LIBRARY MATTERS

Contributed article
Published: July 10, 2008

For all of you graduates out there looking for a job, the Greene County Library can help you. If you are new to the world of resume writing, the Library has many books that can give you a step-by-step guide to preparing your Curriculum Vitae. Look at the online catalog jmrl.org/catalog, under resumes and you will find 100 books that can give you information on cover letters, different types of resumes, interviews, communication techniques and more.
Many of the books contain sample resumes, and provide information on electronic resumes and online networking. A search for the phrase job hunting will bring up many books that will help you explore your career options, discuss what to wear, and give common interview formats and questions.
Job-hunting on the Internet by Richard Nelson Bolles and Mary Emery is a companion book to What Color is Your Parachute? and it explains to readers how to use the Internet in the job hunt. Even those looking for a career change are not forgotten. That topic is explored in books such as: The Everything Alternative Careers Book: Leave the Office behind and Embark on a New Adventure.
But books are not all that the library can provide. Many companies now want you to apply online and internet access computers at the library are available for those online applications. Microsoft Office software is on all the library computers and has templates with various resume formats. If you have any problems using these tools, just ask the friendly library staff to help you.
And where are all those online job search sites? Well, they are all together in one handy section on the ‘Internet Links by Subject’ website: jmrl.org/on-links.htm. Just look under the topic ‘Employment’ and you will find the links to America’s Job Bank, Career Guide to Industries - (US Dept. of Labor), Jobs.Net, JobsSearchUSA.org, Virginia’s Career Connect, and more.
Remember that it is important to come prepared to an interview and know about the company you are applying to. So check the Business and Company Resource Center online database http://www.jmrl.org/on-databases.htm and find out company profiles, brand information, rankings, investment reports, and company histories. It also provides industry news.
Good luck with your job search! If you have any questions about this information, please contact the Greene County Library at 985-5227.