Look To Your Library 

Losing a job can be a stressful situation. KCLS has resources to make dealing with job loss a little easier.

The links below highlight items available in the library catalog.

Coping with job loss

Searching for a new career

Job loss may be a good time to reevaluate your life and career. 

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Coping with job loss

Adjusting to a sudden loss of income: this publication guides people through the processes of emotional reactions, spending patterns, rethinking goals and managing conflict for anyone experiencing financial loss.

Avoiding foreclosure: information from the US Department of Housing & Urban Development.

File for unemployment benefits

Washington's Employment Security Department: 1.800.318.6022. Offers resources for unemployed workers. Are you eligible for unemployment benefits?  Informacion sobre desempleo. 

File for Unemployment Benefits online.

Do you qualify for worker retraining?

Find out if you qualify as a "dislocated worker." If you do qualify, there may be apprenticeship programs, college training programs, or other training programs available to help you start a new career.

Free workshops

WorkSource workshops provide you with the skills you need to find a new career or start your own business.

Goodwill Job Training & Education Center: Free computer and ESL classes. Call 206.329.1000.

Small Business Administration (SBA): Free online courses on starting and running a small business.

Exploring a new career

WorkSource offices are open to the public and provide the information, technology and services that job seekers need to secure satisfying jobs.  WorkSource has offices all over King County and Washington state - here are some local King County offices:

Occupations and skill sets that are in high demand and that are declining in the Seattle-King County region.

Washington Career Bridge: Find the education and training you need to get the job you want. Call 360.753.5662.

Career Voyages: Tools and information organized to assist you in exploring career options from US Departments of Labor and Education.

Workforce Explorer Career Center helps you plan a career at any time in your life. Use the assessment tools to determine what occupation is best for you. If you already have one in mind, you may also search for a specific job.

America’s Career InfoNet (ACINet): Provides a wealth of information to help your transition/job search process. More than 450 career videos are available to help you get an idea of what a job entails.

CareerOneStop: This is a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored Web site that offers career resources and workforce information to job seekers, students, businesses and workforce professionals to foster talent development in a global economy. 

Occupational Outlook Handbook: A classic reference about occupations from A to Z.

Peace Corps: A world of opportunity awaits.

Volunteer Match: making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. 

Freelance opportunities in Seattle. The Pacific Northwest's ultimate Rolodex of freelance and contract talent.

Are you a veteran?

You may qualify for special services from the Employment Security Department if you served in the military.

The Military to Civilian Occupation Translator helps service members match military skills and experience to civilian occupations.

Small Business Administration's Patriot Express is for veterans and members of the military community who want to establish or expand small businesses.

Library databases can help you explore new career opportunities. You may access KCLS databases for free at home with your library card or in the library.

Career Cruising: Online career guidance and planning tools designed for people of all ages.

Testing and Education Reference Center: Test preparation and interactive practice for civil service, military and academic admissions exams; also find school search and career exploration tools.

Career & Education Reference Collection: Career and education-themed reference books.

ProQuest: Articles on a diverse range of topics from magazines, journals and newspapers.

Mango Languages: Learn a new language.