Bethel Public Library To Host Career Series In January And February

BETHEL, CT —As the new year begins, the Bethel Public Library is offering support for residents contemplating job changes, career switches, re-entry into the job market, or job hunting. Recognizing January and February as opportune months for jobseekers, the library is hosting two presentations: "New Year, New Career" on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 p.m., and "LinkedIn for Professionals" on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held in-person at the library's location, 189 Greenwood Avenue, and will be accessible on Zoom.

The first presentation, "New Year, New Career," will be led by Ellen Janpol, a business specialist and career counselor serving as Bethel's Programming and Outreach Librarian. Janpol will provide insights into the current job market dynamics, the expectations of companies and managers, resume updating tips, strategic steps in job searching, and the impact of AI on job searches. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on positioning themselves effectively for a successful job search. Janpol, formerly the Business Librarian at The Westport Library, led their Career Services and facilitated a successful Job Search Work Team, with 90% of participants securing employment.

The second presentation, "LinkedIn for Professionals," will be conducted by Don Wittman, a best-selling author with four number 1 books on LinkedIn. Wittman will guide participants on leveraging the power of the professional networking site to enhance their online presence and personal brand. Topics covered will include developing a compelling headline, crafting a well-structured summary showcasing skills and accomplishments, and emphasizing the importance of keywords and their placement in profiles. Wittman, a former CTO, is a prolific speaker, coach, and trainer on the LinkedIn platform, bringing in-depth technical expertise to optimize the use of LinkedIn and effective procedures to enhance discoverability.