Job seeking tools for uncertain times

Looking for a new job, or thinking about a career change, can be both exciting and terrifying. About three and a half years ago, I was in the middle of deciding if I should change careers and go back to school to become a librarian. Once the decision was made and school was underway, it was time to get back into the job hunt. I’m thrilled that my decision was the right one for me; however, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t overwhelming to get started or a struggle to continue through the setbacks that are bound to come up during the process. There are so many factors to consider, and it can involve huge leaps of faith and financial concerns. That’s even more true if your reentry into job seeking isn’t a question of choice but is instead due to something unexpected — like a pandemic.

We’re here to support you with resources and programs to let you know that you’re not alone. Every Friday, the library and the Professional Service Group of Mercer County (PSG) present a morning session for job seekers that provides information and strategies, welcomes questions and offers you a chance to network with other job seekers. The PSG website also offers job boards, archived training sessions, and other opportunities to network.

Thinking about starting a new business? The library and Princeton SCORE present monthly sessions on Monday evenings  to help you pursue that goal, offering guidance on how to start or strengthen your business. Visit the group’s website for free one-on-one mentoring services and industry-specific tools.

With your library card, you also have access to ours wide range of databases and services, and we’ve gathered them together in our Job Skills and Careers guide. Whether this is your first job search, or just your first in a while, here are some places to start:

Peterson’s Test and Career Prep lets you explore and prepare for a variety of careers and offers test preparation resources for a large number of standardized tests. You’ll also find tools to build resumes, cover letters, and more.

You can also find resume templates and receive live help using JobNow, provided by Brainfuse. Once you’ve built or updated your resume, let JobNow’s experts review it and offer feedback. You can also receive expert interview coaching to help you gain the confidence to take that next step or speak to a job coach about the overall process of searching and applying for jobs. Live services are available from 2-11 p.m.

Visit our Job Skills and Careers guide for more information on these and other resources that are available for you to use right now. Develop new tech skills through LinkedIn Learning and keep on top of industry trends with Business Source Complete or through our digital magazine and newspaper collections. Use the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook to research salary information, then use Reference Solutions to research companies in your desired industry. Join us for a virtual program and network with other job seekers. Use these resources to take it one step at a time.

It’s become almost a cliche to talk about “these uncertain times,” but we know that it can feel that way any time you are looking for employment. You can be certain that we’ll continue to provide the best help we can to ensure that you have the tools you need to move forward confidently.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

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