Get a job!
Posted by: Barbara Bibel
Those of us who work in public libraries meet many patrons looking for jobs. Some are recently unemployed, others are looking for a change. We also have students exploring occupations for an assignment or for future educational plans. The Bureau of Labor Statistics at the U.S. Department of Labor is a good jumping off point. Their Web site at www.bls.gov has a wealth of information about jobs. The Occupations page on this site includes detailed job descriptions using the Standard Occupational Classification System, which we know from the old print Dictionary of Occupational Titles;the Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Outlook Quarterly, which provide information about the job market and the requirements for various jobs; wage and salary surveys by geographic area and occupation; data on illness and injury by occupation; and employment projections. Combining the information from this site with the tools on a subscription database such as Career Accelerator from Learning Express allows patrons to take the next step by preparing and saving a resume, looking for job local job openings, and applying for positions. With any luck and a bit of economic turnaround, they may get hired.
