CHOOSING A CAREER

Internet Resources

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, this online handbook gives in-depth information on about 250 occupations, including descriptions of what each job entails and the work enviroment, education and training requirements, earning expectations, and anticipated job market in the near future.

Mapping Your Future
Aimed at college and high school students, this is a 10 step guide to planning your career, including assessing your skills and interests, researching occupations, and comparing your interests with occupations, as well as preparing a resume and finding a job.

Occupation Profile
Occupation information by state including wages, tasks and activities, education, and web resources.

CTI Career Search
The CityTownInfo.com career directory presents information on hundreds of employment categories and thousands of schools, to help people find and pursue careers of interest to them. It includes real-world career descriptions on more than 200 different occupations written by people working in each profession.

Print Resources

Bolles,R.N. (2009). What Color is Your Parachute? 2009: a practical manual for job hunters and career changers. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
Location: 331.128 Bolles
...the most complete guide for first-time job seekers as well as second and encore careers changers. (Editorial review)

Shatkin, L. (2009). 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs. JIST's Best Job Series. Indianapolis, IN:: JIST Works.
Location: 331.702 One
"...Readers are encouraged to first browse through the 75 best job lists to find recession-proof jobs matching their particular interest and needs. Then turn to the definitive yet succinct job description of the particular job selected for details on earnings, growth, industry information, tasks, educational requirements, work conditions, and more." -- Midwest Book Review

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STARTING THE SEARCH

Internet Resources

The Riley Guide
This is a comprehensive career search resource which includes resumes, networking, interviewing, negotiating, and more. It also offers links to quality sites for advice and job searching.

JobHuntersBible.com
Created by the author of What Color Is Your Parachute, this site gives solid information and links for every phase of the job search. It is well organized starting place that also has a special section for those who are new to using the internet.

About.com: Job Searching
A good introductory site with links to information on the dos and don'ts of job hunting, resume writing, interviewing, and more.

Monster.com
Check out the Advice Links for useful articles on getting your job search started and doing it right.

Quintessential Careers
One of the premier career-planning web sites, with articles on finding a career for all types of job seekers: teens, minorities, mature workers, and many others.

Print Resources

Bolles, M.E.; Bolles, R.N.; & Bolles, R.N. (2008). Job Hunting Online: A guide to using job listings, message boards, research sites, the underweb, counseling, networking self-assessment tools, niche sites. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.
Location: New 650.14 Bolles
"...helps job seekers navigate the overwhelming amount of information available on the Internet to find the most useful sites and avoid common pitfalls. Filled with hundreds of annotated website recommendations and newly reorganized to follow the action steps of a successful job hunt, this time-saving desktop guide is essential to an effective online job search." (Editorial Review)

Yate, Martin (2010). Knock ' em Dead: The ultimate job search guide. Avon, MA: Adams Media.
Location: New 650.14 Yate 2010
In the latest edition of this classic guide, Martin Yate paves the way with his proven techniques for crafting resumes, creating cover letters, and acing job interviews. You'll also find advice on everything from leveraging social networks like LinkedIn and Facebook to negotiating the final offer.

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RESUMES

Internet Resources

JobNow
An online service which provides LIVE interactive resume help along with resume analysis and downloadable templates to help you create a winning resume.

Job Central Resume Tutorial
A clear, easy to follow tutorial that presents all the major points of resume development and presentation with examples of every step.

Career OneStop Resume Tutorial
Provides a complete resume tutorial including an explanation of various resume types, essential resume features, different technologies for delivery, and links to other resume assistance sites.

Print Resources

Ireland, Susan. (2006). The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Perfect Resume. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books.
Location: 650.142 Ireland
Features dozens of sample resume styles, an action plan for a successful job search, and professional advice on creating cover letters, finessing the toughest interview, and writing thank you and follow-up letters. (Editorial review)

Karsh, Brad. (2009). How to Say It On Your Resume: A top recruiting director's guide to writing the perfect resume for every job. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha Books.
Location: 650.142 Karsh
Features dozens of sample resume styles, an action plan for a successful job search, and professional advice on creating cover letters, finessing the toughest interview, and writing thank you and follow-up letters. (Editorial review)

Rosenberg, Arthur D. (2003). The Resume Handbook: How to write outstanding resumes and cover letters for every situation. Avon, MA: Adams Media Corp.
Location: 650.142 Rosenberg
Provides a practical and comprehensive guide to resume preparation. Includes sections on networking, using the Internet, cover and personal sales letters, and other helpful topics. (Editorial review)

Walsh, R.. (2007). The Only Resume and Cover Letter Book You'll Ever Need. Avon, MA: Adams Media Corp.
Location: 650.142 Only
Provides a practical and comprehensive guide to resume preparation. Includes sections on networking, using the Internet, cover and personal sales letters, and other helpful topics. (Editorial review)

Yate, Martin. (2008). Knock 'em Dead Resumes: Smart advice to make your online and paper resumes more productive. Avon, MA: Adams Media Corp.
Location: 650.142 Yate
For more than a decade, this book has shown job seekers how to make their resumes appealing and eye-catching to employers in a competitive job market. With this invaluable resource, readers will discover what prospective employers are looking for. This edition includes new material: an update of the text; new examples of resumes; and a new Before and After section, showing unfocused resumes and detailing the steps to make them effective and focused. (Editorial review)

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INTERVIEWING

Internet Resources

JobNow
An online service which provides LIVE interactive interview coaching in addition to tips on interviewing, common interview questions and other online resources to help you ace the interview.

