Entering the work force straight from high school can be challenging. Here are some resources to make it easier.
BOOKS (Click on the picture to go to Amazon.com)
Great Careers with a High School Diploma. Ferguson, 2008.
Not sure what direction you want to go? This 8-book series gives young adults an idea of what amazing career possibilities await them, and includes titles such as "Sales, Marketing, Business, and Finance;" "Health Care, Medicine, and Science;" "Construction and Trades;" and "Public Safety, Law, and Security." Use these resources as a starting point for your career search.
Not sure what direction you want to go? This 8-book series gives young adults an idea of what amazing career possibilities await them, and includes titles such as "Sales, Marketing, Business, and Finance;" "Health Care, Medicine, and Science;" "Construction and Trades;" and "Public Safety, Law, and Security." Use these resources as a starting point for your career search.
Opportunities in Military Careers, revised edition
By Adrian Paradis. McGraw-Hill, 2005.
A great path to take in your first career is to serve your country. This book includes military jobs that only require a high school diploma, perfect for young adults who are looking to do something else besides college. Gives up to date information on pay and promotions scales, as well as helping you find which branch is your best fit.
A great path to take in your first career is to serve your country. This book includes military jobs that only require a high school diploma, perfect for young adults who are looking to do something else besides college. Gives up to date information on pay and promotions scales, as well as helping you find which branch is your best fit.
Finding a Career that Works for You: A Step-By-Step Guide to Choosing a Career
By Wilma Fellman. Specialty Press/A.D.D. Warehouse, 2006.
Not sure where you would best fit in? A guide to figuring out your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and personal goals will best benefit and focus your job search. This book does all that, as well as providing information on writing a resume and cover letter, and hints on where to find your dream job.
Not sure where you would best fit in? A guide to figuring out your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and personal goals will best benefit and focus your job search. This book does all that, as well as providing information on writing a resume and cover letter, and hints on where to find your dream job.
How to Get Your First Job and Keep It
By Deborah Perlmutter Bloch. McGraw-Hill, 2002.
Part of the battle is snagging your first job, and the other part is hanging onto it. This book is split up into three sections that will help you navigate your job search and find a job you are truly passionate about, as well as understanding career changes later in life. Worksheets are included to help you practice the skills needed to impress!
Part of the battle is snagging your first job, and the other part is hanging onto it. This book is split up into three sections that will help you navigate your job search and find a job you are truly passionate about, as well as understanding career changes later in life. Worksheets are included to help you practice the skills needed to impress!
Seven Simple Steps to Landing Your First Job: The Shortest Path from Here to Hired
By Joseph Logan. CreateSpace, 2011.
One of the newest and highly acclaimed books on this topic, this resource goes beyond just telling you how to write a good resume and cover letter and search on job sites by showing the importance of combining all these important factors together into a cohesive process. It's written to address the economic status of most people today, so it's highly relevant to finding a job now.
One of the newest and highly acclaimed books on this topic, this resource goes beyond just telling you how to write a good resume and cover letter and search on job sites by showing the importance of combining all these important factors together into a cohesive process. It's written to address the economic status of most people today, so it's highly relevant to finding a job now.
How to Write a Resume if You Didn't Go to College
By Richard H. Beatty. Wiley, 2003.
No resume is alike, and the people writing them have different skills to share. This resource is geared towards those who didn't go to college, but who strive for an impressive resume to help them stand out from the crowd. Includes sample resumes, as well as "fundamental resume do's and don'ts." Also includes specific example resumes for certain jobs.
No resume is alike, and the people writing them have different skills to share. This resource is geared towards those who didn't go to college, but who strive for an impressive resume to help them stand out from the crowd. Includes sample resumes, as well as "fundamental resume do's and don'ts." Also includes specific example resumes for certain jobs.
VIDEO RESOURCES
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
This site has a huge list of short videos that highlight all kinds of different careers. They are separated by category such as agriculture, business, finance or law. Hundreds of various jobs are shown here.
The Next Vista for Learning - Careers
Next Vista is an online video library designed to introduce students to a variety of topics. Their career page contains over 100 short videos of different careers.
The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
This site has a huge list of short videos that highlight all kinds of different careers. They are separated by category such as agriculture, business, finance or law. Hundreds of various jobs are shown here.
The Next Vista for Learning - Careers
Next Vista is an online video library designed to introduce students to a variety of topics. Their career page contains over 100 short videos of different careers.
