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Find Information:  Jobs and Careers

 

 

 

 

 

Baltimore County has great employment opportunities due to the number of businesses, universities, and government agencies in the region, as well as the port and city of Baltimore.  Check out these resources to help you connect with them.

 

 Assessing:  Your Skills

 

  • What Color is Your Parachute? 2010Career One Stop
    This site includes a "Skills Profiler" and an "Employability Checkup" to help you ascertain a good fit.
     

  • Monster.com
    This well-known job seekers site has a great section with articles on assessing your career options in order to find the right fit.
     

  • Occupational Information Network
    This resource (O*NET) accesses information on hundreds of continually updated standardized and occupation-specific descriptors that are tied to a series of assessment instruments for workers and students looking to find or change careers.  Use the iSeek skills assessment if you are in a BCPL branch. This is full browser based access to the O*Net data

    Home users may prefer to use O*Net Online directly but this tool cannot be used in BCPL branches since it requires a application to be download to the desktop and BCPL's public computers do not allow downloads.
     

  • Weddles
    This sites offers a handy index of professional associations in order to improve your networking prospects.

 

 Assessing:  The Marketplace

 

  • Find Your Calling, Love Your LifeJob-Hunt.org
    Job search sites by location, by industry or profession, networking resources, job search sites and assistance. Advice on job searching.
     
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics
    United States Department of Labor
    National statistical agency of federal government that collects and analyzes business and labor economics.
     
  • Career and Workforce Information
    by Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Office of Workforce Information and Performance
    Covers size of labor force, employment and unemployment rate, employment and wages by county, projects trends in specific occupations and industries within Maryland.

     

  • Employment
    From ipl2
    Annotated hyperlinks concerning career, job searching and other employment topics.
     
  • Explore Careers
    from CareerOneStop
    Both occupational and industry trends at both the state and national level,
     
  • 50 Best College Majors for a Secure FutureJob and Career Information Center

    From Maryland State Library Resource Center
    Brief categories with well-annotated hyperlinks to information about employment and careers.
     

  • Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
    Maryland One-Stop Career Centers offer a myriad of resources that will assist the job seeker in his or her search for gainful employment.
     
  • Occupational Outlook Handbook
    Descriptions of occupations, education, experience required for specific jobs and projected growth or decline in occupations.
     
  • Salary.com
    Find out salaries for various occupations by state. Also gives cost of living comparisons for different locations.
     
  • State Labor Market Information
    from CareerOneStop
    Find wage and employment data for each state

 

  Career Tests:  Practice & Preparation

Testing and Education Resource Center

 

Use your library card to check out a powerful database called Testing and Education Reference Center which features interactive online practice tests including GED, SAT, CLEP, GRE, NCLEX, PRAXIS, EMT, Police and Firefighter Exams, U.S. Citizenship and Civil Service Exams.

First Time Job Seekers

 

  • Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the InterviewFastFoods.com

    A good resource for hourly work. Fill out this form once and file it online and when any one of a number of prospective fast food employers (McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, and more) is interested in you, FastFood.com will send you an e-mail with the employer’s contact information.
     

  • InternZoo.com
    This online database of internships available to students is searchable by location (state or country), industry type or a combination of both.
     
  • Job Applications.com
    This site contains links to employment applications for many of the most common chain retail and restaurant outlets in one convenient location.
     
  • Job Corps
    Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career area, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. For income eligible youth ages 16 to 24. Two Job Corps Centers are located in Maryland.
     
  • Resumes First-Time Job HuntersJobWeb

    Job search and advice for the new college graduate. Tips on resumes and job interviews.
     

  • NACEWeb
    From the National Association of Colleges and Employers
    Provides services to connect graduating college students with employers.
     
  • Snagajob
    This resource is good for first-time job seekers and includes some hourly jobs.  Can be focused locally
     
  • SummerJobs.com
    Summer Jobs is a database of seasonal and part-time job opportunities. While the primary focus is Summer employment, other jobs may be posted here as well. It also includes some internships. You can search the database by location or keyword.
     
  • Teen eSpace Work Page
    From Baltimore County Public Library's Teen eSpace @ Your Library
    A resource for teens for finding a career or a cool job.
     
