The Free Library is pleased to announce the launch of a number of new resources for Philadelphians in search of a new job or career!

Workshops, career fairs, and a new website are part of the Free Library’s expansion of services focused on the needs of job seekers, emerging literacy-level adults, and those who lack the digital access and digital literacy skills required to obtain stable, reliable employment. With support secured by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation from Citizens Charitable Foundation, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and PECO, these new and renewed initiatives for job seekers will ramp up throughout April.

Revamped Job Seekers Web Page and Database 
The Free Library has launched a new web page dedicated to job seekers that features an events calendar full of webinars and workshops; opportunities for résumé review, mock interviews, and headshots; and career exploration tools. Later this month, the page will also include a database of training programs that lead to opportunity occupations as well as employer profiles and testimonials from trainers and recent program graduates.

Philly Career Launch 
The Philly Career Launch initiative aims to improve the economic prospects of unemployed workers and new job seekers by connecting them to and helping them qualify for occupations that are accessible to workers without a bachelor’s degree and typically paying above the national annual median wage. This day-long virtual workshop series will highlight these occupations in four industries: construction and trades, health care, information technology, and manufacturing. The day will combine information about the highlighted industries with discussion and individual reflection. This series will be presented on Wednesday, May 5; Tuesday, May 11; Saturday, May 15; Thursday, May 20; Tuesday, May 25, and attendees are invited to drop in as their schedules allow. 

Career Fairs 
Hosted at the end of each Philly Career Launch series, these career fairs will give job seekers the opportunity to have direct contact with training programs and employers, setting the stage for future employment. The first career fairs will take place Monday, June 14 through Thursday, June 17, with additional dates to be added in the fall of 2021.

Digital Literacy Support and Job Seeker Workshops
Using a new professional development program with our partner Media Education Consulting (MEC), the Free Library’s Digital Resource Specialists will be available to help job seekers plan and achieve their goals from digital access to support and training. In addition, the Free Library is offering virtual workshops, currently running every month and presented by Full Circle Group, that cover topics such as résumé writing, active interview skills, job search strategies, networking, and using LinkedIn.

These initiatives are made possible by Citizens Charitable Foundation (Philly Career Launch); Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation (Digital Literacy Curriculum); the Institute of Museum and Library Services (Career Training Database, web page update, and job seeker workshops); and PECO (Philly Career Launch and job seeker web page update).