How Do I?
 
 
The Career Expert

The Career Expert

The Career Center

Library Career Center


Searching for a new job or career?  Our Career Center's free career counseling services can help.

The Career Center, based in Cuyahoga County Public Library's Maple Heights Branch and formerly known as InfoPLACE, is a nationally recognized Adult Career Planning Resource Center.  The Career Counselors are available to meet with job seekers at the Maple Heights Branch and a few of our other branches.    Call (216) 475-2225 for other locations.  In operation since 1976, its comprehensive service is on the cutting edge of meeting the needs of adults in career transition or job search in a turbulent time.  We provide guidance to adults in career decision-making, constructing effective résumés, job searching strategies, interview preparation, and education and training.  Please call (216) 475-2225 for an appointment with a counselor if you would like assistance with making a career change, career decision/testing, or preparation for an upcoming interview.  Call for locations.  If you would like a counselor to review your résumé and cover letter before you send it to prospective employers, you may email it or drop it off at our office.  We can help you with online job searching on a first come-first serve basis.

Job Clubs with Career Counselors

Our Career Counselors facilitate several job clubs in branches of the Cuyahoga County Public Library.  Join them for support and networking opportunities with job search tips.  They are open to all who are out of work or changing careers.

Résumé Assistance

Cuyahoga County Public Library also offers Optimal Resume, a résumé program which will aid you in producing a professional-looking résumé.  To begin, enter the access code cuyac into the blank line and click on continue.  Fill out your User Profile that will be the heading of your résumé and follow the directions about choosing section headings to create a great résumé.

Do you need information on how to put together your resume?  Try our new Career Center booklet titled Writing an Effective Resume.

Resources

Access the Job Hunting Resources:  A Selected List of Books, Websites & Agencies pamphlet to find recommended sources to help you in your job search.  

More about the Career Center

  • CAREER COUNSELOR:  James Hansen,
    M.S., Counseling; Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, (LPCC)
  • CAREER COUNSELOR:  Ebony Hogan
    M.Ed., Rehabilitation Counseling, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC)
    Certified Family Life Education, (CFLE)
  • CAREER COUNSELOR: 
    N. Maureen Paulett
    M.Ed., Rehabilitation Counseling, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC)
  • CAREER COUNSELOR: 
    Elizabeth Wilson    ,
    M.Ed., Rehabilitation Counseling, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC)
    Certified Family Life Educator, (CFLE)
  • LIBRARIAN:  Bonnie Easton,
    Master in Library Science (M.L.S.)
  • We would love to have your feedback on our services and what we can offer you.  Join us on...
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Blog Posted on : 02/06/2010


Introverts & Social Networking

 
 

I just participated in presenting a program on Social Networking & Your Job Search at one of our branches this past week.  Afterwards, I was approached by someone who was overwhelmed at the prospect of finding a job by having to use all these tools to make yourself known rather than just filling out a job application.  Where do you start?  As an introvert myself, I suggest starting with a weekly job club where she could get acquainted and find support in learniing how to network.  The Cuyahoga County Public Library has five facilitated by career counselors at our library branches Here are some other suggestions that I found for introverts (and anyone else who finds the networking process difficult):

  1. Pick a networking venue that meets regularly.  You can visit a few times before others will recognize you and start conversations and make you feel at home.
  2. Prepare a topic to talk about.  Do some research beforehand and join in the discussion.
  3. In small groups, start a conversation with the person who is standing in the corner.  They will appreciate being noticed and be glad to have someone to talk to.
  4. Make up a quick introduction for yourself.  "Hi, my name is Bonnie Easton.  I work for this wonderful service called the Career Center for the Cuyahoga County Public Library."  If your entry was interesting, you will be asked to give your elevator speech (30 seconds). 
  5. You don't have to connect with every person in the room.  Just set yourself a goal:  I will say hello to 3 new people at this meeting today and engage them in conversation.
  6. If the person is interesting, you can end by inviting to connect in another way.  Maybe look for them on LinkedIn.  Word of caution:  If this is someone you don't know and you want to meet outside of the group, make sure to pick a public place like a coffee house.
  7. When you get home, make a note on who you met and what they had to say that might want to follow up with.
  8. Make up networking business cards and hand them out.  Collect them from others.
  9. Wear your name tag on the right side so that others see it when they shake hands.

