MLS FeedBack Survey

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
What is the purpose of this survey?
The purpose of this brief survey is to find out more about you and others who work on the MLS program, so that we
can develop effective workshops for the annual training conference, as well as plan other activities to better meet
your needs.
We estimate it will take an average of 30 minutes to complete this form.
If you have comments regarding any aspect of this survey please send them to Bureau of Labor Statistics (12200168), 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington DC 20212. You are not required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. This survey is being collected under OMB No.
1220-0168 which expires on August 31, 2012.
Thank you for contributing to this important effort! We appreciate your hard work.
If you have problems completing this questionnaire, please contact Brandon Kopp (202-691-7514),
Kopp_B@BLS.gov.
This survey is being administered by surveymonkey.com and resides on a server outside of the BLS Domain. The
BLS cannot guarantee the protection of survey responses and advises against the inclusion of sensitive personal
information in any response.

Page 1

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Your role in MLS
1. Which of the following best describes your MLS role in your office? I am …
j
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m
n

The only MLS analyst

j
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m
n

One of a team of MLS analysts

j
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l
m
n

A backup MLS analyst

j
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l
m
n

An MLS supervisor

j
k
l
m
n

Other (Please describe your role below)

Please describe your role in MLS

5
6

2. Do you also work on the LAUS program?
j
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m
n

Yes

j
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m
n

No

3. Do you work on any other BLS programs?
j
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n

Yes (Please describe below)

j
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m
n

No

What other programs do you work on?

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4. How long have you worked on the MLS program?
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n

0 to 12 months

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n

13 to 24 months

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n

25 to 59 months

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n

60 to 119 months

j
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n

120 months or more

Page 2

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Training
5. What training (OJT or formal) have you received for MLS? (Mark all that apply)
c
d
e
f
g

MLS Annual Training Conference

c
d
e
f
g

MLS Overview training

c
d
e
f
g

On-the-job training (OJT)

c
d
e
f
g

Training provided by BLS Regional Office staff

c
d
e
f
g

Other - Please describe the training in the space below

What was the training?

5
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Page 3

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Training you need
6. What training do you feel you need? (Mark all that apply)
c
d
e
f
g

UI system and procedures

c
d
e
f
g

PROMIS

c
d
e
f
g

WinMLS

c
d
e
f
g

Employer interview

c
d
e
f
g

Editing and reviewing MLS data

c
d
e
f
g

Preparing news releases and other analyses

c
d
e
f
g

Other - Please describe the training in the space below

What training would you like?

5
6

Page 4

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
UI Data
7. Are you responsible for the development of UI data for MLS, through either PROMIS
or your legacy UI system?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes, through PROMIS (please describe what you do below)

j
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m
n

Yes, through legacy system (please describe what you do below)

j
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n

No

What do you do?

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Page 5

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Use of PROMIS
8. How do you use PROMIS?
c
d
e
f
g

To analyze the characteristics of claimants in my State

c
d
e
f
g

To generate MLS inputs

c
d
e
f
g

To regularly review the output from the PROMIS system before input to WinMLS

c
d
e
f
g

Other uses (Please describe in space below)

c
d
e
f
g

NOT approved to use PROMIS

Other uses (please describe)

5
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Page 6

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Use of Legacy System
9. How do you use your legacy system?
c
d
e
f
g

To analyze the characteristics of claimants in my State

c
d
e
f
g

To generate MLS inputs

c
d
e
f
g

Other uses (Please describe in space below)

c
d
e
f
g

We use PROMIS (i.e., we do not use a legacy system)

Other uses (please describe)

5
6

Page 7

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Most Difficult Tasks
10. What tasks generally take the most time during a typical month's activities? (Mark all
that apply)
c
d
e
f
g

Developing and editing UI input data

c
d
e
f
g

Maintaining WinMLS

c
d
e
f
g

Preparing for employer interviews

c
d
e
f
g

Finding a knowledgeable MLS respondent

c
d
e
f
g

Conducting the employer interview

c
d
e
f
g

Entering the interview data in WinMLS

c
d
e
f
g

Reviewing monthly MLS data

c
d
e
f
g

Reviewing quarterly MLS data

c
d
e
f
g

Other (please describe)

What other tasks take the most time?

5
6

Page 8

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
MLS activities
11. Using the following 10-point scale, please rate each of the following aspects of the
MLS program in terms of difficulty, where 1=Not at all difficult and 10=Very Difficult.
Not at
all

Very

difficult

difficult

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Developing and editing UI input data

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

Maintaining WinMLS

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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n

j
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n

j
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n

Preparing for employer interviews

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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n

j
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n

Finding a knowledgeable MLS respondent

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

Conducting the employer interview

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Entering the interview data in WinMLS

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Reviewing monthly MLS data

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

Reviewing quarterly MLS data

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

Other (Please specify)

j
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m
n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

What other tasks do you find difficult?

