Exploring Careers

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.

New Jersey Occupational Outlook Handbook
Download a free copy of the New Jersey Occupational Outlook Handbook to your computer. Provides information on the training required for various job titles, New Jersey and national salary information, New Jersey licensing requirements, and more.

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.

Work Force New Jersey Information Network
Provides a New Jersey-centered portal to occupational information. Provides links to occupational outlook information, information on New Jersey schools and training programs as well as access to America’s Job Bank.

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.

Books at the Ocean County Library on Career Exploration

Resumes and Cover Letters

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, and examples of cover letters.

CareerJournal | Resume Writing Tips - Resume Cover Letters - Resume Help
Articles on putting together a resume, resume makeovers, cover letters, methods for attracting attention to your resume and more.

Books at the Ocean County Library on Resumes

Job Search Sources

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.

Yahoo! HotJobs
Search for positions nationwide. Post your resume for prospective employers. Site also offers career tools that provide guidance in writing resumes, networking, and interviewing.

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.

New Jersey Job Sources and New Jersey Civil Service

New Jersey Job Bank
Provides leads to New Jersey jobs. You may also post your resume to be viewed by employers from around the state.

New Jersey Jobs
New Jersey Jobs lists from across the state of New Jersey. An interesting feature is that this site allows you to search the career listings from selected New Jersey newspapers.

New Jersey Civil Service Job Announcements
Civil service positions in New Jersey appear in Job Announcements from the New Jersey Department of Labor. 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.
As the New Jersey Department of Personnel (NJDOP) website explains, the application process for a state, county, or municipal job can sometimes be confusing. NJDOP has compiled a very helpful list of frequently asked questions about the process of applying for a civil service position. To view this 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 example, the examination announcement for the next entry-level law enforcement will be December 1, 2005. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2006. The actual examination will be in the fall of 2006.

For answers to frequently asked questions on the law enforcement and firefighter announcements:
FAQ on the Law Enforcement and Firefighters Announcements and Examinations

For further information on announcements and testing for entry-level law enforcement officers:
Law Enforcement Announcement and Testing Schedule

The Department of Personnel also offers a handy list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) that provides further information on the examination and application process:
Law Enforcement Examination FAQ

For further information on announcements and testing for entry-level firefighters:
Fire Fighter Announcement and Testing Schedule

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.

Job Search Books

Job Hunting Books at the Ocean County Library

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.

Books at the Ocean County Library on Moving and Relocation