One more word of advice:  Relax and enjoy your encounters.  I know introverts can find being among others draining, but good conversation that may lead to employment will be energizing.

 

Featured Website!

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Sounds boring, doesn't it?  Just a website with a bunch of numbers?  Actually, there is a lot of useful information for job seekers and business.  The experts have compiled statistics on unemployment , wages, hot jobs for the future, industry surveys, workplace injuries, the rate of inflation, company benefits, and much more.  They publish the Occupational Outlook Handbook which gives all kinds of current information on hundreds of different occupations. 

Check out their projections for the occupations with the largest job growth.

 

Career Search

NEW BOOKS!

200 Best Jobs for Renewing America-- Book cover and link to catalog

200 Best Jobs for Renewing America

by Laurence Shatkin

Jobs in infrastructure, green technology, education, IT, & Health Care

Check Out

Getting Back to Work-- Book cover and link to catalog

Getting Back to Work

by Linda K. Rolie

Everything you need to bounce back and get a job after a layoff.

Check Out

How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter MySpace and Other Social Networks-- Book cover and link to catalog

How to Find a Job on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter MySpace and Other Social Networks

by Brad & Debra Schepp

Use social networking effectively to find your next job.

Check Out

Unlock the Hidden Job Market-- Book cover and link to catalog

Unlock the Hidden Job Market

by Duncan Mathison & Martha I. Finney

Learn to network effectively and uncover hidden opportunities.

Check Out

See All Books

Workshops, Job Clubs & Job Fairs 

 

Career Center Workshops

2010 Winter Quarter Workshops

The Career Center staff has some exciting workshops that we think will be really helpful to all of you job hunters and career changers out there.  Registration is requested.  Please plan to join us! Be prepared for hiring this spring.

Basic Computer Skills for Job Hunters

  • Independence Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Wednesday/March 3
  • Garfield Heights Branch
    6:45 - 8:45 p.m./Thursday/May 6

Behavior-Based Interviewing

  • Strongsville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 P.M./Thursday/April 8
  • Beachwood Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Tuesday/May 18

 

Career Planning

  • Brecksville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Wednesday/February 24

  • Parma Snow Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Tuesday/March 2

  • Strongsville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Tursday/March 4

  • Independence Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Monday/June 14

Creating Cover Letters

  • Berea Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Wednesday/June 23
  • Brook Park Branch
    7:00 - 8:45 p.m./Tuesday/July 27

 

Internet Job Search

  • Parma Ridge Branch
    7:00 - 8:30 p.m./Thursday/March 18
  • Brook Park Branch
    10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m./Saturday/June 26

 

Networking

  • Brecksville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./March 3
  • Parma Snow Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Monday/March 22

 

The New Job Search

  • Brecksville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Wednesday/February 17
  • Garfield Heights Branch
    7:00 - 8:45 p.m./Thursday/February 25
  • Parma South Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Thursday/April 22

 

Online Job Applications

  • Parma Ridge Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Thursday/February 11
  • Strongsville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Thursday/Marcdh 18
  • Maple Heights Branch
    1:45 - 3:15 p.m./Tuesday/March 23
  • Maple Heights Branch
    7:00 - 8:30 p.m./Thursday/June 10

 

Over 50 & Out of Work

  • Middleburg Heights Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Monday/February 15
  • Fairview Park Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Monday/March 16
  • Strongsville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Thursday/April 1

 

Resumes Tips & Trends

  • Parma Snow Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Tuesday/May 11
  • Independence Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Wednesday/July 7

 

Resumes & Cover Letters

  • Strongsville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Thursday/March 11
  • Warrensville Branch
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Wednesday/March 7
     

Social Networking & Your Job Search

  • Strongsville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Thursday/March 25

 

Your Resume & Job Search Strategy

  • Brecksville Branch
    1:30 - 3:30 p.m./Wednesday/March 10
  • North Royalton
    6:30 - 8:30 p.m./Wednesday/March 31

 

Teen Workshops

  • Orange Branch
    4:00 - 5:00 p.m./Wednesday/April 7
  • Bay Village Branch
    6:30 - 7:30 p.m./Tuesday/April 20
  • Chagrin Falls Branch
    7:00 - 8:30 p.m./Wednesday/April 21
  • North Olmsted Branch
    3:45 - 5:00 p.m./Tuesday/May 11

