Tips for Finding and Applying for Jobs

From the USA.gov Blog:

Tips for Finding and Applying for Jobs:

By Dr. Michael S. Gutter and Amanda Blanco, part of the USDA eXtension program
There are typical places to look for jobs like job websites or classified ads. The problem with these methods is that hundreds of people could apply to one job posting. It is very hard to stand out among hundreds of other applicants.
One alternative to job websites is networking. Networking allows you to connect with others who share your career interests. Your network could help you in the job search process if you are unemployed.
You can start to network by creating a professional online presence on a professional networking site. These sites allow you to formalize your network of colleagues, former colleagues, mentors, friends, family, and acquaintances so that you can learn more about opportunities. People you are connected to can endorse you or recommend you.

Do you submit a résumé or curriculum vitae?

Once you find a job that seems like it might be a good fit, you need to apply. Different job applications have different requirements, so make sure to read them carefully.

What is it?

A resume is a brief summary of education, experience, leadership skills, job skills and awards received
A curriculum vitae or CV is a detailed record of activities related to your career. This can include education, work experience, publications, courses taught etc.

How long is it?

A resume is typically 1 to 2 pages long.
A CV is a long as it needs to be. Those who are further along in their career will typically have longer CVs than those who are just getting started in their career.

What type of job is it for?

Resumes are used in various industries because they are shorter than CVs. Sometimes a potential employer may ask for a CV after they have seen your resume.
A CV is mostly used for academic jobs.

When do I update?

You should update your resume when you have a change in education, experience, leadership skills, job skills, and/or receive a reward.
A CV should be updated more frequently than a resume since it includes activities related to your career.
Keep in mind that a potential employer many pull a credit report prior to hiring you. Learn what other things employers may check when reviewing your application.
To learn about other free resources to help you no matter what your financial situation, sign up for our e-mail list or visit our page.

Are You Looking for a Job? We Can Help

From the USA.gov Blog:

Are You Looking for a Job? We Can Help:

Are you looking for a job? These resources can help you find a position that’s a good fit.

• Career OneStop - You can search for jobs and explore different career options. You can also get tips to help improve your resume and interview skills.
• Find a government job - If you’re looking for a government job, USAJobs.gov is the place where you can find all job opportunities posted. You can also use the USAJobs iPhone app to search for and apply to jobs. Get advice on how to write a strong federal resume by watching this video.
• Find local help - The Department of Labor has offices all over the country that offer employment assistance programs. Find an office near you.
• Read Focused Jobseeking - This free publication offers guidelines for taking control of your job search.

Find more information and services to help you get a job.
If you’re currently unemployed, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance until you find a new job. Find out what benefits are available and if you qualify.
To learn about other free resources to help you no matter what your financial situation, sign up for our e-mail list or visit our page.

Know What an Employer Looks At When You Apply for a Job

From the USA.gov Blog:

Know What an Employer Looks At When You Apply for a Job:

When you apply for a job, your potential employer will look at the application you complete as well as the resume you submit.
They can also request a background report, which includes information about your credit history, criminal record and driving record. This can only be done with your permission, however, if you refuse, you might not be hired.
So before you apply to a job, you should get a copy of your credit report so you know what any potential employer might see. If there’s incorrect information, you can correct it. You can also be ready to explain any negative information to your potential employer. You can get a free credit report by visiting annualcreditreport.com.
Many employers will also look you up online. They can see any public information on social networking sites or other public information that comes up attached to your name. Make sure you search for yourself online so you see what potential employers might find. If you have inappropriate content posted on any of your social profiles, you might want to delete it or make it private.
Learn more about what potential employers look at when you apply for jobs.
To learn about other free resources to help you no matter what your financial situation, sign up for our e-mail list or visit our page.

Job openings

We have two job openings.  Check out our website for more information:  http://hackleylibrary.org/

Get Help Finding a Summer Job

From the USA.gov Blog:

Get Help Finding a Summer Job:
The Department of Labor has started a new initiative, called “Summer Jobs +” to help youth find summer jobs.
The current recession has not only affected full-time workers, but students and youth who depend on part-time and summer jobs to help support their family. According to the Department of Labor, “48.8 percent of youth between the ages of 16-24 were employed in July, the month when youth employment usually peaks. This is significantly lower than the 59.2 percent of youth who were employed five years ago and 63.3 percent of youth who were employed 10 years ago.”
If you’re looking for a summer job, you can sign up for email updates about Summer Jobs + opportunities and can also search for current job opportunities in your area.
Businesses can take the “Pathways Pledge,” which offers three options for helping connect low-income youth with employment. Businesses can help young people acquire life skills and work skills or participate through the “learn and earn” option, which lets employees earn money for learning on the job skills.
Learn more about Summer Jobs + and find opportunities near you.

How to File a Work Discrimination Claim

From the USA.gov Blog:

How to File a Work Discrimination Claim:
Work discrimination is not only wrong, it’s illegal.

The U.S. government has laws that prohibit work discrimination based on age, disability, place of origin, race, religion and sex, as well as pregnancy and other things. These laws protect both employees and applicants.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the agency in charge of enforcing work discrimination laws at the federal level, and anyone who has been the victim of employment discrimination can file a claim.

