Before you can figure out what job is right for you, you need to figure out who you are. Yes, it’s a big question but the more you analyze and assess now, the more happiness and success you’ll have down the road. There are thousands of resources to help you dig down to find who you are and what you’re passionate about. And with today’s economy, job development and support groups that provide huge networking opportunities are popping up all over town. Below is a list of links to help you get started on your journey. Once you’ve made it through the gates, visit our commuter section for travel options around the Bay Area to help you get to your interviews and to work.
The Balance | How to Use Self-Assessment Tools to Choose a Career |
Free Career Test | Find the right career for you |
The Job Hunter’s Bible | Everything about finding a job |
Career Coaching | A coach for your career |
Strong Interest Inventory | Know your talents before making any career change |
Myers-Briggs Assessment | Personality Testing |
16 Personalities Test | Popular personality test focused on the “Big Five” traits |
Berke Assessment | Employment Personality Test |
Who Am I? Quiz | Visual Personality Test |
IHHP EQ Test | Emotional Intelligence Test |
StrengthsFinder | Discover what makes you stand out |
Career Workshops | Free resume and career coaching at SF Main Library |
Career Enjoyment | Career test to help find the career you love |
Assess and Build Your Skills
Today’s job market requires today’s skills. You don’t need a Master’s, or even a college degree, although if you are considering going back to school, education opens up many doors. But what you will need is a practical approach to your skills – are they realistic to the job within your sights? Your ability to read, write, and communicate clearly is not only crucial; it will give you the edge when it comes to getting the coveted second interview, and ultimately the job offer.
Reading, Writing, and Communication Skills
Free Spelling | Worksheets – learn, refine, test yourself! |
Grammar & Writing | Tests and Tips |
Spelling City | More spelling help |
Dictionary | Find your words and learn their meaning |
Computer Skills
Local Technology Help | Bay Area Network of Computer Resources |
Free Tutorials | Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
Free Typing Games | Have fun learning the keyboard! |
Learn the Keyboard | More keyboarding experience |
Test Your Typing Speed | Important to know |
Cover Letters and Resumes
There are four essential elements to good resumes and cover letters: be concise, be truthful, be appropriate, and be clear. Let a little of your personality shine through but don’t forget that “less is always more”. Before you sit down and write your resume and corresponding cover letter, remember that the resume should be factual about you, “the product”, and a cover letter should be intriguing enough to open the door.
Resume Hints:
- Keep it organized, brief and factual: emphasize appropriate accomplishments, but do not change titles, salary, period of employment, supervisor information.
- Goals/Objectives are tough to describe in a resume – it’s better to have goals clearly in mind and cover this ground in the interview.
- References should be available on request.
Resume Resources
- Top 15 Tips for Writing a Great Resume
- How to Make a Resume
- Monster.com
- Resume-Resource.com
- Purdue OWL: Resume Workshop
- The Ultimate Guide to Building a CV
Cover Letter Hints:
- Write respectfully. While it’s best to write to a specific person when submitting a cover letter, sometimes this information is hard to find. In cases like this, think broadly: “Dear Selection Panel”, “Dear Search Team”, or “Dear Interviewing Board” are options. The same applies for emails.
- Do not list every task you’ve completed. Broad descriptions are better because they lead to a discussion of your transferable skills.
- A brief statement talking about your ability to learn new things and acquire new skills is INVALUABLE.
Cover Letter Resources
- 12 Tips for the Entry Level Cover Letter Writer
- Three Excellent Cover Letter Examples
- Harvard Business Review: How to Write a Cover Letter
- Don’t Make These Cover Letter Mistakes Again
- Cover Letter Advice and Samples
- Sample Cover Letters
- University of Wisconsin Writing Center: Writing a Cover Letter
- How to Write a Cover Letter 2018
- Novoresume: Cover Letter Examples for 2019
Image Resources and Social Skills
- Dress for Success
- Wardrobe for Opportunity
- Alliance of Career Development Nonprofits
- The Balance/Human Resources
- Preparing for a Job Interview
- The Perfect Hair and Makeup to Nail Your Interview
- How to Apply Makeup for Work
- Makeup Tips for Work
- Lens Crafters
- Pearle Vision
- 10 Rules of Interview Etiquette
- Inc.com/How to Interview
- Job Interviewing Do’s and Don’ts
- 7 Killer Questions to Ask at Your Next Interview
- How You Should Answer the 10 Most Common Interview Questions
- 30 Behavioral Interview Questions You Should Be Ready to Answer
- The Interview Prep Cheat Sheet
- LinkedIn: The Student Job Hunting Handbook Series
- Job Hunt
Informational Interviews
- How It Can Help You Get A Job
- Georgetown University: The Basics
- How to Request an Informational Interview by Email
Major Career Changes
Career Advancement
- Build Your Personal Brand (And Your Career)
- Learn to Be More Engaging
- 9 Different TED Talks for 9 Kinds of People
- Being an Introvert Has Its Advantages
- Honing In On A Job: Six Degrees Of Separation…
- Ten Commandments of Keeping Your Job
- Don’t Quit Your Job
- Making Ethics a Priority in Your Workplace
- A Woman’s Guide to Making More Money
- Advancing Women
- Are Women Better Entrepreneurs?
- Two Partners in Women Friendly Companies: You and The Company
- Finding the Ideal Workplace
- TED Talk Archives
- How to Become Your Dream Career
- Advance Your Career Through Blogging
- 17 Ways to Continue Your Education Without Breaking the Bank
Returning to Work
- TED Talk: Carol Fishman
- Breastfeeding and Returning to Work
- How to Rejoin the Workforce after Raising Kids
- Returning to Work: A Career Crossroads
Moving On
- Resigning from your Job Gracefully
- Employment Development Department: Filing for Unemployment
- Reasons to Quit Your Job
- Time to Move On? 10 Steps to a Successful Career Change
- Surviving a Layoff
- How to Deal with Getting Laid Off
- Unemployment Benefits and Insurance