Offline Career Research Resources

Be sure to time to learn about a new career before seting up Informational Interviews. Doing this will supply you with basic information and help you formulate your questions.

Here is a list of some titles you will probably find at your local library.

1. Dictionary of Occupational Titles - Comprehensive two-part volume includes brief descriptions of over 12,000 occupations. How to use this book:
   • If you have the occupation's DOT Number use the numbers found on the top corner of the page as your guide
   • If you do not have a DOT Number look under the Job Categories listed in the Table of Contents in Volume I or Volume II. For example, information on Data Entry Clerks is found under the Clerical and Sales Occupations category.
2. The Enhanced Guide for Occupational Exploration - Includes brief descriptions of 2,500 jobs. How to use this book:
   • Use the Appendixes in the back of the book to search by Alphabetical Order, Industry Groupings and/or Educational Level.
3. America's Top Jobs for People Without a Four-Year Degree - This book includes information on 165 occupations. More in-dept, these two to three page descriptions include the working conditions, job outlook, earnings and additional references. How to use this book:
   • Look in the Table of Contents for the occupation title. There is additional career-planning information in Section Two and the Appendixes.
4. The Occupational Outlook Handbook - Includes fairly extensive information on 250 occupations. The two to three page descriptions include training and advancement, earning and titles of related occupations. How to use this book:
   • If you have the occupation's DOT Number you can use the Dictionary of Occupations Titles Coverage list in the back of the book.
   • If you do not have a DOT Number look for the job title listed under the Occupational Coverage categories found in the Contents. For example, information on Personnel Clerks is found under Administrative Support Occupations, Including Clerical.

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