In 2011, the agency received a record of almost 100,000 work discrimination claims, and obtained more than $455 million in compensation for both employees and job applicants. The information below will give you a general idea of how the process of filing a claim works.

How to file a claim

You can file a claim in person or by traditional mail at any local EEOC office. Please note that the process is different for federal employees.

In most cases you must file your discrimination claim no later than 180 days after the date of the incident. However, the deadline can be extended up to 300 days depending on the type of discrimination that occurred and also on state and local employment discrimination laws.

Call your local EEOC office to find out on how they handle appointments and walk-ins. If you’re filing by mail, you will need the following information:

• Your name, address and telephone number as well as those of the employer.
• The number of employees that work for the company (if known).
• A description of why you think you were discriminated against and the type of discrimination you were subjected to.
• The date of the offense.
• Your signature.

What Happens during Investigation

The EEOC will evaluate your complaint and contact the employer within 10 days to request more information about the incident. They might ask both parties to participate in the agency’s mediation program (see below).

If an investigation is open, representatives from the agency might visit the employer to obtain documents and gather more information. They might also interview witnesses by phone or ask for documents by mail.

Investigations can take several months depending on where the complaint was filed and whether the parties involved try to resolve their issues through mediation.

How Mediation Works

Mediation is an alternative and effective way to resolve work discrimination disputes. With the help of a neutral mediator, both parties will try to resolve their differences without determining who is right and who is wrong.

A few things you should know about mediation:

• It’s voluntary and can only take place if both parties agree to do it.
• Can help speed up a resolution to the case.
• Can help avoid long investigations and lawsuits.
• It’s free and confidential.

You can check the status of your work discrimination case by calling (800) 669-4000.

Finding A Job in This Tough Market

Finding A Job in This Tough Market: From USA.gov Blog:
"The Department of Labor announced the unemployment rate had edged up to 9.2 percent in June, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that it takes about 10 weeks to find work (PDF).

While those numbers might be disheartening, there is help if you’re looking for a job.

The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has online tools and resources to help find you find the right job.

You can also use CareerOneStop to learn about different careers, typical salaries, and get resume help.

And, don’t forget, the Government is hiring! There are more than 5,000 federal government job openings right now. Use our Work for the Government page to help you begin the process of applying for federal, state, or local government jobs."

Online Small Business Training

Online Small Business Training: From GovGab:
"I think it takes an adventurous spirit and a willingness to take risks when it comes to starting your own business. I admire people who have been able to start a successful business. Have you been toying with the idea of starting your own business? Starting a business can be an exciting and challenging endeavor. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that every year more than 10 million people consider starting a
business. Of them, only three million people take the plunge and start a business.


To ensure a successful entry into the world of small business, it requires a lot of planning and careful thinking. The SBA website is an excellent place to begin researching how to go about setting up, managing, and growing your
business. The SBA has a comprehensive Online Small BusinessTraining section that features podcasts, video interviews, tips, and online courses that can get you started.


The online courses cover things like: How to Start an Online Business, How to Write a Business Plan, Taking Your Business Global, and much more. The Contracting page offers a lot of information and courses on how to do business with the government and how to work with federal agencies. The courses are self-paced and take approximately 30 minutes to complete.


The other great thing the SBA offers is information on Local Counseling and Training. You can find a local SBA office in your area, as well as, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veteran’s Business Centers, and
more.


If you are considering starting your own business or if you already have a business that you are trying to grow, you don’t have to do it alone. The SBA wants to see you succeed. Have any of you tried SBA’s online courses? Were they helpful?
"

MeL News

Job & Career Accelerator™ Selected as Part of Michigan eLibrary--MeL.org

Career and Job Search web resource from LearningExpress, LLC to assist Michigan job seekers

NEW YORK and EAST LANSING, Mich., Jan. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LearningExpress, LLC—the leading provider of online resume creation and job search tools—and the Library of Michigan's eLibrary (MeL), are pleased to provide Job & Career Accelerator™, a new web resource for Michigan job seekers, which joins LearningExpress Library, a test and tutorial resource, already available through MeL.

This new resource in the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) is made possible by a grant from the federal government's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), of 2009 and through round 2 of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Public Computer Center Grant. The $6 million grant, awarded to Michigan State University (MSU) in August 2010, will give residents in Michigan tools and training for broadband use, increase the number of computers in Michigan libraries, and provide additional resources to all libraries, schools, businesses and residents in the state. As a result of the grant, Michigan State University will also receive access to Job & Career Accelerator.

Job & Career Accelerator's job guidance and search platform arrives as the unemployment in Michigan has risen from 6.9% in 2007 to 12.9% in 2010. This data comes from the current recessionary period as defined by the US Bureau of Economic Research and places Michigan state residents in one of the eight hardest hit job markets in the US.

