We have organized career planning and job search into  a number of steps.  Begin at the step that is appropriate for you.  If you are looking within the field you have worked, you may want to start with updating  your resume and cover letter.  If you are considering a career change, you might want to start at Step 1.  The appropriate websites are located at each step.  However, I would suggest you look at most of them at one time or another.  They may be helpful  to you in all sorts of ways.  For  example, if you are reworking your cover letter, you might want to look at http://online.onetcenter.org/skills , a website that identifies skills requisite for specific occupations.  Such information offers you a way to speak about your abilities in a cogent manner. 

Step 1 – Career Planning and Skill Identification: The goal is to identify the job or occupation that suits you best. 

a.     http://careerlinkpittsburgh.com – Career Link is a one-stop shop that connects employers and job seekers in the most efficient manner.  At their sites in downtown Pittsburgh, Forest Hills, etc., highly trained staff offer visitors a wide range of materials and consultation services as well as an online-access to a comprehensive database of job search, training and employment information.  Look over the website, especially the ‘Employment to Do List’ for an overview of services . Make an appointment to see a counselor or just walk in.  The downtown office is at 425 6th Ave., 22nd Floor of the Regional Enterprise Tower, 412-552-7100.  Allegheny East Office in Forest Hills is at 2040 Ardmore Blvd., 412-436-2225 or 866-317-JOBS ( a block or two before the Citizen Bank tower on the right).  Swissvale patrons may ask to speak with the director, Larry Pulhalla (412-436-2253)

b.    http://online.onetcenter.org/skills  - Find careers related to your skills on this site developed by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network.  You can also use this site as a resource for your cover letters since job specified skills are highlighted.  And finally, you can use this site to think about retraining, using the skills you’ve already developed in another line of work.

c.     http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us/gsipub/index.asp?docid=405 –  The Career Guide.  Whether you are a student, an educator, a first-time jobseeker, parent or a person considering a career change, you will find the Career Guide a valuable tool as you make those all-important career decisions. It contains wage and job outlook information for more than 250 occupations, interest assessments, tips for marketing yourself, sources of financial aid and contact information for Pennsylvania's public schools,

d.       http://www.paworkstats.state.pa.us/ Center for Workforce Information and Analysis has other help features aside from the Career Guide. Click on ‘Services for Individuals’ and look into their ‘career exploration tools’ and ‘educator and counselor services’ for valuable information in deciding the type of job you wish to pursue.  

e.   www.careerdevelopmentcenter.org - Located at 5743 Bartlett Street (412-422-8756) on the second floor of the Jewish Family & children Services, the careet development center is open to all but does an excellent job helping seniors find work and/or retrain.    

f.      www.youthlinkpittsburgh.com – a collaboration of South Pittsburgh service providers and the Career Link system.  It works to help young people (14 – 21) access education, employment, and career opportunities. 

g.       http://www.carnegielibrary.org/research/jobsedu/findingajob.html - The Career Development Center (CDC) is a division of Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS), and offers career counseling, job search assistance, a career resource center, and workshops and seminars.  Internship sites and international employment are especially informative (towards the bottom of the listing)

Step 2 – Training and Retraining Opportunities: The objective is to set yourself up with the skills and training necessary for the job or jobs you wish to pursue.

a.        http://jobcorps.dol.gov/about.htm - For young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who need to complete their education, upgrade their skills and learn how to apply for a job and work within a company.

b.      http://careerlinkpittsburgh.com – under resources, a drop-down menu, click on individual services for an overview of what career links has to offer you.

c.       http://www.bidwell-training.org/ - The Bidwell Training Center provides career training at no cost to qualified applicants. Career training includes high-tech, culinary, and medical fields.

d.      www.youthlinkpittsburgh.com – a collaboration of South Pittsburgh service providers and the Career Link system.  It works to help young people (14 – 21) access education, employment, and career opportunities.

Step 3 – Job Search – Once you have identified the job(s) and have obtained the necessary skills and/or training, you need to begin looking for employment opportunities.  You may find them on lists serves and employer websites.  There are also job search sites for educational professionals like HigherEdJobs.com as well as professional newsletters and journals. Newspapers, in print or online, publish a variety of job openings and is a good source for local jobs