Career Changers

Patron is Ex-military/ Unemployed/Retired

• Be friendly and approachable.
  -Help your patron feel comfortable by smiling, making eye contact, and offering assistance.
  
  
• Understand your patron's question.
  -Use open questions, which can't be answered with 'yes' or 'no':
  What would you like to know about federal jobs?
  Are you looking for an entry-level position in a new field?
  -Paraphrase or summarize to be sure you understand the request:
  In other words, you'd like to find out all you can about working for the post office.
  It sounds like you're looking for information about employers who hire retired military personnel.
  If I understand you correctly, you'd like to turn your volunteer work into a career.
  -Use clarifying questions to generate a choice between options:
  Would career tests help you narrow your choices?
  Would information about continuing education be helpful?
  -Anticipate potential problems in communicating.
  -Be aware of non-verbal cues and body language.
  -Listen for cues to adjust or refine your understanding of the request.
  
  
• Respect your patron's privacy.
  -Lessen distractions or move to a quiet area for the interview.
  -Maintain objectivity and avoid premature assumptions.
  -Give your patron the time and attention he/she needs.
  
  
• Plan and execute your search strategy.
  -Understand the level and amount of information needed.
  Would you like to stay with online resources, or would you like books to take home, also?
  -Evaluate your patron's learning style, and determine limitations on format or reading level.
  Would you prefer a video about interviewing?
  Would a resource you can use at home be helpful?
  -Ask if your patron has used the source before, and provide instruction on its use.
  Have you used a computer before to find information?
  -Distinguish between advice and information; do not advise on, interpret or apply a decision to a patron's personal situation.
  
  
• Follow up to determine whether your patron is satisfied with the search results.
  -Ask if the question has been answered completely.
  Did you find the information you needed about college courses/civil service exams/writing cover letters?
  -Check to see that the answer is understood.
  -Encourage your patron to return to you for help, if needed.

Additional help is available on this website:

Use Assessments for career tests, personality-type assessments, and tools for self-discovery.

Use Explore Careers to find a career to match an individual's interests, and learn what training is required. Includes Career Zone and Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Use Civil Service if your patron is a military-to-civilian Career Changer, or interested in a civil service position. Includes exam schedules, applications, test guides, and contact information for county civil service commissions.

Use Business Information for patrons thinking of starting a business. Includes tips for starting a business, a link to the Small Business Administration, and self-assessment tools.

Use Networking to identify strategies for making and using contacts in job-hunting and career transitions.

Use Interviewing for information on preparation and technique, and virtual interviewing practice.

Use Research Employers for company information and tips to research companies online.

Use Resume Help to create excellent resumes and cover letters.

Use Transferable Skills to define transferable skills and learn how they can be used in the job search.

Library Resources:

Byham, William. Landing the job you want: how to have the best job interview of your life (1999)

Fein, Richard. 101 quick tips for a dynamite resume (1999)

Graber, Steven. The everything get-a-job book: from resume writing, to interviewing, to finding tons of job openings (2000)

Helfand, David. Career change: everything you need to know to meet new challenges and take control of your career (1999)

Kerr, Cherie. Networking skills that will get you the job you want (1999)

Koen, Deb. Career choice, change & challenge: 125 strategies from the experts at careerjournal.com (2000)

Krannich, Ronald. 201 dynamite job search letters: writing right for today’s new job market (2001)

Whitcomb, Susan Britton. eResumes:everything you need to know about using electronic resumes to tap into today's job market (2002)

Visit Resources Available at the Library for a more detailed listing of available career materials.

Sue Hermans
Central Reference Library Services Coordinator
Poughkeepsie Public Library District