America's Career Infonet

A service of the U.S. Department of Labor, this website's goal is to be a comprehensive source of occupational information. One neat feature in its Resource Library is a list of links to career assessment websites for those who need some help in finding a career suited to their interests and personality.

BLS Career Information: Exploring Career Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Explore career possibilities by clicking on different topics that interest you. Topics include: Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Music and Arts, Building and Fixing Things, Helping People, Computers, Law, Managing Money, Sports, Nature. A teacher's guide is also available as well as an extended list of "A-Z List of Careers." Provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Finding a Job in Tough Times

Sections include: Unemployment Resources, Hone Your Skills, Get Yourself Up to Date (Resumes, Reinventing yourself), Market Yourself (Make yourself a brand, Business networking online), Research, Job Hunting Tips (Where to search, Read the job posting carefully, Give yourself a break), Beware: Work-at-Home Scams. From the Federal Citizen Information Center (FCIC) of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).

Job Hunt Strategies

Browse articles and advice for job hunters by topic. From Monster.com.

Job Search Writing

Preparing an Application, Job Search Letters, resumes, cover letters, and more. From Purdue University.

My Next Move

"My Next Move is intended to assist all jobseekers. It may be especially useful for students, young adults and other first-time workers as they explore potential careers based on their interests. The new tool complements the department's 'mySkills myFuture' website, which is designed to help those with previous work experience match their existing skills to new occupations."

My Skills My Future

This site, sponsored by the US Department of Labor, allows users to type in current or past jobs to find other potential careers and provide information about necessary training.

Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) - Latest Edition

For hundreds of different types of jobs-such as teacher, lawyer, and nurse-the Occupational Outlook Handbook tells you: the training and education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job, working conditions. In addition, the Handbook gives you job search tips, links to information about the job market in each State, and more. From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

PayWizard.org

"A resource center, a salary-checker and a tool for helping American workers understand more about pay and work life."

SalaryExpert

The free Basic Report provides a high, low and median salary for occupations by geographical area as well as the cost of living for that area. It also includes nationwide averages. Only the Basic report is free.

Work Force New York - Career Services

From the New York State Department of Labor, this site offers a variety of guides for the job seeker. It includes information on choosing a career, surviving a job loss and "marching to your next career," for veterans. There is a wealth of valuable employment and occupational information: a business directory, searchable by county and occupation, allows you to find potential private sector employers in New York State. Includes CarreerZone, the New York state award winning guide to matching occupations to interests, skills, and capabilities. See also: NYS DOL's "Looking for a Job" website.

See also: Gateways












The resume is a powerful tool in your job search. Equally important and decisive can be the cover letter. Below are links to sites containing hints, tips, and guides to strengthening your resume and cover letter writing skills.

Basic Resume Generator

You can use this very simple but free service to generate a basic resume quickly. You can print the results, copy/paste/save the text in a word processor, or copy/paste into a job website (if that website allows copy/pasting of resumes). From Middletown Thrall Library.

The Damn Good Resume

If you can ignore all the advertisements, there are some free sample resumes that may be helpful. Search Thrall's catalog for copies of many of these books.

Introduction to and Expectations for Resumes

From Purdue University.

JobNow

From NY Online Virtual Library (NOVELNY): "JobNow is a unique service that features expert resume assistance, live interview preparation and career coaching."

Preparing A Perfect Plain Text Resume

Step by step instructions for converting your MS Word resume to a plain text format compatible for posting.

Resumes: What They Are, How They Work, and How to Create One

Middletown Thrall Library's own informational flyer.

The Secret Formula to Cover Letter Success

An article detailing the process of writing a good cover letter.

Writing Resumes and Cover Letters

From the New York State Labor Department this chapter from their Job Search Guide provides information on preparing effective resumes.

Cover Letters: What They Are, What They Do, and How to Create One

Middletown Thrall Library's own informational flyer.

The First and Best Cover Letters

One example for each situation is free. You can view others by subscribing.

Writing a Winning Cover Letter

A nice overview on writing a cover letter from Rennsselaer Polytechnic Institute

You may also want to look for resume and cover letter information on the sites in the Job and Career Resources and Gateways sections or visit the library to check out our print collection.

