Employment

Finding the right job is still as challenging as ever. Regardless of the unemployment rate—3.2 percent in January 2011—Harford County has jobs available if you know where to look and how to prepare for the interview.

First, the statistics. The county's 5,130 businesses employ 61,300 workers. An estimated 92 of those businesses have 100 or more workers. The major county employer and a technology resource is the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground. As a result of the Base Realignment and Closure process, the post will be adding 6,200 positions, both military and civilian, to its workforce.

RESOURCES
Job-hunting resources at the national level feature extensive search capabilities as well as résumé tips, forum support and professional networking options on such websites as http://www.job.com http://www.careersingovernment.com  http://www.flipdog.com  http://www.monster.com 
http://www.craigslist.com and http://www.careerbuilder.com . Many of these sites offer advice on formatting your résumé to maximizing your online job search. While the Internet can give you a feel for available jobs, nothing replaces a face-to-face interview.

On the state level, the Maryland One-Stop Career Centers feature such employment and training services as exploring a new career, referring training programs, placement services, preparing a résumé and workshops to enhance job-search skills. Applicants also have computers with Internet access, printers, copiers, fax machines, telephones and a variety of job-search resource materials.

Aberdeen Workforce Center
Aberdeen Community Services Building
34 N. Philadelphia Blvd., Third Floor
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 272-5400
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/county/harford
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bel Air Workforce Center
Mary Risteau Building
2 S. Bond St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 836-4603
http://www.dllr.state.md.us/county/harford
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Division of Unemployment Insurance tracks and reports the state's labor market statistics and administers the Unemployment Compensation program at http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/uibenefits.shtml or call (410) 853-1600 or (877) 293-4125 . The best resource to review and apply for state jobs by region is the Maryland Workforce Exchange at https://mwe.dllr.state.md.us/default.asp?SessionUID=a.

The Teaching Jobs Portal offers job openings by school district and information about job fairs, recognition programs, professional development and performance standards at http://teachingjobsportal.com/states/maryland-teaching-jobs.

Harford County provides a list of open full and part-time positions, and many resources to help job-seekers find a match for their skills and experience. The site also features an online application tool to submit an application over the Internet. Log onto http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/human_resources/NeoGovSite.cfm?ID=2.

AGENCIES
This effective search method yields jobs from high-level administrative to warehouse work. Many employers use these agencies as their human re-sources department, allowing the agency to advertise, interview, test and manage payroll. The "temp-to-perm" arrangement also allows the employer and prospective employee to preview each other before committing to permanent employment. Check out a few local agencies and then go to this guide's yellow pages for a longer list.

Beacon Staffing Alternatives
16 S. Philadelphia Blvd., Suite 2
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 575-5941

Cornerstone Recruiting LLC
221 Maitland, Suite B5
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 420-8930/
(866) 483-1493
http://www.csrecruiting.com

Doherty Employment Group
425 Saint John St.
Havre De Grace, MD 21078 (410) 942-0565

Great People Group
429 S. Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 803-8034

Labor Ready Inc. of Aberdeen
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (877) 733-0430/
(253) 383-9101
http://www.laborready.com

Manpower Inc.
951 Beards Hill Road, Suite I
Aberdeen, MD 21001 (410) 297-4811

JOB SEEKER TIPS
Whether you are looking for work in the county, state, or federal government or any other area, you must have marketable skills to be competitive.
That means having or acquiring skills in demand and continuing your education.
Once you start looking for a new job, it is always important to be prepared. The following suggestions will set you off on the right foot:
Always have an up-to-date résumé, especially résumés that target specific job industries and highlight skills needed for those job descriptions.
Maintain reference lists with a variety of people and former business associates.
Appreciate the importance of your cover letter since it introduces your desire to work and highlights your applicable job skills.
Be prepared to interview at any time, even as you're turning in your application.
Follow up interviews with calls and thank-you letters. They keep your name fresh in the interviewer's mind and give you a feel for your hire status.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT
For convenient and centralized information about small business resource material, free business counseling and workshops, call or go to these state and county agencies:

Harford County Small
Business Development Center
Harford Community College
Edgewood Hall
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, MD 21015 (443) 412-2237
http://www.harford.edu/sbdc/aboutus.asp  
Seasoned staff and, if necessary, industry experts or other business consultants help developing businesses and entrepreneurs achieve that "competitive edge" through such value-added services as:
Assisting with the development of your business plan.
Assisting in analyzing the market for your product or service.
Finding sources of capital.
Updating information on technology transfer.
Other managerial and technical support services.

Harford County
Chamber of Commerce
108 Bond St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 838-2020/
(800) 682-8536
http://www.harfordchamber.org

Harford County Office
of Economic Development
220 S. Main St.
Bel Air, MD 21014 (410) 638-3059/
(888) 495-7483
http://www.harfordbusiness.org/index.cfm?ID=40
The office provides information and support to entrepreneurs and small business owners of new, existing and start-up companies. To that extent, the financial manager works with these individuals to develop and/or review business plans and discuss financing options, including the County's Revolving Loan Fund and Economic Development Opportunity Fund.