Guide to Finding the Right Job - Railroad Retirement Board Booklet UB-12 - 12-05

Sep 19, 2026

Guide to finding the right job from the Railroad Retirement Board explains how to conduct an organized, thorough job search to improve success chances. It covers creating a skills inventory, matching skills to target jobs, and expanding outreach through community activities and word-of-mouth. It also addresses upgrading skills, identifying job sources such as RRB offices, unions, state employment services, and job fairs, and provides foundations for building an effective resume, application letters, and interview preparation and follow-up.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResumes

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Getting Started

Getting the Word Out

Upgrading Your Skills

Job Sources

Your Resume

Letters of Application

The Interview

Before the Interview

At the Interview

After the Interview

Keeping Track

Job Search Plan

GUIDE TO FINDING THE RIGHT JOB Railroad Retirement Board 844 North Rush Street Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 Booklet UB-12 (12-05) [http://www.rrb.gov](http://www.rrb.gov) CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 2 GETTING STARTED 3 GETTING THE WORD OUT 3 UPGRADING YOUR SKILLS 4 JOB SOURCES 4 YOUR RESUME 5 LETTERS OF APPLICATION 6 THE INTERVIEW 6 BEFORE THE INTERVIEW 6 AT THE INTERVIEW 7 AFTER THE INTERVIEW 8 KEEPING TRACK 9 JOB SEARCH PLAN 9 INTRODUCTION Finding a job is never easy. But by conducting an organized and thorough search, you can greatly increase your chances of success. The fact is that job openings occur every day, and being at the right place at the right time often makes the difference. This booklet provides tips on how to plan and conduct a successful job search to get the job you want. ▲ GETTING STARTED List Your Skills Your first step should be to make a list of your skills, talentsand experience. This list should include not only education, training and job experience, but also any hobbies, sports or charitable activities you engage in that display talent or initiative. For example, you may never have held a supervisory position, but a background in coaching or a leadership role in a civic or charitable group will give evidence of leadership that an employer may find attractive. Match Your Skills to Jobs You should then match your skills and experience to jobs that require the talents you have. Don’t limit yourself to jobs you have previously held or for which your education is suited. Your skills may be well suited to a job you have never thought about. Your local library and State Employment Service have publications that will help you decide what jobs best match your skills and experience. You may also arrange for an interview with a career counselor who can help you decide what kind of work is best suited to your abilities. GETTING THE WORD OUT Because many job vacancies are not advertised, word-of mouth contact is one of the most effective methods of finding a job. Take advantage of school, civic, charitable and sports activities in your community to tell your friends and family you are looking for a job. Ask if their employers are hiring, or if they know of hiring by other employers. If you are knocking on the employer’s door even before an opening is publicized, you have a good chance of being atthe right place at the right time. UPGRADING YOUR SKILLS As part of your job search, you may wish to upgrade or enhance skills you already have. For example, you may have worked in a skilled position for many years, but never acquired a license or certificate that some employers require. By contacting the appropriate state agency, you can learn what steps need to be taken to acquire a license or certificate. Often, your local community college or vocational school can provide free or low-cost training that will enable you to obtain the license or certificate you need. JOB SOURCES While you should not limit your search to openings that have been publicized, the job sources listed below are a good place to start: Railroad Retirement Board – The Railroad Retirement Board maintains a listing of job vacancies furnished by railroad employers. Contact your nearest RRB office for more information or check the jobs [list at ](list at www.rrb.gov. The RRB)[www.rrb.gov](list at www.rrb.gov. The RRB)[. The RRB](list at www.rrb.gov. The RRB)[ ](list at www.rrb.gov. The RRB)[list also has links to jobs on railroad web sites.](list also has links to jobs on railroad web sites.) Union Hall – If you have the appropriate license or certificate, union officials can provide information on where to apply for work. State Employment Service – The State Employment Service can help direct your job search and match you with suitable job vacancies. The Department of Labor web site at [www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/map.asp ](www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/ma

FAQs

How should you begin a job search in this booklet?

Start by listing your skills, talents, experience, and relevant activities such as hobbies, sports, or charitable work that show initiative or ability. Then match those skills to jobs that require the same talents.

What methods does the booklet recommend for getting job leads?

Use word-of-mouth by talking with friends and family, and get information through school, civic, charitable, and sports activities. Also use job sources such as RRB vacancy listings, unions, state employment services, newspaper advertisements, and job fairs.

Why is a resume important and when is it generally necessary?

A resume is a formal introduction that lists job experience, skills, and accomplishments and helps an employer understand how you can contribute. It is generally necessary for sales, supervisory, office, clerical, and other “white-collar” positions, while it is often not required for “blue-collar” skilled or semi-skilled work.

Sep 19, 2026

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