The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on many businesses across the country. If you run a business or organization, you’re likely dealing with a lot right now, including doing all that you can to keep your employees safe and healthy. The GPO Bookstore offers resources that can help you out, providing recommended steps to ensure your employees maintain their health during this uncertain time.
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has prepared aGuidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID–19. In it, employers can find steps for reducing workers’ risk of exposure. These include developing an infectious disease preparedness and response plan, developing policies and procedures for prompt identification of sick people, and recognizing the best methods for communicating with employees.
This booklet will help you determine just how at-risk your employees are and what you can do to protect them from being exposed to the virus. It offers guidance on safe work practices. For example, employers should provide emergency responders and other essential personnel with alcohol-based hand rubs containing at least 60% alcohol. It also covers what kinds of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) employees should be wearing. Finally, it provides information on guidance for workers living and traveling abroad.
You may be familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA Act), which was passed to prevent workers from being killed or otherwise harmed at work. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers, including coronavirus. Brush up on what is required of you with this next resource.
Workers’ Rights from OSHA describes employer responsibilities, what OSHA covers, employees’ right to a safe and healthful workplace, how to contact OSHA, and more. This booklet explains workers’ rights to file confidential complaints with OSHA, review records of work-related injuries and illnesses that occur in their workplace, receive copies of their workplace medical records, and more. It also provides specific instructions on how to file a complaint, which can be done through the mail, online, or by telephone.
In addition to covering workers’ rights, the booklet details employer responsibilities such as prominently displaying the official OSHA poster, informing workers about hazards, keeping accurate records of work-related injuries, and much more. If you are an employer, check out this handbook to know what’s required of you. Some examples include requirements to provide fall protection, prevent exposure to high levels of noise, and prevent exposure to harmful levels of substances like asbestos and lead.
OSHA covers most private sector employers and employees in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions. Employees who work for state and local governments are not covered by Federal OSHA. But they do have OSH Act protections if they work in those states that have an OSHA-approved state plan. Read through the booklet to see if your state or territory has an OSHA-approved program. Federal employees who aren’t sure of their rights should also read the booklet. Finally, this resource outlines those who are not covered under the OSH Act, which includes people who are self-employed, immediate family members of farm employers, and more.
We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.
The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications
HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?
Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.
Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.
Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).
Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800. Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov
Summer is fast approaching. And although as most high school and college students are looking forward to a fun-filled or relaxing summer break, many of them will be searching for a summer job or internship. But, as we all know, seeking employment can be a daunting task if you’re not equipped with the right knowledge to score the all-important interview. To help students (or anyone seeking employment), the Federal government offers the following resources to make the job-seeking process less stressful.
All great job applications start with a great resume. Résumés, Applications, and Cover Letters provides best ways to present your credentials to prospective employers. Illustrations include a sample chronological resume, a sample functional resume, and a sample cover letter. It also provides important information about 21st century job hunting and resume writing.
So, you’ve put together a great resume. Now comes the interview. As rightly noted in Employment Interviewing, job interviews are the most stressful part of any employment search. This handy booklet outlines important interviewing skills to help ease stress and to get the job you desire. Preparation. This booklet discusses how to prepare for an interview such as researching and learning about the company you are interviewing with for future employment. It also discusses the importance of practicing your professional characteristics. Showtime. Let’s face it, most of us are nervous during interviews. This booklet provides tips on how to reduce nervousness. It also provides tips on how to make a good first impression and how to respond to questions. Following Up. The book concludes with information on what to do after the interview. Following up with a “thank you” letter helps to secure a good impression after the interview is over.
Interested in learning a special trade to help jump start your career? Careers Begin Here is a booklet filled with photographs and important information to help young adults (16–24) who are considering joining the Job Corps. It describes hands-on training, living on a Job Corps campus, connecting with employers, as well as how to apply to Job Corps. It also provides quotes from actual members about what Job Corps is like and how it has helped them, the type of job training available and how this training can translate into real-world success.
The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications
HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?
Sign up to receive promotional bulletin emails from the US Government Online Bookstore.
Shop Online Anytime: You can buy a vast majority of eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.
Visit our Retail Store: To buy or order a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up(s).
Order by Phone or Email: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800. Email orders to ContactCenter@gpo.gov
Find more than a million official Federal Government publications from all three branches at www.govinfo.gov.
About the author: Blogger contributor Trudy Hawkins is the the Sr. Marketing & Promotions Specialist in GPO’s Publication & Information Sales Division supporting the U.S. Government Online Bookstore.
This third blog post in the “Maximize Your Dollars During Money Smart Week” series features #retirement planning. These U.S. Federal Government resources features an overview of financial guidance about 401(K) retirement plans and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan covers private investment retirement plans governed by state laws and guidelines in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). This guidance will help you plan and explain what information you should review periodically and where to go for help with your questions. Specific circumstances, such as how a divorce change or employer ownership may affect your retirement benefit, are included. American citizens, investment advisers, accountants, CPAs, individual investors, employers and owners, and Federal Government employees may be interested in this information.
Check out “Maximize Your Dollars During Money Smart Week” blog post series #1 Financial Aid planninghere and blog post series #2 -Long-Term Care Financial resource planning here.
Coming Soon – U.S. Federal Government Finance Management
The GPO Online Bookstore – Easy Access to Federal Publications
HOW DO I OBTAIN THESE RESOURCES?
Shop Online Anytime: You can buy eBooks or print publications —with FREE Standard Shipping worldwide— from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at https://bookstore.gpo.gov.
Shop our Retail Store: Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.
Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.
About the author: This week’s blog contributor is Maureen Whelan, Senior Marketing Team Leader for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales program office in Washington, DC. Maureen oversees print and digital content dissemination strategy and manages third party free and paid content distribution through platforms and vendors, such as Apple iBookstore, Barnesandnoble.com, Google Play eBookstore, Ebscohost databases, Overdrive, and ProQuest.
The Government Manual is an essential guide to the United States Federal Government, where one can find the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and information on every U.S. Government agency. This official handbook on the Federal Government is published annually by the National Archives and Record Administration’s Office of the Federal Register.
Two years ago, Government Book Talk featured the Government Manual with the post “Browsing the Government Manual”. Here, we will take another look at this ultimate resource on the U.S. Government.
The 2013 Government Manual begins with the country’s founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and then goes on to profile each agency, quasi-official agency, international organization in which the United States participates, board, commission, and committee found in the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches of the U.S. Government. The profiles include:
Organizational charts
List of principal officials
Summary statement of the agency’s purpose and role in the Federal Government
Brief history of the agency, including its legislative or executive authority
Description of its programs and activities
Information on consumer activities, contracts and grants, employment, publications, and contact information.
This organizational structure is beneficial for large executive branch agencies that have several departments each with their own mission and function. For example, 20 pages of the manual are devoted to the nearly 40 different divisions, offices, and bureaus that make up the Department of Justice, which seems complex but pales in comparison to the Department of Defense and its behemoth structure.
The Government Manual concludes with the History of Agency Organization Structures. This section of the manual is arguably the highlight of this publication, as it provides a history of the lifetime and timeline of each agency as the U.S. Government grows with the country. For example, the Bureau of Immigration was created in 1891 as a branch of the Department of Treasury and cycled through to the Department of Commerce and Labor, the Department of Labor, the Department of Justice, and finally, after losing its name but keeping its functions, landed in the newly established Department of Homeland Security in 2002.
The Government Manual is not only a great resource on the United States Federal government and its functions, but also a goldmine of new information and interesting facts that are not commonly known about the U.S. Government and the country’s history. So, if you would like to understand how the U.S. Government is organized, then this is the book for you!
Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.
Shop our Retail Store:Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.
About the Author: Our guest blogger is Emma Wojtowicz, Public Relations Specialist in GPO’s Office of Public Affairs. Additional content provided by Stephanie Jaeger, Sales & Marketing Coordinator for GPO’s Sales & Marketing Division and is responsible for marketing GPO’s publishing services to the Federal sector.
The end of the calendar year typically provokes many lists and reviews reflecting on the past. Here at the Government Printing Office’s Government Book Talk blog and the U.S. Government Bookstore is no exception. A few weeks ago, we were contacted by Mike Volpe at the Department of Labor (DOL) about an exciting and relevant initiative they are running in honor of the Labor Department’s Centennial in 2013 that looks back on the important work-related publications across the country.
According to Carl Fillichio, Senior Advisor for Public Affairs and Communications at the U.S. Department of Labor and chair of the Department’s Centennial, the Department of Labor is developing a list of Books that Shaped Work in America in partnership with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.
MICHELE BARTRAM, Government Book Talk Editor: Carl, I understand that a Library of Congress “Books that Shaped America” exhibition in 2012 was the inspiration for the Department of Labor project. What was the relationship between the two and how was the idea born for the DOL version?
