ONLINE DATABASES: CLICK HERE to see all databases about: JOB HUNTING AND CAREERS
Career Transitions, Job & Career Accelerator, Learning Express Library, Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center (Facts on Files Online), Universal Class for Libraries

LIBRARY CATALOG: CLICK HERE to search for books using the Ocean County Library catalog.  Use the subject and browse tab to search.  Type in the subjects:   job hunting, vocational guidance, occupations, resumes or employment interviewing.

Exploring Careers

New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator
There are so many different kinds of jobs out there. How can you decide which ones would be a good fit for you? NJCAN was created to help you get answers to these important questions. NJCAN is an online career guidance systems that offers information about careers and employment, plus information about the education and training needed to succeed in your chosen occupation. The information in the Navigator is from the previously published New Jersey Occupational Outlook Handbook..

Work Force New Jersey Information Network
Provides help for job seekers, career exploration, and employers.  Find information about jobs in demand, education and training opportunities, health insurance, and self-employment.

Some features of the WorkForce NJ website include:
Occupational Explorer — shows labor market information for a selected occupation

One Stop Centers — contact information for job seekers.  Centers offer assistance with obtaining employment or job training, workshops on how to search for a job or create a resume.  Ocean County has two centers.

Job Fairs — current job fairs in New Jersey

New Jersey’s Hot Jobs (Demand Occupations) — Provides user-friendly information about occupations grouped by area of interest to help students make good educational, training and career decisions

Real Time Jobs in Demand — search for the jobs that in demand in your geographic area

Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information on many occupations and job title. The handbook provides information on the nature of the work, the typical work environment for the job, and the training required to qualify for a particular job. Perhaps most importantly, the handbook also offers information on the outlook for each job over a ten-year period.

Welcome to America's Career InfoNet
Career InfoNet provides a broad range of career exploration information. You’ll find information on career outlooks, educational requirements for various careers, information by state, as well as an online job bank. An especially interesting feature is the collection of online career videos available on the site.

O*NET OnLine
Another site providing detailed information on a wide variety of occupations. An especially interesting feature is a skill search test. This test surveys your skills and suggests occupations based upon your skill set.

Resumes and Cover Letters

One-Stop Career Centers
Learn valuable tips on how to complete job applications, writing effective resumes, interviewing skills and job hunting techniques. Click here for a list of the one-stop career centers in New Jersey.

The Riley Guide
This site provides an excellent starting point for career exploration and the process of job searching. The site includes guidance not only on how to begin a job search, but also information on how to write resumes, compose a cover letter, research salaries, and more.

JobStar--Resumes & Cover Letters
This site provides examples of resumes, links to online resume resources, cover letter tips.

Monster Resume Center
Samples of custom resumes for various careers. Learn some useful interviewing tips including preparation, questions and appearance.

CareerInfoNet’s Resume Tutorial
Click on Resume Tutorial to get sample resumes. Learn how to choose words and design your resume to find the job you want. Additional resources listed on this site include:
Quintessential Careers Resume Tutorial
The Rules of the Resume Game
How To Write a Masterpiece of a Resume
Basic Principles of Resume Writing
Showcase Your Home Run Accomplishments
Real-life Examples of How Not to Write a Resume
Top 20 Resume Pet Peeves

Job Search Sources

New Jersey Civil Service

New Jersey Civil Service Job Announcements
Civil service positions in New Jersey appear in Job Announcements from the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. This site provides a listing of all open job announcements. Job announcements provide information on the duties of each position, the qualifications necessary to apply, and a link to a job application. 
The application process for a state, county, or municipal job can sometimes be confusing. NJCSC has compiled a very helpful list of frequently asked questions about the process of applying for a civil service position.

To view a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) click on this link:
FAQ on Applying for Civil Service Jobs in New Jersey

A special note on Law Enforcement and Firefighting Careers
New Jersey opens the examinations for entry-level firefighters and law enforcement personnel in alternate years. 

For answers to frequently asked questions about the law enforcement and firefighter announcements and examinations for entry-level positions:
Click on the FAQ for  the Law Enforcement and Firefighters Announcements and Examinations

New Jersey Jobs

Job Fairs
Current job fairs in New Jersey includes details about directions, contact info and resumes

One Stop Job Search
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development site searches for jobs from online job listings nationwide.

JobCentral/New Jersey’s Job Bank
New Jersey’s Labor Exchange site for both employers and job seekers.  Employers can post jobs and search resumes.  Job seekers can post resumes and search for jobs.

CareerBuilder.com
Newspaper job classified ads nationwide.  Search for ads from the Asbury Park Press.

nj.com/New Jersey On-Line
Search the classified ads online from the Newark Star Ledger, Trenton Times, and Jersey Journal.

Federal Jobs and National Job Sources

America's Job Exchange
America's Job Exchange is a national labor exchange that is based on the code that NaviSite has developed over the last ten plus years to operate America's Job Bank (AJB). As the company that developed and supported the AJB program since 1995 NaviSite is uniquely qualified to continue to provide a site which offers the functionality of America's Job bank but with an updated look and feel.

Monster Jobs
Monster is another large job bank for nationwide job listings. The listings may be searched by location, job category, keyword, or even company name.

USAJOBS - The Federal Government's Official Job Site
This site is the official job bank for the federal government. In addition to searching federal job listings, you may also post your resume to the site.

Alternative Jobs and Summer Jobs

Cool Works - Seasonal and Summer Jobs
Provides listings for summer and seasonal jobs at resorts, national parks, and resort jobs. Also lists internships and volunteer opportunities.

Internships.Org
Listing of internships that may be searched by region and city. Also a sales point for regional hard-copy internship guides.

Salary Comparisons and Relocation Information Sources

City Data
City data provides comprehensive information on cities and towns across the United States. Before you relocate, you may find out about the crime rate, the weather and climate, the ethnic makeup, the educational levels, the age distribution, and more in the place under consideration.

The Salary Calculator
The Salary Calculator lets you compare salaries from one area to another in relation to the cost of living. For example, if you earn $30,000 per year in Toms River, New Jersey, how much would you need to earn in La Jolla, California to enjoy a similar lifestyle? This site will answer the question for you.

CNN/Money: Best places to live
This site provides the rankings of the best places to live based upon comparisons of median household incomes, population growth, and lifestyle measurements. The site also allows you to screen cities by a variety of factors to find a place that meets your particular requirements.

Sperling's Best Places
Sperling’s Best Places allows the user to compare two cities side by side in terms of crime, economy, housing costs, climate, transportation, and more. An especially useful feature of the Sperling site is the ability to compare the performance of the schools in two cities. The site offers an “educational achievement” index that compares student performance on standardized achievement tests and other factors to provide a means to compare school performance between cities.