Thinking about moving for work?

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Job seekers, Uncategorized
USA Highway Map

USA Highway MapThe new calendar year means an opportunity for new beginnings. If one of your resolutions is to explore relocating to a new part of the country, CareerOneStop offers free online tools that can help you become informed and confident about the job market and resources in your new area.

You can start by getting familiar with the general facts about your new state, then narrow in to focus on specific employers, and finally, connect with personal help to establish your new foundation.

Learn about the state’s job market and the pool of workers already there.

  • While it may sound dry, labor market information can help you get a clearer picture of your new job market. Check out these tools to learn which occupations in your new state are the  Fastest-Growing, have the Most Openings, and those that have the overall Largest Employment numbers.
  • Like many job seekers, you may want to know which fields are the Highest Paying in your new location.
  • Also vital to know as you consider your options, check out which occupations have Declining Employment.

Focus in on employers in your field, or get to know employers from different industries in a particular town or community.

  • Use the Business Finder to learn about potential employers in your new location. The Business Finder searches a database of nearly 12 million U.S. businesses. You can search by your occupation to see businesses that typically hire workers in that field, or select an industry to view the specific businesses in your industry there. You could even use the contact information you find to contact employers about potential job openings.
  • You can conduct your job search in advance from your current location by using the Job Finder, which updates daily with the newest openings from three distinct job banks.
  • The same career can pay differently in a new state. To help gauge your potential earnings, and estimate the salary requirements to request when you get a job offer in your new location, check out the Salary Finder. You can research typical wages in your new area at low, median, and high levels.

For personal help, connect with the sources right there that keep a finger on the pulse of the local job market.

  • Get help with insight and resources on the local job market from the local American Job Center, a source of free career and employment help from the U.S. Department of Labor. There are nearly 2,500 Centers nationwide, with locations in every state.
  • Connect with a local Job Club that meets regularly to discuss job leads and job search strategies. Job Clubs typically have a good sense of who the key employers are, and their members can offer all kinds of information about your new location.
  • Local libraries are a font of information, with an expert on resources ready to help, also known as the local librarian.
  • You may be in a position to refresh your work skills or qualifications while you job search. Use the Local Training Finder to see what your new local community college or other training providers might offer. Most community colleges also have a career center with connections to local employers.
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GI Bill reimbursement for exams

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Uncategorized, Veterans
A veteran thinking about earning a certification

A veteran thinking about earning a certificationAre you a veteran looking to start or advance your post-military career?

Getting a certification or license in your career field can be an important step in getting ahead—whether that means landing your first job or your next promotion.

What’s a certification?

A certification is an award you can earn to show your skill or knowledge in a particular career field. Being certified can help you demonstrate your skills and knowledge to an employer.

You can find out if there are certifications in your field with CareerOneStop’s Certification Finder. You’ll almost always need to pass an exam to earn a certification, and those exams can cost money. But you may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement for your certification exam.

What’s an occupational license?

Some jobs require that you have a license. Licenses are issued by states, and the rules vary from state to state. You usually need a combination of experience and training to obtain a license, and you often have to take a test and pay a fee. Examples of fields that often require licenses are:

  • Health care careers, such as dental assistants and emergency medical technicians (EMT)
  • Jobs in the trades, such as plumbers, electricians, and building contractors
  • Jobs that provide personal care such as barbers and cosmetologists

Learn about licensing requirements in your state at CareerOneStop’s License Finder.

If you need to take an exam that will allow you to acquire a state-issued, professional license, you may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement for your licensing exam.

How can I get reimbursed for exam fees?

You can find a list of license and certification exams that are approved for VA funding, by state. Note that the reimbursement is for exam fees only, and not for study material.

Get started with the VA’s Checklist for Requesting Test Reimbursement. Learn more about out how your GI Bill entitlement will be charged for using a licensing and certification benefit.

Want to learn more about your options and benefits as a veteran?

Visit Back to School or Job Search on CareerOneStop’s Veteran and Military Transition Center.

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Make your next cover letter a great one!

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career counselors, Job seekers
young african american man using computer

young african american man using computerWhen you apply for a job opening, you might be tempted to let your resume speak for you, and give the cover letter just passing attention. However, that would be a mistake.

Your cover letter is often your best opportunity to sell your skills and show your interest in a position. It should intrigue the employer enough to read your resume, which in turn should convince them to contact you for an interview.

