Job Seekers' Guide
Suggestions and strategies to get the most out of your job search
Top Places to Work in the Boston Area
- Top places to workEvery year, The Boston Globe partners with WorkplaceDynamics of Exton, PA, to survey workers around the state to pick the best places to work.
Largest Employers by Region
Lists compiled by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Each list includes the the primary NAICS codes for the businesses listed.
- Largest 100 Employers in BostonThis list is ordered by size range then alphabetically within the size range.
- Largest 200 Employers in Boston-Cambridge-Newton MA NECTA DivisionThis list is ordered by size range then alphabetically within the size range.
- Labor Market InformationData and information about the workforce in Massachusetts including lists, projections, and analyses.
Finding the Right Career Path
Choosing a career path can be daunting. Taking the time to research which career suits you best will quickly narrow your options and make the whole process less overwhelming.
Which Career Should You Choose? Consider the following:
- Will this career/position allow you to have the lifestyle you want?
- What kind of training or expertise does it require?
- Consider job security: Is this industry thriving or in decline?
- Will you have to relocate or travel extensively?
- How will this affect your family?
Simmons University recommends this 5-Step Career Development Model:
- Assessment - Identify your career interests, values, skills and more.
- Exploration - Research career possibilities
- Preparation - Develop your resume and cover letter writing skills
- Implementation - Develop and implement your job search or education strategy
- Decision-Making - Make an informed and meaningful career decision
Below are tools and resources to guide you through each of these steps.
1. ASSESSMENT - Identify your career interests, values, skills and more
- Peterson’s Career Prep
Not sure which career path is right for you? Take our quick 5-minute career survey and learn about opportunities perfectly suited to your strengths and interests. Do you already know what you’re looking for? Search millions of jobs online to find your next career step with our Job Search Engine.
- Vault Career Guides
Vault publishes numerous employer, career, internship, resume, and interviewing guidebooks. The guides cover industries such as law, consulting, investment banking, accounting, investment management, private equity, hedge funds, Internet and social media, IT and engineering, energy, health care, advertising, and more.
- LearningExpress
LearningExpress has powerful tools and guidance to help you start a new career or advance in your current career.
2. EXPLORATION - Research career possibilities
- Become
You have a vision for your career — we'll show you what you need to achieve your goals on your terms. Whether you're entering a new field or climbing to the top of your current one, we've designed career guides and advice about education and the workforce to help you tackle your next steps. At Become, we create articles and resources to help you spend less time preparing for a job and more time growing in your career.
- Green Workforce Development
Did you know that 9.8 million jobs require green tasks*? The City of Boston is recruiting people to drastically increase the green workforce to reach sustainability goals. Whether you identify as blue-collar or white-collar, you can go green collar!
- LearningExpressTest preparation materials and practice exams for high school equivalency, college and graduate admissions, military, US citizenship, and professional licensing and certification exams. Includes the Job & Career Accelerator to help you achieve your career goals.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a publication of the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics that includes information about the nature of work, working conditions, training and education, earnings and job outlook for hundreds of different occupations in the United States.
- O*NET OnLine
The O*NET Program is the nation's primary source of occupational information. Valid data are essential to understanding the rapidly changing nature of work and how it impacts the workforce and U.S. economy.
3. PREPARATION - Develop your resume, cover letter, and workforce skills
- Career Readiness
Career preparation and readiness can vary based on who you are, your career goals, the jobs and fields that you're interested in, and the company you work for. Use Simmons Career Readiness Competency assessment to prepare yourself. - Google Career Certificates
Flexible online training programs designed to put you on the fast track to jobs in high-growth fields. No experience necessary. 100% Online. FREE with a KBLIC scholarship from BPL. - Internship Seekers' Guide
Methods of finding, landing, and succeeding at an internship - LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers 16,000 video courses in resume & cover letter writing, skill building, and more taught by recognized industry experts.
- Peterson's Career Prep
Get the job—create the perfect resume using our intuitive resume builder tool! Quickly choose a template, add your information, import from LinkedIn, adjust fonts, and more—all from your browser. Once it is looking amazing, easily export your completed resume to PDF, Word, or share an online link.
4. IMPLEMENTATION - Develop and implement your job search or education strategy
- AtoZdatabases
AtoZdatabases is a leading job search, reference & mailing list database including 30 million business profiles & 240 million residents. Ideal for sales leads mailing lists, market research, employment opportunities, finding friends and relatives, and more.
See more job hunting resources via the menu item on the left of this page. - LearningExpressPrepare to get credentialed in your chosen field. LearningExpress has practice tests for TOEIC, NCLEX, CDL, Electrician licensing, and more.
- Practice interview Skills in KBLIC's InnoLabPrepare for your interview by recording yourself in a mock interview. Camcorders are available to check out.
5. DECISION-MAKING - Make an informed and meaningful career decision
- Analyze job offers/graduate school admissions and weigh your options.
- Network, network, network!
- Learn and practice the basics of negotiating
- Boston Green DrinksBoston Green Drinks (BGD) is a community of Bostonians interested in sustainability. We bring together people across the spectrum of ‘green’ – including energy, food, environment, art, education, health and community services.
• Community Building – letting Boston Green Drinkers share ideas about sustainability
• Career Development – aggregating local career and project opportunities in to one place
• Content – informing Boston about emerging green issues and industry events - Boston Young Black Professionals
Boston Young Black Professionals (YBP), a 501(c)3 charity organization, was founded in August 2012 with the intent of bringing together young, black professionals for networking, fellowship, and community-building.
- Boston Young Professionals Association
The Boston Young Professionals Association is committed to building a community for the young professional in Boston. In addition to providing resources for young professionals, We host dozens of events that are open to the public however either free or deeply discounted for members, as well as several private, member only events. - Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce was founded over 100 years ago, and today represents the collective voice of the business community. The organization remains the pre-eminent convener and leader in the region, shaping the future of commerce and enhancing the quality of life for everyone. - Women Entrepreneurs Boston
WE BOS provides skill-building opportunities, technical help, and networking. We help women entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses in the City.
