Job Tuition

Visit Your Local Library for Career Help

December 30th, 2006 by Andrew

Have you visited your local library lately? If not, you’re missing out on a wealth of information for careers, interviews, and networking advice. Check out the kind of things you can find!

Great magazines

Why pay for magazines at the news stand or by subscription? The cost is prohibitive if you’re trying to live on a budget.

Fortunately, your local library has a number of useful magazines for your reading. The library will have current issues, as well as a number of back issues of many major publications. Many libraries don’t allow you to check out the newest issue, but a lot of times you can check out the back issues.

Now you can read Forbes or Money for free. That’s indispensable!

Important newspapers

While on the subject of magazines, did you know your local library will usually have several different major newspapers? You can keep up on major news in your career field by reading these for free. Go grab the latest copy of the Wall Street Journal or the Washington Post, and you can read until your heart’s content. This is a great way to supplement your internet news.

Career guides

Just go to your local library and look in the “careers” section. You’ll find a wealth of information.

Many libraries will have books on different career ideas. You know, the books that answer “what can I do with a degree in X?” You’ll also find books to help you pick out a college or degree program. Among these, the library will probably have books with interviewing, application, and resume tips.

Self-development books

Along with the traditional career-oriented books, the local library will also have books in the self-development section that might be of help. You can find books on networking, social skills, and the like in this section.

I found one great book that specifically focuses on helping make the best initial impression with another person. Isn’t that what an interview is all about? And this great resource wasn’t even in the career section.

Talk to the librarians

As a final note, be sure to ask for help from the librarians. They are the best resource at any library.

Librarians know what they have in the library and what obscure sections you might check. They can help you get a book through inter-library loan or refer you to another nearby library.

Visit your local library. Your career will be better off.