VGCC Library Services: BUS 270: Professional Development: Career PlanningTools

Ch. 13: Job Search Skills

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Fearless Job Hunting: Powerful Psychological Strategies for Getting the Job You Want by Bill Knaus; Sam Klarreich; Russell Grieger; Nancy Knaus; George Elias (Foreword by); William J. Knaus
ISBN: 9781572248342
Publication Date: 2010
Available online.
Panic Free Job Search: Unleash the Power of the Web and Social Networking to Get Hired by Paul Hill
ISBN: 9781601632036
Publication Date: 2012
Available online.
Step-By-Step Guide to Effective Job Hunting and Career Preparedness by Susan Henneberg
Call Number: HF 5382.7 .H464 2015
ISBN: 9781477777749
Publication Date: 2014-07-15
Available in print at Main Campus.
What's Your Type of Career?: Find Your Perfect Career by Using Your Personality Type by Donna Dunning
ISBN: 9781857885538
Publication Date: 2010

Online Resources

Career Inventory Test
After answering these questions, the taker will be provided with a list of careers that fit his/her personality type, ordered by how much more your personality type prefers it to the average.
Career OneStop : Self-Assessments
Career OneStop has a Skills Assessment resource and a resource for Work Values Assessment.
Career OneStop: Explore Careers
Get national and state-specific statistics about hundreds of jobs over a number of different categories. Information given is often taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, but many of the links are to other sources on information. Site is sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor.
College Foundation of North Carolina: Plan for a career
This section of the CFNC website offers ways to explore career options. The "Learn About Yourself" section has different quizzes to help you identify characteristics or interests that can help you choose a career. "Explore Careers" has the usual job information, but can include interviews and other supplementary material.

Ferguson's Career Guidance Center This link opens in a new window
Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center is a comprehensive resource for career exploration and planning that allows users to quickly find the valuable career information they need, whether it’s industry and professions articles, school planning resources, or skills and career advice.

Job Applications
Tutorials on how to complete a job application and what you need to get one done.
Job Search and Networking
Tutorials on essential skills and knowledge for conducting a job search.

NCWorks Online This link opens in a new window
A site from the NC Department of Commerce that offers ways to explore careers, find jobs, and see labor statistics.

O*NET OnLine
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) includes a searchable database of hundreds of jobs. Each entry lists various characteristics of the job, such as tasks performed in the occupation, physical requirements, and other skills needed.

Occupational Outlook Handbook This link opens in a new window
Profiles for hundreds of occupations including sections like What They Do, Work Environment, How to Become One, Pay, and more. Each profile also includes Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections for the 2010–20 decade. (Internet Resource)

Quest Career Services Free Career Test
Includes a career aptitude test to help you discover jobs that match your natural strengths.
Salary.com
Using this site, searchers can find information on job descriptions and salaries.

Ch. 14: Resume Package

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Blue Collar Resumes by Steven A. Provenzano
ISBN: 9781133702627
Publication Date: 2012
Available online.
Elements of Résumé Style: Essential Rules for Writing Resumes and Cover Letters That Work by Scott Bennett
ISBN: 9780814433935
Publication Date: 2014-09-03
Available online and in print at Main.
Knock Em Dead Resumes by Martin Yate
ISBN: 9780991270460
Publication Date: 2015-09-20
Available online.
Resume 101 by Quentin J. Schultze; Bethany J. Kim; Richard N. Bolles (Foreword by)
Call Number: HF 5383 .S3275 2012
ISBN: 9781607741947
Publication Date: 2012-03-06
Helps students to identify their strengths and transferable skills from their unique life experiences--from extracurriculars to part-time jobs to internships to volunteering.
Available in print at Main, Franklin and Warren campuses.
Resume and Cover Letter Phrase Book by Nancy Schuman; Burton Jay Nadler
Call Number: HF 5383 .S329 2011
ISBN: 9781440509810
Publication Date: 2010
Available in print at Main.

