STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL CAREER PLANNING & JOB HUNTING

While the library staff does not provide job and career counseling. We are here to help locate information and show people how to use our resources and are happy to provide referrals and information.

The World Wide Web does a good job in the area of career counseling with tests, articles, manuals, and answers to frequently asked questions. Counselors recommend you follow these steps:

1. Self assessment
   Identify your skills, evaluate your life and work experiences
2. Occupational research
   Gather information, research and explore the "world of work" in both print and non-print resources
3. Decision making
   Set a direction or career objectives and goals by looking for a fit between your self assessment and research into the world of work
4. Job searching

Self Assessment Tools on the Internet

Job Hunters Bible.com  http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/counseling/ctests.shtml
Richard Bolle, author of What Color Is Your Parachute gives links to free and pay-to-take tests.

Career Focus 2000 Interest Inventory http://www.iccweb.com/
Career inventory created by the Internet Career Connection.

Note:  For those wishing more extensive career aptitude tests see the HF5381.5 call numbers in the Business-Science-Technology department of the library.

Occupational Research

Career Guide to Industries  http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/home.htm
Gives information on various industries, the kinds of people they hire, the average salary ranges, and whether the industry will thrive over the next several years.

Career Resource Center http://www.careers.org
Career material, links to career services, regional pages, reference material as well as job hunting links.

Occupational Outlook Handbook  http://www.bls.gov/oco
Descriptions, training requirements and job outlook for occupations from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

O-Net http://www.doleta.gov/programs/onet/,
A career information center under construction from the U.S. Department of Labor.

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