Navigating your career path can be complex, but there are many valuable resources available to help you along the way.
Here’s an overview of some tools our career counselors often recommend.
Career Exploration
Embark on your career journey with valuable labor market data to help you make informed decisions about your future. Whether you’re discovering new career options, evaluating job growth and wages, or assessing the true cost of living, these resources offer comprehensive information to guide your choices.
My Next Move
My Next Move – Explore over 900 careers, discover tasks, skills, and salaries, and get personalized career suggestions based on your interests and experience.
O*NET
O*NET – Access detailed occupational information to understand job requirements and market trends, crucial for career planning and job searching.
- O*NET Crosswalks: Explore job titles and roles across various databases, including military and education sectors. Learn about job responsibilities, required skills, and typical work activities for different occupations.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides detailed profiles of hundreds of occupations, including education requirements, pay, job outlook, and more, to help you make informed career decisions.
Map Your Career
Map Your Career is an educational tool that illustrates the labor market in Seattle-King County. Explore industries like healthcare and manufacturing, learn about current trends, sample wages, and career pathways to make informed decisions about your future.
Career Bridge
Career Bridge – Find education programs, view job trends, and assess which careers fit your interests and are in demand in Washington.
Occupations in Demand List
Occupations in Demand List – Identify careers in demand, balanced, or not in demand in your area, and get information on job growth, wages, and educational requirements.
Skills Profiler
The Skills Profiler helps you objectively assess your strengths and weaknesses across 35 work-related skill areas, translating your profile into career path recommendations that match your skills.
Self-Sufficiency Calculator
Self-Sufficiency Calculator – Calculate your family’s cost of living based on your location and household composition, helping you budget and evaluate job offers.
Skills Development & Training Programs
Enhance your career with practical skills and certifications. Whether you’re aiming to improve your computer skills, earn a certification, or complete specialized training, these resources provide the support you need to advance your career and achieve your professional goals.
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop offers a wide range of free tools for career planning and job searching. Key tools for career exploration include:
- Interest Assessment: Matches your interests to potential careers.
- Occupation Profile: Provides detailed reports on over 900 occupations.
- Compare Occupations: Compares employment trends across occupations.
- Work Values Matcher: Helps you discover careers that align with your values.
Resources for People Collecting Unemployment Insurance
If you’re receiving unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, job training might impact your benefits. Learn more about:
- Commissioner-Approved Training (CAT): Allows you to collect UI while retraining without having to look for work.
- Training Benefits (TB): Can extend your UI benefits for training in high-demand fields.
- Trade Act Agreement (TAA): Training and job search assistance for workers who lose their jobs due to foreign trade.
- Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP): Support and resources for unemployed workers interested in starting their own business while still receiving UI benefits.
- Dislocated Worker (WIOA): Provides funding for training, career counseling, and support services for individuals who have been laid off or are unlikely to return to their previous occupation.
- Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET): Offers employment and training services to eligible individuals receiving food assistance.
Computer Skill Training
Enhance your computer skills and stay competitive in today’s job market with a variety of training options:
- Seattle Public Library and King County Public Library: Both library systems offer free computer skill training classes, covering basic to advanced topics. Access workshops on internet use, software applications, and more.
- WorkSource Rainier and WorkSource Auburn: Attend digital skills classes at these WorkSource locations, where you can learn essential computer skills and gain proficiency in tools used in many workplaces.
- EdX Verizon Skill Forward: Explore online courses offered through the EdX Verizon Skill Forward program. These classes provide comprehensive training in digital skills, from basic computer literacy to advanced technical skills, accessible from anywhere.
Financial Aid for Training
Depending on your situation, you may qualify for federal or state assistance with job training. We recommend meeting with a WorkSource staff member to navigate these options. Call or visit your local office to set up an appointment.
Career Coach
Career Coach helps you discover majors and in-demand careers based on your interests. It also includes a simple resume builder to create a strong starting point for your job search.
