Job and Career Help Center @ Your Library: September 2012

Thursday, September 13, 2012

JOBS FAIR - Sept. 20, 2012

Please Note The New Location!

The Panhandle Job Fair is located on 165 Coral Drive which is about .15 miles North of Miracle Strip Parkway/Highway 98 in Fort Walton Beach.

St. Mary's Parish Life Center
165 Coral Drive
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Get Job Search Help at the Library by Alison Doyle, About.com Guide

In addition to providing job search and career related books, public libraries offer many other resources for job seekers. Libraries are a good resource for unemployed workers and job changers, especially for those who can use personal assistance.

Job seekers can attend job search classes, learn how to use a computer, learn how to use a variety of software programs, use library computers to check email (get a free Gmail, Yahoo, or other account), and apply for jobs (save a copy of your resume and cover letters online using Google Docs).

Some libraries even offer classes - like yoga and meditation - that will help with the stress involved in job searching in a tough economy.

Here's more on how you can find out about job search help at the library including finding information on library resources, programs, classes, tools, and events that can help you with your job search.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tips for a Good Job Interview by John Tesh

Here are some tips to help you stand out from the crowd, they come from Brody Communications, an executive coaching and training firm:

· First, shake hands like a pro. Lots of women wait for the other person to extend his or her hand, but reaching out first, puts you in control and makes a friendly impression.

· Grooming counts. Your shoes, hair and nails are the things people notice first. It may not seem like a big deal to have a chipped nail or worn-out shoes, but those things suggest that you're sloppy and not detail-oriented.

· Establish eye contact. Eye contact shows you're comfortable, interested and engaged.

· Show you're prepared. Do a little research on the internet. Mentioning some key things about the company lets them know you are informed and up on things.

Job Loss ~ What do I do?

Job loss—whether it’s sudden or expected—is one of life’s most traumatic events.

Take time to recognize your loss. At the same time, start with the actions below to help find a new job: Network early. As soon as you anticipate a layoff, ramp up your efforts. Having an active network will really pay off during and after a job loss. Tell everyone about your situation and ask for advice and referrals.

Schedule informational interviews.

Assess yourself and any potential career change – make sure you really know what your transferable skills are and which ones you really want (and don’t want) to use in the next job.

Locate your local One-Stop Career Center to find out what kinds of services you may be eligible for.

Update your resume. As you work, think about past accomplishments, work tasks you enjoyed and those you’d like to avoid in a next job. Collect materials to update your portfolio as well.

Dive into your job search.

Niceville Library's Electronic Resources

The Niceville Library Reference Staff is here to help. Call us @ 279-4863 x 1504 or email us at NcvLibrary@okaloosa.lib.fl.us. Niceville Library also provides Electronic Resources such as ReferenceUSA and Gale Virtual Reference Library. Click on the Services tab or the Electronic Resources icon. Enter your 14 digit library barcode number to access.

Additional services provided for Job Seekers: Photocopies and faxing of resumes are free. One-on-one computer assistance to those applying for their unemployment compensation.