In your cover letter, you can focus the employer’s attention on the achievements and qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the job, more specifically than you can in your resume. But the first step to writing a great cover letter is choosing the format that works for your purpose.

What are the different types of cover letters?

  • Invited cover letter. Use this format when responding to an ad or other listing. Describe how your qualifications meet the needs of the position.
  • Cold-contact cover letter. Use this format to contact employers who have not advertised or published job openings. Research careers to find the requirements for the job you’re applying for, and then match your qualifications with that research. Check out CareerOneStop’s Inquiry letters for ideas.
  • Referral cover letter. Use this format if you were referred to a job opening through networking, informational interviews, or contact with employers. A referral may be to a specific job opening (advertised or unadvertised) or to an employer who may or may not be hiring now. Make sure you mention the person who referred you.
  • Job match or “T” cover letter. Use this format to match the specific requirements of the job one-to-one with your qualifications, for example “You need 10 years’ experience” and “I bring 12 years’ experience.” You can learn about the requirements from a job ad, position descriptions, phone conversations, career research, and informational interviews.

Next, great cover letters include all the key information an employer wants to see.

Cover letter content essentials

  • Heading and greeting. Include the date, your name, and your contact information. Address the letter to a specific person whenever possible. If you can’t find an individual’s name, use the job title of the recipient (Maintenance Supervisor, Office Manager), or “Human Resources” or “Search Committee.” Avoid addressing your letter to a business, or “To Whom It May Concern.”
  • Opening paragraph. Explain your reason for writing, including how you learned about the opening. Express your energy and enthusiasm about the position.
  • Body – usually 1-3 paragraphs. Sell yourself. Show why you are a perfect and unique match for the position. What do you know about the employer’s needs? What can you offer that meets them? How do your skills and education relate? Rather than listing your qualifications (the resume should do that), aim to tell the employer how your talents, experience, and achievements, will help them solve a problem, earn more money, or address their mission.
  • Closing paragraph. Thank the employer for taking the time to read your letter, and leave with a plan of action – usually, how you intend to follow up with them, unless you are responding to a job ad that states the employer will take the next step. Include any additional contact information not already in your resume.
  • Keep it concise. Cover letters should be no longer than one page. E-mailed cover letters should be even briefer than mailed letters.

The last key to a great cover letter is targeting it for each position.

How can you target your cover letter?

An especially effective targeting method is to use specific achievements or experiences that will clearly illustrate the point you want to make. If dedication is critical to the employer, instead of just saying “I’m a dedicated worker”, show an example. For instance, “I volunteered to serve as lead teacher, coordinating teaching assistant schedules, and closing up classrooms after evening classes, ensuring the building was secured.”

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New Year goal #1: Join a professional association

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Career counselors, Entry-level workers, Job seekers, Students, Uncategorized
Goals for 2017

Goals for 2017Make 2017 the year you take a step that could be very good for your job search, and probably even better for your long term career success: join a professional association.

As we approach the New Year, consider the benefits that association membership can offer. Many people avoid joining out of uncertainty about their value. Others worry that membership will obligate them to yet more tasks that they don’t have time to do. In most cases, membership is only about positives—no negatives.

How to decide which professional association to join?

The first step is to get an idea of what’s out there. You can find a professional association for almost any career or interest area, related to what you do now, or what you want to do. Some have national, state, and regional chapters, while others are just local. Many fields have a variety of related professional associations to choose from, each with a different focus and benefits. A good place to start is reviewing association websites, which you can link to from CareerOneStop’s Professional Association Finder.

Using the Professional Association Finder, you can explore your field using different keywords to find associations most closely related to your interests. For example, say you have an interest in boat making. There are associations that relate to boat ownership, woodworking, navigation, historic aspects, piloting, carpentry, and more.

What benefits could you expect to gain from membership?

As a professional association member, you can:

  • learn the language of your field,
  • read about recent trends and changes to the industry or occupation,
  • sign up for learning and networking events,
  • find resources to help you prepare for earning certifications in the field,
  • volunteer for activities,
  • gain access to job postings that may be available only to members of the association,
  • participate in chat groups or discussion boards, and of course,
  • meet other members who may be in a position to hire, or connect you with people who are.

Since most job search experts estimate that 70-80 percent of jobs are obtained through personal contacts, this last benefit may be the most important reason to join. And it can be a great way to learn how to talk with people about your job search; as members of the same group, you can depend on having some interests in common and a shared career focus.

