Employment & Education
Employment
Resume Writing
If you are working on a resume in the library, please let us know before you get started so that we can point you in the right direction and possibly save you some time and frustration.
Our recommendations for creating a résumé are:
- www.jobgateway.pa.gov (CareerLink).
- This is our favorite.
- You can print or export anytime for free and easily apply for many jobs.
- Microsoft Word
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- Do NOT use a template, as they are nearly impossible to edit.
- We can help to format.
- Your best bet is to save then email a copy to yourself.
- If you have gmail or outlook, you can also store your file in the cloud and retrieve it anytime.
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Never use a “free” resume builder site that you find on google. They almost always charge high fees to print or save but don’t tell you until you have spent a lot of time working and typing (that’s the only part that is “free”).
We are happy to help you to format, save, and print a resume.
Before starting, make sure you have:
- All job start and end dates
- Contact phone numbers for each job
- List of tasks you did.
- An email account and the password
- if you don’t have this, we can help — just allow a little more time
Your goal should be to keep the file to ONE single page.
Other Job Search Engines
Please stick to well-known job sites — there are many scam sites out there! These sites collect listings of available jobs. Consider the results to be leads. It is best to follow-up on official company sites for the most accurate information.
- CareerBuilder.com
- Careerjet
- Dice.com (Tech Jobs)
- Craigslist – Pittsburgh
- HelpWanted.com
- Indeed (Local to International Search)
- JobHunt (includes interviewing tips)
- Linked In (networking, including Jobs listings)
- Monster.com (also can research companies at this site)
- My Skills My Future – CareerOneStop (US Dept of Labor)
- NationJob
- The Career Network
- Nursing/health jobs and schools
- PA Job Gateway (PA Career Link)
- Pittsburgh Post Gazette Classifieds (by Monster)
- Snag-a-Job
- Pittsburgh Pennysaver (TribLIVE Classifieds)
- ZipRecruiter
Job Searches
Be sure to remember login names and passwords when searching for jobs!
If you are interested in working for a particular company, be sure to visit their official website.
For example: www.walmart.com is the official Wal-Mart site. If you do a google search for jobs at Wal-Mart, you will see many sites that will not actually allow you to apply for a job. Only www.walmart.com has the official application.
Allegheny County Office
- 2040 Ardmore Blvd., Pittsburgh (Forest Hills)
- 412-436-2225.
They can help with your Participant ID, résumé preparation, interview skills, researching in-demand jobs, financial aid for education, dealing with a criminal background, and connecting to services like LIHEAP, homelessness, and bill paying help.
Some locations have free computer workshops. You will likely need to visit the office multiple times to get the most complete help.
Note: they have a direct no-wait phone line to the unemployment office if you have trouble getting through.
Also, if you get an invitation for unemployment PREP, you must go by the 2nd invitation or you will be ineligible for unemployment.)
- My Next Move (US Dept of Labor)
- America’s Job Bank / CareerOneStop (US Dept of Labor)
- PA Civil Service job listings
- Federal job listings
Please stick to well-known job sites — there are many scam sites out there! These sites collect listings of available jobs. Consider the results to be leads. It is best to follow-up on official company sites for the most accurate information.
- CareerBuilder.com
- Careerjet
- Dice.com (Tech Jobs)
- Craigslist – Pittsburgh
- HelpWanted.com
- Indeed (Local to International Search)
- JobHunt (includes interviewing tips)
- Linked In (networking, including Jobs listings)
- Monster.com (also can research companies at this site)
- My Skills My Future – CareerOneStop (US Dept of Labor)
- NationJob
- The Career Network
- Nursing/health jobs and schools
- PA Job Gateway (PA Career Link)
- Pittsburgh Post Gazette Classifieds (by Monster)
- Snag-a-Job
- Pittsburgh Pennysaver (TribLIVE Classifieds)
- ZipRecruiter
Investigate Careers
Looking to try a new direction? Learn about careers, and see the next section if you need fresh job training or education.
- Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Career Page — includes “how-to” videos so you can create an email or a résumé at your own pace.
- Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale’s Career Page
- Job and Career info Center at CLP
- PA Workforce — Careers in Demand and Occupational Wages
- RileyGuide (job search and career & school exploration)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (US Dept of Labor)
- My Next Move — “What do you want to do for a living?” by US Dep’t. of Labor. Also help for veterans.
- Career One Stop
- Occupational Information by region (O*Net — research careers, including section for veterans)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (surveys about jobs, including wages)
- Glassdoor Salary and workplace reviews
- Zip Recruiter
Education
GED & Job Training
There are many places offering free or low cost GED prep and job training, especially for young people.
- GED Testing Service (including scheduling test)
- Goodwill
- Free GED prep classes (including a site in McKeesport).
- 412-632-1841.
- CCAC GED Information.
- At times, CCAC offers GED preparation classes at various locations.
- JobCorps.gov
- Supports:
- GED
- Trades
- Associate’s Degree
- FREE (ages 16-24)
- Lodging
- Meals
- Books
- Tuition
- Bus Pass
- Childcare Assistance
- Call 412-660-8180 or stop in at McKeesport Salvation Army
- Supports:
- Career Works
- An after-school program of the Boys and Girls Club meeting in Tube City Center (the former Daily News Building) in McKeesport for high school students.
- 412-782-5710.
- Goodwill‘s various training programs.
- 412-632-1742.
- Literacy Pittsburgh
- Computer Skills Training
- GED Preparation
- Basic Skills
- reading
- writing
- math)
- English as a Second Language
- Work Skills
- Family programs.
- CCAC
- 412-373-6440.
- FREE in Braddock and Downtown Pgh.
- 500 hours of individual ‘MOST’ instruction and job placement:
- Data
- Excel
- Word
- Filing
- PowerPoint
- Customer Service
- & more
- Auberle IT and computer training (for youth ages 16-24).
- 412-673-5856.
- Goodwill
- 412-632-1706.
- Mon Valley Initiative
- Career Counseling
- Computer Training
- OVR (PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation)
- The OVR provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment.
- In order to be eligible, they need to have a verifiable disability.
- 412-253-4950.
- Partner4Work.org:
- Pittsburgh area workforce development group that coordinates with programs in the area.
- Job training
- Summer youth jobs
- Pittsburgh area workforce development group that coordinates with programs in the area.
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- Training and jobs with coaching, including for autistic high school students and adults.
- Circles of Greater Pittsburgh:
- Do you need help to reach your goals, get a full-time job, or manage your money? You are invited to weekly meetings to learn skills and get support.
- 412-465-0840.
- Life’s Work
- Free training for those with disabilities or barriers to employment (such as adjudicated youth).
- Horticultural
- Office
- Janitorial
- Free training for those with disabilities or barriers to employment (such as adjudicated youth).
- Goodwill
- On bus lines 91 and 93.
- 412-632-1706.
- Job Training and Placement:
- Food service
- Retail
- Janitorial/Housekeeping
- & More
Colleges & Financial Aid
There are many books and sites about preparing for college.
- American Education Sources
- College Board Online
- Big Future
- College Navigator
- US Dept. of Education
- CollegeNET Home Page
- College Affordability Comparisons
- Crestar Student Lending
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- FAFSA
- FinAid
- Financial Aid Toolkit
- US Dept. of Education
- Niche
- Explore colleges and statistics
- Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
- Peterson’s Education Center
- Princeton Review
- Research schools
- Schmoop
- Test Prep
- Links to Schools
- Scholarship Owl
- Find Scholarships
- Scholly
- Find Scholarships
- Start Class
- College directory with statistics
- Student Aid
- How to fill out federal student aid application
- Repayment and Forgiveness information
- Student loan publications
- Trade Schools, Colleges, & Universities Directory