Career Decisions
Occupational Outlook Handbook from the US Dept. of Labor – Read about various occupations and learn about working conditions, training and educational requirements, earning potential, future job outlook, and more.
New Jersey State Employment & Training Commission – Articles, advice and industry info
State of NJ Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development – Perform a skills assessment, choose a college or technical institute, or search for Financial Aid.
Career Research Checklist for Job Seekers – Career, College, and Job-Related Articles, Career Checklists for Job-Seekers, Tests and Quizzes and more.
CareerOnestop– Resource library for military spouse employment, education, and relocation information for military spouses and military families.
SBA Learning Center – Free online courses to help you start your own business
My Networking Central – a searchable networking group and networking event database where job seekers, group facilitators and speakers can find events and topics of interest.
Your email address
Many employers and job sites require you to apply for jobs online or via email. Having your own email address has become a necessity. Even if you already have an email address, you might want a “professional” email address separate from your personal one. Here are a few sites that provide free email.
Resumes and Cover Letters
Resume & Cover Letter Templates – Free resume and cover letter templates for use with Microsoft Word
Emurse – Create an online resume
Best Sample Resumes – Examples of job-specific resumes
Resume Now– resume builder with examples and templates
MyPerfectResume – My Perfect Resume takes the hassle out of resume writing. Choose from several templates and follow easy prompts to create the perfect job-ready resume effortlessly.
A cover letter is vitally important. A cover letter tells the employer the type of position you’re seeking, and exactly how you are qualified for that position. A cover letter highlights the aspects of your experience that are most useful to the potential employer. In today’s economy, employers can get hundreds of resumes for each open position. Without a cover letter, your resume can get lost in the pile. Your cover letter highlights the skills, talents, and experience the employer is looking for.
Your letter can explain things that a resume can’t. For example, if you have large gaps in your employment history or you are changing the focus of your career, a cover letter can explain these circumstances in a positive way.
Firsthand– sample cover letters: different types of cover letters
Jobstar – Sample cover letters
Out of the Job Search Game (aka over 50)
Retirement Jobs – Career advice, e-newsletter, podcasts; “age-friendly” certification for employers
AARP – Articles and job search tips
Workforce50.com – For job candidates 50 and over; formerly called “Senior Job Bank”
Retired Brains – Older boomers, seniors, and retirees
Seniors4Hire – For job applicants 50 and over
National Career Fairs – National career fairs and virtual job fairs.
Job Scams
Remember: if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
Work-at-home scams.
If you spend any time at a computer or read the newspapers, you have probably seen ads that claim you can earn $500, $10,000 a month to work from home (no experience necessary!). There are actually very few legitimate work-at-home opportunities. Some of these scams include light assembly and envelope mailing, medical or commercial billing, telemarketing and customer service, and completing marketing surveys.
Advertised and online employment agency scams.
The scammers pose as private employment agencies, especially for civil service, government and postal jobs and ask for personal information like social security numbers or your photo. No legitimate agency asks for this kind of information before you are offered employment.
Self-employment and franchises.
There are many legitimate franchises. There are many more bogus ones. Before you sign a contract, hire an attorney.
Employment agencies who charge the job hunter for their services.
You should not have to pay to find a job; the agencies receive payment from employers to find people for them. Stay away from agencies that charge you for their services.
How do you avoid being scammed?
NEVER send money. NEVER pay in advance. NEVER reply with your social security number, bank account number or other personal information to an email or phone call you receive. Know what is being offered. Be very clear on what you will be doing and how much you will be paid. Check out the business with the Better Business Bureau, call your local or state government, call your state attorney general, call an attorney, call a friend or family member, etc. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!
