Career Skills @ Your Library

The library has always been an excellent resource for job hunters and, in today’s employment environment, the library has many reference sources and programs to assist you. If you find yourself out of work, are thinking about a career change or are just starting college, the following resources are an excellent starting point to explore new opportunities.

Websites:
Job Hunter’s Bible
Excellent advice and reviews of resources in three major sections: Job Listings; Resumes; and Career Counseling. Written and updated by Richard Bolles as a supplement to his job hunting guidebook, What Color Is Your Parachute.

Career Jet
This simple-looking site actually packs a lot of punch. Once you start a search, you can narrow job listings by state or other factors. Saving your search will allow the site to send updates to your email or you can subscribe to an RSS feed for your search. The site also offers free job alerts, a place to post your resume and a worldwide job portal.

Quintessential Careers
A great beginner’s guide for people entering the job market. Provides articles, advice, tutorials for the new job hunter. It has great links to other sites and services that are very useful.

Print Sources:
Directory of Executive Recruiters and Professional Recruiters
If you are a professional looking for something more than an entry-level position, you may need a head-hunter or search firm, which you can find in this directory.

Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance and

Ferguson Career Resources Guide for Women and Minorities
These guides, and others like them, provide career and job descriptions, educational or certification requirements, job hunting tips, information about training opportunities, lists of professional organizations and contact information for networking groups.

International Directory of Company Histories
This 70+ volume set has updated histories of major companies, highlighting mergers, information about the company's founding and key dates regarding news and product innovation.

Library Databases and Programs:
In addition to these resources, the library’s electronic resources page is filled with many business databases, such as Business Source Elite, Ebsco and Ferguson’s Career Database. These databases can be used in the library or at home to research company histories, industry news, career trends and advice on job hunting and workplace skills.

Finally, MCL is always there with hands-on help for the job hunter. Many of our branches offer resume workshops and computer classes to help sharpen your skills. Look for our latest offerings on our program and our computer class pages.

- Laura N. and Rina B.