Image: Carl Fillichio, Senior Advisor for Public Affairs and Communications at the U.S. Department of Labor, and chair of the Department’s Centennial.
CARL FILLICHIO: The Labor Department was not actually involved in the “Books that Shaped America” exhibition at the Library of Congress, other than being big fans of it! Rather, it served as the inspiration for this project. The number and wide diversity of books on that list that had work as a central theme really impressed upon us the role that published works have played in shaping American workers and workplaces. That’s how the idea for this project was born.
BARTRAM: What is the goal of this new DOL project? What do you want citizens to get out of it?
FILLICHIO: The goal is to engage and educate the American public about the Labor Department’s mission, resources and history in our centennial year in an unusual way: through a lens of literature. The project is a key part of our Centennial commemoration; the Department was established in 1913. So we thought this would be a “novel” [pun intended! ;-)] way to involve the citizens we serve in the marking of this milestone.
For each book included on the list (now and in the future), we note how its themes relate to our work. We hope citizens will learn more about what we do and consider the many ways our work has impacted Americans’ lives during our 100-year existence.
BARTRAM: What are the criteria for adding items to the list? Can they be eBooks as well as print? Do they need to be still in print?
FILLICHIO: Just like work, books have changed a lot in the last 100 years—not only in the themes they address, but also in how we access them! So, books do not need to be in print to be on the list. We started the list with 92 entries, all recommendations from various contributors with diverse perspectives on books and/or work (including almost all former living Labor Secretaries). We will now add to it based on public input.
To be added to the list, the book needs to have had an impact on America’s workers, workplace and workforce. That doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be about work per se, but rather have shaped how it is viewed or, in some cases, addressed through public policy.
Watch the video below for an introduction to the “Books that Shaped Work in America” project:
Click on video image above.
BARTRAM: What is the most surprising/ unusual addition to the list, in your opinion?
FILLICHIO: That’s a great question, Michele! As noted earlier, not all books on the list are overtly about work, and one great example is Little Women, which was recommended by a Labor Department intern, Amanda Kraft. While there are several books on the list that touch upon working women, that one—published in 1869—sticks out to me because it was so ahead of its time. It was about women and ambition—long before women were “allowed” or encouraged to be ambitious. It had and continues to have a big impact on working women.
BARTRAM: “Little Women” certainly influenced me. Do you have some other fun facts about the project you’d like to share?
FILLICHIO: Here are a few fascinating facts:
We started with 92 books based on recommendations from 25 contributors. These contributors run the gamut from the current and former Labor Secretaries to best-selling authors to small business owners.
The books range in publication date from 1758 (Poor Richard Improved, by Benjamin Franklin) to 2013 (My Beloved World, but Sonia Sotomayor).
One of the books recommended by the current Labor Secretary, Thomas E. Perez, is Busy, Busy Town—a classic children’s book that introduces very young readers to the purpose and value of work, to both oneself and others.
We have received nearly 500 recommendations for books to add to the list so far.
BARTRAM: How can our Government Book Talk readers get involved in the DOL project?
FILLICHIO: To get started with the list, we asked members of the DOL family, as well as many other esteemed individuals, for suggestions. That includes the public!
Your readers who have recommendations for memorable and important print or digital publications to add to the DOL list should click on our Suggest a book link on our special Books that Shaped Work in America website, http://www.dol.gov/100/books-shaped-work/. Publications can be either from the past or present and should have influenced or relate to jobs, employment, careers and other work-related topics.
If you want to add a book, you will only need to submit the publication’s Title, the Author, and a brief Description of why you think the book shaped work in America or influenced the work you do or have done.
BARTRAM: Anything to add in summary, Carl?
FILLICHIO: I think this quote from U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez says it best:
“The ‘Books that Shaped Work in America’ initiative explores the dignity of work and our progress in expanding America’s fundamental promise of opportunity for all through the lens of literature. Think of this effort as an online book club where people from all walks of life can share books that informed them about occupations and careers, molded their views about work and helped elevate the discourse about work, workers and workplaces. At the same time, the site provides a unique way for people to learn about the mission and resources of the U.S. Department of Labor.“
(Read the entire 11/20/2013 DOL Press Release here)
BARTRAM: Thank you so much for this information about this significant project.
