Although it is provided by Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, it is not limited in any way to Massachusetts.  Anyone anywhere can use it.  Take a look and see what you think. Let me know your opinion.  And if you know of another site that is just as good or better, please leave me a comment.  Resume writers need all the help they can get, especially these days.

Once you get through all of this, you will probably start sending out your resume.  If you find you are having trouble cutting and pasting it into an email or online job application, check out my blog post on “What Exactly is Plain Text/ASCII?”  It should help explain the problem and give you a solution.

vea/12 January 2012
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
Applying for Job LibGuide

I have recently done a thorough revamping of the “Applying for a Job Online” class at the Newton Free Library.  Class materials are available online to anyone who needs them from any Internet connected computer, both for teachers and for job hunters.  If you are looking for a job, I would encourage you to look at the Handouts, especially handouts 8 – 10 relating to plain text.  This is the single most commented upon part of my class by the patrons who attend.  In all my classes, I have had only two people who even knew what plain text is and it is critical if you have to cut and paste parts of your resume into the body of an email or into an online job application.  Check out handout 8 to find out why.  Take a look at the other handouts.  They are all in Microsoft Word 2003.  You can also take the class using the PowerPoints if you have the PowerPoint program on your computer.

If you are a teacher,  you can use the handouts in conjunction with the PowerPoint presentation or independent from it if you do not have this program.  Before I taught myself how to use PowerPoint, I was using the Word documents for my screen shots.  I just had them in a file on the computer and pulled them up from there.

Whether you are a teacher or a job seeker, I would encourage you to read below.  This is a detailed explanation how to use the class materials all together, or as separate entities, or as a springboard for ideas for your own classes.  The bottom line is helping people get jobs.  The only thing we ask is that you give the Newton Free Library credit when you use our work in any presentation.  It would also be deeply appreciated if, where possible,  you would provide a  link to us either at http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net and/or at http://guides.newtonfreelibrary.net/jobs.

How the Class Works: This class has become predominantly a demonstration class rather than interactive. For various reasons, including limited time and much to cover, this has been the most efficient way to proceed. The handouts listed below are critical to this process. Many are composed with screen shots to the left and text boxes with instructions to the right. It is the handouts that the students take home and use. There is a handout for everything that is covered in class (Handouts 4-10 below).  This allows the student to begin their introduction to a range of job search sites and operations in class, then to go home and begin using what they need.  It should go without saying that questions are always encouraged during class as well as any point thereafter.

Class structure: The PowerPoint presentations for this class are in eight parts. The first is a general introduction to looking for work. This includes basics you need to know plus tips to help you with your search online.  What follows that are seven presentations.  These include using key databases and a website, accessing job information on the Newton Free Library’s Job LibGuide, explaining and then creating plain text in Microsoft Word and/or Google Docs, and, lastly, a bit more about networking, online networking (Web 2.0), and blogs.

Having the PowerPoint presentation in sections gives a teacher more options. It makes it easier to change the order of the presentation.  A class can be done with some sections running “live” off the Internet and some from the PowerPoint.  If a class was needed just on plain text resume creation, those sections could be used as a stand alone.  Having the entire class available on PowerPoint also allows the class to be held even when the Internet connection is down. (How many of us have had to cancel classes because there was suddenly no Internet connection?)

The seventh PowerPoint, on the different types of networking is an expansion on two screens included in the general introduction. In this PowerPoint I have included three additional screens/slides outlining very basic steps for networking. This allows teachers to cover networking in a little more depth when the need arises. As with all the other PowerPoints, networking also has a handout.

There have been a number of questions in class about Social Networking (Web 2.0) and blogs.  I have created a separate PowerPoint for those who would like to go into this subject with a little more depth than allowed in the main presentation.  All the PowerPoints together would take more than an hour to show.  This, again, allows for more options within a particular class.  You get to pick and choose.

Changing the Presentation:  I have designed this class so that other teachers will have maximum flexibility using the material. This is the reason I have divided the PowerPoint presentations into sections rather than linking them into one unit.  If you are considering using them to teach, you can easily change the order to one that works best with your particular classes. If you want to spend more time on each section, this also allows the class to be split into multiple sessions. Changing the order or extending the number of sessions can work very well, depending on how you want to reinforce the material.  If you have developed your own online job search aids, you may want to use only a section or two of what I present here.  Time and class makeup are factors in deciding how much or how little material you wish to cover.

Most Popular Segment: The PowerPoints that explain and show how to create plain text get the largest positive feedback from my classes. In all the classes that I have taught, I have had only two people who knew what plain text was, let alone how to use it. I usually show this section last.  It is a complicated process that, once completed, makes the job seeker’s life much easier.

