Have you been looking for a job this summer? Maybe you just graduated or you’re getting ready to start college this fall and need something part time. CCPL’s Employment Resource Center is here to help you get started in the job seeking department. We have resources that will help you improve your resume, write cover letters, prepare for interviews, and help point you to different job search engines. I know searching for a job can be overwhelming but we are here to help. So deep breath, and let’s dive in.

Writing your Resume

  • Brainfuse: When you visit Brainfuse if you click on the link “Write a Winning Resume” it takes you to a page that allows you to:
    • View example resumes and resources
    • Upload a draft resume for them to review and return to you within 24 hours
    • Discuss with a live Brainfuse instructor the comments you received on your resume
  • Quick Resume: This website allows you to type in key information for your resume and then generates one for you.
  • Hloom free resume: Here you are able to select a template resume and then type in the information to auto populate it. No formatting is required on your end. They also offer resume examples, skills, objectives, formats, and how to format a resume in word. *Note: only certain resume templates are free.

Improving your Resume  

For those of you who already have your resume you may find these two resources useful to see how well your resume matches the jobs you are seeking.

  • JobScan: This site allows you to paste your resume and a job description into two boxes and see how they match up. The site will let you know what you may need to add or prioritize in your resume to more closely match this job. You are also able to scan your LinkedIn profile through this website and it will give you tips on how to organize and optimize your profile.
  • TagCrowd: You can use this site to paste job descriptions and generate word clouds to see which terms are being used most frequently. You can then add these words into your resume so that the algorithms will be noticed during applications.

Job Searching Sites

  • CollegeGrad: A site where grads can look for entry level positions, explore different careers, and has tips for resumes and interviews.
  • GovernmentJobs
  • Indeed
  • Maryland Workforce Exchange Jobs
  • Talent: Talent is a job search engine that centralizes all jobs available on the web to help people find new career opportunities, much like Google for jobs.
  • SnagaJob
  • USA Jobs: A site where you can look for federal employment opportunities.

Preparing for an Interview

  • 20 traditional interview questions: Check out these questions and practice answering them. Preparing as much as you can ahead of time is key for interviews.
  • Preparing for a Job Interview: This page walks you through the research you should do before an interview. It helps you understand what you should know about the company going into the interview, and what you should know about the job. It also offers questions that can be used for a mock interview. If you click on “Interviews part 2” it also offers advice on what to do during the interview and what to do after the interview.

More resources and upcoming programs can be found on the Employment Resource Center page.

Books

What color is your parachute? for teens : discover yourself, design your future, and plan for your dream job by Carol Christen

The proven exercises in What Color Is Your Parachute? for Teens help uncover what matters most to you, what you love to do, the kinds of people you work best with, and how to use the skills and interests you already have–on social media and elsewhere–to choose a major or career path that is uniquely suited to your passions, strengths, and goals. With the most up-to-date information on how COVID-19 and other challenges have altered high education and the job market, this new edition features time-tests techniques such as information interviewing (with sample outreach and thank-you notes), the latest job discovery tactics (both online and in-person), how to connect to and land great internships, and more.

The big book of job-hunting hacks : how to build a résumé, conquer the interview, and land your dream job by Brenda Bernstein

In The Big Book of Job-Hunting Hacks, experienced job-hunting professionals offer detailed advice on every step of the job-hunting process. From how to navigate the interview process, to how to create the perfect resume, this book will help you stand out from your competitors. With a new introduction by John Henry Weiss, president of a recruitment firm, that contextualizes the current economic state as a result of COVID-19, this book offers hundreds of practical tips for those laid-off, fired, or new to enter the workplace

The 2-hour job search : using technology to get the right job faster by Steve Dalton

Use the latest technology to target potential employers and secure the first interview–no matter your experience, education, or network–with these revised and updated tools and recommendations.

The job-hunter’s survival guide : how to find hope and rewarding work even when “there are no jobs” by Richard N. Bolles

An emergency, essentials-only guide to finding a job–even your dream job–in a challenging economic climate.

Get the interview every time : Fortune 500 hiring professionals’ tips for writing winning resumes, cover letters and landing the job by Brenda Greene

The Definitive Resource in Landing a Job in a COVID-Impacted World.

Who knows why employers choose their final candidates? The employer! Whether looking at a Fortune 500 company or a small start-up, to land and excel at the job you want, you need to cut through all the contradictory information out there about securing your new job.

Resumes for dummies by Laura DeCarlo

We’ve all been there: it’s time to apply for a job or internship and you have to create or revise your resume. Many questions pop in your head. What do employers want? What skills should I highlight? How do I format this? How do I get noticed? But resume writing doesn’t have to be a daunting task. The latest edition of Resumes For Dummies answers all of these questions and more–whether you’re a resume rookie, looking for new tips, or want to create that eye-catching winning resume.

Roadmap to federal jobs : how to determine your qualifications, develop an effective USAJOBS resume, apply for and land U.S. government jobs by Barbara A. Adams and Lee Kelley

Learn proven processes for finding, applying for, and landing U.S. Government jobs.