How to Research a Career
One of the most important steps in any job search, once you are fully aware of your interests, skills, and values, is figuring out the best way to fit these into a job that pays. It is necessary to do your own research in order to fully understand the job reequirements and work environments, as well as the path into and through the career options that best combine your needs and strengths. The following websites provide this kind of information and can serve as a great place to start your research for the job search.
The United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. Its mission is to collect, analyze, and disseminate essential economic information to support public and private decision-making. As an independent statistical agency, BLS serves its diverse user communities by providing products and services that are objective, timely, accurate, and relevant.
ONET Online Resource Center
The O*NET program is the nation's primary source of occupational information. Central to the project is the O*NET database, containing information on hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors. The database, which is available to the public at no cost, is continually updated by surveying a broad range of workers from each occupation. Information from this database forms the heart of O*NET OnLine, an interactive application for exploring and searching occupations. The database also provides the basis for our Career Exploration Tools, a set of valuable assessment instruments for workers and students looking to find or change careers.
Salary.com
Salary.com's consumer web site is a leading career management portal that gives individuals access to industry-leading salary information and a unique set of career management tools. The site engages individuals at every step of their career and offers advertisers unique opportunities to reach and influence them during key decision making moments.
http://salary.com/mysalary.asp
Vault
Vault will be the indispensable provider of information and solutions for professionals and students who are pursuing and managing high-potential careers. We will achieve this goal by delivering the timely and actionable insider information and advice that allows them to define and achieve personal success at every stage of their careers. Based on our knowledge of professionals and students, and our relationship with them, Vault will be a vital partner for companies seeking engagement with this valuable audience.
http://www.vault.com/wps/portal/usa
The Career Project
the career project.org is an interactive career profile database that helps you researchthousands of real careers and jobs through the eyes of the people who work them. Begin your career research now with our career profiles, informational interviews, career salary information and job profile descriptions.
http://www.thecareerproject.org/Home
Career OneStop: Pathways to Career Success
Your source for employment information and inspiration; The place to manage your careerYour pathway to career success; Tools to help job seekers, students, businesses and career professionals; Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
