Career and Jobs

Helpful Companies

Thomas Yoseloff Business Centre New York Public Library

Located on the 5th Floor of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library at 455 Fifth Avenue, this library is an excellent resource for assisting patrons with business or career related questions. They offer virtual one on one consultations with their librarians which can be booked through their website. Patrons can register for online or in person seminars, talks and tutorials on various business, financial and career orientated topics and the slides in the presentation will be made available for the next month to those who registered. 

Company Information

Business Insights: Global
A fully integrated business resource bringing together news articles, company profiles, industry overviews, brand and product information, business rankings, and investment reports. Search this database using a company name, ticker symbol, industry code or description, geographic location, or personal name

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Information from the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics including education needed, earnings, working conditions and job prospects for specific occupations

Secretary of State Business Entity Search 

The Limited Liability Company University was founded by Matt Horwitz in 2010 when he realised that people needed simple and brief instructions on how to start an LLC. This particular page of the LLC University website includes a three columned list of all 50 states' Secretary of States' websites, Business Corporate Searches Division and Business Entity Searches. 

Market Yourself: 

Join Linkedin and create a Profile on its website. In addition, create a perfect resume and have it ready for internship/job application submission.

       Helpful Resources For LinkedIn

• 14 LinkedIn Profile Summaries That We Love (And How to Boost Your Own)
• 20 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile in  2024
• How To Create a LinkedIn Profile that Recruiters Will Love, According to 100 Hiring Professionals (Forbes)
• 10 Must Know LinkedIn Tips for Jobseekers (Beginners Guide)

Discover LinkedIn Learning:

Thousands of online video courses for enhancing your skills to help you land the jobs you want,  Courses on how to best prepare for your interviews, Microsoft office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc), Adobe creative cloud (Photoshop, Premiere pro, Lightroom…), web development, photography, accounting, marketing, business management, and even courses on information literacy and research. The tips below will help you get started:
 

• On Linkedin Website, click on Learning next to Jobs at the top right corner. Use the search box at the top of the page to try finding a few skills, subjects, or software you would like to learn to get some idea of the course offerings, quality of the courses, and how they might help you achieve your career and academic goals. You do not need a subscription to see a course description and its table of contents
   
• You may take the 1-month free trial if you want, but New York Public Library provides access to Linkedin Learning (formerly Lynda.com) for free if you have a NYPL library card. Here’s NYPL information for Getting a Free Library Card Today. You may apply for a free card online or go to your nearest NYPL library branch to apply in person (only takes a few minutes). Do not forget to make a PIN number for the library card. You need both your library card number and PIN to login to LinkedIn Learning
   
• Here’s a direct link for starting Linkedin Learning via NYPL Library Card Verification Page

Cover Letter Writing

What is a cover letter? 

A cover letter is an important document that introduces you to a potential employer. It usually is requested along with a resume before you get invited for an interview. It is a good chance to show the potential employer how good a worker you are and what a good fit you would be. 

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

There are multiple purposes for a cover letter: 

1. A brief summary of your qualifications and achievements 
2. Be different and stand out
3. Show your interest in the organisation, show that you have done your research on it
4. Captivate your potential employer

Cover Letter Resources

•  How to Write A Cover Letter that Sounds Like You (And Gets Noticed) (Harvard Business Review)
• How and Why to Write a Great Cover Letter (Columbia Career Education)
• How to Write a Stand Out Cover Letter (University of Cincinati)
• Self Branding-Cover Letter (CSI Centre for Career and Professional Development)

Books

Dynamic Cover Letters: How to Sell Yourself to an Employer by Writing a Letter that will Get Your Resume Read, Get You an Interview and Get You a Job! by Katherine Hansen and Randall Hanse CSI Library Reference HE5383.H28 1990

Cover Letters that Blow Doors Open by Anne McKinney CSI Library Reference HF5383.M225 1999

The Perfect Cover Letter by Richard H. Beatty CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HF5383.B325 1997

Resume Writing

What is a resume?

A resume is a document that is used by a person to portray their skills, qualifications and accomplishments to a potential employer in the hopes of gaining an interview which may later lead to a position at the company. Every resume must be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the job you are applying for.

What to include in a resume?

1. Contact Information: Full name, phone number and email address
2. Resume summary: Brief summary of your qualifications and career goals, as it applies to the position you are applying for
3. Professional Experience: A list of previous jobs which includes the companies' names, dates of employment, position titles, key successes and what you learnt from the job. 
4. Skills and certifications: Any relevant technical or soft skills that are specific to the position, including any certificates or any courses completed
5. Education: List your degrees, the institutions' names, the majors, the graduation dates and any significant or relevant honours

Resume Resources

• Harvard College Bullet Point Resume Template 
• Writing a Good Resume (Harvard University Graduate School of Design)
• Here's an Example of a Perfect Resume According to Harvard Career Experts
• How to Write a Resume That Stands Out (CUNY)

Books

Successful CVs and Job Applications by Judith Leigh CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HF5383.L446 2013

Resume 101: A Student and Recent Grad Guide to Crafting Resumes and Cover Letters that Land Jobs by Quentin J. Schultze CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor  HF5383.S3275 2012

