By C.J. Carnacchio
Leader Editor
Those seeking employment have a new tool available to them, free of charge, at the Oxford Public Library.
It’s called the Job & Career Accelerator and it’s a new web resource available through the Library of Michigan’s eLibrary (MeL), which can be accessed at www.mel.org.
‘It’s very nice,? said Wendy Mutch, the library’s head of adult services. ‘It’s neat because it’s geared toward people with all different kinds of needs.?
The Job & Career Accelerator combines everything a job-seeker requires for a successful search into one easy-to-use on-line application.
‘If you aren’t sure what you want to do, you can take a little test to see what your interests are,? Mutch said. ‘It will give you careers that would be good for you and tests you can take to increase your skills in those areas.
‘It can also show you jobs available in that field and connect you to those jobs.?
Overall, the system allows users to:
n Explore detailed information on more than 1,000 different occupations.
n Match a person’s interests and skills with the career that’s best for them.
n Search over 5 million up-to-the-minute local and national job postings.
n Create professional resumes and cover letters.
n Practice and master interviewing skills.
n Get invaluable tips and advice throughout the entire process, from the initial search to accepting a job offer.
n Conveniently organize and track job-search progress all in one place.
‘It’s sort of a one-stop shop,? Mutch said.
Mutch noted that people can also access the Job & Career Accelerator from their home, if they have a valid library card or a Michigan driver’s license.
‘Any resident of Michigan is able to access it,? she said. ‘They don’t have to come through us. They can do it on their own.?
Mutch has noticed a lot of job-seekers using the Oxford library these days.
‘I would say multiple times a week, probably almost everyday, we’re helping people upload their resumes or apply for a job on-line,? she said.
Lots of folks who don’t have internet access at home rely on their local library to jump on the information superhighway.
‘Many employers require that you apply on-line,? Mutch said. ‘If you don’t have a computer or you don’t have internet (access) at home, the library’s a great resource for you.?
In addition to on-line services, the library offers job-seekers a variety of other resources.
‘We have a lot of good books about resumes, cover letters, how to ace an interview,? Mutch said.
The Oxford Public Library is located at 530 Pontiac Rd.