RESUME HELP AT BEAUREGARD PARISH LIBRARY

http://library.beau.org

We have several free resources at the library to help you with your job hunt. Some require the use of a library card, so remember to keep yours current.

For Books, DVDs and Software:

To find items on the shelves, use Dewey # 650.14.

This number includes the topics of resumes, cover letters and interviews.

The circulating software may not work on all computers, so be sure to verify your computer’s specifications.

Typewriter Use

Yes, we have a typewriter! If you prefer using this over a computer, you may check it out with library card from Reference and Reader Services. This item is for in-house use only at the DeRidder branch.

For Electronic Resources

Almost all of our electronic resources are available within library buildings and via the Internet.

If using our labs, there is a 10¢ per page printing charge for most items, including resumes.

If printing from our databases, which include certain resume builders, each patron is allowed 10 free pages per day.

Type a resume with Open Office:

• To start this program begin from the start menu or double click the OO icon on your desktop.

[The icon looks like 2 pieces of paper and a pen.]

• If you are familiar with resume layout, type as you would with any other word processing program.

• If you need a template for a resume, links to examples can be found on our homepage.

[Click Job Center and then select Resume Help]

To use Tutor.com:

• This connects you with a live tutor during certain hours of the day. Personal information is kept confidential, and tutors are able to offer resume critiques if the resume is uploaded to them. The live tutor can guide you through the process.

• Click the icon from our BPL homepage. http://library.beau.org You may need to type your library card number to access this.

To access our statewide Databases:

1. Begin at BPL homepage: http://library.beau.org

2. Scroll down to set of links below image of DeRidder branch and icons for Book Browse, Tumble Books and Tutor.com

3. Click “Online Research” link from left column.

4. On next page, click “Free Database Access” under bold words Check Here First

5. You may need to type your library card number to make the next page load

6. You are at the Databases page! Click the words Careers & Jobs for only those items.

CAREER CRUISING & LEARNING EXPRESS

These are two separate databases, both with valuable information to a job seeker. You may use either one or both of them depending on personal preference.

Career Cruising has learning style and interest assessments, information on courses of study and academic institutions, as well as job projections with local employment figures.

Learning Express has self-paced modules for learning computer topics and a variety of free practice tests for both professional and academic study.

Registration: To use the full features of both databases, you must sign up with a user name and password for each database. Registration is free, but is there to protect the privacy of your personal information. Access will be given immediately upon successful creation of an account. Both databases are used nationally, so it may take a few tries to find an available user name in the system.

Important note: Please keep track of your own Career Cruising and/or Learning Express user name and password. We at the library have no way of retrieving that information for you if it is lost.

Choosing which Database

Both databases give the convenience of three different resume layouts, but it saves time because you only have to enter the information once. A click of a button will change the display and printing style so you can pick which resume is right for you at the time. It is also easy to go back and edit the information later if you need to make revisions or print updated resumes for new job opportunities.

To help make your decision easier, consider the following:

You may want to use Career Cruising if:

...you already know what to put into a resume and just need a convenient template

...you prefer the variety of eye-catching styles for your resume layout

You may want to use Learning Express if:

... you have never made a resume before or are unsure of the best type of information to input in certain places. LE has detailed descriptions of what you should put into a resume and why.

... you want something that is easy to print out. Resumes are saved as a PDF file. The format makes for easier storage, printing or sharing with potential employers

Sound great? Well, nothing is perfect. Here are a few more things to keep in mind when deciding which one to use:

• For resumes made with Career Cruising, they display and print as web pages. More care is needed at the time of printing to make sure these resumes do not show extra website information such as URL or time stamp.

• For resumes made with Learning Express the variety of styles with visual interest is very limited. It is a functional resume, but not very eye catching at initial glance.