There are now two versions.  I have always had a step-by-step PowerPoint and handout for creating plain text in Microsoft Word.  However, not everyone has access to this program.  I have now added a second version (both in PowerPoint and in the handouts) for changing formatted text to plain text in Google Docs.  This word processor has the advantage of being free and, therefore, available to everyone.  Although I personally think Google already has too much of our information, I have to admit that they do most things well, usually keeping the end user in mind when developing programs.

Whether the instructor uses only one or both depends on the needs of the class and the time allotted.  I have also separated out the section that explains what plain text is and why people need it.  This allows the teacher to use this one PowerPoint and just give out the two versions of the handouts if time is extremely limited.

PowerPoint Setup, Handouts, and Permissions: Each PowerPoint presentation is set up with the screen shot on the left and the instructions on the right, as opposed to a full screen shot with instructor’s notes. I tried both versions in my classes and participants preferred a combination of both that they could see on the screen. Moving arrows/pointers are embedded in each screen leading from the instruction to the section of the screenshot I am referring to. Each arrow is triggered by a left mouse click. You can use this information to teach a class or as a jumping off point to plan your own class.  We just ask that you give credit to the Newton Free Library for what you use.  If you do not have access to PowerPoint, you can print out and use the handouts. They have the same information as the PowerPoint presentations. The class, the handouts, and the supplementary material were created using Microsoft Word 2003 and Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 on Windows XP.

Supplements: The supplementary material includes lists, websites, and other items that the class members should find useful, but does not necessarily have to be printed out.  Students can just be referred to the online web addresses. The one supplement I have included just for the teacher is a sample for a certificate of attendance.  Some attendees will need the teacher to fill this out if they are on unemployment and need proof that they were attending a class or lecture.

Note: All links below are to the same page, the LibGuide homepage.  You will find the PowerPoints, Handouts, and Supplementary Materials listed with links in the right frame.  I have linked each item for the convenience of those people who click on only one or several of the items listed below.

The Class

Goals of the Class

To show how to use computer resources in a job search by:

Pointing out some of the problems inherent in applying for a job online and explaining how to solve them.

Discussing some of the various types of job search information available both in print and online.

Showing some of the many resources where you can find job listings.

Demonstrating where to find and how to use information made available through the Newton Free Library in your job search.

Explaining what plain text is, why it is necessary in a job search, and how to create a plain text resume step-by-step.

I.    Looking for Work: PowerPoint

          Three Rules for a Successful Job Search

            Rule # 1  Do your homework!

            Rule # 2  Network online and in person

            Rule # 3  Have one formatted and one plain text resume prepared to  use online.

What you need to know:

The job search vocabulary

Where to find job information

            Newspapers

            Job Banks

            Networking

How to research a company or industry

The three ways to apply for a job online

        On site Job Kiosk

        Via Email

         Online Job Application

How to Stay Safe Online

II.  Using Key Databases and a Website: PowerPoint

          Hoovers

          RefUSA

          General Business File ASAP (InfoTrac)

          The Occupational Outlook Handbook

III.  Accessing Job Search Information Using the Library’s Job LibGuide: PowerPoint

IV. What is Plain Text and Why Do We Need It? PowerPoint

V.  Creating Plain Text Using Windows XP and Word 2003:  PowerPoint

VI. Using Google Docs to Change Formatted Text to Plain Text: PowerPoint

VII. Finding Work Through Networking: PowerPoint

VIII. Web 2.0 and Blogging: PowerPoint

IX. Handouts: Word Documents

Handout 1 – Current Library Job Programs and Lectures

Handout 2 – List of Handouts and Supplementary Material

Handout 3 – Evaluation Form [This is the only item returned to the Instructor.]

