What's a Business Center, anyway?

Robert T. Bolo, Jr. Business Center

When you hear "business center" what comes to mind? My mind immediately goes to the business centers you see in airport terminals or hotels. These places are used by "business people" to print, fax, scan, make use the wireless internet, or simply use an electrical outlet to charge their phone while they are traveling. Generally self-serve and unstaffed, these locations bear little resemblance to the GDL Business Center in Grand Blanc.

Looking for work? Read on...

Resume Workshop coming to Genesee District Library

Attend. Get Hired. Succeed.

Looking for a job is stressful and it doesn't take much to feel lost among the many career websites and multitude of opinions regarding your resume. The Genesee District Library has partnered with  the local office of Michigan Works! to host a set of three seminars focused on getting you prepared for your next job. Our next FREE event, "Resume's that Work" is THIS MONDAY, April 22nd from 10:00 AM - Noon here at the Grand Blanc branch.

Michigan Works! has close relationships with many local businesses who are hiring, and has access to job postings found nowhere else. Coming to this workshop might well connect you to your next employer. I have here a list of local, open positions from last week's seminar. Michigan Works can help you take the next step. 

Take advantage of this incredible opportunity. 

Bring Your Resume. 

Make a Reservation Below.

Date: Monday, April 22

Time: 10:00 AM -Noon

Location: McFarlen Library 515 Perry Road, Grand Blanc

Click HERE to make a reservation

Upcoming April Events!

April is a busy month filled with activities here in Grand Blanc. Not only is Money Smart Week April 21-27, but the library is welcoming both Genesee/Shiawassee Michigan Works! and GreenPath Debt Solutions. The details for each event are below.

Set of 3 FREE Seminars

Monday, April 15, 22, and 29th

10:00 AM - Noon

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

 April 15: Forces Impacting Your Job Search

April 22: Resumes' that Work

April 29: Breaking the Hidden Job Market

Please pass this information along to anyone who is struggling to find work, and wants more information on the current status of the job market. These are local hiring experts who know this area well. 

After being cancelled back in March due to weather conditions, the debt professionals from the Flint office of GreenPath Debt Solutions will return to present "How to Understand Your Credit Report." This is another FREE event. Please register online by clicking HERE. 

Date: Thursday, April 18th

Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Grand Blanc - McFarlen Library

Bring your questions for a post seminar Q & A session!

Money Smart Week is fast approaching and I hope the previous posts regarding some of the free resources available have been helpful. Keep checking back for posts, there is so much more to share! The highlight of Money Smart Week will be Tuesday, April 23 at 6:45 PM here at the Grand Blanc branch, as we will join a live webcast which includes more tips and information from finance experts from across the country. The library has also received a great deal of excellent resources from FINRA that will be available at this time.

Please register for this event through the GDL's event calendar, available on our website, thegdl.org, very soon.

Upcoming Resume and Interviewing Workshops

Need to update your resume?

Have an upcoming job interview?

Genesee District Library's own Heather Gill, a certified professional in human resources (PHR), will host an informational session on  Wednesday, November 7th at 2PM, here in the Grand Blanc branch. Entitled "How to Write a Winning Resume," Heather will discuss the "do's" and "dont's" when organizing your experience and qualifications. This is a free event, but you must register in advance. Register by clicking here.

After your resume is well-organized and ready for a potential employer, your mind will likely go to the critical first interview. What questions can you expect? How should you dress? On Wednesday, November 14th, the Grand Blanc branch will be hosting "Sharpening Your Interviewing Skills" at 2PM. This even is also free, but registration is also required. To register, click here.

If you're working during these two events and would still like some information about resume writing and interview tips, please stop by the Business Center, or contact me directly (click "Contact Us" at top of page), and I will gladly assist you in any way possible.

Interested in Studying Entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneur magazine (which we receive here at the library), has ranked graduate and undergraduate entrepreneur programs in the United States. It appears that these rankings are specific to entrepreneurship programs, and not the various other business programs at the universities. The University of Michigan's graduate program has been ranked #2, while it does not appear on the undergraduate list. The Top 5 in each category are below; for a complete list click the link above. 

Undergraduate Programs
1. Babson College (MA)
2. Baylor University (TX)
3. University of Houston
4. University of Southern California
5. Washington University in St. Louis

Graduate Programs
1. Babson College
2. University of Michigan
3. Brigham Young University (UT)
4. Rice University (TX)
5. University of Texas at Austin

If you're looking to study business or other disciplines, stop by the Business Center or check out our online catalog ("Find Books" at top of page ). Genesee District Library has many resources to aid you as you choose an academic program that fits your personal and professional goals.

Writing your Resume?

If you've asked more than one person how your resume should be formatted you've probably heard 2 or more different answers. This is for good reason: a resume is a reflection of you, an individual with specific experiences, talents, and views. While resume's are unique, there are certainly best practices that should be considered.

The Genesee District Library offers a free resume builder on all public computer terminals. Your resume can also be formatted and easily altered in Microsoft Word, also available on GDL computers. Print, Fax, and Copy services are available here in the Grand Blanc branch. 

If you have questions about your resume, the Business Center Librarian is happy to speak with you and assist you in formatting a resume which will best suit your specific career goals. Please see the "Reference Desk Hours" tab at the top of the page for availability. 

Lastly, I wanted to list several books which might help you in constructing your resume:

Career Change Resume (2003, Available for Download)

The Damn Good Resume Guide (2012)

Gallery of Best Resumes (2012)

The Google Resume (2011)

The Quick  Resume & Cover Letter Book (2011)

Resume and Cover Letter Phrase Book (2011)

Resumes for the 50+ Job Hunter (2009, Available for Download)

Same-Day Resume (2012)

 

Choose the "Find Books" tab at the top of the page and search by title for current availability. 

There are many more relevant titles here in the Business Center, so stop by!

 

Job Hunting?

Looking for work can be frustrating. Very. Frustrating.

Yesterday I spoke with 2 patrons who were looking for work, and it was yet another reminder of the diverse and relevant sources here in the Business Center. Maybe you're looking to refresh your resume or need to prepare for an important interview. Google any job-related term and you get a multitude of hits, but it can be daunting to sift through the results and decide who to trust. 

While the task of job-hunting can be daunting, and much of the process is out of your control, there are many actions you can take to be prepared. Stop by McFarlen Library and browse the many resources related to resumes, interviewing and other workplace etiquette and be better prepared for your next opportunity.