Changing jobs for a better salary, a career switch, or because of a move or life changes is a necessity for many people. It can be intimidating to balance searching and applying for a new job while maintaining your current employment, particularly during an economic downturn. The library's resources, combined with relevant websites, can be a major help in switching your job. This article provides some relevant databases, books from our collection, and useful websites on career resources for Virginia residents that can help you change your job with confidence and success.
Books on Job Changes
CRRL has dozens, opens a new window of titles that can provide advice on changing your job. What to Do Next, opens a new window explains the psychological steps needed for success as you transition between jobs. Coming Back, opens a new window discusses how you can get rehired in a better position after you have been fired or downsized from a longtime job. Recalculating, opens a new window explains job hunting and career development strategies for today's work environment. And The Genius Habit, opens a new window explores the link between job satisfaction, career success, and advancement.
Brand You!, opens a new window discusses ways to avoid losing out on job opportunities due to age discrimination. The online video Making A Career Change, opens a new window explains the steps you should take before attempting a career change, and how to use contacts and resources in your current position to help you as you prepare your career shift. What Color Is Your Parachute? features exercises and tips to help prepare readers for the challenges of a career change. And C++ Essential Training for Career Changers, opens a new window is an online video that provides basic programming instruction for people seeking skills for more technical career paths.
Databases for Job Switching
The library subscribes to several handy, free-to-use databases that are designed for career and workforce development, opens a new window. JobNow, opens a new window can be accessed from anywhere with a CRRL account and provides resume writing assistance, live interview coaches, and job matchmaking. VetNow, opens a new window is a similar service, specially tailored to the needs of military veterans. LinkedIn Learning, opens a new window allows you to utilize job search tools, guides to learning business software, and web design, with the help of instructional videos. It also includes the streaming video Making A Career Change, opens a new window, which helps you navigate "from where you are to where you want to be."
Virginia Career Resources
You can also use CRRL’s Job Answers, opens a new window page to help you search for jobs in Virginia. You can search for jobs using Career OneStop, opens a new window, which provides resources for career changers, workers with disabilities, seniors, and more. Use Virginia Jobs, opens a new window to search for positions in Virginia state government; this site is a portal that allows you to search for entry level jobs, internships, and explains veterans hiring resources for Virginia. You may also find the contact page for the Virginia Employment Commission, opens a new window useful. You can also search local jobs through the listings in the Free-Lance Star, opens a new window and the Washington Post., opens a new window
Job Answers has a few more locally oriented resources you may find useful if you are trying to choose a new career path. VirginiaWorks, opens a new window provides lists of the top 5 occupations in Virginia by supply and demand, a career search function to allow you to find a list of occupations and job listings in your region, and a way to search for jobs by business name. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, opens a new window, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, allows you to search careers by required educational level, growth rate, forms of job training, and projected number of new jobs.
Technology to Help You Land the Job
Many employers now require an online job application from prospective employees. For those who do not have access to a personal computer, library branches provide NetStations with internet access, as well as printing, copying, and faxing services. Read more about our computer-use policies here., opens a new window The library also offers NetStation Chromebooks, opens a new window and wifi hotspots, opens a new window to check out for home use.