We at GPO want to contribute to the list by recommending these important Federal Government publications we have produced for Federal agencies that we feel belong on the list as “Federal Books that Shaped Work in America”!
Federal Books to Identify Industry and Career Trends
Not surprising, many of the more important Federal books about work have come from the Department of Labor, from information about occupations and industries to advice to job seekers.
The DOL’s Employment and Training Administration has designed a set of self-directed career exploration/assessment tools to help workers consider and plan career options, preparation, and transitions more effectively. They also are designed for use by students who are exploring the school-to-work transition. These tools are based on the O*NET model built off the Labor Department’s O*NET database which contains information on hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors. The O*NET Content Model defines the key features of a particular occupation with its unique mix of required knowledge, skills, and abilities, activities and tasks, and describes the day-to-day aspects of the job and the qualifications and interests of the typical worker.
Career counselors and job seekers can use the O*NET tools to link to the more than 800 occupations described by the O*NET database, as well as to occupational information in CareerOneStop. This allows users to make a seamless transition from assessing their personal interests, work values, and abilities to matching their job skills with the requirements of different occupations in their local labor market. Find all the O*NET Career Assessment publications here on the U.S. Government Bookstore.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes additional books about career and industry trends, including:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 in Paperback or eBookby the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This has been the single most important go-to book for job seekers and career counselors at high school on up for generations, predicting where the growth industries would be and salaries. Unfortunately, this is the last year this publication was produced by the BLS.
Workforce 2000: Work and Workers for the 21st Century came out in 2000, predicting the trends for the first 15 years of the century. It’s interesting to look at it now and see how many of the predictions have come true as we enter the fourteenth year of the 21st century.
A Life Inspired: Tales of Peace Corps Service recounts the unique experience of being a Peace Corps Volunteer via autobiographical reminiscences by 28 former Peace Corps volunteers.
The Standard Occupational Classification Manual 2010 (Revised)by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) presents the standard occupational codes, structure, titles, definitions, and illustrative examples of job titles found in key occupations.
Unfortunately being discontinued next year as a formal publication is the Survey of Current Business subscription by the Commerce Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration Bureau of Economic Analysis. This key publication was critical to business planning as it provided national income and product statistics, including the U.S. Gross National Product, the GNP implicit price deflator and corporate profits and articles about trends in industry, the business situation, and outlook.
The existence of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA within the Labor Department and the subsequent laws and regulations it oversees to improve workplace safety and worker health has drastically improved working conditions for generations of American workers. Over the years, OSHA has published a number of publications for both industry and workers. Today, it publishes All About OSHA (or Todo Sobre la OSHA (Spanish Language Version), a brochure explaining how OSHA operates, workplace and worker safety standards and enforcement, required employer recordkeeping, OSHA services and programs, and even whistleblower protections.
NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, offers the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazardsto help workers and employers detect and prevent chemical accidents.
A similar publication exists from the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. Reclamation Safety and Health Standardscontains safety and health standards for workers in water management facilities and hydroelectric power plants.
Veterans’ rights and benefits are outlined in the annual Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents & Survivors, offered in English or Spanish, that includes work-related issues such as vocational rehabilitation; workplace benefits; and education, transition and training.
Women in the workplace were addressed in these two key publications that are still available. The Joint Economic Committee of Congress published Invest in Women, Invest in America: A Comprehensive Review of Women in the U.S. Economy that provides a comprehensive review of the “essential contributions of women” to the U.S. economy. The Bureau of Labor Statistics published Women in the Labor Force: A Databook which presents historical and current labor force and earnings data for women compared to men from the Current Population Survey.
Readers, if you want to recommend other Federal publications, past or present, that you feel have influenced work in America, let us know by sending us a COMMENT at the end of this post!
How can I obtain these “Federal Books that Shaped Work in America”?
Shop Online:You can purchase these publications from the U.S. Government Online Bookstore at http://bookstore.gpo.gov by clicking on the individual links above in this blog post. You may also
Order by Phone: Call our Customer Contact Center Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (except US Federal holidays). From US and Canada, call toll-free 1.866.512.1800. DC or International customers call +1.202.512.1800.
Shop our Retail Store:Buy a copy of any print editions from this collection at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, Call (202) 512-0132 for information or to arrange in-store pick-up.
Visit a Federal Depository Library:Search for one of these publications in a nearby Federal depository library.
