Community Corner

Library Offers New Resource for Job-Seekers

JobNow provides live interview coaching and feedback on résumés.

The New Canaan Library has added a new online service to its compliment of career resources. JobNow is accessible to library patrons through the library Web site.

While the library already had materials in its collection on how to write a résumé or ace an interview, in addition to providing templates and tips JobNow also allows users to actually submit a résumé and get feedback or get interview coaching through live online chats between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. seven days a week.

“For those people who need it, it’s invaluable,” said library director Alice Knapp.

Last year the library saw an 11 percent increase in overall use. Knapp attributes some of that growth to more patrons using computers at the library to look for work, hone their job skills, or put together a business plan. There has also been more interest in workshops on blogging and social media like Facebook and LinkedIn.

“A lot of (the interest came from) people who were trying to network on the Internet or use a blog to promote a business idea. We had to respond by making sure we had the resources,” Knapp said.

JobNow joins the existing collection of resources for job-seekers available through the library’s Web site including the Jobs, Careers, Testing & Education Reference Center and links to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Peterson’s Career information, and the Riley Guide.

Knapp expects the library will host workshops on how to utilize JobNow in the fall.


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