Share Your Experience with the California State Library! Fill Out 3 minutes survey (in English or Spanish) about your experience using the following online resources. The survey results will help determine the right resources for our community. 

Start the Survey

Library eResources

Available through the Library's Website

The California State Library offers several learning platforms for career enhancement, job skills training, digital literacy, and life-long learning. Learn online from Coursera, GetSetUp, LearningExpress Library Complete, LinkedIn Learning, NorthStar Digital Literacy, and Skillshare.
This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. (Library patrons do not need a library card to sign up for the resources except for the LinkedIn Learning.)

Brainfuse JobNow provides live interactive online help combined with online resources to guide you through the necessary tasks to get a job. Career assessments (eParachute) and resources are available. Live job coaching is available daily from 1:00 to 10:00 pm PST. Brainfuse JobNow is an all-in-one suite of services designed for a wide range of career needs: whether it’s tackling a resume, writing a cover letter, developing additional skills, or adjusting to a new career.

 (Log in with your Thousand Oaks Library card)

Brainfuse VetNow - Live Job Coaching, Resume Assistance, and more... Live VetNow Coaches are available every day of the week, including weekends, from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Download User Guide     
Watch Video Tutorial

This service is offered courtesy of the California State Library. (No Thousand Oaks Library card needed)

Data Axle Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA)  - Identify potential employers, geographically and by business categories. Search the Businesses database by geography and type of business. Use the "Advanced Search."

To access the above resources from the Library's home page, click on the link to "Virtual Library" then click on "Research."

 (Log in with your Thousand Oaks Library card and PIN)

Library Materials 

Search the Library's catalog for material on job hunting.

Suggested search terms:

• Resumes employment
• Job hunting

Networking to Get a Job

This short video shows how to network and explains why networking is so important to finding a job.

E-mail Services

You will need to establish an e-mail account to apply for jobs. Examples of e-mail services that are free and reliable:

• Gmail
• Outlook

Social Networks

• Facebook
• LinkedIn

Local Public Sector Jobs

• County of Ventura
• City of Thousand Oaks
• CalJOBS

Web Resources

(Not affiliated with the Library)

• Indeed.com - A search engine for online job boards, with the ability to search by salary
• JobStar - Ads, job fairs, hotlines
• Snagajob - 250,000 part-time jobs
• American Job Center - Information and help for job seekers from the federal government
• LinkUp Job Search Engine - Searches company websites for job openings
• Careers in California Government - Jobs working for the State of California
• Glassdoor.com - Provides job listings, reviews of employers and salary information.
• Monster.com - One of the top online job boards
• The National Labor Exchange - Jobs in all 50 states
• SimplyHired - A job search engine
• CalJOBS - Jobs in California, with opportunity to create an online profile for job seekers.

Avoiding Job Scams

Federal Trade Comission - How to tell legitimate employers from scammers.

Interview Question: "Why should we hire you?" 

This video for students is by the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, Career Management Office.

Other Job Resources for Californians

• AARP Job Board: Job Search for Seniors
• American Library Association resource guide: Workforce innovation resources for libraries
• CalCareers: To get a state job
• California Career Resource Network: California’s official resource for career exploration and planning
• California Workforce Association: Resources listed on CWA website
• Career Bookstore: Streaming videos and online test prep materials, physical materials
• Career One-Stop: Career exploration and training
• Career Online High School: High School diploma available through California public libraries
• Employment Development Department, State of CA: Jobseeking and unemployment claims
• Gale Business Plan Builder: Paid subscription for Libraries for small business
• GCF Learn Free: Basic math, computer, and other job skills tutorials from Goodwill Industries
• Grow with Google: Resources for job searching, often for people at entry level tech. Very simplistic slide information. A certain ability and comfort with technology is implied.
• Guide to Govt. benefits: Support for unemployed
• MyNextMove.org: Career Guidance
• NELP – National Employment Law Project: Current laws and protections for workers during the pandemic
• O*Net OnLine: Database of information on skills, abilities, knowledges, work activities, and interests associated with occupations. Supported by U.S. Department of Labor
• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Resource for determining growing jobs and fields, and average salaries
• OnwardCA: Wrap around referrals for those in need–addressing hierarchy of needs
• Resume.com: Making resume writing easy. Resume builder with templates, design help, and best practices.
• SkillUp : For recently unemployed, making $40,000 or less annually
• VA for Vets: Federal employement for vets
• VIP Learning: Online distance education for vocational training
• Workforce 50: Job Search and resources focused on those over 50

Sources: California State Library Career Pathways

Resources for Teens

This video by Career Girls gives strategies for finding a summer job.  The advice is equally valid for men and women.

Electronic Resources (Library card is required to access the databases outside the library.)

Web Resources for Teens

These resources are useful for teens in addition to the ones above.

Sitters.com - Listings for sitters and nannies.

Care.com - Provides listings for sitters and nannies, pet care, adult and senior care, and home care.

CoolWorks.com - Jobs in great places

Get That Gig - Why not do something cool?

SummerJobs.com - Summer job listings

Camp Staff - Summer camp jobs

This video by TheEmployable presents the right way to fill out employment applications.