About the Author: Government Book Talk Editor Michele Bartram is also Promotions and Ecommerce Manager for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales Division in Washington, DC, and is responsible for online and offline marketing of the US Government Online Bookstore (http://bookstore.gpo.gov) and promoting Federal government content to the public.
Many of our personal characteristics, such as where we are born, the color of our eyes, our native language—are due to luck. If we get good parents, this is due to luck, too. When we become parents ourselves, though, we need to rely on our own hard work. Being a parent is the happiest and hardest job I’ve ever had, and I know many people say the same. Any help you can get with that job, whether it is from your own parents, friends, your child’s teachers, parents of your child’s friends, is welcome. As the African proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child.
Image: How do you say Father? Source: Craftionary
The Federal government wants to be part of that village, and provide parents with any assistance it can give. And with Father’s Day this Sunday, the Government Printing Office wants to highlight these terrific Federal publications and websites to help Dads be all they can be. Whether he’s called Papi, Papa, Pop, Baba, Daddy, Da, Abbu or just plain Dad, celebrate the fathers– and father figures– you know by sharing these resources with them.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
The Government supports fathers in many ways; one of them is through the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse at Fatherhood.gov. Dads can check out this site to find fatherhood programs and resources, connect with mentors, read the latest blog posting on DadTalk, and take the Fatherhood Pledge.
Eleven Federal partners are involved in the Responsible Fatherhood Working Group: the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, Labor, Veterans Affairs, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The level of Federal investment shows how seriously the President and the Federal Government takes this initiative. Another way to reap the benefits of Federal support of fathers is to read Federal government publications prepared in support of responsible fatherhood.
President Obama believes in the importance of fatherhood, as he said in 2009:
“I came to understand the importance of fatherhood through its absence—both in my life and in the lives of others. I came to understand that the hole a man leaves when he abandons his responsibility to his children is one that no government can fill” (p. 2).
To keep that void from opening, the Federal Government has started the aforementioned initiative, and the president has asked for Federal budget support for the Child Support Enforcement Program and to sustain funding for the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood grants.
This book discusses these and similar Federal Government programs started and/or supported by the Obama Administration, and what the programs have done to help fathers and their families.
Image: President Obama playing with his daughters Sasha and Malia along with then-new (and rambunctious) dog, Bo, on the White House lawn. Source: The White House
This volume is mostly a high-level program summary of interest to policy wonks, public policy workers, social workers, local government officials and students of those disciplines. However, the general public can also glean information about what resources they can get from the Federal Government to assist their families.
At the document’s end, there’s a list of things fathers, individuals, NGOs and places of worship can do to support fatherhood in their own communities as well. The document’s authors try to show how the Federal government stretches out a hand, but it ends on a note of helping oneself, much like the next volume.
Dad’s Play Book: Coaching Kids to Readis geared to get dads to help their kids to read, using case studies and helpful tips. The writers use two of the most important behavior modification tools at their disposal: we all want to be like our peers (hence the case studies) and men love sports (hence the extended coaching metaphor). Twenty dads are profiled on how they are helping their kids learn to read, giving their names, photos, occupations and ages, so they’re more relatable to readers.
The middle pages cover five skills that children need to have mastered to be readers by third grade; everyone who has responsibility for a pre-K through 3rd grade child should be taking some time to study this cheat sheet. Each tip has a paragraph subtitled, How Can a Dad Help? that gives specific suggestions for a dad to improve reading—for example, with fluency. This title is short but sweet; there’s a lot more to know about helping a child learn to read, but this friendly, picture-filled piece is definitely worth the time it takes not only to read it, but to study it and employ in your life as well.
How can I find these publications: Promoting Responsible Fatherhood: Every Father Taking Responsibility for His Child’s Intellectual, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being and Dad’s Play Book: Coaching Kids to Read?
About the author(s): Our guest blogger is Jennifer K. Davis from GPO’s Library Services & Content Management Division that supports the Federal Depository Libraries Program (FDLP). (Article was adapted by Government Book Talk Editor, Michele Bartram, GPO Promotions & Ecommerce Manager, from an original post on the FDLP Community site blog by Ms. Davis.)
Holding a job vs. having a career. Making a living vs. following your vocation. In today’s tough economic climate, many unemployed or underemployed would be happy with any job, and don’t dare aspire to a dream job. But what if you could have it all: a job that you love to do, you’re good at doing it, and is in demand so you will actually get paid to do it?
