First Time Here?
Choosing a Career
Self Assessment
Occupational Information
Training for a Career
Continuing Education
Graduate School
Important Skills
Internships
Getting a Job
Job Search Strategy
Resume Writing
Recruiters
Letters
Networking
Company Research
Job References
Job Interviews
The Work Place
First Job
Balancing Work and Family
For Women Only
Job Success
Legal Issues
Minority Resources
Personal Issues at Work
Quitting Your Job
Job Loss
Career Change
Student Forum
Alternative Work Options
Career Strategy
Salary Surveys
Working With a Mentor
Relocating
Assertiveness
Communication
Get Organized
Important Skills: Miscellaneous
Making Presentations
Time Management
Alternative Options: General Information
Flextime
Job Sharing
Self Employment/Consulting
Telecommuting
Temporary Work
Is this your first time on the Career Planning site? You'll find everything you need to know about Career Planning here, you just need to know where to look. Here's an introduction and tour of this site.
Choosing a career can be confusing. Get help here. These resources will guide you through the process of selecting the occupation that is most suitable for you.
Your skills, interests, personality, and values play an important role in your career choice. Find out what effect they have and learn about the various self assessment tools that help with the career planning process. Try some of the tools online.
Gathering occupational information is an important part of the career planning process. This information includes employment outlook, salary, related occupations, education and training, and job duties. Find what you need in these articles, descriptions, and interviews.
For almost as long as you can remember you've been asked what you wanted to be when you grow up. Now that you've chosen a career you have to begin training for it. These resources will help you obtain the skills you need to succeed in the career of your choice and at work in general.
Whether you're changing careers or trying to advance in your current job you may need additional training. These resources help you find out how continuing your education can help you reach your career goals. You'll also locate programs.
You may need a graduate degree for career advancement. These resources help you determine whether you should go to graduate school, how to choose the right one, and how to pay for it. You'll also find online directories of schools, and rankings.
If you are assertive, can communicate effectively, are organized, can make a good presentation, and manage your time well, you have the skills it takes to succeed in the workplace. Here are resources that can help you attain these important skills.
Internships are a great way to learn about an occupation and get work experience at the same time. Discover the benefits of interning. You will also find tools that will help you locate internship opportunities.
Conducting a job search campaign is a full time job in itself. Being prepared increases your chances of having a successful campaign. This section covers resume writing, job interviewing, company research, job search letters, and negotiating job offers.
Would you travel to someplace new without a map or directions? You shouldn't begin your job search campaign without a map or directions either. Here are resources that will help you develop a strategy before you begin looking for work.
Your resume introduces you to potential employers. Find out how to write one that will make a good impression. Learn about different resume formats. See samples of good and bad resumes. Get the facts on portfolios and other resume related documents.
Here are direct links to online directories of executive recruiters or headhunters. Most are free. You'll also find articles that provide advice on working successfully with those whose job it is to match employees with jobs.
You will have to write several types of letters when job hunting. Among them are cover, thank you, job acceptance and rejection letters, and resignation letters. Get help writing effective employment-related letters. You'll find samples and tips.
Networking is vital to your career according to those in the know. Find out why it's so important. There are resources that show you how to establish a network and how to maintain your contacts. You will also find opportunities to network online.
Having knowledge about a potential employer gives you a competitive edge over other job seekers. Here are resources you can use to research most companies, including Securities and Exchange Commission filings, business directories, and news sources.
Before a prospective employer will hire you, he or she will generally ask you to provide references from your former employers. Learn who to ask for letters of reference and how to ask for them. Find out what laws protect you from bad references.
The job interview gives the potential employee and potential employer a chance to learn more about each other. You'll find articles, sample questions, interactive practice tools, the facts on illegal questions, and fashion tips to help you succeed.
Choosing a career wasn't easy. Either was finding a job. Now that you are officially employed it's smooth sailing from here on out, right? Think again. Here's help dealing with anything that may come your way at work.
The transition to your first job will be difficult. Nothing you learn in school can prepare you for it. Here's help making the transition from school to work. These resources will help you get started and stay put -- at least for now.
Work shouldn't get in the way of your personal life. Here are resources to help you find balance between your career and family.
Women face special workplace issues. Here are resources and information of particular interest to women in the workplace such as balancing work and home,organizations, statistics, non-traditional jobs, the best employers for women, and communication.
