Making It in Duluth

I love my job.  It pays great, I get to do exactly what I studied for in college and I am learning multiple skills I can take with me into the future.  So, how did I find this great job?  One word; networking.

Today, many young professionals aged 24-35 are leaving the Duluth area and listing, “couldn’t find a job” as their reason.  They love the area, don’t mind the snow and want to raise their children here.  But it’s pretty simple, if you can’t find a job, you can’t live here.  I firmly believe that if you are well networked, you will find multiple job openings which will increase the opportunity for you to find a job in Duluth.  How are you networking?

Job Search Sites: The internet is great for college students and young professionals who do not live in the area.  They can search for jobs based on interest, salary, and a zip code area.  The drawback is the lack of options.  Duluth is a town full of small businesses, companies that employ 20 or fewer.  It is not cost effective or efficient for them to post job openings on the many sites that are available through the internet.  So, instead of checking out Monster and Career Builder, try these:

• Look up an individual company’s website. You’ll learn more about that business and they often post jobs on their own site.  Don’t know where to start?  Check out www.duluthchamber.com/directory to see 1200 business listings and you can search by category.
• Set up a profile on LinkedIn.com and start making connections.  Many people are finding out about jobs on this new social networking site.  A great benefit is that your profile acts as a resume.  Also, you can ask friends and former coworkers to write recommendations which can be listed on your profile.

Networking: Having a Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn page are great ways to be connected and spread the word that you are looking for a job.  Being involved in a sport, working a part time job, and hanging out with friends are also great ways to be connected.  However, all of that is not enough.  You need to get out of your comfort zone and find new networking hot spots.  Try these:

• Fuse Duluth is a group within the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce that provides events with plenty of networking as well as volunteer opportunities with many non profits in the community.  Get involved and you’ll be on a fast track to growing your network.
• Chambers of Commerce, service organizations, networking groups, and business associations are all groups you can visit even if you are a non member, not from the area, or are still a student.  The truth is these groups love to have visitors because they are all looking to grow their networks as well and you will meet several new people.

A wise professor once told me, “What is the most important thing in real estate? Location, location, location.  And what is the most important thing in job searching?  Talk to people, talk to people, talk to people!”  In today’s economy you cannot afford to be shy.  So get out there, get connected and get the job you want.