Many community members turn to The Library for one-on-on help when they need to find a job or update their resume. In addition to in-person help, our Job Help Center provides free resources you can access from home.  

Some of the most popular resources in our Job Help Center focus on the job search and creating the documents needed to apply – a cover letter and resume in most cases.   

Job Hunting Resources 

To apply for a job, job seekers first need to know who’s hiring. PA Career Link, PennLive Jobs, and Data-Axle Reference Solutions are excellent tools to find out who is hiring near you and in your field.  

• PA Career Link connects job seekers with the information and resources they need based on where you are physically, personally and professionally. In addition to searching for jobs, their Job Seeker Portal provides support to general job seekers, individuals with disabilities, mature workers, individuals re-entering the workforce, student and youth workers, and veterans.  

• PA COVID-19 Jobs – Hiring Immediately is another resource provided by PA Career Link. It is especially helpful for job seekers who lost their job due to COVID-19 related business closures. Employers who provide “essential services” – like food manufacturing, health care, shipping, etc. – post jobs that they have an immediate need to fill to this database. 

• PennLive Jobs provides searchable job openings from employers hiring in Pennsylvania. Search by job title, keyword, or location. You can also browse job listings by category – part time, agriculture and pets, hospitality and tourism, healthcare, etc.  

• Data-Axle Reference Solutions (previously Reference USA) offers data on 60 million businesses and 298 million consumers. Not only can job seekers search 2.5 million job postings, they can also research the companies before they apply. You can watch a more in-depth, 5-minute long job search tutorial for Reference Solutions here.  

Resumes and Cover Letter Help 

Job seekers ready to apply for a job often need to have two important documents ready – their resume and a job-specific cover letter. Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) and Perdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) are excellent resources to get you started. 

• Goodwill Community Foundation (GCF) is a great resource for resume, cover letter and other workplace communication guidance. GCF is unique because it presents information in written and video form, so job seekers can choose the learning method that works best for them. 

• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is another resource for all your writing questions – including job search and resume writing. Job seekers can learn how to write effective cover letters, thank you letters, and acceptance or rejection letters. You can learn how to write and design a resume in steps, from start to finish, so the end result is eye-catching, effective and scannable.  

The Library is a Workforce Development Partner 

One of The Library’s strategic goals is to be an effective workforce partner. Libraries are transformative places where learning and growth are available to anyone who walks through our doors (or visits us online).  

We’re here to connect you with the resources you need to meet your personal and professional goals – whether that’s in-person, online, or a blend of both.   

— 

Job seekers may be interested in this winter’s Job Seeker Resources series with HACC’s Career Services Department. You can get more information at dcls.org/adultevents.  

The first program in the series, Resume and Cover Letter 101, will take place on Tuesday, January 26 at 6:00 pm via Zoom.