profile option is turned on; this ensures the portal is recommending jobs that are focused on your experience, skills and education.”
- Follow match scores. “Look for recommended jobs that have a Match Score of at least 75% and read the job requirements carefully. Are there skills listed in the job posting that you have acquired but don’t have listed on your resume? Make a list of these and then update your resume with them.” She suggests re-uploading the revised resume to improve match scores and increase visibility.
- Search similar job titles. “Try searching on a variety of similar titles: service technician, field technician, maintenance technician and automation technician are examples of similar roles for various employers. This may also apply to junior and senior positions at different companies -- not all employers will use apprentice, journeyman and master titles.”
- Turn on notifications. “Set the email alerts on the platform so that you’ll get notified when positions become available. There is a strong correlation between applying early and getting an interview.”
Why the resume matters most
According to Swanson, the resume is a critical step in the job search process, as it is the first thing an employer will see when they decide whether to consider you for a job.
With so many employers using software to sort applications, it’s essential to tailor your resume for each role.
“Carefully consider what the job requirements are, and update your resume to highlight the skills, experience, education and certificates you have to meet those requirements.”
She said it is the No. 1 thing job seekers can do to improve their chances for getting an interview.
A platform that keeps evolving
Swanson said the MEDC Talent Solutions division is committed to improving the user experience.
“We are constantly testing search results, talking with job seekers using the portal and reviewing the metrics and analytics for the platform to ensure job seekers are having a great experience on the site, that the technology is working as designed and expected and we are looking for ways to continually improve.”
She added that video demonstrations are in development to show users how all the features on the portal work.
“We will provide some best practice information to get the most out of their time on the portal. We are planning for these to be added to the portal in early June.”
Swanson said one major way to increase visibility for open positions is to add your LinkedIn profile.
“Many employers will look at LinkedIn to see if a candidate has a profile after they review a resume.”
With AI-powered matching, real-time job updates and a design focused on accessibility and user feedback, the Michigan Career Portal is more than just a job board -- it’s a gateway to opportunity across the state.
Click or tap here to access the Michigan Job Portal.