5
6

Page 9

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Reaching knowledgeable respondents
12. When you call employers, how often do you encounter problems reaching a
knowledgeable respondent?
j
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m
n

Always or almost always

j
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m
n

Often

j
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m
n

Sometimes

j
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m
n

Seldom

j
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n

Never or almost never

Page 10

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Number of Contact Attempts
13. After you encounter one of the outcomes shown below, how many additional times
do you attempt to reach an employer before coding the case as a non-contact?
0

1

2

3

4

5 or more

Phone rings but no one answers and no voice-message option

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
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m
n

Phone rings, no one answers, but I leave a voice message

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
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m
n

Phone rings, person answers, says someone will call back but no one

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

does
Please describe other situations

5
6

Page 11

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Preemptive MLS Employer Contacts for Known Closures
14. When you have reliable information that an establishment is about to close down,
you are directed to call the employer to gather MLS data before the end of the normal 30day waiting period. Have you made such calls?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
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m
n

No

j
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m
n

I do not conduct MLS interviews

Page 12

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
No Calls Made Before 30 Day Waiting Period
15. Why haven't you made calls before the end of the 30-day waiting period when you
have reliable information that an establishment is going to close down?
5
6

Page 13

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Called Before End of 30-Day Waiting Period
16. How successful were you when you made these calls?
j
k
l
m
n

Always established contact

j
k
l
m
n

Established contact half or more than half of the time

j
k
l
m
n

Established contact less than half of the time

j
k
l
m
n

Was not successful

j
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m
n

No early contacts

Page 14

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
MLS Interview Question 1: Confirming the Layoff
17. Have you encountered any situations where a respondent says that a layoff has not
occurred even though you have evidence to the contrary?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes - Please describe the situation in the space below

j
k
l
m
n

No

Please describe a situation when this occurred

5
6

Page 15

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Use of Official Company Websites
18. When you are unable to make contact with an employer after repeated attempts, you
are directed to gather MLS relevant information from the official company website. Have
you obtained and entered data on a layoff from company websites?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

j
k
l
m
n

I don't conduct MLS interviews

Page 16

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
No - Did Not Gather Data from Company Website
19. Why have you not gathered MLS-relevant data from company websites?
5
6

Page 17

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Type of information collected from official websites
20. What specific information/data about layoff events have you collected from official
websites? (Mark all that apply)
c
d
e
f
g

The start and end dates of the layoff

c
d
e
f
g

The number of employees separated

c
d
e
f
g

The length of time that employees would be laid off

c
d
e
f
g

The economic reason(s) for the layoff

c
d
e
f
g

The business functions that had been performed by laid-off workers

c
d
e
f
g

Pre-layoff employment numbers

c
d
e
f
g

Whether the establishment would remain open or close down

c
d
e
f
g

Whether there would be a recall of workers, and when

c
d
e
f
g

An anticipated recall date of laid-off employees

c
d
e
f
g

Information/data on movement-of-work

c
d
e
f
g

Company websites did not include the above information

c
d
e
f
g

All contact information was obtained by phone

c
d
e
f
g

Did not use company websites when contact was unsuccessful

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MLS Feedback Survey 2010
News Releases
21. Does your State release MLS data? (Mark all that apply)
c
d
e
f
g

Yes (monthly, news release or Web)

c
d
e
f
g

Yes (quarterly, news release or Web)

c
d
e
f
g

Yes (annually, news release or Web)

c
d
e
f
g

Yes (special studies or analysis)

c
d
e
f
g

No

c
d
e
f
g

Don't know

Page 19

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Work on News Release
22. Do you write, review or edit the MLS data release, or portions of it?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes (Please describe what you do in the space below)

j
k
l
m
n

No

What do you do?

5
6

Page 20

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Other Support
23. Do you provide other MLS analytical materials or support to senior staff or other
departments within your State?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes (Please describe the information or support you provide below)

j
k
l
m
n

No

What kind of information do you provide?

5
6

Page 21

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Job Aids
24. Job aids are short references (up to a few pages), such as checklists, which have
been developed to help you perform your job better. Are there any additional job aids
that you would like the BLS to develop for you?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes - Please describe in the space below

j
k
l
m
n

No

j
k
l
m
n

Don't know

Please describe additional job aids you would like BLS to develop

5
6

Page 22

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
WinMLS & Managerial Data
25. The BLS National Office has modified WinMLS to incorporate managerial data, do
you make use of these data?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

Page 23

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Use Managerial Data in WinMLS
26. Please give some examples of how you use the managerial data.
5
6

Page 24

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Do Not Use Managerial Data in WinMLS
27. Why don't you use the managerial data?
5
6

Page 25

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
WinMLS & Data On All Claims
28. The BLS National Office has modified WinMLS to incorporate data on all claims, do
you make use of these data?
j
k
l
m
n

Yes

j
k
l
m
n

No

Page 26

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Use "All Claims" Data in WinMLS
29. Please give some examples of how you use the all claims data.
5
6

Page 27

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Do Not Use "All Claims" Data in WinMLS
30. Why don't you use the all claims data?
5
6

Page 28

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
Possible Discussion Topics for the Employer Interview Workshop
31. We hope to include another discussion at this year's training conference where you
will have the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics with a group of experienced State
Analysts.
Please rank the topics below in terms of their interest to you. Also, please feel free to
add any additional topics that you would like to see included.
A little

Moderately

interested

interested

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Not interested

Interested

Very interested

No opinion

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
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n

j
k
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n

j
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n

j
k
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n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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n

j
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Strategies for maintaining your motivation

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

"Lessons learned" (good and bad) while

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
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m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

j
k
l
m
n

Strategies for reaching knowledgeable
employers
Tough questions that employers ask, and
how to answer them
Types of reluctant or uncooperative
employers, and how to deal with them
Suggestions for managing your time and
scheduling your calls

calling employers
Suggestions for improving procedures or
your job, in general
Other (please specify)

5
6

Page 29

MLS Feedback Survey 2010
General Comments
32. This is the last question, and your opportunity to comment about any aspect of the
MLS program.
5

6

Page 30