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Careers and Jobs

Jumpstarting your job search or accelerating your career has never been easier. We have gathered and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about career planning, and have assembled a great array of resources to get you on your way. This guide will help you locate print and electronic information and resources on Careers and Jobs.

You may access the following recommended resources as well as similar information by searching the Free Library of Philadelphia Catalog.  Simply enter a word or phrase in the search box on the right.

Enter any of the following search terms to locate resources:

  • Job Hunting
  • Vocational Guidance
  • Career Changes
  • Career Development
  • Occupations
  • Professions
  • Vocational Qualifications

There are approximately 150 Electronic Resources available at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Access these Resources by searching the Databases page. 

Please note that some Resources are only available at Free Library branches and not from your home or office computer. The complete list of Resources will indicate availability.

Print resources for information on careers and the job search process:

These resources are just a small sampling of what is available. Please feel free to call or visit The Workplace at the Free Library of Philadelphia to seek further assistance with any information or additional help you may need.

Career Guides

Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance
Call Number:  331.702 En19o82 
Publisher: Ferguson Publishing, Chicago , IL 2003.
This set covers more than 900 careers, giving a general description of the job or career field, the personal and professional requirements, salary statistics, work environment, future outlook for the field, and sources for more information.

O*NET Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Third Edition
Call Number:  331.7003 On23d 2004
Publisher: JIST Works, Indianapolis , IN : c2004.
This print version of the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET Online database is designed to replace the older, lengthier Dictionary of Occupational Titles.  It offers detailed information on earnings, education, job growth, skills required and related jobs.

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-2003
Call Number:  371.425 Un35o1
Publisher: U.S. Dept. of Labor , Washington , D.C.: 2002.
More than 200 occupational profiles feature the latest information with employment scenarios, advancement opportunities, salaries, working conditions, training, education and skill prerequisites.

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Employer Information

The National Job Bank
Call Number:  331.128 N21j
Publisher: B. Adams, Brighton , Mass. :
Alphabetically arranged by state, with over 21,000 employers

Philadelphia Business Journal Book of Lists
Call Number: 330.9748 B644o
Publisher: Philadelphia Business Journal, Philadelphia , PA
Lists of top ranking companies in the Philadelphia area.

Philadelphia Job Bank.
Call Number: 331.128 G798p
Publisher:  B. Adams Holbrook, MA :
Profiles Philadelphia area companies listed by industry.

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Resume Writing

The Guide to Basic Resume Writing by the Public Library Association
Call Number: 650. 142  G941tr
Publisher: VMG, Chicago , IL : 2003
From the first-time job seeker to those reentering the job market after an absence to those considering a career change, this comprehensive guide offers complete, easy-to-use guidelines for building a strong, effective resume.

Resumes Makeover by John J. Marcus
Call Number: 650.14 M334r
Publisher: McGraw Hill , New York : 2003
Clear, quick, effective solutions to the 50 most common resume problems.

2500 Keywords to Get You Hired By Jay Block
Call Number: 650.142  B62t
Publisher: McGraw Hill , New York : 2003
Thousands of powerful words that pack a punch on today’s winning resumes and the right words to use in electronic job searches.

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Job Hunting

What Color is Your Parachute?  by Richard N. Bolles
Call Number: 650.1408 B638j
Publisher: Ten Speed Press, Berkeley , Calif. : 2004.
The perennial best seller remains a self-assessment favorite identifying techniques to determine mission in life, interest and skills, offering interviewing advice and salary negotiation strategies.

The Guide to Internet Job Searching by Margaret Riley Dikel & Frances Roehm
Call Number: 384.3 G941t
Publisher: VMG Career Horizons, Chicago ,  IL : 2004-5.
The internet has transformed how we look for jobs.  This book shows how to target the most interesting jobs and how to apply for them.

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Interviewing Skills

Fearless Interviewing by Mark Stein
Call Number: 658.3112 St34f
Publisher: McGraw Hill , New York : 2003
Covers the essentials of interviewing including preparation, asking questions and negotiation.

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Recommended Databases

Sigi Plus is a career assessment tool and CD-ROM Database.
Available at no charge from The Workplace computers at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central branch. Call 215-686-8664 to make an appointment.

E Choices is a source for career exploration, information, and self-assessment.
Available at no charge from The Workplace computers at the Free Library of Philadelphia Central branch. Call 215-686-8664 to make an appointment.

Facts on File: Career Guidance on-line is an Electronic Resource that profiles more than 1,200 of today's most exciting jobs in more than 50 industries.
Available for free from Free Library of Philadelphia branches and fee-based from remote locations.

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Web Search Engines

The following are search engines that the Free Library recommends:

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Career Development Websites

America's Career InfoNet - http://www.acinet.org/acinet/
Find wages and employment trends, occupational requirements, state by state labor market conditions, millions of employer contacts nationwide, and the most extensive career resource library online.

O*NET - http://online.onetcenter.org/
Find occupations using keywords, O*NET-SOC codes, Job Families, or by viewing a complete list.  Use a list of your skills to find matching O*NET-SOC occupations.

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Resume Posting Services and Job Listings on the Web
These sites feature job listings that can be searched by job title, industry and location:

America ’s Job Bank- http://www.ajb.org/
A joint effort of the 2000 offices of the State Employment Service

Careerbuilder.com – http://www.careerbuilder.com
Becoming one of the biggest sites online. Their database includes several online newspaper classifieds.

Monster - http://www.monster.com/
An o n-line veteran , you may search by company name, location, discipline, industry, job title, or combinations of these. They also have a tremendous database of information for the job seeker and the employer.

*Be sure to pay careful attention to the terms and conditions when using these services and whenever you provide personal information on a website.

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