Women

Patron is a female reentering the workforce, a first-time job seeker, or a career changer.

• 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 have you found so far about starting a home-based business?
  What would you like to know about networking?
  -Paraphrase or summarize to be sure you understand the request:
  In other words, you'd like to research family-friendly employers.
  It sounds like you're looking for career sites designed specifically for women.
  If I understand you correctly, you'd like to use your previous experience in a new field.
  -Use clarifying questions to generate a choice between options:
  Are you looking for career tests and self-assessments?
  Do you need tips on organizing your job search?
  -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 to find information before?
  -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 networking/ career counseling/starting a business?
  -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 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 Career Advice for career strategies and interview preparation.

Use Colleges/Universities to locate colleges locally, within NYS, United States and abroad.

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

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

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, Bob. The everything job interview book: answer the toughest job interview questions with confidence (2001)

Anderson, Sandy. Women in career & life transitions (2000)

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

Lussier, Donald. Job search secrets (1998)

Powley, Sherry. Pathways to career success for women: a resource guide to colleges, financial aid, and work (2002)

Templeton, Mary Ellen. Help! My job interview is tomorrow! : how to use the library to research an employer (1997)

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