While most associations have membership dues and activity fees, they will generally allow you to attend some events as a non-member if you want to test the waters before signing up. Many associations offer student membership rates so that you can get involved before graduating, and line up internships and job connections before you have your degree. They may even offer scholarships to those intending to enter the field.

It’s also valuable to note your membership on your resume; this shows potential employers your commitment to your field, and that you are connected to recent industry developments.

If you’re inclined to set goals, take this recommendation to heart and make a plan to explore associations in your field early in 2017. If you’re not inclined to set goals, just jump in and attend a meeting or event as soon as you finish your New Year celebrations. Either way, you will put new energy into your career, and open doors for your job search.

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5 questions to help you target your resume

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Job seekers, Uncategorized
happy workers

happy workersA great resume matches your personal goals and qualifications to an employer’s specific needs.  And while it’s always tempting to rush through your resume in order to get to the next step of your job search, slowing down and thinking it through can really pay off.

When you’re clear about what you’re trying to achieve, it shows in your resume. In fact, one of the biggest complaints employers have about resumes—and one of the main reasons resumes fail—is a lack of focus.

So when you sit down to create or spruce up your resume, it’s important to take the time to really define your goals.  Get started by asking yourself these five questions:

1) What’s the purpose of this resume? Is it to attract employers who may have opportunities, or are you applying for a specific, advertised position?

2) What’s your current career objective? Are you in a field that you enjoy, or are you looking to change careers?

3) What’s the next logical step in your career? Are you looking to move to a bigger or smaller company? Do you want to work in a different industry or occupation?

4) What kind of company or organization do you want to work for? Where are the employers in your field, and how much do you know about them?

5) What do you want to achieve in your work? Are you looking for greater responsibility? A higher salary? More meaningful work? What’s most important to you?

Ready to spend some time making your resume the best it can be?  Visit CareerOneStop’s free Resume Guide.

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Do more of what you like!

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Career counselors, Students
ratings for interests

ratings for interestsCareer assessments help people identify a list of careers likely to suit their personality, skills, interests, or other qualities. They have been around in some form since WWII, when large numbers of soldiers returning to civilian life needed guidance to find a career.

Many types and approaches to assessment have proliferated since that time, but one with particular staying power is the Holland Career Theory. In 1985, Dr. John Holland proposed that people’s interests and work environments could be loosely classified into six different groups. By matching their interests to related types of work environments, he believed, people would be more likely to enjoy their work, and therefore experience greater job satisfaction and success.

These are Holland’s six interest categories:

Realistic: Realistic people tend to have athletic interests, prefer to work with objects, machines, tools, plants or animals, and like to be outdoors.

Investigative: Investigative people like to observe, learn, investigate, analyze, and solve problems.

Artistic: Artistic people like to work in unstructured situations using their imagination and creativity.

Social: Social people like to work with people to inspire, inform, help, train, or cure them.

Enterprising: Enterprising people like to work with people to influence, persuade, and lead them, and to achieve organizational or financial goals.

Conventional: Conventional people like to work with information, carry out detailed tasks, and have clerical or numerical interests.

Holland’s theory has been thoroughly researched, and found to be reliable, and valid for a broad variety of individuals. It is the most widely accepted approach to career assessment, and is easy to use and understand.

CareerOneStop’s Interest Assessment is based on O*NET’s Mini Interest Profiler (a shorter version of the O*NET Interest Profiler on My Next Move, which is also based on Holland’s theory).

interest assessment resultsThe Interest Assessment asks a series of 30 quick questions about what you like, and don’t like, to do. Both your likes and dislikes are used to match you to profiles of different careers. Your results indicate which two or three interest types most closely align with your responses.

For example, if your profile is Social, Artistic, and Enterprising, you probably most closely resemble the Social work environment, next most closely the Artistic type, and not quite as much the Enterprising type. The other types, not in your profile, are the types you resemble least.

Your results also provide a list of careers that most closely match your profile. Each career listed includes the career outlook (new job opportunities expected), average pay, and the typical education needed to work in that field. Using the filters on the left, you can choose to see only careers matches that fit your education and experience level.

Finally, each career on your list links to a more detailed profile, where you can learn what you might do in a day on the job, watch a career video, dive in to more information on pay, demand, and education, and even link off to active job postings in your local area.

 

 

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5 key questions for your DIY year-end career review

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Job seekers
Year-end checklist

Year-end checklistMany people take the time each December to review progress on their year’s personal, health, and financial goals. It’s also a great time to conduct a year-end career review.