Handout 4 – Copy of PowerPoint Presentation – Looking for Work*                            

                              4a – Three Ways to Apply for a Job Online

                              4b – Basic Job Search Vocabulary Explained

Handout5 – How to Use Key Databases and a Website

Handout 6 – Accessing Job Search Information Using the Library’s Job LibGuide

Handout 7 – Networking

Handout 8 – What is Plain Text and Why Do We Need to Use It

Handout 9 – Using Microsoft Word to Create Plain Text from Formatted Text

Handout 10 – Creating Plain Text from Formatted Text Using Google Docs

Handout 11 – Sample of the Word and the Plain Text Resume Used in Class

Handout 12 – Schedule of Classes at the Newton Free Library                                   

X. Supplementary Materials

Supplement 1 – Books to Help With Your Job Search  Listed by Category

Supplement 2 – Website List: Annotated and Categorized

Supplement 3 – Key Class Websites

                  a. Employment and Training Resources –   Schedule of Workshops

                  b. Charles River Public Internet Center      

                  c. Mass Trial Court Law Libraries’ Web Page on Massachusetts  Employment Law

                  d. Staying Safe Online: The Dirty Dangerous Online Job Search Assumptions

                  e.  How to Copy and Paste Your Resume to Monster.com Safely  

Supplement 4 – Certificate of Attendance

vea/created 24 February 2011/updated 16 December 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
Website: http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
Blog: http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
Applying for a Job LibGuide: http://guides.newtonfreelibrary.net/jobs

One of the many joys about working in a library is that you get to work with other librarians.  We tend to be a generous lot who like to share what we find. The article I am citing here is a case in point.  Knowing I do this blog, a  librarian in the Reference Department discovered and shared the above with me for you.

Good luck with your job hunt.

vea/4 October 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
Applying for Job LibGuide

So what can you do about it?  According to Erikson, use (but don’t trust) privacy settings.  They are, at best, a stop gap,  not a fail safe.  Make sure you check out you name, email address, blog names, etc. in Google, Bing, Yahoo, and places like Zoominfo. You may be surprised at some of the places you find your information.  And for pity sake, don’t assume that once you’ve had a job interview, you’re home free.  If you tweet what a dumb idiot one of your interviewers was, that person will find out about it, trust me.  Even on the off chance he or she is not into social networking, their friends will be.  Be discreet.  You might not like that word, but when you are hunting for or trying to keep a new (or old) job, discretion is your friend.

It’s worth taking a look at the original New York Post article. Just click “How to Protect Your Online Rep” by Chris Erickson.

I also tracked down several books on the subject that the Newton Free Library now owns. These are:

Radically Transparent: Monitoring and Managing Reputations Online by Andy Beal and Judy Strauss (mentioned in Erickson’s original article).

Wild West: How to Protect and Restore Your Online Reputation on the Untamed Social Frontier by Michael Fertik and David Thompson.

Do It Yourself Online Reputation Management: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building or Repairing Your Online Reputation by Herbert Tabin and Craig Agranoff.  If you haven’t got a clue how to do any of this, start with this book.  Some of the reviews in Amazon complained that this work was too basic.  Sounds good to me.

Manage Your Online Reputation by Tony Wilson.

Good luck.

“Let’s be careful out there.”  Stay safe online and don’t do anything foolish.  You don’t need to have the added stress of identity theft piled on top of looking for a job.  And you will be tempted.  Don’t forget, there is always someone ready to pounce when you make an exception  – just this one time.

vea/20 September 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
Applying for Job LibGuide

Newton Free Library Parking Lot Entrance

SERIES PROGRAM:  The first of eight programs, Reinventing Yourself in Today’s Economy,  is being presented on Wednesday, September 14th, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in Newton Free Library’s Drucker Auditorium.  It is part of the Library’s Job Seekers, Career and Professional Development Series being offered from September though May.  There will be two speakers, Danila Szekely and Tammy Gooler Loeb, both career coaches.  For a complete list of topics and dates, see my blog posting dated July 27th, 2011.  To find the Drucker Auditorium, take your first left after you come into the building from the parking lot. Then it’s the first door on your left.

This first program is being given by career coach Danila Szekely.  The presentation will include tools, suggestions, and exercises to help you progress to the next step in your career.  Whether you are working within your chosen career, looking for another position,  or seeking an entirely new job in a different field, the information provided here may prove useful to you.

CLASS:  The second September offering will be my Applying for a Job Online class being held on Thursday, September 15th, starting at 2:30 pm. The class can run over it’s 3:30 deadline depending on various factors in each class.  It must be over no later than 4:00.

How to Get to the Computer Training Room: The class is held in the computer training room on the second floor near the front staircase.  When you come off the staircase go straight.   There will be a reference desk on your right.  On your left you will pass a statue who’s back is to the study rooms.  Straight ahead will be the computer training room. If you come from the front elevator (on your right just before you get to the first floor Children’s Room) take a left as you step out of the elevator on the second floor then go straight and follow the directions as though you have come off the staircase.  This room is open for use when classes are not in session.  Hence the 4:00 deadline.  Patrons will be signed up to use the computers from 4:00 pm onward.