  • Work Permit Process
    From the  Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR)
    Teens 14 through 17 years of age need to get a work permit after they are offered a job or each time they change jobs. A validated work permit, with an Issuing Officer's signature, must be in the employer's possession before the teen is permitted to work.

    Both the newly hired teen and the employer must complete the online Work Permit Application Form. It is also available from a local high school. A parent or guardian must sign the form. Use this form's content to complete the online Request for a Work Permit Form. Take the signed hard copy Application Form, the Application Receipt from the online Request for a Work Permit Form, and Proof of Age to an Issuing Officer, who will issue the official Maryland Minor Work Permit. Baltimore County Public School middle and high schools have Issuing Officers [PDF]. 

 

How to Apply Online

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Free Computer Access:

 

Do you need to search the Internet, check email, or type a resume but don't have access to a computer?  Every branch of the Baltimore County Public Library has free-access computers for public use.

 

  • About.com
    This website has a section on how to apply for a job/complete an application.
     
  • EHow on "How to Apply for Job Online"
    Applying for a job online is easy and fast—a matter of minutes! Online job listings provide detailed information about the job profile and the company. Consequently, you can highlight skills that suit the prospective employer’s requirement.
     
  • Marin County Practice Job Application
    You have the opportunity to practice filling out an on-line application and if you would like to use the data entered on the practice application, you will have the option to automatically copy the data from your practice application into a real job application. 
     
  • Stratford Library’s Practice Job Application
    Allows users to fill in a practice application for the "Miracle Widget Repairs Co." which is not an actual company and the information entered into the "Practice application" will not be stored, saved, or otherwise used in any way

How to Create Resumes and Cover Letters

 

  • BrainFuse LogoBrainfuse
    Live chat with career experts to get feedback on your resume and more! Just click on the button to the right and follow the instructions in the "Adult Learning Center" section. Please note:  you will need a BCPL library card in order to access this resource outside of the library's computers.
     
  • How to Write a Resume
    Provided by the Enoch Pratt Free Library, , Maryland's State Library Resource Center.
    Detailed, step by step instructions for creating your resume
     
  • Job Star Resume and Cover Letter Guide
    Find resume tips, the resume format that works best for you, and view sample resumes and cover letters.
     
  • Resume Writing 101
    From CollegeBoard.com
    Tips and tricks for writing the perfect resume.
     
  • Sample Resumes
    Find hundreds of sample resumes including chronological and functional formats.
     
  • Testing and Education Resource CenterTesting & Education Reference Center
    Check out the "Online Resume Builder" under the "Career Tools" section.  This great tool offers a step-by-step tool to help you generate an MSWord or web posted resume.  Please note:  you will need a BCPL library card in order to access this resource outside of the library's computers.
     
  • Workplace Writers
    from the Writing Lab @ The OWL at Purdue
    Resources for people preparing cover letters, resumes or a curriculum vitae and other business writing.

 

How to Interview

 

  • 101 Toughest Interview QuestionsJob Interview.net
    A community site that gives a range of assistance specific to interviewing for jobs.
     
  • Job Interview Questions.org
    On this website you can find pointers for a successful job interview. Type of questions, sample questions, how to negotiate your salary, interview tips and many more for Jobseekers and for interviewers.
     
  • Connecticut Department of Labor
    In a labor market where there are many qualified candidates competing for the same position, how you do on the interview can often determine whether you get the job. This site gives  pointers on how to get through the process successfully.
     
  • University of North Carolina Greensboro
    An interview gives the employer an opportunity to get to know you and determine if your skills and experiences match the organization's needs. Your goal is to show the employer that you can not only do the job, but will be a good addition to their team. This college sites gives some pointers.

 

How to Safeguard Your Identity While Applying Online

 

  • Computer Privacy AnnoyancesAbout.com

    This website has a section on how to protect your identity during the course of the application job search process.
     

  • ID Theft Center.org
    While no one person can completely prevent identity theft from occurring, there are things we can do to minimize our exposure. This site helps to highlight those things.
     
  • Job Hunt.org
    This site includes information on protecting your privacy.
     
  • Privacy Rights.org
    Job seekers need to carefully minimize privacy issues related to resumes and personal data while still maintaining appropriate exposure to employers. Employers, commercial job search sites, and resume databases vary widely in privacy practices and controls.
     