Your education and skills decide for what jobs you qualify. To be a competitive candidate for any position your skills must be impressive and current. To explore higher educational opportunities, click here for College Connexion.

As Internet literacy becomes a permanent prerequisite for "good-paying" jobs, you should do everything possible to build Internet proficiency. Free Internet tutorials are available online:

Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial

Internet Tutorials

by University at Albany Libraries

Thrall Documents

Contains a number of informative pages, such as Web Check List, Critical Thinking, Search Smarter, and more.

Thrall Self-Study Center

Quick, easy, self-directed tutorials on a variety of topics.

In these trying economic times, finding a good-paying job can be challenging. Why not take advantage of the many free materials, available at your library, which can help you weather the storms, feel better about yourself, and help you grow not only professionally but personally?

If you're interested, please check out these posts in our Booklovers Blog for links to self-help, self-esteem, motivational, and inspirational books, videos, and other related items in the library system catalog. Note: just skip the text about "displays" and head straight for the topic links at the end of each post:

• "Yes You Can"
• "Simplify Your Life"

We also provide a guide to finding Self-Help information at our website (PDF format) and a free "Succeed" flyer at Reference, which introduces you to free services our library provides - services you can use to literally get ahead in your professional career and in life!

Many jobs require you meet certain educational and/or profession qualifications. Some modes of employment might require you to hold one or more licenses before you can act in a specific capacity or perform a certain duty. Here are some sites to help you learn more about these things:

Division of Licensing Services - List of Professions

New York State licensed occupations not covered by the Department of Education. Includes links to applications and instructions.

Licensed Occupations

From CareerOneStep, this website allows you to find qualifications and contact information by profession and state.

New York State Office of the Professions

Provides licensing requirements and applications for New York State

Below are some links to help you focus on particular aspects of the interview process.

Getting an Academic Job

Provided by the University of Washington.

Interview 101

Sections include: Thorough Research, Getting the Interview, Persistent Preparation, Confident Performance. Includes sample interview questions and suggestions.

Interviews: Interview Advice, Tips, and Techniques

Sections include: Job Interview Guide, Job Interview Questions, Interview Attire (what to wear, how to dress), How to Follow Up After a Job Interview, Interview Thank You Letters, Job Interview Types, Acing the Interview, Interview Blunders, How to Ace the Interview E-Course, Job Interview Follow-Up, How to Use Nonverbal Communication to Impress, Teen Interview Tips, A Second Look at First Impressions, Difficult Interview Questions. From About.com.

Job Interviews - Advice and Tips for Job Interviews: A Guide To Success for Your Next Job Interview (Tech Careers)

Sections include: Interview Tips, Behavioral Interviewing Tips, Job Interviews - Guidelines for Success, Interview Questions - Examples, Interview Questions to Ask, Illegal Interview Questions. From About.com.

Job-Interview.net

A complete resource for preparing for your interview. Includes information on handling tough questions and sticky situations.

JobNow

From NY Online Virtual Library (NOVELNY): "JobNow is a unique service that features expert resume assistance, live interview preparation and career coaching."

Look for more interviewing information from the sites in the Gateways section.

Cover Letters:
  What They Are, What They Do, and How to Create One

Computer Terminology:
  Some Technical Words and Concepts You Should Know

Critical Thinking Skills:
  What They Are and Why You Must Develop Them!

Finding Jobs & Career Resources in the Library Catalog:
  Where to Look and What Search Terms You Can Use

Get Your Own Free E-mail Account
- simple instructions

Jobs & Careers
- An overview of free library services and tools available to you as you search for employment or develop your career potential

Navigating and Completing Forms
  at Employment Websites and Other Places Online

Resumés:
  What They Are, How They Work, and How to Create One

Web Checklist:
  Consider and Evaluate Websites

You can search multiple job sites for opportunities through the following specialized search engines:

CareerBuilder

Indeed.com

Job Search Engine (juju)

LinkUp: Exposing the Hidden Jobs

Simply Hired: Job Search Made Simple

USA Jobs

Government employment search engine from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

The library cannot control resources on the Internet. Some sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is inaccurate, defamatory, illegal or potentially offensive to some people.