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Virtual Career Resources @ FPL

Start a successful job search at FPL online! Use the links below to help you write a winning resume, search job postings, explore careers, prepare for an interview, and learn new skills. If you need personalized assistance, stop by the Main Library to speak to one of our Librarians about one-on-one job counseling and many other services the Library offers job seekers.

Get Job Search Help at Fairfield Public Library

Search the library’s catalog for print and digital resources to find books on resumes, cover letters, top careers, interviewing, and more.

Public computers are available for two hours per session with additional time by request.  Printing and copying is available for $0.10/page b/w $0.50/page color, along with scanning (free), and faxing $1.75 first page, $1.00 each additional page.

Take advantage of the many services FPL offers job seekers:

Our career counselor Ann Wright continues doing phone consultations on Thursdays and the first Monday of the month. Contact Librarian Claudia Silk for further information and updates:
csilk@fplct.org

  • Meet 1-on-1 for 20 minutes with a career counselor: The first Monday of every month, plus every Thursday from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm with Ann Wright. These appointments take place by phone. Please email Claudia Silk at csilk@fplct.org for an appointment or call the Reference Desk at 203-256-3160.
  • Ask one of our Librarians how to research companies, people and organizations as you prepare for interviews.  Call 203-256-3160 or stop by the Reference Desk.

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Write a Resume

Stop by Library to check out books on writing your resume and cover letter. Search our online catalog for titles using keyword “resume.”  Ask a librarian for help accessing e-books (must be a Fairfield resident). Our career counselor, Ann Wright (see above) is available by phone on Thursdays to critique your resume in a 1-on-1 session. Call 203-256-3160 for more information.

Click the links below for resume writing guidelines and examples of resumes by industry and job type. JobNow and Tutor.com offer live online chat and resume critique services.

Career One Stop – Resume, cover letter  and job search advice
Job Now – Upload your resume to be critiqued, contact a job coach for real-time mock interview via online chat, and access resume and career resources online 24/7. A Fairfield Public Library card is required to access this service.
Tutor.com – Access career resources and a live tutor online to answer questions and offer critique about resumes, interviewing, and more. A Fairfield Public Library card is required to access from home.
Zip Recruiter- Free resume training and templates

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Find a Job

Online job sites are an excellent way to discover new job postings. Consider setting up email alerts through your favorite job boards to receive emails when new jobs that fit your interests are posted.

Don’t forget to network with your family, friends and former co-workers. Networking is one of the most effective ways to tap into the “hidden job market” and discover jobs that never get posted online!

Job & Career Accelerator

Whether you’re looking to find a new job in your current field or pursue a career in a different industry, Job & Career Accelerator™ has the powerful tools and expert guidance to help you through every step of the process. Job & Career Accelerator™ puts everything you need to land a job in one place. You can:

  • Explore over 1,000 different occupations
  • Discover the career that’s best for you
  • Search local and national job and internship postings
  • Create professional resumes and cover letters
  • Practice and master interviewing skills
  • Get valuable job-search tips and advice at every step
  • Organize and track your job-search progress

Local Job Search Sites:

Courant.com – Hartford Courant Classifieds
Fairfield County Jobs – Connecticut’s #1 Local Job Board
Zip Recruiter– This site offers 16 million +jobs for active job seekers, 80% of those jobs don’t show up on other large job search engines.

CT Job Search Sites:

CtJobs.com – comprehensive listings from across the state, as featured in local classified ad
Platform to Employment – helps the long-term unemployed and those who have exhausted unemployment benefits get back to work by addressing their specific challenges
State of CT –  jobs working for the State of Connecticut

Federal Job Search Sites:

USA Jobs – the Federal Government’s official job board

Niche/Industry Job Websites:

Accounting Jobs Today – career resources for accountants and financial professionals
Dice – job postings in the technology (IT) industry
e Financial Careers – jobs in banking, accounting, and securities industries
Inside Higher Ed – jobs and career advice for higher education professionals
Military Careers – information on jobs in the military
Upwork – a forum for freelancers. Find freelance work, find freelancers.
Zip Recruiter- Jobs for veterans

Nationwide Job Search Sites:

Career Builder – online job board and classified ads for 140 local & national newspapers
Craigslist – job postings throughout CT and nationwide
Indeed – the #1 job site worldwide
Job Applications Online – overview of the online application systems for popular employers
LinkedIn Jobs – Leverage the world’s largest professional network to connect with opportunity.
Simply Hired – US and  international jobs  from job boards, employer sites and the web
US Jobs –  leading employers and National  Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)
Zip Recruiter – online employment marketplace connecting employers and job seekers

New Grads/Students:

After College – connects college students and entry-level job seekers with employers through faculty and career networks at colleges and universities.
Collegegrad.com –an entry- level job site for college grads
College Jobs– ZipRecruiter offers a custom search for internships, entry-level, summer, and work from home employment opportunities
College Recruiter – thousands of internships and entry-level jobs
Summer Jobs –entry level summer jobs for students across the country

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Explore or Change Careers

Go online to explore careers, salaries, educational requirements, and the employment outlook for industries and careers. The Main Library also has several directories and career books that offer this information. Ask a Librarian!