Whether you had a job, lost a job, or changed jobs in 2016, you can easily complete a quick year-end assessment of your career, using the five questions below.

If you had a year-end performance review at your job, you can use that as a starting point. But a career review is much more than an assessment of your job performance: it takes into account your lifelong career path as well as your long- and short-term career goals. Get started by thinking about these five questions:

1. What were your career highlights (or lowlights) this year?

Depending on where you are in your career, you can include large or small milestones. Some examples include:

  • Started a new job
  • Assumed new responsibilities in your current job
  • Completed a big project
  • Got laid off
  • Received a promotion or salary increase
  • Completed a training course or certification

2. What worked well?

Here’s a chance to dive deeper into the items on your list of high- or lowlights. Think about these aspects of your career:

3. What didn’t work out as planned?

Now, take the time to identify what didn’t go so well.  If you did write out career goals for 2016, you can use that list to identify what you achieved and didn’t achieve.  If you don’t have a list, think about whether you:

  • Didn’t go back to school or enroll in a training program you wanted to start
  • Didn’t begin or follow through on a planned job search
  • Didn’t talk to a supervisor or co-worker about something you needed to address

4. What are you going to do next year to move toward your career goals?

Here’s where you can get a head-start on 2017: Write out a list of career goals for the coming year.

5. What is—and when will you get started on—your first step for next year’s goals?

Before you wrap up your review, take the time to identify a specific action your’e going to take—and give yourself a deadline for making a phone call, networking, beginning a job search, or exploring new career or training options.

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Tools to help explore careers, find training and search for jobs

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Career counselors, Job seekers, Veterans
CareerOneStop's Toolkit

CareerOneStop's ToolkitWant some answers to help you plan your career or job search? CareerOneStop packages stacks of useful data in easy-to-use chunks, so you can quickly find what you are looking for.

You can learn details about different careers, connect to training and resources to prepare for your next job, or start your job search right away, using the free online tools in CareerOneStop’s Toolkit.

Get your questions answered as you explore some of our most popular tools, listed below:

Match your background to different careers

mySkills myFuture: Wondering what other jobs you could do with the work experience you have? Find careers that relate to your current or previous job, and learn about education needed, demand, typical wages and more. If you’re ready, you’ll even find job listings to apply for, in your local area.

Military to Civilian Occupation Translator: Looking for civilian career fields that relate to your military work experience and training? Use this translator to find related careers, and their typical duties, salaries, and job outlook.

Skills Profiler: Need to better understand what your skills are, and the careers that match them? This tool provides both, and generates a list of tasks related to any career you enter.

Search for jobs and employers

Job Finder: Looking for job openings in your local area? The Job Finder provides postings from 3 different national job banks, updated daily. Postings link directly to job applications or contact information.

Veterans Job Finder: Ready to put your military experience to work? Find job postings across the U.S. that relate to your military job title, skills, and training.

Business Finder: Ready to reach out to employers before they post jobs? Use the Business Finder to target businesses that may be hiring in your field.

Learn about careers you might want to work in

Interest Assessment: What careers best match your interests? This quick 30-question assessment takes less than five minutes to complete and shows you a list of careers that might be a great fit for you. From there, learn more about careers: whether they’re in demand, how much they pay, how much school you might need, and what you might do in a typical day.

Occupation Profile: Need to know how much you could earn, training needed, tasks on the job, employer demand, and other details about a career? Data on nearly 900 occupations available.

Tools & Technology Finder: What machines, equipment, tools, and software do workers use in different occupations? And if you have experience using specific tools or technology, you can find out which other careers employ them.

License Finder: Does a career require a license in your state? Or in any of the 50 states? Find out, and get contact information for state agencies that oversee licensing to learn more.

Salary Finder: How much do different occupations pay? Find local, state, and national median wages for any of nearly 900 occupations.

Find education and job training connections

Local Training Finder: Where are the schools and training programs in your area? Find the best fit for you.

Certification Finder: Which professional certifications are available in your field? How can you earn them? Also learn which certifications are in highest demand by employers.

Professional Association Finder: Professional associations help their members keep up-to-date on trends in their field, get certifications, and provide excellent networks for job searching. Want to find one in your field?

Scholarship Finder: Need financial assistance for higher education? Search more than 7,500 scholarships and other financial aid awards. Search by closest deadline, keywords, locations, and more.