Print Resources

Beshara, T. (2008). Acing the Interview: How to ask and answer the questions that will get you the job. New York: American Management Association.
Location: 650.144 Beshara
"(This) excellent book... includes a wealth of suggestions on how to walk out of an interview with a best offer." -Joyce Lain Kennedy, syndicated career columnist

Adams Media. (2005). Adams Job Interview Almanac. Indianapolis: JIST.
Location: 650.14 Adams
Whitcomb, a renowned career coach and motivation speaker, explains how to prove your value to employers, identify your Achilles heel and overcome it, and increase the quantity and effectiveness of your job interviews.

Whitcomb, S. B. (2008). Interview magic: Job interview secrets from America's career and life coach. Indianapolis: JIST.
Location: 650.144 Whitcomb
Whitcomb, a renowned career coach and motivation speaker, explains how to prove your value to employers, identify your Achilles heel and overcome it, and increase the quantity and effectiveness of your job interviews.

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NETWORKING

Internet Resources

LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an interconnected network of experienced professionals from around the world, representing 170 industries and 200 countries. You can find, be introduced to, and collaborate with qualified professionals that you need to work with to accomplish your goals.

Networking for Professionals
A business networking organization that combines online business networking and real life events. Post your member profile to network online with other members. Create a profile to include a photo, articles you've written, and a video if you want. Bookmark other members profiles, create contact lists and an address book.

The Riley Guide: Networking
Offers information and advice on how to network as well as links to useful networking sites and events.

TSNN.com
Trade shows and conferences around the world searchable by industry and location.

Upcoming Career Fairs - Lists career fairs in Connecticut

Print Resources

Butow, E. & Taylor, K. (2009). How to Succeed in Business Using LinkedIn: Making connections and capturing opportunities on the world's #1 business networking site. New York: American Management Association.
Location: 650.13 Butow
"If you are looking to exapnd your network of contacts, seeking a speaker or expert on a topic, searching for a job, or trying to find a qualified candidates for a position, LinkedIn may help you do it better, and this book will help you use LinkedIn better." --Online Magazine .

Misner, I.R. & Donovan, M.R. (2008). The 29% Solution: 52 weekly networking success strategies.Austin, TX: Greenleaf Book Group Press..
Location: 650.13 Misner
"If you are looking to exapnd your network of contacts, seeking a speaker or expert on a topic, searching for a job, or trying to find a qualified candidates for a position, LinkedIn may help you do it better, and this book will help you use LinkedIn better." --Online Magazine .

Schepp, Brad & Schepp, Debra (2010). How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Other Social Networks. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Location: New 650.14 Schepp 2010
Taking readers step by step through the processes of marketing themselves on social networking sites, this career guide shows them how to build contacts, find new leads, and fully exploit all the major online job-hunting tools available.

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LAYOFF AND UNEMPLOYMENT

Internet Resources

Connecticut Department of Labor
Links to state information about unemployment benefits, appeals, and taxes.

Connecticut Law About Unemployment
Links to resources compiled the Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries.

CTWorks Free Career Transition Services
CTWorks offices offer a variety of free re-employment services to support every aspect of your job search. Servives include: job listings, resume and cover letter stationery, job search workshops, computer and internet access, assessment and testing, and career counseling.

CTWorks Offices and Services
Links to local offices and listings of classes and services they provide.

Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program
This program provides customized employment services, job retraining, job placement assistance, and credit counseling to eligible Connecticut residents.

Job-Hunt.org
Has Layoff Help links that offer advice about how to prepare when you know a layoff is coming as well as what to do once you have been laid off.

Trade Adjustment Assistance Services and benefits for individuals certified by the Federal Government as having lost their jobs or reduced their hours of work and wages due to increased foreign imports, or a shift in production to certain countries.

Duke University Career Center Advice for the Involuntary Job Seeker
Has Layoff Help links that offer advice about how to prepare when you know a layoff is coming as well as what to do once you have been laid off.

Print Resources

Epstein, Lita. (2009). Surviving a Layoff: A week-by-week guide to getting your life back together. Avon, MA: Adams Media.
Location: 658.3134 Epstein
Using a week-to-week timeline, this book offers advice on such topics as: coping with grief and anger after a downsizing; reorganizing life after a layoff; how to launch a job search; balancing the job search with family and personal time; explaining a layoff to family and friends; and more. (Editorial review)

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JOB LISTINGS

Regional Internet Resources

Fairfield County Jobs
New Haven County Jobs
CTJobs.com
CT Job Central
New York Times Daily Classifieds
Hartford County Jobs
New London County Jobs
JobsInCT.com
Business Council of Fairfield County - Internship Opportunities

National Internet Resources

CareerBuilder.com List of 250,000 jobs searchable by keyword, category, or location

Monster.com 350,000 jobs listed

HireAbility.com Jobs in information technology including those for freelancers, telecommuters, and recruiters.

Indeed.com Includes job listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations and company career pages

Linkup Job listings directly from company web sites

SimplyHired.com Job search engine that searches thousands of job sites and companies.

Jobrapido.com Searches through over 2 million jobs posted on job boards, recruitment agencies, career and company websites.

USAJOBS Listing of most federal jobs

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SUPPORT GROUPS

Local Unemployment Support Groups

Re-Employment Group at Newtown Methodist Church - 92 Church Hill Rd. in Sandy Hook

Confidential meetings every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room. Discussion topics cover the emotional stress of dealing with unemployment and finding the tools to launch a successful job search. All are welcome. For more information, contact the church office at (203) 426-9998 or Jay Thomas at (203) 426-6542

Non-Denominational Job Networking Support Group at St. Rose of Lima Church - 38 Church Hill Rd. in Newtown

Meets Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Religious Education Building. Positive support and council as well as networking ideas. All ages welcome. For more information, contact Harry Diek at (203) 426-3386 or Michael Ronan at (203) 733-9186

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