Public libraries have seen an increasing demand for job search assistance and librarians have stepped up to assist the unemployed with their job searches. "We are well aware of how public library users are turning to their libraries for job search assistance," said Nancy Robertson, State Librarian of Michigan. "Job & Career Accelerator will be an excellent resource for librarians to use with their job seeking public." The easy-to-use learning path in Job & Career Accelerator provides users with a personalized job search experience and will help librarians as well as workforce development professionals simplify the entire job search process.

Without Internet access or a method to respond electronically to job advertisements in today's standard web-based job application process, it is difficult for the long-term unemployed to get back on their feet. MeL enables job seekers to access the tools and information in Job & Career Accelerator to achieve employment success. Through the Michigan agreement, MeL will provide access to both LearningExpress Library and Job & Career Accelerator to state residents who are job seeking or career changing.

"We are pleased to continue working with the state of Michigan and the Michigan eLibrary to provide essential workforce services that help the millions of library patrons prepare for success in their job search and careers," says Barry Lippman, President and CEO of LearningExpress, LLC.

In addition to access to millions of active job and internship postings, Job & Career Accelerator provides a wide array of valuable information including predicted job growth by field, a review of today's hottest careers, model resumes based on job titles and experience levels, interactive computer training courses, and eBooks for further skill-building and study. Job and Career Accelerator is accessible free to all Michigan residents from any computer with an Internet connection.

The MI agreement marks the sixth statewide contract awarded to LearningExpress, LLC joining previous similar partnerships with Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia and New Jersey for its online career and job search solution, Job & Career Accelerator.

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN eLIBRARY, MeL is a project of the Library of Michigan, an agency of the Michigan Department of Education. MeL is supported by federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, enhancing library service to all residents of the state. Visit the Michigan eLibrary at: http://mel.org

ABOUT LEARNINGEXPRESS, LLC Founded in 1995, LearningExpress is a leading e-learning technology company that provides career advancement and education solutions to thousands of colleges and libraries, currently helping more than one million students and adult learners annually to meet their professional and academic goals. The company offers comprehensive and fully integrated web-based platforms designed to help users assess, explore, find, prepare, pursue, and achieve their career endeavors. Visit LearningExpress, LLC Job & Career Accelerator online at: www.jobandcareeraccelerator.com.

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, MSU has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving. Visit Michigan State University at: http://msu.edu/

SOURCE LearningExpress, LLC

Back to top RELATED LINKS
http://www.learningexpressllc.com
http://mel.org

Careers and Paychecks

Careers and Paychecks:
From GovGab: "I just got a copy of the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), the Bureau of Labor Statistics compendium of information about every job imaginable. Since the 1940’s, this biennial reference stalwart has provided career guidance information to untold numbers of job seekers, counselors, students, and anyone else interested in the U.S. job market. Although it’s lot like doing an Internet search on oneself, I decided to look up my profession.

In my job, I perform a number of cross-occupational tasks but, given my recent preoccupation with this blog, I decided to try “Authors, Writers, and Editors.” I was impressed by the way in which the entry methodically outlined what’s involved in performing the tasks associated with these professions, how things are done, and the working conditions (“they work any number of hours necessary to meet a deadline”), and also proved to me that I’m the real thing, to wit: “Some writers maintain blogs or issue text messages as a way of keeping in touch with readers or providing information to them quickly, but only those who are paid to write their blogs or send text messages may be considered writers.”

It’s not that I wasn’t aware of what goes into being a writer or editor, but I’ve seldom seen those things expressed so clearly and logically as in the OOH. When I finished reading the entry, I felt a little bit like the character from one of Molière’s plays who was astonished to find out that he had been speaking prose all of his life.

I also have a new understanding of the value of the OOH in providing comprehensive information on occupations in America. I’m not looking for a career or a job right now, but if I were…

GPO has the latest edition of the OOH available here and here."

We have the latest print edition at Hackley Public Library, as well.

Better Talking Lets You Practice And Review for Interviews [Interview]

Better Talking Lets You Practice And Review for Interviews [Interview]: From LifeHacker
"If you're nervous about an upcoming job interview, Better Talking can help you practice and smooth out the bumps in your delivery.
Better Talking offers free automated phone interviews. You visit the web site, sign up with your name and email, and you're given a phone number and a pin number. Call the number and you'll be prompted with various questions like 'What type of work motivates you' and other common but generic interview questions. When you're all done you'll be emailed a link to your interview so you can listen and see how you sounded.
Obviously it's no substitute for an actual interviewer who would responded specifically to things you say instead of waiting until you were done talking and asking another generic question, but you can semi-alleviate that flaw by sharing the link with friends who can review your interview and give you pointers. Better Talking is a free service that requires no signup, but you will need to provide an email address to access the recording of your interview.
Have your own tip, trick, or tool for better interviewing? Let's hear about it in the comments.

Better Talking [via MakeUseOf]

"

Current Employment Opportunity at HPL

SECURITY OFFICER  

Hackley Public Library.  Police experience preferred, but will consider MP or other security experience.  Part time 3:15 - 8:15 pm Wed. plus rotating Sat. & Sun. hours. Applications are available at the library 316 W. Webster, Muskegon or online hackleylibrary.org.   Applications due by 4:00 PM 10/18.  EOE.
 
Employment Application in PDF or Word.