WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

I can tell you from experience it happens. I had everything together: cover letter, resume and references -- check. I went over them countless times and asked family and friends to double check. It all seemed in order, so I hit send.

TGIF! Tonight I'm using up the produce in my fridge before I hit up the farmers markets this weekend. I went Saturday to the Lincoln Park Farmers Market and picked out some red potatoes with intentions of using them last weekend -- they're still sitting in the crisper.

Are you new to the Chicago? Welcome. Bienvenidos. Do you want to improve your English? The City's Chicago Workforce Center offers literacy and English as a Second Language courses and workshops throughout the city. The best part? These services are free for job seekers.

Some minimum wage workers will get a pay bump next week. The federal minimum wage increases July 24 to $7.25. The wage hike marks the final increase in a three-step boost Congress enacted two years ago. This raise will affect 29 states where minimum wages is currently set below $7.25.

Thinking of starting a small business but have questions on where to start? Want to network with experts and other people interested in small businesses?

The founder of Teach for America, Wendy Kopp, recently chatted with New York Times reporter Adam Bryant about what she looks for in a job candidate. Some of her suggestions seem valuable for anyone searching for a job. Here's an excerpt from the interview: Q. Talk about the art of goal setting.

About 77 percent, or $37 billion, of the Department of Transportation's stimulus funds will be funneled through major grant programs, but, according to a memo from Calvin Scovel, DOT Inspector General, some of these programs have been at risk of improper payments.