Virtual Career Center
Research Careers
These sites are particularly useful if you are considering switching careers. After you identify potential occupations that meet your interests and skills, you can learn more about specific job tasks, training requirements, average wages, and more.
- I seek
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*Net
- America’s InfoNet
- What are my options after job loss? — PDF format
- MN Careers
- Brain Track
Click here for additional useful web addresses
Take an Online Interest Assessment:
Through online assessments you can learn more about your unique occupational interests and skills, and find out what careers match those qualities. You can also assess your communication and personal style and find out about the types of jobs and environments that complement your personal style.
Labor Market Information
How do your career plans fit within the local economy? Which industries are growing, and which are adding the most jobs with high wages? Look here to find the information that will help you make strategic decisions about your next job.
Click here for a list of specialty job boards by industry
Salary Information
Research how much that new career pays! These sites provide information on average salaries locally and nationally.
How to Look for Work
These sites provide a wealth of information on how to get your next job. Find suggestions for résumés and thank you letters, interviewing tips, salary negotiation strategies, ideas for staying energetic during your job search – and much more.
- Riley Guide
- Creative Job Search
- What Color is Your Parachute?
- Career One Stop
- Research companies and businesses through the library
- Research companies through the James J. Hill Reference Library
- How To Job Hunt The Right Way: Tips to make your job search more productive
Job Search
Start looking for your dream job – here are some Internet job search sites to get you started!
- Post your resume
- Job Connect
- USAJOBS: The official job site of the United States Federal Government. It’s your one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.
List of Employment Agencies: Employment Agencies- PDF format
Job Search Over 40
These sites can be especially useful for workers over 40.
- CivicVentures.org: Is an organization supporting baby boomers in the work force. Its Web site provides information on its programs, including Troops to Teachers, community college grants and employer awards, as well as articles on “encore” colleges and careers.
- WorkForce50.com: Lists jobs exclusively from employers who are enthusiastic about hiring workers over age 50.
- YourEncore.com: Connects retired scientists, engineers, and product developers with consulting and short-term assignments phasing into retirement.
- Phasing into retirement: If you’re nearing retirement age and want to work less but aren’t quite ready for full-time leisure, “phased retirement” might be for you.
Networking
Networking is a powerful tool for your job search. By making connections with other individuals from similar occupations and industries, and with other jobseekers like yourself, you will obtain job leads, job seeking tips, and support during your job search.
Suggested Reading
You can check out these books at the library or visit Amazon.com to purchase any of the following books:
- What Color Is Your Parachute, Bolles, 10 Speed Press, Berkley, CA. 2007
- Resumes that knock ‘em Dead, Yana Parker, 10 Speed Press, Berkley, CA. 2004
- High Impact Resumes & Letters, Krannich, Ronald L. & Banis, William J., 1995
- I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It, Barbara Sher, Dell Publishing,1995
- Do What You Are, Tieger and Barron, 3rd edition, Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 2001
- Do What You Love for the Rest of Your Life: A Practical Guide to Career Change and Personal Renewal, Griffiths, Ballentine Books, 2003
- The Resume Handbook: How to Write Outstanding Resumes and Cover Letters for Every Situation, Rosenberg, Adams Media Corporation, 2003
- 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions, Ron Fry, Thomson Delmar Learning, 2004

Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the Greater Twin Cities Area of Minnesota