Image: Dream Job = sweet spot between passions, skills, and market demand. Image credit: TheUndercoverRecruiter.com
In President Obama’s State of the Union Address this week on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, one of the themes was the need for education and job training (and re-training) to help get Americans into the workforce or transition into more stable industries. But half the battle is knowing which profession matches your passions and talents, what skills and education you need to carry out that job, and what the current and future prospects are for that particular field so you have a better chance at keeping that job in the future.
Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (known as BLS) has two complementary publications to help you choose the right career path.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is the Federal Government’s premier source of career guidance featuring hundreds of occupations—both blue-collar and white-collar— from carpenters, firefighters and sports referees to teachers, medical professions, personal financial advisers, and even multimedia designers and scientists. Revised every 2 years, the latest version contains employment projections for the 2010-20 decade.
Do you “dig” bones and ancient cultures? Read up on archeologist careers and learn their most recent media pay, entry-level education requirements or equivalent work experience, the number of jobs in this field today and the job outlook for this field over the next decade.
Currently, the top two fastest growing occupations are personal care aides and home health aides, to serve the aging baby boomers. The HGTV home renovation effect seems to have been a boon for tile/marble setters and stone and brick masons, and our nation’s kitty and puppy love for pets has made veterinary techs in high demand. The highest paying of the top 20 fastest growing occupations are physical therapists at $76,310 median annual pay and biomedical engineers at $81,540.
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Image: Fastest growing occupations: 20 occupations with the highest percent change of employment between 2010-20. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
For those who want more regular updates with more in-depth articles, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also offers its attractive magazine, the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, or the “OOQ” for those in the know. Suitable for job-seekers, students, teachers, parents, job and guidance counselors, this color magazine format features personal stories and detailed articles describing insiders’ views of what different jobs are like.
In the Winter 2012-13 edition of the OOQ, the feature article explained what certificates and certificate programs are, the differences between certificates and licenses or degree programs, and how certification might offer a quick way to enter a career. Another described the “hot” field of geothermal energy (pun intended) and the various careers to take advantage of this growing industry. Other articles provide tips for online resources for comparing colleges and available scholarships, life in the real estate or personal fitness professions by successful people in these occupations, and which types of careers tend to offer the best benefits and job perks.
CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW FULL SIZE
Have a hankering to turn your “ho-ho-ho” into more than a hobby? The OOQ even included a fun article entitled “You’re a what? Santa Claus!” describing the jolly job of Phil Wenz who became a professional full-time Santa Claus and Santa historian at a Christmas theme park in Illinois.
Image: Full-time Santa and Santa lecturer and historian, Phil Wenz. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
How can I buy these Occupational Outlook publications?
Buy them at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Federal holidays, (202) 512-0132.
About the Author: Michele Bartram is Promotions Manager for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales Division in Washington, DC, and is responsible for online and offline marketing of the US Government Online Bookstore (http://bookstore.gpo.gov) and promoting Federal government content to the public.
The number of job openings in the United States in February 2012 was 3.5 million… Although the number of job openings remained below the 4.3 million openings when the recession began in December 2007, the number of job openings has increased 46 percent since the end of the recession in June 2009.
Image: Uncle Sam: “I want you to get a real job” poster. Source: SF Weekly
And today’s numbers from the Labor Department showed that the U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April while the unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent.
Together with graduating college and high school seniors, this makes this a prime time for many Americans to start or re-start their job search.
Fortunately, the Federal Government has produced a number of helpful job and employment publications and resources to help you find that job, from researching careers, industries and salaries, to preparing resumes, writing cover letters and honing your interviewing skills.
Step 1: Identify the Right Career for You
Many job hunters have had to leave their original profession due to changes in the marketplace. To help them identify what types of jobs are out there and what skills are needed, here are some Federal publications:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 (Paperback)
The must-have book for every career counselor, The Occupational Outlook Handbook is exceedingly useful for job hunters, particularly those who are changing careers or in an industry that is undergoing transition. It describes about 250 occupations in detail, covering what the types of tasks workers do on a particular type of job, the working conditions, the training and education needed, earnings, and expected job prospects.
High-Earning Workers Who Don’t Have A Bachelor’s Degree
This publication is still valid today, as it reviews occupations that earn relatively high salaries without requiring expensive college degrees. Ranges from accountants, to plumbers and electricians, repair people and mechanics, registered nurses and health technicians, managers and supervisors of all types, and more. Gives percentages of these that do not have bachelor’s degrees and typical weekly earnings (circa 1999).
