More and more people are finding themselves looking for work.
Some are embarking on a completely new career. Others just need
help locating a job in their current field.
More and more people are finding themselves looking for work. Some are embarking on a completely new career. Others just need help locating a job in their current field.
Whatever stage you or your loved one is in, the library has books, computers, and online resources that can help.
For those who need a little inspiration as they search for a new career, the library has popular books such as Bronson’s What Should I Do with MyLife?, Tieger’s Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for you Through the Secrets of Personality Type, Griffith’s Do What You Love for the Rest of Your Life, Boldt’s Zen and the Art of Making a Living, and Sher’s I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What It Was. These and other career titles will be on display at the library during the month of April.
Those who are ready to start contacting potential employers can use one the library’s 10 new public access computers. These computers have both Microsoft Office and Web access, and are available free of charge.
For patrons searching for work from home, the library’s website provides links to some of the best career resources on the Web. Employment links include JobStar, which provides alary information, careers, job ads, job fairs, and hotlines for Northern and Southern California. About.com’s Job/Careers guide to job searching includes links to job fairs, classifieds, resume and cover letter help, career options, and interviewing resources.
The Riley Guide – one of the first and best job hunting sites on the Net – serves as a how-to guide. The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor provides descriptions of jobs, working conditions, training and education requirements, salaries and employment prospects.
The Association of Bay Area Government’s Local Government Jobs List links to job listings in Bay Area cities and counties as well as other government jobs. Careerbuilder, sponsored by the San Jose Mercury News and Contra Costa Times, has links to job fairs, company profiles and includes a search tool and directory to find a job in a specific field.
Bay Area Careers provides regional employment links to company Web sites, links to local newspaper classified ads, and job newsgroups. The California Employment Development Department website has information on unemployment insurance, disability insurance, job training, payroll taxes, and the labor market. This site also links to job listings that can be accessed by both employers and job seekers.
More helpful websites are listed on Job Search, an employment search website maintained by a local librarian. The library’s employment page at http://www.santaclaracountylib.org/reference/bmk_employment.html provides links to each of these websites.
The library also has a large selection of books that give practical advice on resume and cover letter writing, networking, volunteering and other paths to finding employment.
Don’t know where to start? Stop by the library reference desk. One of our librarians will be happy match you up with the resources that are best for you.
Questions and suggested topics for At The Library, which appears in Tuesday editions, should be directed to Community Librarian Sarah Flowers at sf******@**********************ca.us or by calling 779-3196.
