Ready Reference Tip #1: Civil Service: Where Should I Look?

Finding open vacancies through Civil Service can be a complex and complicated process. Each department may maintain their own Civil Service Vacancies page or have different ways to apply. The easiest way to find Civil Service Open-Competitive positions is through the The Chief (also online at http://thechiefleader.com/) and Federal Jobs (Also online at http://www.jobsfed.com/) Newspapers. These periodicals, found in the Career Center, are the easiest way to find open positions in the area. Because they are Reference copies, they may not leave the library. But ask us, and we will be happy to show you where they are.

Also, it’s important to note that Suffolk County Civil Service is not listed in the Chief or Federal Jobs. You will have to go through the Suffolkcountyny.gov website to find vacancies in Suffolk County. Another major employer, Stony Brook University, is also not listed. Vacancies @ Stony Brook could be found by clicking here.

Jobipedia.org

Have you ever wished there was a site where you could ask qualified experts for Career Advice? Jobipedia.org is that site. Created by the HR Policy Association, Jobipedia.org allows you to submit a question or search for answers responded to by the United States’ largest companies. From Kellogg’s to American Express, you can get answers such as what to do if you are pregnant and interviewing, when to look for internships, and whether online education is worth it. These answers will help you in finding your next job.

How to Skip the Sleaze and Build a Real Professional Network

Here’s the lowdown: a “professional network” is just code for “friends who are willing to help each other professionally.” Building yours doesn’t have to be hard, and it shouldn’t feel sleazy. Here’s how to do it.

How to Skip the Sleaze and Build a Real Professional Network – LifeHacker

Don’t forget to read this resource-rich and highly informative article on building your professional network. In simple language, it explains that your professional network is really just a buzzword for your work-friends. If you think of them as they really are, people you enjoy spending time with (Most people work 40-50 hours a week at work) and would help you as you would help them, then the conniving air of “Network-building” disappears. It has helpful tips for keeping in touch with former colleagues as well. Above all, treat your network like the people you respect and appreciate. Make time to spend time with them!

Questions You Should Ask in Your Job Interview

Remember that an interview is a two-way conversation. For you, the interview has three purposes, in the following order of importance:

• One, to sell yourself, 

• Two, to evaluate the position, and,

• Three, get their commitment for (or at least establish their desire for) the next step in the process (whatever it is)

Don’t forget to ask questions during your job interview, for the following reasons above. Pohly’s Net Guide has a listing of important job questions you can ask during the job interview, in case you’re stuck and not sure what to ask. As always, make sure to tailor the questions to your job search and functions. A question such as, “Are any acquisitions, divestitures, or proxy fights on the horizon?” may not be appropriate for certain types of jobs. As always, use common sense and don’t think of asking questions as a bad thing. 

P.S. Pam Pohly’s website also has a listing of resources for workers in the medical profession. Take a look at the resources they have to offer.

Books about Interviewing:
Barrier-Breaking Resumes & Interviews – Jumping the Hurdle of Unemployment  - Anita Doreen Diggs

No Nonsense Job Interviews : How to Impress prospective employers and ace any interview – Arnold Boldt
Sweaty Palms : The Neglected Art of Being Interviewed – H. Anthony Medley

101 Blog Posts Every Nurse Should Read

Nursing requires almost superhuman strength, stamina, and compassion. And due to its nature, none involved in the profession practice in a vacuum. Both students and recent graduates preparing to enter into their studies or career should look to the experiences of their predecessors for information and inspiration. Some have plenty to say about the profession and their particular specializations.

101 Blog Posts Every Nurse Should Read 

Thinking about going to Nursing School or already enrolled? This website lists 101 Blog Posts that every Nurse should read!

Schools of Nursing – NYS Nurses Association

NYSA – School of Nursing

The New York State Nurses Association have listed licensed Nursing Schools for the convenience of students interested in a Career in the Nursing professions. Also included is a valuable FAQ for Nurses interested in continuing their education as well as technical questions.

Learning Express – The Practice Test Database

Learning Express, the library database dedicated to computer instruction and practice exams have added new exams for you to use. The new materials available are:

• Registered Medical Assistant Practice Exam, with an interactive 200 question exam for anyone looking to take the Registered Medical Assistant Certification Exam
• Test of English for International Communication, used by “more than 9000 companies, government agencies, and english language learning programs in more than 90 countries”. Learning Express offers 2 interactive practice tests, with 219 questions styled to the form, content, and timing of the TOEIC.
• The PRAXIS II: ParaPro Test Prep
• Write your way into College: College Admissions Essay
• Geometry Success in 20 Minutes a Day, 3e

This is on top of the Career Exams and test guides already available and free to use on the Learning Express Database. With Video Software tutorials to help you learn Excel and Powerpoint, Civil Service Exams, Citizenship Study resources, Skill Building improvement and Spanish-Language Resources, Learning Express is a complete and highly useful database for job-seekers and beginning computer users.

 

CNA Exam Preparation – Written Exam Preparation

If you are taking the CNA exam in New York, the Written Exam section requires you to take a multiple-choice, Computer examination. There are 60 multiple-choice questions, with 90 minutes given to complete the written portion of the exam. If you visit the Nurse’s Aide Manual by clicking here, you can see the Content Outline of the written portion on Page 24-25. The outline also includes a percentage to each section, letting the tester understand the exact construction of the exam. Prometric, the administrator of the Exam, offer an interactive practice exam for 10$ on their website. The Practice exam contains 50 questions, written in the same way as the actual exam. You can register for the practice exam by clicking here. If the candidate considers English to be their second language, they can opt to take the Written Portion Orally. In order to determine whether a candidate has the proper reading skills to take the Written Exam, on page 27-28, there is a short reading assessment to determine which is the best course of action.

In the library, feel free to request the CNA study guide from a librarian or online by clicking here. These books are located in the Test collection, which is to the left of the reference desk and left of the Career Computers. You could also use Learning Express, which is on the right hand side of this page.

 

Click on Learning Express, and create a username and password if you haven’t already done so (It’s free). Once you’re logged in, you can click on the section on the left titled Occupation Practice Tests.

 

Clicking on the Nursing and Allied Health Tab will expand the section and show you all the different Practice Exams available.  Other Exams include Certified Medical Assistant, NCLEX-RN, ExCPT, and Veterinary Technician. 

Click on the Licensure and Certification Test Preparation to expand that section.

 

If you click on “Add to My Center”, you will then be able to take the practice exam. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at the library.

Virtual Career Network Healthcare Site Live!

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a new online tool that will allow current and prospective health care workers to explore more than 80 different occupations, identify local education and training programs, and tap into current job listings. Through the Virtual Career Network, users also can learn how previous experience such as military or on-the-job training can be applied toward a health care career, take free online courses and find sources of financial aid.

The Department of Labor launched a new Website dedicated to learning about working in Healthcare. Called the Virtual Career Network (Healthcare), anyone interested in working in the Medical, Dental or Nursing fields should visit this site. While it might not help in getting a job right away, it will help you understand what it takes to get in the field from a reliable source. With the information given, develop the plan that works best for you to attain that career goal.

The Resources part of the page is invaluable, listing National Association websites related to Healthcare. These websites often have job boards with reliable job listings, so keep that in mind when visiting this site.