US Department of Labor launches 'My Next Move' for jobseekers

New online tool will help young adults, students, first-time workers and those returning to workforce explore careers, find jobs

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today unveiled a new online tool called My Next Move. The tool is aimed at providing jobseekers with information on more than 900 occupations, as well as local job openings and training opportunities in a simple, user-friendly format.

Accessed at http://mynextmove.dol.gov, My Next Move is intended to assist all jobseekers. It may be especially useful for students, young adults and other first-time workers as they explore potential careers based on their interests. The new tool complements the department's "mySkills myFuture" site at http://www.mySkillsmyFuture.org, which is designed to help those with previous work experience match their existing skills to new occupations.  

"This administration is committed to expanding opportunities for all Americans.  That includes ensuring all workers — those with years of experience and those just entering the workforce — have the information they need to make informed career decisions and get good jobs," said Secretary Solis. "By leveraging technology in a user-friendly tool, My Next Move will help those seeking career guidance learn more about work opportunities in fields that are of interest to them and that are likely to have job openings today and well into the future."

The new website allows users to search for jobs by occupation, by industry and using the "O*NET Interest Profiler," which matches an individual's interests with suitable occupations by asking 60 questions.  Since 2001, the department's Occupational Information Network, or O*NET, has used a 180-question version of the profiler that could be printed out or downloaded to a personal computer.  The new, streamlined version is available online for the first time as part of My Next Move.

Users can also search for jobs in three categories: careers with a "bright outlook" in growing industries, jobs that are part of the "green" economy and occupations that have a Registered Apprenticeship program.

Each occupation that a user selects has an easy-to-read, one-page profile, including information about what knowledge, skills and abilities are needed; the occupation's outlook; the level of education required; technologies used within the occupation; and other, similar jobs.  In addition, each occupation page includes direct links to local salary information, training opportunities and relevant job openings.

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov.  The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.  

SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor