First Job

Patron is a high school student or college graduate seeking employment for the first time.

• 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 type of work are you looking for?
  Do you have a career in mind, or would you like to try some career tests?
  -Paraphrase or summarize to be sure you understand the request:
  In other words, you're looking for job search strategies.
  It sounds like you need information about licensing for day-care providers.
  If I understand you correctly, you'd like job listings for entry-level positions.
  -Use clarifying questions to generate a choice between options:
  Are you looking for tools to help you choose a career?
  Would information about education opportunities be helpful?
  -Anticipate potential problems in communicating.
  -Be aware of nonverbal 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 use books and other materials in addition to online resources?
  -Evaluate your patron's learning style, and determine limitations on format or reading level.
  Would you prefer a choice of occupation guides in different formats?
  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 job listings/cover letters/interviewing tips/researching employers?
  -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 Interviewing for information on preparation and technique, and virtual interviewing practice.

Use Internships do locate internship opportunities and to learn how to make the most of the experience.

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

Use Research Employers for company information and tips for researching 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:

Adams, Robert Lang. The complete resume & job search book for college students (1999)

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

Farr, J. Michael. Young person's guide to getting & keeping a good job (2000)

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)

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

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

Lussier, Donald. Job search secrets (1998)

McNeill, William. First time resume (2000)

Nemnich, Mary. Cyberspace job search kit: the complete guide to online jobseeking and career information (2000)

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 categorized listing of available career materials.

Sue Hermans
Central Reference Library Services Coordinator
Poughkeepsie Public Library District