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Jobs and Career Development

For a successful job search:

  • Prepare yourself and your resume.
  • Assess your skills.
  • Research the types of jobs available.
  • Evaluate what skills and background are required.

General Information About Jobs, Careers and Salaries

Online Job Search

Resume and Cover Letters

Skills Improvement and Test Practice

Company Research

Interviewing

 

General Information About Jobs, Careers and Salaries

Ferguson's Career Guidance Center    access from home use at home   access from library use in library
Provides detailed profiles of more than 3,300 jobs and 94 industries, invaluable advice on career skills, more than 48,000 resource entries, and much more!

Illinois Department of Employment Security
Helps with everything from writing resumes and interview practice to finding jobs.


CareerOneStop

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor Link to career and occupation information as well as industry information

O NET
Career/Occupational/Salary information required for specific jobs. Contains comprehensive job descriptions, including tasks, required knowledge, skills, and abilities; work activities and content, wages and employment. Especially useful in applying the buzzwords that help bring attention to your resume.

from U.S. Department of Labor

Occupational Outlook Handbook

A complete reference focusing on projections of occupations, earnings, education required and job descriptions. Published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

      Also available in print: CT R 331.702 OCC

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Riley Guide

Provides a comprehensive and manageable index of job hunting resources on the Internet, including resume and cover letter databases.  It is a well-organized first source for beginners.

Salary.com

Tools which focus on salaries, cost of living, performance levels and job skills.

 

Online Job Search

CareerBuilder

Jointly owned by newspaper companies; accepts paid postings from employers and lists want ads from over 200 newspapers across the country.  Must register to post a resume, but able to view job listings and narrow to city, state.


Chicago CraigsList
Free classifieds for both employers and job seekers.

Chicagoland Jobs

A niche employment site catering to employers and job seekers in the Chicago metro area.

Illinois Skills Match
Illinois job bank requires you to register and complete a skills assessment prior to viewing job listings. Emails are sent to you whenever a new match is listed.

Indeed
Compiles job listings from a variety of sources including Monster, CareerBuilder, HotJobs, CareerMole and Craig’s List.

Yahoo! (Hotjobs)
One of the most popular search engines for job hunting; national or local search.

Monster
The “monster” supersite for job hunting; able to search regionally.


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AARP

Job search websites and job tips for the over 50+ crowd.

Association Forum of Chicagoland

Listing of jobs available in the nonprofit sector (trade associations, professional societies, and charitable organizations.)

Illinois Clicks
Click on “Jobs & Careers” for access to job sites, job search tips, career advice, support groups and counseling, and networking opportunities.

 

Resumes and Cover Letters

Adult Career Center (Live Tutor) access from home use at home   access from library use in library
MPPL offers help from real, live tutors via our Web site or from the Library’s in-house computers -- Free!

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Before putting your resume on the internet read the articles at the following websites about potential fraudulent uses of your resume.

  • Some of the following sites may have additional fee-based services. They’re suggested as sources for resume writing purposes.

Job Hunt.org: Protecting Your Privacy
Highlights posting your job to the Internet, online job search protocols, and privacy protection.

JobStar Central
Guidelines for writing resumes for the Internet with links to sample resumes, cover letters, and job search articles.

The Vault
Sample resumes and cover letters for various professions.

 

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Within the Library, browse the call numbers around 650.14 and 650.142 for guides to writing resumes.

Best KeyWords for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews by Wendy Enelow
650.142 ENE (2008)

The Quick Résumé & Cover Letter Book by Michael J. Farr
650.142 FAR (2008)

A Foot in the Door: Networking Your Way into the Hidden Job Market by Katherine Hansen 650.14 HAN (2008)

How to Write & Design a Professional Résumé to Get the Job by Dale Mayer
650.142 MAY (2008)

Resumes for the 50+ Job Hunter, ed. McGraw-Hill
650.142 RES (2009)

Resumes for Re-entering the Job Market, ed. McGraw-Hill
650.14 RES (2008)

 

 

Skills Improvement and Test Practice

Learning Express Library   access from home use at home   access from library use in library
Take practice tests in a variety of subject areas, including ACT, GED, Civil Service and Citizenship exams. Also includes school skills improvement tutorials for specific grade levels. This database offers tutorials and practice tests in a variety of career areas, such as Real Estate, Nursing, and Civil Service, as well as College Prep tests.

Adult Programs

MPPL offers computer classes for adults; classes include Computer Basics, Word2003, Using Web-based email, among many other topics. Register for all program on the Internet, at the Registration Desk, or by telephone at 847-253-5675. Current computer programs.

Oakton Community College Career Services

Oakton offers career counseling, job search coaching, workshops, and other job related services.

Harper College Career Center

Harper College offers counseling sessions, career assessment, career action planning, resume service, and interviewing skills.

Illinois WorkNet

Illinois WorkNet staff can assist you in finding resources for your job search, career preparation, computer workshops, and work support such as financial aid and child care. Please note the monthly job fair calendar. This is a free service for Illinois residents

723 Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, (847) 437-9424

Company Research

ReferenceUSA    access from home use at home   access from library use in library
Search for businesses, as well as residential listings. Users can locate businesses by a number of criteria, including geographic details, company size and revenue. Reference USA is a business directory. Choose the type of company you are interested in, choose the geographical area, and find company contact information.

MPPL's Web Resources by Subject

For company info, check out the resources available in the following categories:

OCO's Career Guide
Bureau of Labor's information on available careers by industry, including the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, occupations in the industry, earnings and benefits.

Weddles Association Directory
Lists professional/occupational categories linked to associations and societies with job boards and resume banks.

We welcome you to browse the Jobs & Careers reference section [Call Number: CT R] near the Business Reference Room. Also, please see the Jobs/Career Board in the Reference area.

 

Interviewing

About.com - Interviewing
Interview tips, techniques, and guidance on protocol

Career Perfect
Interview advice and sample follow-up letters

Job Interview
Interview guides and Q&A

Quint Careers
Includes sample questions asked both by employer and job candidate

Riley Guide - Interviewing
Overview of the job interview process and articles addressing problem situations


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