TAMPA -- Starting in late September, the University of South Florida will begin offering free job search help to unemployed alumni.

The new Alumni CareerQuest program involves USF's Career Center and Alumni Association. Jobless alums who have earned a degree from USF can get help with effective job search strategies, resources and coaching.

Alumni CareerQuest is not meant to be a job placement program, administrators say. But it will provide alumni with access to a variety of resources, professional career coaches, workshops, webinars, job search preparation software and opportunties to network and talk to recruiters looking to hire candidates from USF.

As part of establishing the program, USF is suspending its alumni career service fee for the 2009-10 academic year.

On Sept. 25, Alumni CareerQuest will hold a daylong workshop, "Job Search Strategies for a Tough Economy," with sessions on polishing a resume, interviewing effectively and taking advantage of career center services. The workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the USF Alumni Center.  Registration in advance is required and will take place Sept. 8-24. To register, visit www.career.usf.edu after Sept. 8. 

Following the workshop, alumni will be able to use the Career Center's library and make appointments for job coaching. USF graduates who live outside Tampa Bay will be able to schedule telephone or online coaching appointments. The program will hold weekly career and job search webinars as well as on-campus career fairs and electronic fairs.

Alums also will be able to upload their resumes, look for and apply for jobs posted through the Career Center and apply and schedule interviews on campus with employers looking to interview alumni.

-- Richard Danielson, Times Staff Writer