Apprenticeship Finder: Want to train on-the-job for a skilled job, and earn wages as you do? Locate an apprenticeship field office in your state for contacts to help you get started.

Sharpen your job search

Resume Guide: Time to pull a resume together, or update your current one? Create the right resume for your situation using tips from the Resume Guide, and learn how to market your resume and yourself.

Local Help: Wish you had local services to help in your job search? You will find your closest American Job Centers, and other workforce services in your neighborhood and across the country.

 

 

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Did you know it’s National Apprenticeship Week?

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career changers, Entry-level workers, Job seekers, Students
apprenticeship

The second annual National Apprenticeship week is November 14-20, 2016, set aside as a time to highlight the great opportunities that apprenticeships provide for workers and businesses.

Apprenticeships allow workers to earn while they learn, and they allow employers across industries to develop the talent they need to succeed.

apprenticeship week

“Apprenticeships are experiencing a modern renaissance in America because the earn-while-learn model is a win-win proposition for workers looking to punch their ticket to the middle-class and for employers looking to grow and thrive in our modern global economy”

— U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez

Check out these apprenticeship facts highlighted in the president’s Apprenticeship Week Proclamation:

  • Registered apprenticeships connect job-seekers to better paying jobs that are in high demand, and by providing hands-on experiences and allowing Americans to earn while they learn, they help workers gain the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in our modern economy.
  • More than 90 percent of apprentices find employment after completing their programs, with graduates earning an average starting salary over $60,000.
  • Apprenticeship programs also help employers by increasing productivity and innovation with a high return on investment. A variety of industries — from healthcare to construction to information technology and advanced manufacturing — are using apprenticeship programs to meet their workforce needs.

CareerOneStop’s Apprenticeship Finder lets you search for local employers who have offered apprenticeship programs.

Apprenticeship programs are regulated by states and sponsored by an employer, labor group, or employer association. You can use CareerOneStop’s Apprenticeship Finder to learn more from the agency that regulates apprenticeships in your state, or from a local employer or organization that has sponsored apprenticeships.

Women veterans make their mark in the workforce

Posted on by CareerOneStop Posted in Career counselors, Uncategorized, Veterans
Woman looking out window

Woman looking out windowMost Americans know that women serve in all branches of the U.S. military, but may not realize that women have served since the American Revolution. Women veterans currently account for 10% of all veterans, and are younger, more educated, and more likely to represent a minority group than their male counterparts.

While all veterans bring significant qualifications and leadership abilities to their jobs, women veterans share particular accomplishments in the U.S. civilian workforce: more working women veterans enroll in school than do employed male veterans; and, compared to both women who have never served, and men veterans, women veterans also have a higher rate of participation in management and professional careers. They also have higher household incomes and are less likely to live in poverty, than non-veteran women.

As they pursue civilian careers, higher education support is a critical benefit accessed by women veterans. They complete degree programs at a rate higher than both women who have never served, and male veterans.

Career and education resources for women veterans

  • To support their job search, all veterans may obtain free, publicly-accessible employment services at American Job Centers nationwide. You can find American Job Centers in your local area using CareerOneStop’s AJC Finder; Centers offer help writing resumes, planning your job search strategy, accessing job databases, and more.
  • One of the challenges many veterans confront in transitioning from military- to civilian-style job interviews is learning how to promote themselves. On CareerOneStop.org, you can study up on job search skills, from writing an outstanding resume to preparing your answers to questions typically used by employers. For help translating your military experience into related civilian occupations with job openings in your local area, use the Military to Civilian Job Finder.
  • Women veterans who have significant barriers to employment may qualify for intensive services through the Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program, typically available through Veterans’ Services at American Job Centers. Follow-up research has shown that women veterans who use this service have increased success obtaining jobs and earning higher wages. The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Women Veterans offers a 30-minute webinar to learn more about these specialized services and how to qualify.
  • The Post 911 GI Bill helps fund higher education for all qualifying veterans. It covers the cost of tuition at public institutions and includes funds for housing and books and supplies. As of the most recent count, the Post-9/11 GI Bill has funded education costs for more than 247,000 women veterans. As Dr. Jim Wright, former president of Dartmouth College, and himself a GI Bill recipient, noted – the Bill provides an important opportunity that veterans have earned through their service. A veteran’s children may be able to use the benefit if the vet herself does not.

For more resources and information on local services, check out CareerOneStop’s Veteran’s ReEmployment website.

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