Is an employment listing for a dream job or a nightmare? Here is how one experienced career counselor and webmaster checks out a listing that sounds too good to be true and what steps to take if it is a scam.

The latest edition of the state's Economic Trends magazine reports that there are many job vacancies for welders in all regions of Minnesota, but especially in the southern half of the state. This might be a good career to explore for those who like to make things and work with their hands.

The University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business is having a Career Fair at the Minneapolis Convention Center on April 10th from 10:00 to 3:00pm with 50+ employers. It is open to the public. Register online.

Do you need to score high on an aptitude test or pass a certification exam in order to qualify for a job? Practice tests are available in the Learning Express Library database for many fields including electrical work,truck driving, EMT, nursing and more.

Recently state agencies and employers held meetings to discuss what employers most value in prospective employees. The intent was to find better ways to prepare people for careers. Their findings may also help current job seekers to prepare better resumes and responses to interview questions.

Whether you are choosing where you want to work or preparing for an interview, Business Source Premier and other databases available through the library can help. You can get industry profiles reporting on the latest trends, the legal issues, the leading companies and their chief competitors. In depth company reviews include financial, product, and personnel information.

Attitudes about older workers show signs of improving, but a survery of hiring managers shows where seniors may want to sharpen their interviewing skills.

Who is hiring, a manager or a machine? Some companies are using talent management software to select employees who exhibit certain personality traits rather than specific experience in a particular job.

Try using efolio, a free electronic resume service for a versatile web presence! You can upload photos, documents, videos, publications and more. It's available from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities for all residents of the state.

When is it appropriate to communicate by email with a potential employer? Virginia Tech addresses this question and many others in a thorough primer on email style, content and etiquette for job seekers. You can find this site on this subject guide under "Interviewing and Resumes".

No longer do older workers view their future in terms of a dichotomy: either choose to work or retire. Now many want to remain in the workforce but in a different way. Find out how your choices have expanded and give your input at this forum: Good for Business: Making the Most of a Maturing Workforce, at Southdale Library, June 25, 2012, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Practice your elevator speech, a job fair at the Mall of America coming up soon!
South Metro Job Fair
June 13, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Mall of America, in the Rotunda
Up to 40 employers will be seeking workers for a wide range of job opportunities. Social service organizations that assist job seekers will also be in attendance.

Training and employment opportunities are available in renewable energy, building systems, manufacturing and construction in the metropolitan area for those who meet the income guidelines of the RENEW program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act this program is administered by local governments and implemented by many agencies and educational organizations to promote employment in "green" industries.

The Minnesota Recruiting and Staffing Association is having a educational event and job fair for job seekers. Hear from the experts as they advise individuals on resumes, and interviewing skills. Select your next interviewing outfit from the professional clothes drive. Learn how to use Linked-in to find and further your career. It's free and open to everyone.

Veterans looking for employment, education or a new career can find assessment and planning tools, referrals to employment opportunities and community support at Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.