What basic information do I need to know about looking for a job?

All jobs require that you arrive on time. Some require you to stay current on your skills. And when you’re looking to earn more money, some jobs require that you advance your skills. No matter what kind of job you’re in or would like to get, there are two basic things you always need to do:
• Get transportation
• Acquire new job skills

If you have children, the third basic thing you will always need to do is find child care.

Finding Transportation
How will you get to work? Walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation such as bus, subway, or light rail? If you can, look for a job in an area that is easy to get to.

If you’re thinking of buying a car for work, make sure you include the cost of these items into the total cost of owning a car:
• Gas
• Insurance
• License plates
• Oil changes
• Routine maintenance
• Taxes
• Parking (if applicable)

Getting New Job Skills
If you’re looking for a better-paying job, think about where and how you can learn new skills. Acquiring a new skill could be your ticket to advancing to a higher-paying position.

A few places you can contact to find out about job-training classes include:
• The Urban League
• Enterprise Community Partners
• Volunteers of America
• Catholic Charities
• Goodwill
• Your state’s employment office
• Local rescue missions

If you know what kind of job you’d like to get and are wondering what skills you need, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook has information on many jobs: • The type of work you’ll do • Typical working conditions • Required skills for the job • Whether the demand for a particular job is expected to increase or decrease • What you can expect to earn Use the A-Z Index on the Occupational Outlook Handbook Web site to look up a job and what it takes to land one.

Other possibilities on how to find ways to advance your job skills:

•	Ask your Habitat for Humanity advisor for suggestions on where to find local job training classes.
•	If you are taking part in programs such as food stamps or TANF, your caseworker might know of job-training classes.
•	Take classes at a nearby college, community college, or technical school.