Online Resources

CareerOneStop
Tutorials and examples of resumes, cover letters, and applications. Created by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Cover Letters: Crafting Your Cover Letter
A step-by-step, interactive tutorial on creating an effective cover letter.
Purdue OWL: Job Search Writing
Excellent instructions for writing resumes, cover letter, and other kinds of job search documents.
Resume Writing
A series of tutorials on writing and using résumés.
UNC-Chapel Hill Resumes and Letters
This page contains helpful explanations of what makes a good resume/CV, cover letter, thank you letter, and reference letter. Also provides great examples to get users started.

Ch. 15: Interview Techniques

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Can I Wear My Nose Ring to the Interview? by Ellen Gordon Reeves
ISBN: 9780761141457
Publication Date: 2009-04-23
Available in print at all VGCC Campuses.
Knock 'Em Dead Job Interview by Martin Yate
ISBN: 1440536791
Publication Date: 2012
Available online.
Knock 'Em Dead Secrets & Strategies for First-Time Job Seekers by Martin Yate
ISBN: 1440536783
Publication Date: 2013
Available online
Best Answers to the 201 Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions by Matthew J. DeLuca; Nanette F. DeLuca
Call Number: HF 5549.5 .I6 D4 2010
ISBN: 9780071741453
Publication Date: 2010-07-09
Available in print at Main Campus.
The Essential Phone Interview Handbook by Paul Bailo
Call Number: HF 5549.5 .I6 B295 2011
ISBN: 9781601631541
Publication Date: 2011
Available in print at Main Campus.
The Essential Job Interview Handbook by Jean Baur
ISBN: 9781601632821
Publication Date: 2013
Available online.

Online Resources

CareerOneStop: Interview & Negotiate
Provides tips on interviewing and getting ready for interviews. Also, lists types of interviews and possible interview questions. Created by U.S. Department of Labor.
Interviewing Skills
A series of tutorials on job interviews and how to prepare for them.
Job Killers: Don't Say That!
(2012, 6 min.) This ABC News report features in interview with Rick Marini, CEO of Branchout. Marini offers tips on how and when to ask about compensation, and how to answer the tricky question "why did you leave your last job?"
Off-campus users will need to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.
You're Hired! Job-Winning Interview Strategies
(2010, 26 min.) After watching this video, young adults will know how to define personal employment goals; research a company of interest; do mock interviews, for practice; dress for success; make a good first impression; communicate strengths, skills, accomplishments, and more; ask and answer a wide variety of pertinent questions; and follow up strategically via phone, mail, or e-mail.
Off-campus users will need to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Ch. 16: Career Changes Books

Books & Ebooks

If book is available online, click title to access it. Off-campus users will be prompted to sign in with their myVGCC (WebAdvisor) login and password.

Career Courage by Katie C. Kelley
ISBN: 9780814436745
Publication Date: 2016-03-02
Available online.
Get the Career You Want by Karen Mannering
Call Number: HF 5549.5 .J63 M36 2011
ISBN: 9780071775229
Publication Date: 2011
Available in print at all VGCC campuses.
Getting Back to Work by Linda K. Rolie
Call Number: HF 5382.7 .R65 2010
ISBN: 9780071638678
Publication Date: 2009
Available in print at Main Campus.
Job Search Checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Get Back to Work after a Layoff by Damian Birkel
ISBN: 9780814432914
Publication Date: 2013
Available online.
Sequel: how to Change Your Career Without Starting Over by Laurence Shatkin
Call Number: HF 5384 .S53 2011
ISBN: 9781593578657
Publication Date: 2011
Available in print at all VGCC campuses.

Online Resources

The Worst Career Change Mistakes to Avoid
Specific tips for things NOT to do when you are think about changing careers.
10-Step Plan to Career Change: How to Successfully Change Careers
Illustrates clear steps for someone planning to change careers.
How to Decide If You Need a Career Change
A quick assessment of whether or not you should be thinking about changing your professional field.
Starting a Business in NC
Information on the opportunities and obligations for someone starting a new business in North Carolina.
When You Should (and Shouldn't) Change Careers
A CEO suggests three questions to ask when considering whether it's time to switch careers.