Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training

The Connection

Your trusted source for the latest job search and employment information.

December 2015

In This Issue

MNSURE Open Enrollment

Youth and Dislocated Worker Programs

Tips for December Grads on the Job Hunt

Holiday Hiring is Happening

Keeping Last-Minute Holiday Spending Under Control

Quick Links

MinnesotaWorks

DEED

Events for Job Seekers

______________________

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR SOME INSURANCE OPTIONS ENDS JAN. 31, 2016!

Be sure to contact MNSURE today!

Click on the following link and enter your zip code for a list of assisters in your area.

MNSURE

__________________________

Youth and

Dislocated Worker

Programs

If you are a student in high school that is looking for some career guidance, please call:

1-800-325-5332

If you have lost your job due to company downsizing, buyouts or layoffs, your top priority is finding a new job. But what kind of job do you look for if your skills are outdated and no longer needed? If you are interested in pursuing a different occupation or are unsure what the next step in your career path might be, trained career counselors at the Office of Job Training can work with you to develop a plan. For more information call:

1-800-325-5332

______________________

Tips for December Grads on the Job Hunt during the Holiday Season

Posted by: Medix

Your last final exams are right around the corner and semester projects are wrapping up. School is almost over, meaning the "real world" is at your doorstep! The stress of finding a job is probably in full swing, and the fact it's also the holiday season probably isn't helping. Despite what many think, hiring doesn't stop during the holidays, so it is actually a good time to job search! Follow these tips to help you find your first job this holiday season:

Be Flexible

Depending on the industry, the holidays can be an extremely busy time for many organizations. Between that and personal time, many hiring managers are scrambling and may require extra flexibility from job candidates. If you're called in to interview at an odd time, try to make it work. The more you work around the hiring manager's schedule, the better impression you will make as a team player.

Use Social Media

Social media is a quick and simple way to connect with hiring managers and other professionals within your industry, so dedicate some time to social media networking this holiday season. Before you do so, make sure you scrub up your profiles and rid them of those party pictures and statuses!

Reach Out to Network

Throughout your college experience, you have created a network of professors, mentors and internship and job supervisors. Spread some holiday cheer by reaching out and reconnecting with your network, thanking them for their support. Also mention you are job searching, because you never know who might have a contact to share with you!

Volunteer

There are many reasons why you should take advantage of the abundant volunteering opportunities during the holidays. Not only will you positively impact others in your community, you can bolster your resume with relevant experience and meet new networking contacts, two things that can greatly help new grads! To make the most of these opportunities, volunteer to head a project that will require your professional skills.

Jobs and opportunities don't just disappear during the holidays, so while you're celebrating with friends and family, make sure you're devoting time and energy to the job search. You never know; you might be ringing in the New Year with your first job!

_______________________________________________________________________

Holiday Hiring is Happening - Just Keep Looking

DEED, December 2, 2015

Most job seekers assume December is a bust for hiring, and stop looking for work during the holidays. That's a terrible mistake. As a recruiter and manager, I've interviewed and hired people on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and even on every Saturday in December. It's true: Overall hiring does slow down, but not nearly as much as you've been led to believe.

Here are four reasons many companies are still hiring during th

e holidays:

- They can't wait. While some positions are non-essential and can be pushed back until January, there are many positions that are mission-critical to the business and must be filled as soon as possible.

- They need to "use it or lose it." If they don't use all the money in their staff budget, it might get cut from next year's budget. Many a CEO have said, "You didn't need them badly enough to hire last year, so I'm giving that head count to someone else."

- They want their new hires ready to rock and roll on Jan. 1. When the new year hits, so does a furious pace of business for many companies. It's nice to train new workers during the quieter holiday time, so they're ready to run when the new year starts.

Read on...

______________________________________________________________________

Keeping Last-Minute Holiday Spending Under Control

LinkedIn - Keith Klein

With all merriment of the fast-approaching holidays, it's easy to let the last minute shopping get away from you. You've seen the footage on the news and even been in the middle of it. You stood in the lines, and circled the parking lots for that elusive spot. Holiday shopping can be downright madness at times; in fact, you don't need to even get in your car and go to the mall to feel the pressure and urges, a half hour with your laptop or tablet can put you in the same frame of mind.

But how do you keep your spending under control, whether at the local shopping mall or at home? Here are some tips:

1. Take a step back: Assess your finances and your budget. Make a list of what's left to buy and who needs a gift. Once you have set a dollar limit that you think is manageable, try to spend less than that. If you need to exchange a gift for something more thrifty, do it now.

2. Identify potential hidden costs and take measures to eliminate them. Shopping online presents an interesting alternative for the last minute holiday shopper, but is not without its financial drawbacks as well. Last minute shipping and handling costs can turn what may seem to be a dream last-minute bargain into an expensive nightmare. Last minute gift cards can be easily tucked into a holiday envelope and mailed first class.

3. Don't allow the stress of last-minute shopping allow you to get sucked into last minute markups. Especially if you've been good all along, don't blow your budget on a very spendy last week. That's like blowing your diet on dessert.

Read on. . .

______________________________________________________________________

At the close of another year

we gratefully pause

to wish you a warm and happy

Holiday Season