 

View all Career Events

 

 JOB CLUBS & NETWORKING GROUPS

Our Career Counselors facilitate several Job Clubs at different library branches:

Brooklyn Branch
1st & 3rd Tuesday afternoon 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
6 sessions from January 5 to March 16
Career Counselor Elizabeth Wilson

Beachwood Branch
2nd & 4th Monday mornings 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Career Counselor N. Maureen Paulett

North Olmsted Branch
Every Tuesday afternoon 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Career Counselor Jim Hansen

Maple Heights Branch
Every Thursday morning 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Career Counselor Jim Hansen

Fairview Park Branch
Every Thursday afternoon 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Career Counselor Jim Hansen

Join a group for helpful tips on résumés, job search strategies and interviewing while sharing your experiences with others in a supportive atmosphere.


Join the members from all job clubs on LinkedIn for the latest job search tips and news.

 

NEO-EXEC 
Helpful websites and Northeast Ohio Job Clubs for executives and professionals.

Job Club Listing for Northeast Ohio

CAREER/JOB FAIRS

Cleveland Hires–Cleveland Job Fair

Doubletree Hotel Cleveland South
6200 Quarry Lane
Independence, OH 44131
Wednesday/February 10/11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Cleveland State Spring Career Fair 

Cleveland State University
Woodling Gym
2451 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
Friday/February 26/9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Survival Guide

The Survival Guide is a referral source for those facing unemployment and underemployment problems. It is a compilation of agencies in Greater Cleveland offering career counseling, job search instruction, placement and training, legal and financial assistance, and special services to people with disabilities and veterans. 

Some of the major agencies offering assistance to dislocated and underemployed workers in the Cleveland area are:

 

 Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training
 Cleveland Scholarship Program
 Cuyahoga Community College
 Employment Connection 
 First Call for Help
 Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland
 Cuyahoga County Public Library Career Center
 Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
 Ohio Department of Jobs & Family Services
 Unemployment Compensation
 Senior Employment Center

If you need further information about the guide, contact Cuyahoga County Public Library's Career Center at 216-475-2225.

    Online SURVIVAL GUIDE here 

Premium Research Services

The Find EngineStop searching and start
finding! Search through our
premium subscription-only
online resource databases related to Careers.

 

Company Research

Check out the Fortune Magazine list of Best Companies to Work For in 2009!

An important step in the job search process is finding information about the organizations for which you want to work.  The Cuyahoga County Public Library provides database resources with reliable, up-to-date directories of companies giving the address, telephone number, financial data (if the company is public), type of business, chief officers of the company, and, perhaps, magazine articles about the company.  Your major purposes in checking out the companies to which you are applying are:

  • To determine what the corporate culture of the organization is.  Will you like working here?  Do they have a sound financial future?
  • To give yourself a competitive edge in the interview process.  If you do a little homework about the company and the industry, you will impress prospective employers.  You will want to know the size of the company and whether it is public or private, products and services offered, the target market, a general company history, its main competitors, and financial information (if the company is public).

To find these databases, check out the Premium Career Electronic Resources under Online Resources on the Career Information Page.  The suggested electronic resources for company research are:

  • Business and Company Resource Center
  • Business Source Premier
  • Dun & Bradstreet Million Dollar Database Premier
  • Mergent Online
  • ReferenceUSA Employers
  • Standard & Poor's Net Advantage

Check out the Company Research link under Online Resources above on this page for websites with company information.

Other sources for finding best companies to work for are:

 

Personal Inventories

Print off one of the inventories and answer the questions to help you assess your strengths.  If you have questions on interpretation, call the Career Center (216.475.2225) to make an appointment with a career counselor.

Adult Balanced Life Enhancement Inventory 
Provides a framework for achieving meaning and balance in your adult life.

Adult Reinvestment for Retirement/Occupational Well-Being 
Helps you to answer the question of how to spend your time in your retirement.

Core Adult Career Transition Inventory 
Aids you in deciding what the next step in your career should be.  Should you look for a job in the same field or are your ready for a career change?

 

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