How do you find the right career for you? Step–by–step...

STEP 1 - Self-Assessment

What are your interests - what you like and don't like? What are your skills?

STEP 2 - Time for a California Reality Check

How much money do you need to make to maintain your lifestyle? Can you afford the new Mustang or need to get a used car?

STEP 3 - Explore your Career Options

  

California Occupational Guides - Now with Local Information - Job description and requirements, job outlook, benefits and wages, licensing, education, training, links to possible employers, how to find a job, and links to additional resources.

Keyword Search

Topic Search:

• Projections of Employment by Industry and Occupation
• Top paying jobs
• Jobs with the most openings
• Fastest-growing occupations
• What jobs match your interests?
• Jobs by training/education needed
• Green Occupational Guides
• Occupational Guides in Spanish

STEP 4 - Get Ready for the Job

Now that you know your career goal what do you need to get the job?  Do you need Training or an Apprenticeship?  License?  Résumé Tips?

STEP 5 - Find the Job

See the Job Search Tools on the right.

Before you ask for a raise or negotiate with a new employer on your salary, learn about wages paid in your area...

• Find what employers are paying for your job in your area:  Occupation Profile
• See wages for All Occupations in your Area (Excel files)

Trends in Wages:

• Are your raises linked to the Consumer Price Index? See the Local Area Profile for the CPI applicable for your area.
• The National Compensation Survey has wages and benefits for the nation, states, and metro areas.

As of January 1, 2008, the minimum wage in California is $8.00 per hour.

Education Pays
Everyone tells you to stay in school. But did you know – your education makes a difference on how much money you can make?

Math at work: Using numbers on the job
How does math factor into careers? More than you might think!

Bloggers and webcomic artists: Careers in online creativity
Who are the digital media workers and what are their challenges?

• California Career Planning Guide (CalCRN)
• California CareerZone
• Career One Stop (National)
• Electronic Tools Guide
• My Skills My Future
• Occupational Outlook Handbook (National)    (en español)
• O*NET – Occupational Information Network (National)
• STEPS - School To Employment Pathways System (California Postsecondary Education Commission)
• Toolbox for Job Seekers    (en español)
• Veterans Benefits 101
• WorkSmart    (en español)

• Job Dislocation 101: Smart Tips to Plan Ahead and Manage the Financial Impact
• Frequently Asked Questions and Helpful Tips for Filing for Unemployment Insurance Benefits in California
• Destitución del Empleo (Conocimientos Básicos): Consejos Acertados para Planificar con Anticipación y Manejar el Impacto Financiero
• Preguntas Frecuentes y Consejos Útiles para Presentar su Solicitud de Beneficios del Seguro de Desempleo en California

• "Memo to Staff: Take More Risks—CEOs Urge Employees to Embrace Failure and Keep Trying" - Leslie Kwoh, The Wall Street Journal; March 20, 2013
• "Take Your Search for a Job Offline" - Dennis Nishi, The Wall Street Journal; March 24, 2013
• "A CEO’s Advice For The Third Chapter Of Your Career" - Richard Eisenberg, Forbes; April 5, 2013
• "6 Actions of Great Managers" - Karl Stark and Bill Stewart, Inc.com; April 11, 2013
• "All Your Employees Should See This (Old) Movie" - Michael Alter, Inc.com; April 16, 2013

These links are provided as informational only. EDD is not responsible for the content. (updated on 4-22-2013)

• Find Job Openings online with CalJOBS^SM or JOBCentral
• Find - Job Fairs and Workshops - bringing employers and job seekers together.
• Find Local Job Assistance Offices - America’s Service Locator
• What industries employ this occupation? Look at the Staffing Patterns by Industry.
• Find Employers that may have job openings. Search by industry, occupation, geography or name.
• What to Do When You Have Been Laid Off?

IMPORTANT NOTE: California Unemployment Insurance claimants must go to CalJOBS^SM to create a resume that can be seen by employers.

Your résumé is an employer’s first impression of you! Make it the best with tips from:

• California Occupational Guides – can help you build your résumé with job information on working conditions, skills, tasks, and knowledge by using the easy keyword search feature.
• WorkSmart – tips for your application and résumé including cover letter samples.
• Résumés & Letters from Monster.com
• Résumé Guide from JobStar

IMPORTANT NOTE:  California Unemployment Insurance claimants must go to CalJOBS^SM to create a résumé that can be seen by employers.

• Career Ladders Build Skilled Work Force
• LMI Help for Workers in the Mortgage and Real Estate Industries
• LMI Help for Dislocated Workers
• EDD Services for Dislocated Workers

• When do I get paid overtime?
• When am I entitled to holiday pay or sick leave and vacation?
• What is an Independent Contractor?
• File a Wage Complaint with the Dept of Industrial Relations
• Other Frequently Asked Questions about Employer – Employee Rights – Dept of Industrial Relations

• LMI Advisory Group
• LMI Glossary of Terms
• LMI Publications
• "LMI e-Newsletter"
• Información general en Español