Unbeatable Resumes: America's Top Recruiter Reveals What Really Gets You Hired by Tony Beshara CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HF5383.B4335 2011

Knock Em Dead Resumes by Martin John Yate CSI Library Stacks 3rd floor HF5383.Y38 2012

Interviews

It is extremely important to prepare for and be organised for a job interview in order to secure the position. Here are a few resources to help with preparing for an important interview: 

• Salary Negotiation (CSI Centre for Career and Professional Development)
• 10 Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them (Harvard Business Review)
• Interview Preparation (Yale University)
• Interview Tips (U.S. Department of Labour)

Books

Help! My Job Interview is Tomorrow! By Mary Ellen Templeton CSI Library Reference HE5381.726

A Smart woman's Guide to Interviewing and Salary Negotiation. Julie Adair King CSI Library Stack 3rd Floor HF5382.61156

Interview Magic: Job Interview Secrets from America's Career and Life Coach by Susan Britton Whitcomb CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HF5549.5.16  W4594 2005

Sweaty Palms: The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed by Anthony H. Medley CSI Library Reference HF5549.5.16 M35 1993

Finding an Internship

What is an internship?

An internship is a position within an organisation usually filled by a student, a trainee or a graduate in order to gain experience in their chosen field of study or career path. If the intern is a student, it is usually for academic credit towards their degree. An internship can be paid or unpaid. 

Why do an internship? 

An internship can be key in succeeding in getting a job in your chosen career. It adds experience and bulks up your resume, making it look good to prospective employers. Below is a list of nine benefits of internships according to Husson University in Maine:

1. Gains hands on experience
2. Improves skills
3. Builds network
4. Improves employability
5. Explore various career paths
6. Earns academic credit (if intern is a student)
7. Develops professional skills
8. Financial benefits (if paid)
9. Boosts self confidence

Resources for finding an intership

Same as finding a job, finding an internship can be daunting and overwhelming. Find below some resources to help you get started on finding an internship that suits your goals.

• WayUp
• Indeed
• Handshake
• Guide to Finding an Internship (Boston Public Library)
• Internship USA

Books

All Work, No Pay: Finding an Internship, Building Your Resume, Making connections and Gaining Experience. Berger, Lauren. 2012. CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HF5381.B3647

The Successful Internship: Personal, Professional and Civic Development. Sweitzer, H. Fredereck. 2009. CSI Library Reserve LC1072.158 S84

The Internship Advantage: Get Real World Experience to Launch Your Career. Bravo, Dario. 2005. Available at Brooklyn College.

Finding a Job

Job Fairs

A job fair, which is also known as a career fair or career expo, is used by schools, employers and recruiters to inform potential employees about their company. These fairs are generally held in schools, community centres or convention centres. Listed below are a few resources to help find job fairs:

• Job Events (Official website of the City of New York)
• NYS Career Centre Events and Recruitments (Department of Labor)
• USA Jobs
• Upcoming Fairs (Career Eco)

Books

How to Land a Top Paying Federal Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Internships, Resumes, Cover Letters, Networking, Interviews, Salaries, Promotions and More! Whiteman, Lily. 2012. CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor JK 692.W45

College Majors and Careers: A Resource Guide for Effective Life Planning. Phifer, Paul. 2009. CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HF5382.5.U5 D445

You Majored in What? Mapping your Path from Chaos to career. Brooks, Katharine. 2009. CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HF5382.75.UB755

Trade Shows

A trade show is an opportunity for employers to showcase their services and/or products to potential customers and employees. It is traditionally used for selling products and services but it can hold a similar purpose to a job fair for potential employees. Each trade show is industry specific. Here are some resources to find trade shows: 

• Upcoming Trade Shows in NYC in 2025 (Exponents)
• Trade Show (Official Website of the International Trade Administration)
• Trade Show Calendar (The Tradeshow Marketing Group)

Volunteering

Volunteer work may seem like a step backward when it comes to searching for a job as it is unpaid, free choice activity that usually takes the form of a community service. Volunteering adds to a resume and makes an individual stand out to a potential employer. 

• NYC Service
• New York Cares
• Volunteer.gov
• SYEP Alternatives (NYC Department of Youth and Community Development)

Books

Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World by Lindsey Pollak CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor LB2343.P57 2007

A Gap Year Volunteering: the College Student's Guide by Jason Birkenstock CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor LC45.3.B57 2014

Volunteerism by Frank McGuckin CSI Library Stacks 3rd Floor HN79.V63 V65 1998

Networking

Networking is a really important skill to learn and develop while finding a job and for the duration of your time in the workforce. It is a difficult skill to develop but a very necessary one in making connections and building your professional network. 

• A Beginners Guide to Networking (Harvard Business Review)
• Learn to Love Networking (Harvard Business Review)
• You Only Get One Chance to Make a First Impression (CSI Centre for Career and Professional Development)
• Association for a Better New York's Young Professionals Network

Books

Knock 'em Deadsocial Networking  for Job Search and Professional Success by Martin John Yate 2014 (Online)

Strengthen Your LinkedIn Profile the Ideal Tool for Networking and Job Searching Mailys Charlier 2017 (Online)

Make Your Contacts Count: Networking Know How for Business and Career Success Anne Baber and Lynne Waymon 2007 (Online)