Class Content: The class covers the use of several online databases, gives tips on dealing with applying for a job online, and demonstrates in detail how to change a formatted resume into plain text.  Having a plain text copy of a resume is critical when it needs to be sent in the body of an email or to be cut and pasted into an online job application. There is a large amount of material to go over.  This is one reason a class can sometimes run overtime. You will be given handouts of everything covered in class. You should be able to  follow the handouts and  do at home most of what we do in class.

CLUB:  Now in its eighth year, “Women in Career Transition” will meet on Tuesday, September 20th, at 7:30 p.m. in Room A.  The meeting room is in the group of rooms directly across from Druker Auditorium.  The purpose of the club is to provide information, share concerns, and give support. It’s a great networking opportunity.  It is led by Joyce Picard, a Career Counselor.  If you are interested or have questions, you may call her at 1-617-969-5673.

vea/8 September 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
Applying for Job LibGuide

Formatted and Plain Text Versions

WHAT IS PLAIN TEXT (aka ASCII) AND WHY DO YOU NEED TO USE IT?

Let’s begin with the problem.  Most resumes and cover letters are first produced using a program (like Microsoft Word) that make them look striking.  You will see different sized text, bold facing, indentation, and other fancy work that make it stand out.  To accomplish this, there is a lot of underlying computer formatting that you don’t see. This is not a problem if you send the resume as an attachment.  However,  if you try to copy and paste a formatted document into the body of an email, the computer software will translate your work into gibberish when it is received on the other end.  Email programs recognize very little formatting.  You have the same problem when you try to copy and paste your cover letter, resume, or other information into a company’s online website application. The company’s website application software, called by the general name Automatic Applicant Tracking Systems, may not recognize some of the formatting used for your material.  The end result is that your application never gets through the system to the person who might want to hire you.

What do you do to get around this?  You must strip your resume of most of its formatting. You need to get it into a very specific format known as plain text or ASCII.  ASCII stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange.  It is pronounced asskey, but is also referred to as ASC2, since the final II looks like the Roman numeral II. ASCII is the platform upon which the more intricate formatting used in popular computer programs is built. It is therefore more universally recognized and can be read by a broad range of software.

The steps for changing a document with formatted text into plain text are very specific and too long to go through in a blog.  I am providing a link here to the home page of the Applying for a Job Online LibGuide mentioned in an earlier posting. In the right column click on Handout 9 – Plain Text in Microsoft Word. It should come up if you have Microsoft Word 2003 or later on your computer.  This will explain, step-by-step and screenshot by screenshot, how to change a Microsoft Word 2003 formatted resume into plain text. Feel free to print it out.

Note on Google Docs:  Since I did this post, I have created another set of instructions for Google Docs.  Just check out the same link I provided above, but look at Handout 10 – Plain Text in Google Docs. (vea/12 January 2012)

Good luck.  Let me know how you make out.

vea/31 August 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
Applying for Job LibGuide

I just learned of a job fair that is being held this upcoming Tuesday in Newton, Massachusetts. The basic details are listed above.  Look for the pull out section in Monday’s (August 22nd) Boston Herald for more information. 

Some of the positions to be filled include Registered Nurses, Licensed Nurse Practitioners, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Case Managers, Nurse Educators, and Healthcare Analysts.

The Herald provided a partial list of the companies attending:

Arbour Health System

Eliot Community Human Services

Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates

MEDITECH

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts

South Bay Mental Health

Tufts Health Plan

U.S. Army Healthcare

Additional Information about Job Fairs and Career Fairs

In the past, while  looking for sites that either gave a directory of job fairs or information about attending a job fair, I noticed that there were some references to career fairs. I checked to see if they were being used interchangeably and discovered that they are somewhat different. Employers attending a job fair are supposed to have specific jobs that they are trying to fill during the fair. A career fair can be more long term. Some may have jobs to fill then and there. Many are probably looking to the future and may have no specific jobs to fill at that time. They are there to explain the career opportunities at their company and collect information on people that look like good prospects for future hires. Colleges and universities would be prime, but not sole, targets for career fairs.

Below is a list of sites that have information on both job and career fairs. I was not surprised to discover that one site listed no job fairs over the summer for Massachusetts and another did. As always, you do not rely on just one source if you can find additional information elsewhere. If you use any of the sites below, let me know how it works out. Click on the highlighted titles to find more information.

INTERNET SITES

Job-Hunt.org’s Information on Job Fairs

Job Fair Directory from About.com

Tips for Attending Job Fairs

Riley Guide on Career Fairs

Riley Guide on Working a Job Fair

CareerBuilder.com’s Listing of Career Fairs

CAREERBUILDER ARTICLES ON JOB FAIRS

1. Maximize Your Job Fair Experience

2. Come to the Fair Prepared

JOB FAIR AND OPEN HOUSE LISTING IN THIS AREA

Massachusetts

New England

If you discover more sites or job fairs, would you let me know so I can share them with other job hunters.

