by Becky Cole

With competition for jobs becoming greater, it is a good idea to join a networking group or a job club. This will keep you connected with other people for support and will help you to find jobs and resources that might not be posted in a newspaper or on a website. There are many in the metro area for a variety of purposes, and you may attend more than one, if you find it useful to do so. Most are free, and a few have a minimal charge. However, most of the ones who do have a fee will often let you attend for free, if you can show that the fee would create a hardship for you.

Examples of groups in the metro area: (Note: these resources are listed for informational purposes, and are not endorsed by the Employment News. Contact each group for specific information on each group).

Woodbury Lutheran Church. The Career Transition Connection offers advice, support and connection for job seekers in the East Metro area. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, except holidays. The time is 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. No need to pre-register and it is free.

St. Paul Veterans Resource Center. Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military related issues. Veterans have earned these benefits through their service and all are provided at no cost to the veteran or family.

St. Odilia Catholic Church in Shoreview. SOAR for Jobs, a job transition support and networking group, was launched in January 2002, at St. Odilia parish. SOAR stands for St. Odilia Assistance and Resources. Soar4jobs generally meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.

Blaine, Brooklyn Park, Shakopee, Minneapolis and North St. Paul workforce centers have free job search classes. Contact them for specific days and times.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville has a group that provides job search information with speakers on specific topics like resume writing, interviewing, networking and marketing as well as handouts of written information on job search subjects. Small group discussions allow job seekers to share their experiences and connect with other job seekers, helping each other in the process.

One other resource that is available if you lose a job through no fault of your own, are eligible for unemployment insurance and are unlikely to return to the previous occupation or industry, is the Dislocated Worker program. Through the this program you can receive job search help, as well as assistance in short-term training or long-term training to acquire skills in a new field. Limited funds are also available for things such as transportation and child care, if they are needed to achieve employment and training goals. Contact your local Workforce Center to see how to apply for this.

Got a resource that worked for you? Or one that didn’t work so well? Let me know your story.

Becky Cole is a consultant for non-profit organizations specializing in capacity building for both individuals and corporations throughout the Twin Cities.  She has an Education Specialist Degree from Indiana University. Becky Cole can be reached at: bcole@employmentnewsmn.com