Career and Job Search Help Blog

Here's a list of recommended tools and resources to help you in today's competitive job market.

Social Insurance number – register or update the information that the government has on file for you.

Tip: don't include your SIN in your resume; only give it to your new employer when you start your job. However you may need it to apply for job search training and other programs or funding.

Free help – register with an employment resource centre or other agency to help you with your search. Check out job search programs at the library and government and community agencies.

Start with Transitions to Employment to learn about the kinds of programs that are available. Sessions are held around the city, including some of our library branches. Then look for a location for ongoing help from an employment counselor from these lists.

• Job search training
• Employment resource centres

E-mail address – you need an email address to apply for many jobs and to take advantage of job alerts and other services. Free e-mail accounts are available from Yahoo Canada, Google (Gmail) and more. Be sure to use a "grownup" or business-like name for your account, not "bestfriends" or "elvis_lives"!

Information – the vast majority of jobs are not advertised. Find companies in your field or who hire people with your skills, then contact them!

• Ontario labour market information – check labour market information to see where the jobs are and to help you decide on your job target.
• Scott's directories online – find Canadian businesses. Library card required to use at home.
• Labour Market Information – potential employers
• Cold calling and cold contacts – tips on contacting employers
• Use job search sites and job boards, especially those that find opportunities on the career pages of companies

Resume – be sure to have a professional at an ERC (employment resource centre) check out your resume. See "free help" – above.

• Check out our books, DVDs and websites

Cover letter – craft a cover letter for the job you are applying for.

Check out our books, DVDs and websites

References – select three or four people who can vouch for your work skills or character. Get their permission and make sure they have your up-to-date resume.

• The keys to choosing and using the best job references
• Choosing your references

Network – tell everyone you know about your job search. Try online social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter. If you are looking for a professional job, be sure to look at LinkedIn.

• Contacts and networking
• Tapping the hidden job market
• Job searching 2.0: looking for work "new school"
• Linkedin

A plan! Keeping track: how to organize your job search – during your job search, you may amass a large quantity of information. Keeping all this organized is important to avoid missing deadlines or getting swamped.

More help – library staff are ready and willing to help you. Just ask!

I tried to be comprehensive. If I have left something out, please post a reply!

Revision May 12, 2010: revised opening sentence. Added last sentence.