THE AGENCY WITH A HEART
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Teamsters Service
REFERENCES FOR THE JOB SEEKER
There are numerous resources online and in your community to assist you during your job search. This page offers only a few resources that you can use. With the help of your vocational counselor, you will be able to create your own personalized job search strategy. Also attend one of the many career workshops offered through Minnesota Job Partners to learn different approaches to the job search.
CAREER ASSESSMENTS
If you have never experienced a layoff or if it has been a while since you have looked for work, you may not know where to start. The days of walking into a business and walking out with a job are long gone. Job search is hard work! The modern Job Seeker uses multiple avenues to find their next job.
Looking for a job in today’s job market is more than opening the newspaper to the Help Wanted page. You need to utilize reputable job search websites, build your professional identity on social media, join job seeker clubs to grow your professional network and maybe attend training to brush up on skills or learn new skills to attract a potential employer. Your vocational counselor is knowledgeable and current on Minnesota employment trends and is there to assist you during your job search.
Your vocational counselor can help you with your resume, cover letter, interviewing techniques, networking skills, career exploration, and much more. Those who take advantage of the resources available through the Dislocated Worker Program are better prepared to look for work and feel confident going into their next interview.
Now is the time to reevaluate your career goals. Did you enjoy your past work? What job tasks do you like to do? What’s important to you when it comes to a job? These are the type of questions you should ask yourself before you start applying for positions.
1. Skills Assessment - Find careers based on what you like to do: http://www.iseek.org/careers/skillsAssessment
2. My Skills My Future - Find similar careers based on your employment history: http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org/
3. Job Skills Transfer - Discover your transferable skills: https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/lmi/ota/OccupationSelectA.aspx
4. Work Importance Profile - Learn what you value most from a job: http://www.onetcenter.org/WIP.html
NETWORKING & JOB CLUBS
Most employers will hire a personal referral over an unfamiliar job applicant. Print your business cards and start making meaningful connections, the more people you know the better!
1. Networking and Job Clubs - Join a club in your area: http://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/find-a-job/networking/
2. Wooddale Job Transition Support Group - One of the metro area's largest job clubs: http://jobtransition.net/
3. Career Fairs - Dress up, print copies of your resume, and meet employers who are hiring: http://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/find-a-job/job-career-fair/
4. LinkedIn - Build a professional profile, connect with individuals in your industry, join online discussions, and more: http://www.linkedin.com
5. Easter Job Transitions Group - A great job club offered in the southern metro area: http://easter.org/wordpress/job-transitions-group/
ONLINE JOB SEARCH SITES
There are hundreds of job search websites on the internet to find job postings. Make sure you always use a trustworthy website and never give out personal information or pay for services, the majority are free sites.
1. Minnesota Works - Minnesota's online job bank: http://www.minnesotaworks.net
2. Indeed - Online job search site with thousands of postings: http://www.indeed.com
3. MN Council of Nonprofits - Find job postings at local nonprofit agencies: http://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/jobs
4. MN Government Jobs - Job postings from various MN state departments: http://www.careers.state.mn.us/
5. Springboard for the Arts - Job postings & resources for the arts: http://springboardforthearts.org/jobs/
6. Minnesota Health Care Jobs - Health care related job postings in Minnesota: http://www.mnhospitaljobs.com/home
CAREERS & TRAINING
Once you decide on a career path, do your research to learn how in-demand your occupation is, what employers expect, salary perimeters and the skills and training required. Training can include adult basic education classes to earn a GED, introductory computer and software classes, coursework to gain a credential or an academic degree and occupational licenses and certifications. If formal training is required, find affordable institutions that offer creditable courses and credentials. The Dislocated Worker Program can help fund training, ask your vocational counselor for more information.
1. ISEEK - Minnesota data on careers, training institutions and much more: http://www.iseek.org/
2. O*NET OnLine - Provides national and state employment statistics: http://www.onetonline.org/
3. Minnesota State Colleges & Universities - Find post-graduate credentials offered through the Minnesota public school system: http://www.mnscu.edu/
4. Federal Student Aid - Resources to help pay for higher education: http://studentaid.ed.gov/
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Here are a few other resources you might find useful during your job search.
1. Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development - The state department focused on getting you back to work: http://mn.gov/deed/
2. Minnesota Unemployed - A site with lots of resources for the unemployed in Minnesota: http://www.minnesotaunemployed.com/
3. Creative Job Search Guide - An online version of the go-to book for Dislocated Workers and counselors in Minnesota: http://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/job-guide/index.jsp
4. Starting a Business in Minnesota - A roadmap to the world of business: http://mn.gov/deed/business/starting-business/
5. Business Finder Tool - This tool provides detailed contact information and information about the business for nearly 12 million employers nationwide: https://mn.gov/deed/data/data-tools/business-finder/
SUPPORT SERVICES
Your mental health and financial state are extremely important when job searching or in training. When these issues are not stable they become a barrier to your job search. Support services are available to you and your family when there is a need. Do not wait until issues unravel and leave you anxious. Contact your vocational counselor to discuss what services are available to you, or to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our knowledgeable Family Service Advocates. Support Services are available at no cost to you.
1. Bridge to Benefits - Links individuals and families to public work support programs and tax credits: http://mn.bridgetobenefits.org/Home2
2. Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program - Financial benefits for workers laid off through no fault of their own: http://uimn.org/uimn/
3. MNsure - MN's health insurance exchange. Find health insurance that fits your needs: https://www.mnsure.org/
4. Energy Assistance - Helps people with lower incomes to pay their heating/energy bills during the fall, winter and spring months. See Bridge to Benefits.
5. Fare for All - Utilizes bulk buying power to pass grocery savings of up to 40% to the consumer. Fresh produce, frozen meat, and value packs available. Distribution sites throughout city and suburbs: http://www.fareforall.org/pricing/
