Top 10 Resources for Job Seekers

If you’re feeling stuck in your job search or just need some fresh new ideas about how to move the ball forward, here is my list of Top 10 Resources for Job Seekers. Many of these are free and easy to take advantage of. So whether you’re ready to return and find yourself at an impasse, or if you just want to think ahead, pick one of these to investigate this week.

 

My Top 10 Resources for Women Returning to Work

 

1.  Community College – many of their job search classes are free to job-seekers.  This is also a great place to take low-cost classes that help you demonstrate that you’re a continuous learner and fill your skill gaps.

 

2. Job search groups – many of these are run out of churches, and you don’t always have to be a member of the church to join the group. They provide support, community and speakers on topics of interest to job seekers.  In my area, for instance, First Baptist in Cary runs a big job-seeking group.

 

3. Groups that provide technology skills training, some are focused specifically on women:

• Women Who Code is a national group that holds meetings, runs courses and provides lots of online resources
• Mozilla offers online resources and courses for learning and refreshing tech skills
• Girl Develop It – now in 58 cities, they offer meet-ups for women learning to code

Meet-Ups seem to have a group for every specific coding language that exists! Google “code meet-ups (your city name)” to find out what exists in your area

 

4.  Local networking groups that hold periodic networking lunches and events for women.   This is a great way to meet people and make new connections. Again, either google or search MeetUp.com to find groups.  Remember, you must get out of the house and meet people to advance your job search!

 

5. Flexjobs is an online job board that posts flexible and part-time jobs

 

6. If you need professional help putting your resume together, there are plenty of coaches out there who will help you with this and you can find them on LinkedIn.  We use Mir Garvy of RTP Resumes or Catherine Tuttle of Forward Thinking Resumes. Both of these resume experts will work with you remotely if you’re not local and are interested in their services.

 

8. Here’s a terrific book that I highly recommend: Back on the Career Track by Vivian Steir Rabin and Carol Fishman Cohen.  It’s written just for stay-at-home-moms returning to the workforce and full of practical advice. Reinventing You by Dorie Clark is another great read that will inspire you on your job search.  Dorie’s advice: “Find the common thread between your past and where you want to go in the future.”

 

9. Learn a new skill or refresh a current one by taking online courses on LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or Udemy.com. There are smart and economical ways to brush up on your Excel skills and many others, and some of these courses are free.

 

10. Additional online resources that focus on women:

•   Power To Fly – job board that staffs women on virtual jobs
•   Werk – Werk’s mission is to promote flexibility in the workplace
•   Apres – online resource and job board for women returning to work

 

Let me know what other resources you have found to be helpful.