Guidance & Training

Get the Computer Skills for Your Job Seach

  • Job Scout
    Gain the computer skills you need to look for work. This site offers free, self-paced lessons on basic computing topics that are a fundamental part of using the Internet to look for a job. JobScout also offers an easy to use resume builder and links to job listings.

Community Resources

Find local organizations to support your job search in Community Resources, a Berkeley Public Library resource containing over 2,000 entries on many different kinds of local services!

  • Community Resources
    Browse the Employment/Labor subject list or use the keyword search box to find information on thousands of local organizations selected by Berkeley Public Library librarians.

More Local Job Resources

  • East Bay Works - Alameda
    Find job listings, explore careers, create a resume, and more. East Bay Works offers support for both job seekers and employers in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
  • First Source
    A City of Berkeley employment program that places Berkeley residents in a range of professions throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • North Cities One Stop
    Vocational counselors offer job training and placement services to all Alameda County residents, including the economically disadvantaged. Berkeley Office at 1918 Bonita.
  • Alameda County Vocational Program
    A program for the mentally ill and substance abusers, including vocational counseling, testing, work assessment, community work experience, and job placement services. They do not have a website, so contact them at
    333 Hegenberger Rd.
    Suite 600
    Oakland, CA 94621
    510-383-1600

Test Yourself with Books

The library has hundreds of school and job exam books.  One way to find these is to use the subject "exam books" (as the link here does) and then limit your search using title keywords such as "nursing" or "GED" or "civil service."

Get Ready and Get Dressed

Find a Job, Keep a Job, Build a Career. In addition to providing professional clothing, this agency offers image and interview workshops, career development programs, financial literacy training, and mentoring to low-income jobseekers. Offices in Oakland and Concord.