Career One Stop – explore careers, investigate salary and benefit information, research education and training opportunities, plan a job search and browse job sites, write and improve resumes and cover letters, prepare for a job interview, and search for jobs.
CT Job and Career Connection – find an occupation, education,  training, and job search resources.
CT Works – employments offices of the CT Department of Labor
JobNow – Use eParachute section to match potential careers with your skills. Your Fairfield Public Library barcode number is required for access.
Learn How to Become – one-stop, comprehensive resource to begin, further, or change your career path.
My Skills My Future – new grads: find careers that match your skills and experience
My Next Move – Just starting out? Explore careers and find a match for your interests and training.
Occupational Outlook Handbook – job profiles including typical work, pay, education required
O*Net Online – career exploration and detailed job descriptions including green jobs and jobs with bright outlooks for future hiring
STEM Careers – career planning in science, technology, engineering, math, computers, and healthcare

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Learn New Skills

The Library offers computer training classes, job search seminars, and free online access to career training courses through our website. Additionally, many local and state agencies and colleges offer adult education ranging from training courses to certificate programs to associate, bachelor and master’s degree programs.

Library Resources:

JobNow – Use eParachute section to match potential careers with your skills. Your Fairfield Public Library barcode number is required for access.
Reference Solutions (formerly Reference USA) – is the premier source of business and residential information for reference and research, offering the most up-to-date data available in the market. Their business and consumer databases are continuously updated from more than 5,000 public sources. With Reference Solutions, you can help your users find jobs and business opportunities, conduct market research, and track down addresses and phone numbers, either on a home or library computer or through their mobile app.
Tutor.com – career guidance and resume review.

Local Agencies:

CT Works –regional offices offering  employment workshops, re-education programs and more.
CT Department of Labor – file for unemployment, learn about apprenticeships and more
Literacy Volunteers– provide literacy training, ESOL, and workplace readiness skills. Bridgeport area, 203-368-5526
Goodwill Career Center, 165 Ocean Terrace, Bridgeport, CT 1-800-423-9787
Goodwill Career Center, 1700 Post Road East, Westport, CT 203-256-3943
United Way 2-1-1 Infoline – free information, referral and crisis counseling in Connecticut. See: “Where to Turn When You Become Unemployed”

Area Colleges:

Fairfield University – 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT (203)-254-4000
Housatonic Community College – 900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport, CT 06604. (203) 332-5000
Norwalk Community College – 188 Richards Ave, Norwalk, CT 06854. (203) 857-7000
Sacred Heart University– 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT (203)-371-7999
University of Bridgeport – 126 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604 (800) 392-3582

Online Learning:

Goodwill Community Foundation – free online learning community. Practice sessions such as job applications, tutorials on job searching, and becoming work ready
JobNow – Get expert assistance for every step of the job search process with this online chat resource. Help includes review of resumes and practice interviewing. Click on SkillSurfer to access test prep including high school, college entrance/placement, career prep, nursing, Praxis, ASVAB, grad school, and basic computer and adult learning skills. Your Fairfield Public Library barcode number is required for access.
Learn to Type – learn to type.
Microsoft Office – free, self-paced online tutorials for Microsoft Office software, including Word,  PowerPoint, Excel, and more.
MIT Open Courses – an online classroom with access to hundreds of free, non-credit courses made available to the public by Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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Research Employers

The Main Library has print directories that list local, regional and national companies by geography, type of business, size and more; inquire at the Information Desk.

  • Connecticut Business Directory
  • Book of Business Lists: New Haven, Fairfield and Westchester County
  • The Business Council of Fairfield County
  • Dun’s Regional Business Directory
  • Fairfield County Business Journal
  • Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Membership Directory
  • Harris Connecticut Manufacturer’s Directory

Additionally, the databases listed below offer 24/7 online access to company information:

Reference Solutions (formerly Reference USA) – is the premier source of business and residential information for reference and research, offering the most up-to-date data available in the market. Their business and consumer databases are continuously updated from more than 5,000 public sources. With Reference Solutions, you can help your users find jobs and business opportunities, conduct market research, and track down addresses and phone numbers, either on a home or library computer or through their mobile app.
Glass Door – employees rate and comment on their employers, with salary and interview questions

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