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WatchKnow - Applying for a Job
WatchKnow is a site dedicated to collecting as many educational videos as can be found from the web into one location, all suggested by teachers and educators. This particular page contains videos specifically about finding and applying for a job. There are also two subcategories that contain videos on interviewing and making your resume.
WatchKnow is a site dedicated to collecting as many educational videos as can be found from the web into one location, all suggested by teachers and educators. This particular page contains videos specifically about finding and applying for a job. There are also two subcategories that contain videos on interviewing and making your resume.
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MonkeySee - Careers and Education
MonkeySee is a video portal from Knowlera, a video production company that makes instructional lifestyle videos. This link is to MonkeySee’s Careers and Education subcategory, where you will find topics such as getting a summer job, how to start a small business and job hunting.
MonkeySee is a video portal from Knowlera, a video production company that makes instructional lifestyle videos. This link is to MonkeySee’s Careers and Education subcategory, where you will find topics such as getting a summer job, how to start a small business and job hunting.
MAGAZINES
Occupational Outlook Quarterly
This magazine, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides practical information on jobs and careers. A link to the Occupational Outlook Handbook listing hundreds of jobs with descriptions is provided.
This magazine, produced by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides practical information on jobs and careers. A link to the Occupational Outlook Handbook listing hundreds of jobs with descriptions is provided.
Wall Street Journal: Career Journal
The Wall Street Journal's online career guide provides the latest news on jobs plus career articles, job search tips, videos and a job database.
Careers and the disABLED
The first and only career guide magazine for people with disabilities. Learn how to find and keep a job as well as what assistive technologies are available.
The Cadet
The official magazine of the U.S. Army ROTC Cadet Command program. Learn about career opportunities in the military.
BLOGS
Top Fifty Careers Blogs
A blog of Blogs. See the rankings and the ratings. Click through to a few different blogs to see which ones best suit your needs. Of particular interest: #4 CareerRealism: Because every job is temporary, #7 Change Your Life: the Change Blog, #19 Employment Digest, #23 – Career Rocketeer, but don’t stop there, keep looking!
A blog of Blogs. See the rankings and the ratings. Click through to a few different blogs to see which ones best suit your needs. Of particular interest: #4 CareerRealism: Because every job is temporary, #7 Change Your Life: the Change Blog, #19 Employment Digest, #23 – Career Rocketeer, but don’t stop there, keep looking!
WEBSITES
Get a Job, Skill or Trade - Prepare for My Future
Finding your first job can be challenging - this website is here to help! Created by the U.S. Department of Education, it is designed to help you get a job, skill or trade and provides links to several other websites with valuable information to help you land that job.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Career Guide
Choose your interest and you'll get information on what jobs might be a good fit, along with more specific information on the jobs themselves like job requirements and salary, all complied by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
YouthRules!
Before you start that new job, you should make sure you are legally allowed to work at it! This website was created by the U.S. Department of Labor to help you figure out what's legal...and what's not, when it comes to working as a teen.
Map Your Way to Your First Job
Monster.com was one of the first online job recruitment sites and now has a presence in over 50 countries worldwide. They've put together a selection of articles designed to help you map your way to your first job, including "Three Steps to Choosing a Career," "Seven First Time Resume Concerns" and "Make the Most of Your First Job."
Mapping Your Future
Mapping Your Future is a national collaborative, public-service, nonprofit organization providing career, college, financial aid, and financial literacy information and services for students, families, and schools. Among their resources is "CareerShip," an online tool designed to help match you with a career best suited to your interests.
Thinking about joining the military instead of the traditional workforce?
US Military Guide
About.com's Military Guide can be a good starting point. Written by Rod Powers, a retired Air Force First Sergeant and author of several guides on the military, this website provides answers to basic questions you might have, like "how much does the military pay," "what service should I choose" and "what are the requirements to join the military."
There are a number of different branches you can choose from - make sure you check each one out and decide which would be the best fit for you!
About.com's Military Guide can be a good starting point. Written by Rod Powers, a retired Air Force First Sergeant and author of several guides on the military, this website provides answers to basic questions you might have, like "how much does the military pay," "what service should I choose" and "what are the requirements to join the military."
There are a number of different branches you can choose from - make sure you check each one out and decide which would be the best fit for you!