The resources in this section will help you advance in your job, deal with office politics, dress for success, avoid the pitfalls of an office romance, get along with your boss & co-workers, manage employees, and make the most of performance reviews.
Here are resources that will help you understand employment related legal issues. They deal with topics such as gender, age, religious, and race discrimination; sexual harassment; privacy; contracts; family leave; disabilities; taxes; and immigration.
The resources listed here address the special issues and concerns that affect minority groups, such as African Americans and Latino Americans, in the labor force. Included are lists of the best companies to work for, job banks, and career-related advice.
Personal issues such as life circumstances, mental and physical health, and lifestyles can affect us at work. Find out what to do when they do.
People quit their jobs for a variety of reasons. These reasons include a lack of advancement opportunities, they want more money, or simply because they are unhappy. Find out how to decide when to leave your employer and how to do it diplomatically.
Losing your job is one of the most stressful life altering events you'll ever face. Find out how to cope if this happens to you. Get help dealing with the emotional effects and with practical issue such as severance pay and unemployment benefits.
Is it time for a career change? Maybe you don't enjoy the work as much as you used to. Or maybe you can't go farther in your career. These resources will help you decide whether the time is right for a change, and if so, how to go about making one.
Students can come to this section to learn about career planning. You'll find out where to get information on occupations or what you can do with a particular major. You'll learn how to develop good work habits. You'll also find summer job listings.
If you're looking for a more flexible schedule, here are resources that can help you find those options and make them work for you. Get information and advice about alternative options, including flextime, telecommuting, consulting, and job sharing.
In order to succeed in your career you need to have a well orchestrated plan. These resources give you the career strategies you need to get ahead. Here's advice from career development experts, executives, and human resources professionals.
Salary surveys are useful tools when one is choosing a career or looking for a job. One factor to consider when choosing a career is the salary you can hope to earn. When job hunting or considering a job offer, salary information can help you make sure you will earn what you're worth.
A mentor can help you advance in your career by providing you with guidance, advice, and the voice of experience. Learn more about the mentor-protege relationship. Find out how to establish and maintain a relationship and even find a mentor online.
Here are resources that will help you decide how, if, and where to relocate for your career. This section includes geographic ratings and data, local employment information, job listings, tips to help make the transition easier, and help for spouses.
What is assertiveness? It is getting your thoughts across in a straightforward manner without harming others. Assertiveness is an essential workplace skill. These articles and resources will help you become more assertive, without being aggressive.
The ability to communicate effectively is the most important skill you can have, whether you're giving speeches, pitching ideas to your boss, or simply sending off an email or leaving a voice message. These resources will help you hone those skills.
Getting organized will take you a little extra effort and time at first, but it will save you on both in the long run. Since time is money this skill is an important one for you to learn. Use the resources listed here to help you become organized.
There are many skills you need in order to have a successful career. Learn how the following skills can help you: computer literacy, effective writing, good etiquette, ability to manage projects, etc. You will also learn how to attain those skills.
Learn how to make effective presentations. Public speaking is difficult unless you know what you're doing. You'll find resources that will help you get the skills you need to make speeches, present reports, and even participate in taped interviews.
Your efficient use of time will help you advance at work while keeping you stress free at home. These resources and tools will help you manage your time effectively. There are only 24 hours in each day. You have to make the most of those hours.
These resources will introduce you to a variety of flexible work options. If a traditional schedule doesn't work for you here's an overview of some other options like consulting, flextime, job sharing, part time, telecommuting, and temporary work.
Nine to five doesn't work for everyone. Many people prefer more flexible hours to accommodate the other things going on in their lives, like children or classes. The resources listed will help you learn more about making flextime work for you.
Job sharing is another alternative work option. Two people share the same position in a company, each working a part of the week. Here are resources that tell you the advantages and disadvantages of this arrangement and how to make a success of it.
If you want to work independently and don't mind long hours and an inconsistent income you may want to become self employed. These articles and resources will provide you with the information and resources you need to get started.
Some people choose to work from home either for an employer or as an independent contractor. Learn how these types of arrangements work, the pros and cons, and how to resolve any issues that come up. Also, find out how to avoid work at home scams.
Both professionals and non-professionals have embraced temporary employment as a viable option. Employers like it too. These resources and articles give pros, cons, and tips. You'll also find job listings and sites that review temporary agencies.