Coursera
WorkSource Seattle-King County has partnered with Coursera to provide free access to over 9,500 job skills classes and 700 certifications taught by top instructors from leading universities and companies.
Learn in-demand skills and earn certificates at your own pace with no previous experience needed. Contact an employment specialist for more information on how you can access the full Coursera catalogue for free.
Career Bridge
Career Bridge helps you find education programs in Washington that align with your career goals. Discover the training you need to get the job you want.
SBCTC
SBCTC helps you explore community and technical colleges throughout Washington state. Whether you’re transferring to a university, training for a career, or taking basic courses, you can find the right program for your interests.
Start Next Quarter
Start Next Quarter lets you check if you qualify for free or reduced college tuition and fees through a quick survey. Note that this survey checks potential eligibility but does not guarantee funding.
BankWork$
BankWork$ is a free program for low-income young adults provided by YWCA, offering 8 weeks of industry-specific job training for banking positions. The program includes career navigation, coaching, and mentoring for up to a year after placement.
CareerWork$ Medical
CareerWork$ Medical, offered by Career Path Services, is a free 8-week training program for non-clinical roles in the healthcare industry. It provides career training, healthcare background education, job placement assistance, and ongoing coaching for career advancement.
Job Search
Maximize your job search efforts with a variety of tools designed to help you explore career options, prepare your resume, search for jobs, and connect with potential employers. These resources provide insights and support to enhance your applications and advance your career.
A study by state economists found unemployed workers who used WorkSource employment services found jobs faster than people who didn’t. Want personalized support with your job search? Connect with an Employment Counselor.
Career Coach – Resume Builder
Career Coach helps you discover majors and in-demand careers based on your interests. It also includes a simple resume builder to create a strong starting point for your job search.
Jobscan
Jobscan helps you optimize your resume to increase your chances of getting interviews. By matching your resume to job descriptions, Jobscan highlights the key experiences and skills recruiters are looking for, ensuring your resume gets noticed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
ChatGPT (and other AI chatbots)
ChatGPT can assist in various aspects of your job search. It helps you research companies, enhance your resume and cover letter, optimize your LinkedIn profile, and prepare for job interviews. Similar tools include Google’s Gemini, Anthropic’s Claude, and Microsoft’s CoPilot.
LinkedIn is a powerful tool for job searching and networking. Customize your job search, research companies, and apply for jobs directly. Keeping your profile updated and engaging with content helps you stand out to recruiters. Build your network and gain endorsements and recommendations to enhance your job search.
Indeed.com
Indeed is the world’s largest job site, offering millions of job listings. It connects job seekers with opportunities using AI-powered technology for better job matching. Indeed allows you to search for jobs, post resumes, and research companies, making it a comprehensive platform for job seekers.
WorkSourceWA.com
WorkSourceWA.com is a job-matching site created in partnership with Monster.com. It provides access to thousands of job listings and advanced search tools, helping job seekers find the right job and employers find the perfect candidate in Washington.
Find Employers in Washington
Find Employers in Washington provides contact information for employers across the state. You can search by industry, area, or specific employer name to find potential job opportunities.
CareerOneStop
CareerOneStop offers a wide range of free tools for career planning and job searching. Key tools for job search include:
- Resume Guide: Create a standout resume with tips and examples to catch employers’ attention.
- Interview Tips: Learn the secrets to successful interviewing and negotiating to boost your chances of landing the job.
- National Job Bank: Search job postings nationwide, drawing from data provided by the National Labor Exchange and ZipRecruiter.
Governmentjobs.com
Governmentjobs.com is a resource for finding government job openings at the local, state, and federal levels. It helps you explore public sector opportunities and apply for positions that match your skills and interests.
Glassdoor.com
Glassdoor is a leading job and recruiting site that provides job listings, company reviews, salary reports, and more. Employees share insights about company culture, benefits, and interview processes, helping you make informed decisions about potential employers.
Local Job Boards
Local job boards on city, county, university, and school district websites offer region-specific job listings. These boards are great for finding opportunities close to home and within local institutions, providing a focused search for regional employment.