Currently, at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, there is an exciting exhibit about the extraordinary designer, Jean Paul Gaultier.  The exhibit, entitled "The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier : From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk", covers his beginning career from the 1970s all the way up to 2010. 

While Gaultier is dubbed as fashion's enfant terrible, there is no doubt that he has influenced the fashion world.  He has created iconic looks from the catwalk to the red carpet. 

Interested in more about the fashion world in general?  Check out the library's collection!  We have a wide array of information; from amazing fashion/art coffee table books, fashion photography, how to create your own fashion looks and many more! 

Here are just a few that I find amazing:

I have not interviewed for a job in several years, but recently find myself in that process again. As such, I thought it wise to consult books on interviewing. Of the many books I skimmed through, two books were undeniable standouts and have provided me with a wealth of practical information. They were, The Essential Book of Interviewing by Arnold B. Kanter, and 201 Best Questions to Ask on Your Interview, by John Kador. I highly recommend these books for any readers interested in learning more about the interview process.

One idea from The Essential Book of Interviewing that really appealed to me was to create a commercial that sells oneself as a product. The author reasoned that creating a commercial gets one to be creative, to tell something personal while using simple and easy to understand language, to be positive, upbeat, and direct, and to have a theme. This exercise struck me as a great way to develop an opening or closing elevator speech. And, I can attest that envisioning myself as a product sold through a commercial advertisement was a real help as I prepared myself for upcoming interviews.

In closing, I’d like to include some ideas I’ve picked up from most interview skills books. For example, it’s very important for the interviewee to take their time, listen fully to the questions being asked, and answer each part of the question fully, without rambling. Every book mentioned this point. Additionally, the interviewer needs to learn if the candidate can think and solve problems, plan projects and meet deadlines, and interact well with others while taking the leadership role, when needed. It is the candidate’s job to ensure they address these key areas.

Best of luck to everyone reading this blog! Ciao.

In a new edition of the classic career guide, What Color is your Parachute? 2012, Richard Bolles advises urgently, “Attitude is everything. But periodically attitudes need to be re-examined, and rethought. In this case, we must learn what attitudes are necessary for survival in this new world. Basically, they are: learning that what got you here, won't necessarily get you there; learning to focus on what is withinyour power, not what is not; learning to always seek alternatives, for everything you do; learning to pay more attention to the world around you and the world within you; learning to be inventive even in everyday tasks; learning to seek out a supportive community while job-hunting; and learning there is meaning to everything.” With this perspective, he shows readers the pathway of survival job-hunting step by step. His book is also available as a downloadable ebook from the library.

To supplement the book, Bolles maintains Job Hunters Bible to update Internet resources and job opennings. Included in the website are, for example, categories of Gateway sites,

Networking, Job Search Engines, and Internet Primer.

For preview, Chapter 2 of the book is published online as Survival Skills You Most Need in Today’s World. A reprint of this article as “Survival Skills” is also available on Academic Search Complete database (accessible only with your library card # and pin code.)  For other databases on jobs and vocational counseling, please visit the Library page on Employment (A library card is required to logon.)

Where can you go for up-to-date civil service, GED, and other test preparation?  Need to refresh your knowledge of fractions, decimals, grammar and other skills to pass an application test for a prospective employer? LearningExpress Library has both tutorials and downloadable ebooks for various job, school, or licensing tests. This database has great resources for everyone from children and college students to career changers and job seekers. Create an account by registering your email address.

LearningExpress Library eBooks in Español has many of the same ebooks as LearningExpress Library but written in Spanish.

Are you interested in exploring new career options?  You are welcome to join B. J. King to embark on your journey on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Edenvale Branch Library Community Room.

Now is the perfect time to explore important questions about your job search:

            What kind of job do I REALLY want?

            Do I want to change careers?

            What is the perfect career for me?

            What is my passion?

Other job and career oriented programs that the Edenvale Branch Library offers are:

Job Searching on the Internet and Computer Help

            Tuesdays from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

            Tuesdays from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

The day that you are requested to take an exam for your job is coming but all the books on that career are checked out. What can you do? Don't worry! We have this expanded resourceful database  LearningExpress that covers an on careers exams.

You will find practice career exams for the following categories: Air Traffic Controller, Civil Service, Commercial Driver's License, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electrical, Emergency Medical Services, Firefighter, Green Careers, Law Enforcement, Military, Nursing and Allied Health, Legal, Plumbing, Real Estate, Teaching. Please make sure to click on the plus (+) sign to open the sub-categories to explore more advanced exams.

The video below will help you navigate to more career resources in addition to the mentioned database.