Many thanks and good luck.

vea/20 August 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
Applying for Job LibGuide

The schedule for the 2011 – 2012 programs is as follows:

2011

September 14 (Wednesday)
Reinventing Yourself in Today’s Tough Economy

October 13 (Thursday)
Motivation Factors in Your Job Search

November 15 (Tuesday)
Successful Transitions in Tough Times
A Moderated Panel Discussion

2012

January 17 (Tuesday)
Too Many Interests to Choose Just One?
Creating Career Focus

February 28 (Tuesday)
From Good to Great:
How to Build Effective Resumes and Cover Letters

March 27 (Tuesday)
Focusing on Your Strengths

April 24 (Tuesday)
Social Media and the Job Search

May 22 (Tuesday)
Positioning Yourself for Success

I will be posting more information about individual programs as their date approaches.  The schedule listed above gives you an over view of all the topics being offered.  It’s quite a range. And remember. These two women are professional Career Coaches.  You have access to their expertise during these programs at no charge.

vea/ 26 July 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
http://guides.newtonfreelibrary.net/jobs

The Process:

The Result:  If you have Microsoft PowerPoint and Word on your computer, you now have direct access to the library’s class materials no matter where you are located.  If you don’t have these programs, you can still access a wealth of information  in the LibGuide by clicking on the tabs at the top of the Guide.  Under the first tab on the left (Home) you will find contact information for the library, for me, and for John.  There is a brief explanation of the guide in the center.  The material in the right frame gives you you  complete access to all the PowerPoints, handouts, and supplementary materials I present  in my class.  If you are interested in using any of this,  I have two requests.  First, read the syllabus at the top of the list. You may not need everything that you find here.  Second, give credit where credit is due. Tell people where you got the material so they can use it too, if they like.  That’s it.

Tips on Content:  Make sure you check out the tabs.  Besides presenting information on the Library’s Online Career Center and this blog, you will also find RSS feeds, book and website recommendations, as well as  information on several databases that can be used for job and company research.  Especially important is Handout 8 on Plain Text, located  in the right frame of the Home page, and the tab above on “Applying Online”.  The handout gives you step-by-step instructions (screen shot by screen shot) for changing formatted text into ASCII/plain text as well as explaining why you need to do this.  Clicking on the tab will give you information on using online job applications as well as plain text.

Interested?  Just click on LibGuide: Applying for a Job Online.

Let me know what you think. Whether you are looking for a job or helping others become reemployed, good luck. I hope you are able to put this material to good use.

Ginny

vea/ 9 June 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com
http://guides.newtonfreelibrary.net/jobs

When Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Come Home and Become Veterans...

Looking at the New York Post’s career articles this morning reminded me that I had always planned on doing a posting here that would be specifically aimed towards veterans.  According to the lead article, the unemployment rate for post-9/11 war vets is as high as 15 percent and goes up to 22 percent if you are looking only at male veterans.  There are a number of mistakes that vets often make when first looking for work as a civilian that can be easily avoided. If you are a veteran having trouble finding work,  I would strongly suggest taking a look at the Post’s main article, Operation Employment.  Two related articles in the same issue illustrate how military experience can prove critical to doing specific jobs that would not be obvious at first glance.    Reading Standing Orders and Officer in the Office  might spark some ideas for your own job search.  The titles above serve as links to the articles.

The state of Massachusetts also offers help to veterans looking for work. On Wednesday, May 25, Boston’s One-Stop Career Center will Co-Host a Veterans Job Fair. According to the press release “The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) today announced that JobNet, Boston’s One-Stop Career Center will partner with Northeastern University, The New England Center for Homeless Veterans, America’s Job Exchange and the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment’s VetSuccess to co-host the seventh annual Veterans Job Fair.” Click here for more details. For more information about the veterans services offered at the state’s One-Stop Career Centers and the state of Massachusetts visit www.mass.gov/dwd/veterans.

Have you thought of books as an additional tool for your job search? Two that the Newton Free Library lends are Military-to-Civilian Career Transition Guide: The Essential Job Search Handbook for Service Members by Janet I. Farley (2010)  and Best Careers for Veterans: Transitioning to Civilian Life published by Learning Express (2009).  Click here for more information on these and other books available through the Minuteman Library System.

Good luck.

vea/ 23 May 2011
Newton Free Library
Newton, Mass.
http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
http://jobsearchchatter.wordpress.com