At the Library: Get a Job

August 30, 2014July 25, 2014 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Need to perk up a tired, out-of-date resume? Want to learn how to successfully navigate an interview? Like some suggestions on where to begin your job search?

We can help! JobNow is the name of a wonderful online service available via the Cheshire Public Library’s website.

You can find all kinds of job search assistance on this site from resume resources to interview tips and career assessments. You can also conduct a job search from the JobNow homepage. Search by job title, keyword or even company name. Refine your search by city, state, or zip code.

And the best part? JobNow coaches are available seven days a week 3:00PM – 11:00PM EST for live interview coaching.

Take a look at some of these great JobNow features:

Resume Templates
Hints, tips & explanations of how to write the perfect resume
Free resume writing tutorial
Resume Lab: Submit your resume & receive constructive comments from a resume expert
Helpful tips for interview success
Common Interview Questions & Sample Responses
Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Online Resources: Carefully-selected resources to help you prepare for your interview

There is even a section describing the don’ts of interviewing (like don’t wear cologne or perfume, don’t be negative, and please, don’t arrive late!)

And for those who want to change careers or who aren’t certain what type of work suits them, JobNow offers career self-assessment tools and career aptitude tests that can help you discover the type of work activities and occupations that you would like and find exciting. I tried some of the assessment tools and discovered that I should be working in a literary or technology career, which makes library work a perfect fit. I’d say those tests are pretty darn accurate.

So before you jump into the job market, take a look at JobNow. It can give you that edge you need to succeed.

At the Library: Online Language Courses

July 22, 2014October 7, 2014 / Mary / Leave a comment

Hola, amigos! Comment allez-vous? Rydw i’n iawn diolch.

Wait a minute! Rydw i’n iawn diolch? Yes. That’s Welsh for “I am fine.”

Welcome to Transparent Language Online, a language-learning service with over 80 language options including English for speakers of other languages.

Accessed via the Cheshire Public Library website, library (“la bibliothèque” in French) cardholders can learn everything from Afrikaans to Zulu. Transparent Language Online features listening, reading, speaking, and writing exercises, as well as pronunciation analysis, vocabulary exercises, conversational language courses, and video grammar lessons. C’est vrai!

It has great features like Quick Start. Here, you’ll find a series of 10 simple lessons that will teach you 100 of the most useful words and phrases that form the foundation of your chosen language. The program will automatically track your progress, so you can start and stop any time without losing your place. This section is really useful. Kan du hjälpa mig? (“Can you help me?” in Swedish.) Molim te. (“Please” in Croatian.) An bheori. (“Beer” in Irish.)

And then there’s Vocabulary. The list in the sidebar shows the many subjects you have to choose from such as Asking for Directions, At the Hotel, and the all-important Bathroom. One of my favorite vocab lists? Dessert! Ah, what I wouldn’t give for some il cioccolato right now!

Reference. This is an assortment of useful tools to help you learn more about your language of choice: Grammar Tips, a Quick-Help Grammar Reference list, and History, which has interesting tidbits about the language. If you are studying Latin, you will discover that much of English vocabulary comes from ancient Rome, and our everyday communications are peppered with Latin phrases like et cetera and per capita.

Learned Items. Here, you can keep track of the vocabulary terms you’ve mastered and refresh your memory of learned items that you have not recently practiced. Each learned item is classified as “fresh” (meaning that you have practiced it recently or mastered it through repeated practice) or “stale” (meaning that it may be at risk of being forgotten). And let me tell you, being fluent in a language beats carrying around a kamusi (“dictionary” in Swahili).

Ciao.

At the Library: Digital Magazines

July 15, 2014October 7, 2014 / Mary / Leave a comment

How would you like to check out as many issues of your favorite magazines as you like without having to place a hold or worrying about when the magazines are due back at the library?

Wishful thinking, you say? A lovely fantasy? A dream from a reader’s fictional utopian world?

Nope. Welcome to the world of Zinio, online magazines that can be downloaded to your computer or mobile device. For free. Anytime you want. No limits.

You never have to place a hold because all issues and titles are always available. You can download as many as you like and keep them as long as you wish. That’s right. The magazines you download never expire.

The library has over seventy-five titles currently available. The digital magazine collection offers art, entertainment, automotive, home, lifestyle, men’s, news, science & technology, sports, travel, and women’s magazines. Many titles include interactive elements such as audio and video. (Check out National Geographic for a fantastic interactive experience. One of my personal faves.)

New titles at the library include: Apple Magazine, Atlantic, Backpacker, Better Homes & Gardens, Bicycling, Clean Eating, Everyday with Rachel Ray, Fitness, Games, Golf Tips, HGTV, Motor Trend, Natural Health, OK! Magazine, Outside, Saveur, and Star.

To browse the titles simply go to our website cheshirelibrary.org and click the Magazines link at the top of the page. If you need help creating an account for Zinio, take a peek at our handy How to Use Zinio cheat sheet.

For those who need more incentive to try Zinio, it was named the best new database of 2012 by Library Journal, who called the digital magazine collection a “game-changer”.