Step 2: Determine Whether You Should Get Additional Education and Training
Many job seekers need to acquire new skills or update their existing skills to become or stay competitive. These publications talk about the value of training
What It’s Worth: Field of Training and Economic Status in 2001
If you’ve ever doubted the value of education on your earning potential, the Census Bureau assembled these figures on what additional training is worth to one’s economic status and earnings.
Step 3: Preparing Your Work Credentials and Interviewing Skills
The next step is to hone your credentials and interviewing skills for the active job search. The following excellent publications and resources will help you ensure you put your best foot forward.
Resumes, Applications, and Cover Letters
With this update of a popular publication, you will find out the best ways to present your credentials to prospective employers. Illustrations include a sample chronological resume, a sample functional resume, and a sample cover letter. The ‘for more information’ section lists some useful, established websites that contain advice about 21st century job hunting and resume writing.
Getting Back to Work: Returning to the Labor Force After an Absence
Many job seekers today have what is called an imperfect employment history due to layoffs, underemployment or other career gaps. This publication helps these returning workers know what to do and what to expect when returning to the labor force can help ease the transition back to work. Part 1 offers tips on how to identify, and prepare for, your ideal job. Part 2 helps you get set for the workforce. Part 3 suggests ways to maintain work-life balance. In sidebars throughout the article, you’ll find suggestions for some special re-entry situations as well as lists of additional resources.
Additional information and resources about resumes, interviewing and job-related education and training can be found at CareerOneStop’s Resumes + Interviews section.
Once you are ready to apply, you can find all current Federal jobs openings on the Federal job site, USAJobs.gov.
Private Sector and State Government Jobs:
Information and resources about where and how to conduct your job hunt can be found at CareerOneStop’s Job Search section.
Step 5: Research Typical Salary and Benefits
Hopefully, at this point you are receiving job offers and negotiating salary and benefits. These Federal publications can give you some ballpark figures of salaries for various occupations as well as unemployment laws in different states.
National Compensation Survey: Occupational Earnings in the United States, 2006
This Multimedia booklet and CD-ROM report on earnings for occupations common to a wide variety of establishments. Coverage includes office clerical, professional and technical, maintenance, custodial and material movement occupations.
Employment and Wages Annual Averages, 2005
This Multimedia booklet and CD-ROM present 2005 employment and wages data as defined in the North American Industry Classification System. Data pertain to workers covered by State unemployment insurance laws and the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) program in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Comparison of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, 2005
This valuable publication provides state-by-state information on workers covered by unemployment insurance, benefit eligibility, methods of financing, and other areas of interest in the unemployment insurance program
Occupational Outlook Quarterly– This periodical subscription service offered by the Government Printing Office is issued quarterly by the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics and provides current information on employment trends and outlook, supplementing and bringing up to date information in Occupational Outlook Handbook.
CareerOneStop: The Labor Department has created an excellent website for American job seekers. Called CareerOneStop.org, this job hunting portal helps you find the information and resources you need about careers, training, educational financial aid, job banks and more.
It also has a Service Locator to help all job seekers and the unemployed find Federal, state and local employment resources in your area.
Veterans now can find job-hunting help at their Veterans ReEmployment initiatives section.
How Can I Obtain the Publications Mentioned in this Post?
Buy them at GPO’s retail bookstore at 710 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20401, open Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm, except Federal holidays, (202) 512-0132.
About the Author: Michele Bartram is Promotions Manager for GPO’s Publication and Information Sales Division and is responsible for online and offline marketing of the US Government Online Bookstore (Bookstore.gpo.gov) and promoting Federal government content to the public.
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on many businesses across the country. If you run a business or organization, you’re likely dealing with a lot right now, including doing all that you can to keep your employees safe and healthy. The GPO Bookstore offers resources that can help you out, providing recommended steps to ensure your employees maintain their health during this uncertain time.
Workers’ Rights from OSHA describes employer responsibilities, what OSHA covers, employees’ right to a safe and healthful workplace, how to contact OSHA, and more. This booklet explains workers’ rights to file confidential complaints with OSHA, review records of work-related injuries and illnesses that occur in their workplace, receive copies of their workplace medical records, and more. It also provides specific instructions on how to file a complaint, which can be done through the mail, online, or by telephone.
Posted by Trudy Hawkins 
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 in Paperback
Workforce 2000: Work and Workers for the 21st Century
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Trudy Hawkins
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