Helping Library Users Look For Work (online learning course)

Helping Library Users Look For Work

(An Infopeople Online Learning Course)

August 23, 2005 - September 20, 2005

Has a user ever approached you with a scenario like this?

"I'm looking for a job. I keep checking the Sunday classifieds but I've had no luck. I heard that the Internet is the best way to get a job but when I try to look for a job in accounts payable, thousands of jobs come up - but they're all too far away. When I do manage to find a couple of possibilities they don't provide an address to mail in an application. Now they want you to apply online. It's all so overwhelming. Is there anything you can do to help me? I just need a job to pay my bills."

Libraries can make a tremendous difference to people who need work. This online course will provide you with information about the job search process and about the online and print resources that will enable you to assist job-seeking library users more effectively. Both technical information and job aids will help you to empower your users as they navigate the job search process.

Workshop Description: This four-week online learning course will provide you with the techniques and resources you need to help library users have a more rewarding job-hunting experience. You will explore online and print resources on skills assessment, careers, companies, salary ranges, and résumé writing. You will complete practice exercises narrowing a job search down to specific career fields or companies. You will learn about the different types of résumés, including how to write resumes suitable for email, Internet, and hard copy use. You will receive sample résumés, templates, a bibliography, and a webliography, as well as useful tips (job aides) that can be applied immediately.

During the course you will be doing exercises and taking quizzes. You will also participate in online discussion forums as part of the online learning process.

Preliminary Course Outline:

• Module One: General Overview of the Course and the Job Search Process
  • Typical problems job seeking library users face in today's job market
  • Stages of the job search process
  • Stage one of the job search process - looking for clarity
    • Personality, skills, and interest assessment websites
    • Career and vocational resources
• Module Two: Stage Two of the Job Search Process - Verifying a Job Seeker's Interests as They Relate to the Workplace
  • Business directories and employer information sources
  • Job databases and company websites
  • Salary resources
• Module Three: Stage Three of the Job Search Process - Getting the Job
  • Networking sources
  • Using company websites to learn more about the company
  • Preparing for a job interview
  • Evaluating a job offer
• Module Four: Assisting a Job Seeking User with Other Job Related Matters
  • Resume writing and job correspondence sources
  • Chronological versus functional resumes
  • Plain text résumés for Internet and email use
  • Safety and privacy issues using the Internet

Online Learning Details: This four-week course will be taught online using the web. When you register, you will receive a registration confirmation that will include the URL to get to the course, as well as a username and password. "Helping a Library User Look for Work" will start on August 23, 2005 and end on September 20, 2005.

The workshop consists of four two- to two-and-a-half-hour learning modules. You can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night. However, you will be expected to log in to the course each week to do that week's assignment. We ask that you log in sometime during the first week of the course to begin the course work.

The materials will be available for two weeks beyond the end date with limited instructor assistance and another two weeks with no instructor assistance. You will be expected to accomplish the majority of the course in synchronization with your peers during the first four weeks.

Who Should Take This Course: Anyone from the California library community who responds to user questions about careers, job applications, résumé writing and/or job searching in general.

Prerequisites: This course is taught over the web. You must:

• Have an Internet connection and Internet Explorer 5 or higher (some of the quiz functions do not work properly in Netscape).
• Be able to save Microsoft Word .docs or Adobe .pdf files to your computer and print them out. (For .doc files, a free Word Viewer is available at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en. Search for "Word Viewer." For .pdf files, a free Adobe Acrobat Reader is available at http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html).
• Be comfortable navigating on the web and navigating back and forward on a website that uses frames.
• You must have an individual e-mail account and know how to use it well.

Course Start: This 4-week-long online learning course starts on August 23, 2005.