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 
use at home 
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
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
A well-organized guide with career information, education, descriptions and job search resources.
Designed as a supplement to What Color is your Parachute, this site is an excellent "gateway" of well-organized job-hunting information including articles, listings of numerous websites and links to other information.
Job descriptions that describe career paths and what to expect from each.
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.
Tools which focus on salaries, cost of living, performance levels and job skills.
Online Job Search
Career Transitions (Gale Cengage) use at home use in library
Career Transitions is an online career guidance center that walks users through the job-search process from beginning to end. It brings together all the tools needed to explore and take the leap to a new career. Career Transitions employs a step-by-step approach to help people: 1) explore new career possibilities; 2) assess their interests and experience; 3) identify ways to improve their prospects, including networking and education; 4) prepare for a job search; and 5) search and apply for jobs.
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.
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.
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.)
A directory of links to varied job search engines by categories.
Chicago area job guide; sponsored by Skokie Public Library
National parks, resorts, cruises, camps, ski resorts, ranch jobs and volunteering.
An employment database compiled and maintained by community colleges in Northern Illinois, including Oakton and Harper. You must register to view job listings.
ChronicalCareers searches for positions at colleges and universities in the US and overseas.
Work 4 Illinois
State of Illinois employment opportunities
Illinois Clicks
Click on “Jobs & Careers” for access to job sites, job search tips, career advice, support groups and counseling, and networking opportunities.
I M Diversity
Serving the cultural and career-related needs of minorities.
Interbiznet
Search company web pages for jobs available and for company information; also includes articles about job hunting online.
Jammin' Jobs
Search for postings in Industry specific career channels.
Resort Jobs
Features worldwide resort jobs with ski and snowboard resorts, camps, national parks, cruise ships, restaurants and hotels.
Simply Hired
Primarily a job search engine, this site recently partnered with CNNMoney.com to provide job listings on Fortune Magazine online for its annual, “100 Best Companies to Work For” feature.
Snag a job
Lists hourly and part-time job listings from across the country.
Summer Jobs
Seasonal positions with camps, amusement parks, resorts, national parks, hotels, and environmental organizations.
VolunteerMatch
Find a great place to volunteer in the nonprofit world. Match your skills to volunteer opportunities right in your backyard!
USAJOBS
Official job website for the US Federal government; able to search regionally and locally.
Wall Street Journal
Executive level jobs.
Resumes and Cover Letters
Adult Career Center (Live Tutor) use at home 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:
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Before putting your resume on the internet read the articles at the following websites about potential fraudulent uses of your resume.
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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.
eResumes & Resume Writing Services
Identifies key points to highlight when tailoring your resume to a job description
Pongo Resume
Some free introductory guidance to build a resume; subscription is required for more detailed instruction.
The Vault
Sample resumes and cover letters for various professions.
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 use at home 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 offers counseling sessions, career assessment, career action planning, resume service, and interviewing skills.
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 use at home 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
In the Library, browse the call numbers around 650 for tips on interviewing.
No-Nonsense Job Interviews: How to Impress Prospective Employers and Ace Any Interview by Arnold G. Boldt.
650.144 BOL (2008)
100+ Winning Answers by Casey Fitts Hawley
650.144 HAW (2008)
You Should Hire Me! by Ronald Krannich
650.144 KRA (2008)
How to Succeed at Interviews by Rob Yeung
650.144 YEU (2008)
96 Great Interviewing Questions by Paul Falcone
658.3112 FAL (2009)
