Job Search Skill / Tool Resources

These links provide information on job search skills and tools such as networking, information and job interviewing, resume and cover letter writing, employment application completion, and other related topics. Do research on the Internet for career, organization and/or industry information, or setup an email account to send resumes, receive job opportunity alerts, and communicate with others.

Click on any Link Title below to access the website:

Networking/Interviewing Networking Excellent tips on the how-to's of networking, well known as the BEST method of finding new work. From Wetfeet.com. EaRN link on this page has more about "Work Search Roundtables" in the Greater Grand Rapids area to help learn these skills.   Interviewing Tips from HotJobs Lots of articles from the jobs/resume website, HotJobs, including "A Crash Course in Interview Preparation."   Prepare for the Interview Atricles on preparing for the interview from Monster.com.   Interviewing Advice for College Grads Get the interview, get the job you want & negotiate the offer. Aimed at recent college graduates looking for entry-level positions.   Negotiation Articles on negotiation of salary, benefits, etc.   Negotiating Your Salary Five rules for salary negotiation for technical, professional and managerial people. From The University of Baltimore Career Center's Online Newsletter -- Spring 1999.   The Power of Thank You's Five reasons why you don't want to forget to say "thank you" in writing following a job interview.   Stay networked after landing a job Advice on how to stay connected to others to create career security since job security really doesn't exist.

Resumes/Letters/Applications Resume purpose, focus and writing Good advice on resume purpose, focus and writing, written for college students and graduates.   Resume Tutor This is a teaching tool for help in learning how to writing resumes. Permits printing workbook pages and use of them as material from which one can assemble and format a resume. Aimed at college students and graduates but with good advice for everyone.   Importance of Accomplishment Statements Articulating your work results, achievements, successes, and accomplishments are the heart of your job search campaign and career development throughout your lifetime. Included in your resume, cover letters, and interviews, these alone can make you standout from the crowd as the best person for the position.   Power Verb List for Resume Writing An exhaustive list of verbs that can be used in resumes to show action and accomplishment to employers reading your resume.   Cover Letter Advice from Jobstar Excellent information on writing cover letters from Jobstar Central, a resource written for use by public library patrons.   Resume Templates Pre-designed templates create a nicely formatted resume layout for specific situations. Other templates also available at this site. But not a substitute for a resume with good content. Provided by Microsoft Corporation website.

Other Resources Employability Checkup Provides you with a snapshot of your ability to find a similar job at a similar wage if you became unemployed today. From the US Government's "America's Career InfoNET".   Job News at CareerMatrix Keep up to date with job news, employment trends, and job search resources in West Michigan.   EaRN Employment and Resource Network EaRN promotes and facilitates (as well as trains people in faith-based organizations to run) Work Search Roundtables--also known as "job clubs"--open to the community which provide networking, coaching, and support during job search. Six such Roundtables are currently operating—four in Grand Rapids and two in Holland.   Salary.com Get a FREE Base Salary Report for any position by geographic location. Note that some services on this website charge a fee.