Career Resources

The Evanston Public Library has a number of resources available to assist in the career planning process. A section devoted to Careers can be found in the Reference Department on the Third Floor. Here you will find books on writing resumes and cover letters, the interview process, job banks, occupational descriptions, and salaries. Internet stations are also available on the Third Floor for those who would like to use online resources in their job search. In addition, the Adult Nonfiction Department on the Second Floor has a number of career-planning books that can be checked out. Also useful is this list of Evanston employment services.

Choosing a Career

What Color is Your Parachute? Bolles, Richard. Berkeley, Calif.: Ten Speed Press. In the author’s words, this book "gives a step-by-step process for getting around all the obstacles normally encountered in the job hunt, which people have successfully used to change jobs or careers, over the past three decades."

Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. Hopke, William E., editor-in-chief. Chicago : J. G. Ferguson, 2008. This four-volume reference work contains information ranging from general career guidance and advice to profiles of career fields and of specific professions within those fields.

New Guide for Occupational Exploration: linking interests, learning and careers. Compiled by J. Michael Farr, Laurence Shatkin. Indianapolis, IN : Jist Works, c2006.  This guide contains job descriptions, salary information, training and education requirements, and more, and covers nearly 1,000 jobs available in today’s market.

Jobs Rated Almanac. Krantz, Les, editor. New York : World Almanac, c2002. This book ranks the "best" and "worst" jobs, rated by a variety of factors that include salary, stress, benefits and outlook.

 

Internet Sites:

America’s Career Infonet

This site, sponsored by the Department of Labor, provides links to career assessments. Also, from the main home page, you can select a link to check your "employability", a snapshot of your ability to find a similar job at a similar wage if you became unemployed today.

Illinois Career Resource Network

Use the Career Information system, or the CIS Junior edition if you are still in high school, to explore career options by matching interests and skills with possible occupations.

JobHuntersBible

This site is designed as a supplement to the author’s book, What Color is My Parachute, mentioned above. There are links to interactive tests that assess job skills and personality traits.

University of Waterloo Career Development eManual

The University of Waterloo presents detailed information on self-assessment and career exploration, providing exercises in a step-by-step workbook.