  • World Privacy Forum
    This guide to online job sites is a list of the top job searching sites online and information about the privacy practices at each site.

 

Jobs Online:  Baltimore

 

 

Jobs Online: Maryland

 

  • Apprenticeship and Training
    From Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. Division of Labor and Industry.  An apprentice, as an employee, receives supervised, structured, on-the-job training combined with related technical instruction in a specific occupation. Apprenticeship is open to anyone age 16 or older, however, an employer may set a higher entry age. Individuals must be age 18 to apprentice in specified hazardous occupations.
     
  • Baltimore Business Journal Job Lists
    Advertises several Baltimore jobs by job category,  by employer or by keyword.  Interested candidates can usually apply online.
     
  • Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
    Of the Maryland State Department of Education
    Provides individuals with disabilities with employment assistance.
     
  • Job and Career Information Center
    The Maryland State Library Resource Center has created this site which includes a series of tutorials for library customers to use during their job search.  The tutorials help the customer prepare for their job search, covering such tasks as applying for an email address, searching job Web sites, and applying online for a job. 
     
  • Maryland Department of Budget and Management
    These State government job openings are maintained by the Maryland Department of Budget and Management but link to other agencies as well.
     
  • Maryland Workforce Exchange
    A service of Maryland's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
    Find a job, post your resume. Find qualified workers for your business. Check out the events calendar for Job Fairs in Maryland. A short video on How to Use the Maryland Workforce Exchange (3:26 min) is offered by the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Maryland's State Library Resource Center.
     
  • Private Career Schools and Occupational Training Providers
    by the Maryland Higher Education Commission
    Search for private career schools approved by the Commission and Occupational Training Providers funded through Workforce Investment Act (WIA)

 

Jobs Online:  National

 

  • CareerBuilder.com
    One of the largest employment networks on the Internet. Search for jobs, post resumes and set up job alerts for e-mail notifications if a job matching your criteria is posted. Find career fairs.
     
  • CareerOneStop
    Links to state and other job banks, information on wages and salaries, relocating, creating resumes and preparing for interviews.
     
  • Indeed
    Indeed.com is a search engine for jobs, allowing job seekers to find jobs posted on thousands of company career sites and job boards.
     
  • Monster.com
    Search by job type and geographic location.
     
  • Snagajob
    This resource is good for first-time job seekers and includes some hourly jobs.  Can be focused locally
     
  • Spherion Jobs
    Post your resume to 70+ top community sites, diversity sites, newspaper sites and important association sites which are all part of the JobOptions Network. Your resume is available ONLY to these companies and employer organizations.
     
  • Teachers-Teachers.com
    Online teacher recruitment service. Internet's largest teacher resume database.
     
  • USAJobs
    The United States Government's official source of job and employment information, provided to the public at no cost.

 

 Military Careers

 

  • Air Force Careers
    Over 200 different rewarding and exciting career opportunities for both college and high school  graduates.
     
  • Army Careers
    Explore a wide variety of career opportunities in The Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve.
     
  • Coast Guard
    Enlisted, officer and reserve careers with the United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve.
     
  • FedsHireVets.gov
    This website is a critical component of the Federal Government’s strategy for the recruitment and employment of Veterans
     
  • Marine Corps
    Get career information about the United States Marine Corps. Learn more about the Marine Corps' history, traditions, training, equipment and bases.
     
  • Navy
    Explore careers in the Navy. Includes information about Navy jobs, benefits, and training.

 

Unemployment

 

 

  • MDCash.org
    The MD CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope) Campaign is a coalition of organizations from around the state of Maryland that provide free tax preparation, outreach about the Earned Income Tax Credit, education about the dangers of Refund Anticipation Loans and other predatory lending practices, financial counseling and education, and advocacy for more accessible and comprehensive financial services for low income people.

 

Volunteering

 

  • Baltimore County Volunteers
    Search for volunteer opportunities on line that match your skills and interests.
     
  • Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
    The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers individuals 55 and older rewarding opportunities to share their skills, interests and abilities in meaningful volunteer positions in Department of Aging programs and non-profit organizations throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area.
     
  • Volunteer Central
    by Business Volunteers Unlimited Maryland
    Find volunteer opportunities and register for free email updates of new opportunities as they occur.