Jobs and Career Development

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Jobs and Career Development

Searching for a job involves preparing yourself and your resume. Assess your skills. Find out about the types of jobs available, about what skills and background are required. Learn how to write a resume and cover letter. Be aware of the risks of posting your resume online.

Choose from the following web sites and books to help you through the job search.

O NET
Career/Occupational/Salary Information Information about Occupations online. Searchable database summarizes tasks, skills, knowledge required for specific jobs. Especially useful learning the buzzwords that help bring attention to your resume.

Occupational Outlook Handbook from U.S. Department of Labor
A complete reference about occupations: earnings, education required, job description
Occupational Outlook Handbook (print)
CT R 331.702 OCC 2006-07

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

Salary Wizard
About salaries; cost of living; job assessor; and more

Interbiznet
Search company web pages for jobs available and for company information

Illinois Resources

Illinois Department of Labor Security
Good resource about salaries and wages Check the "Workforce Information Center" here as well

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

Job Fairs and Special Events from the Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois Skills Match
Employers and potential employees can "meet" online. You can post resumes and employers can post job listings

In the Library

Browse Jobs & Careers Reference [Call Number: CT R] near the Business Reference Room

See the Jobs/Career Board near the Government Documents Area

Resumes and Cover Letters: How To and Samples

Before putting your resume on the internet read the articles at the following websites about potential fraudulent uses of your resume and what you should watch out for

In the Library, browse the call numbers around 650.14 and 650.142 for guides to writing resumes. A few specific titles include:

202 Great Resumes by Jay A. Block
650.142 BLO

Creating Resumes, Letters, Business Cards, and Flyers in Word by Maria Langer
651.842 LAN

E-Resumes: a Guide to Successful Online Job Hunting by Pat Criscito
650.142 CRI

Expert Resumes for Career Changers by Wendy Enelow
650.142 ENE

Federal Resume Guidebook: Write a Winning Federal Resume to Get in, Get Promoted, and Survive in a Government Job by Kathryn Troutman
650.142 TRO

Gallery of Best Cover Letters by David F. Noble
650.142 NOB

Gallery of Best Resumes: for People Without a Four-Year Degree by David F. Noble
650.142 NOB

High-Level Resumes: High Powered Tactics for High-Earning Professionals by Marshall A. Brown
650.142 BRO

How to Write Better Resumes by Gene Corwin
650.142 COR

Resumes for College Students and Recent Graduates: Includes Sample Cover Letters by VGM Career Books
650.142 RES

Resumes for Education Careers: Includes Sample Cover Letters by VGM Career Books
650.142 RES

General Job and Career Help Books

Best Career and Education Web Sites: a Quick Guide to Online Job Search by Rachel Singer Gordon
R 025.0633 GOR

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

Guide to Internet Job Searching by Margaret Dikel & Frances Roehm
025.0665 DIK

Job-Hunting for the So-Called Handicapped or People Who Have Disabilities by Richard Nelson Bolles
650.1408 BOL

Job Hunting Tips for People with Hot and Not-So-Hot Backgrounds by Ronald Krannich
650.14 KRA

Your Perfect Job: a Guide to Discovering Your Gifts, Following Your Passion, and Loving Your Work for the Rest of Your Life by Robert Bittner
650.1 BIT

Subscription Databases

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.

Business and Company Resource Center (Infotrac) use at home use in library
1980 to present
A database of detailed company and industry news and information, including full-text periodical articles. Business and Company Resource Center is a good source for information, articles, and news about companies and industry trends.

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.