Missoula Jobs

By Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

If your employer is hosting a holiday party this year, it may be a more modest affair than in years past in light of the economy. “The parties aren’t going to be as big this year — but they will be more intimate,” says Jacqueline Whitmore, author of Business Class: Etiquette Essentials for Success at Work. A smaller setting may put you closer to colleagues, thus magnifying any faux pas.
Don’t

• Bring an Uninvited Guest: Smaller parties may mean that spouses and partners are not included in the festivities, even if they have been in years past. “If you’re not sure if you can bring a guest, you should definitely ask,” Whitmore says. “If it’s not indicated that a guest is invited, be polite and honor that request.”
• Overindulge: “One of my pet peeves is when I see people drink too much at parties,” Whitmore says. “It’s still an extension of the office, so you should act in a professional manner. You don’t want to be the topic of conversation at the water cooler on Monday morning.” Also, she reminds revelers not to put anyone on the spot by asking why another guest is abstaining from alcohol. “We live in a health-conscious society,” she says. “It’s a personal choice.”
• Talk Shop: Keep business discussions very brief. “If you’ve got spouses and partners in the conversation, they often won’t have any idea what you’re going on about, so you’re just being a bore,” Whitmore says. Remember, too, that this is downtime. “Don’t burden a coworker with your problems,” she says. “Leave the office at the office.”
• Gossip or Tell Off-Color Jokes: People tend to be a little more relaxed at office parties, and if they have a few drinks, they may say things they normally would not. “Be mindful of what you say — the jokes, the comments,” Whitmore says. “We’re human. We want to have fun, but be mindful that it’s a company event.. There’s still a level of professionalism you must maintain.”

Do:

• Bring a Guest If You Can: “I think it’s a good idea to bring a guest if you can,” Whitmore says. “It gives people a better idea of who you are as a person. Your colleagues get to see another side of your life — and you theirs.”
• Get to Know Your Boss and Your Boss’s Boss: Use the office party as an opportunity to rub elbows with executives at your company with whom you don’t usually interact. “You can’t always get close to senior executives or partners at the office because they’re so busy, but in a social environment, they’re more open to small talk,” Whitmore says. She recommends introducing yourself on a personal level and asking about hobbies or interests. “This is a key opportunity,” she says. “Take advantage of it.”
• Dress Professionally: “My biggest pet peeve is when I see people dressed provocatively at office parties,” Whitmore says. “This is an extension of the office. It’s not the time to wear the dress with the slit up to your hip.” Wear something a bit more festive than you might wear to work, but more conservative than what you would wear to a nightclub. “Keep an air of professionalism in mind when you choose your attire,” she says.
• Keep Things Light and Fun: There’s a lot of gloom and doom in the news — and perhaps at your company as well. Try to banish the dark clouds for the duration of the party with a sunny attitude. “It’s tough for people to stay away from these topics because that’s all we hear all day long,” Whitmore says. “But it can bring everybody’s mood down.” Focus on positive events and the spirit of the season to avoid ruining the party for your colleagues.

Copyright 2011 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles, visit: http://career-advice.monster.com

A Job Search Style Makeover for Men

By Kim Isaacs, Monster Resume Expert

We’ve all heard about the importance of first impressions, and this is especially true during a job search when competition is fierce. Your appearance, resume and even the way you search for a job could be preventing you from getting the interviews and job offers you deserve. If you’re concerned your job search is at a standstill because you appear to be too old, it’s time for a job search style makeover.

Refresh Your Resume

Retro might be cool in some fashion or design realms, but it’s not a good look for your resume. “Nothing communicates ‘out-of-touch’ more clearly than a resume that looks old-fashioned,” explains Louise Fletcher, president of Blue Sky Resumes, a former Monster contributor and a career expert with 15 years of HR experience.

“Age discrimination isn’t actually about age,” says Fletcher. “It’s about all the things that are erroneously assumed to go along with being older, such as being out of touch, less technologically aware and less energetic than a younger person.”

Fletcher says the resume is a chance for you to show you’re not any of those things. Here are some tips:

• Trim early experiences, such as jobs older than 10 to 15 years.
• Include links to social networking profiles, such as BeKnown, LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Set up such profiles to be highly professional, not personal.
• Add information about hobbies if they are sports-related.
• Consider removing graduation dates.
• Review resume samples written by professional resume writers to see the latest style trends.

The resume shouldn’t chronicle everything you’ve ever done. “Show that you are an invigorated job candidate who’s not even close to peaking in your career,” says Cliff Flamer, a professional resume writer and executive director of BrightSide Resumes. Flamer suggests illustrating that you’ve been keeping your skills refreshed, such as through certification courses, ongoing study, volunteer work and membership in professional organizations.

The key is relevancy. Focus on the qualifications that are most important to the job you’re pursuing while underplaying older or irrelevant experiences.

Use Technology to Your Advantage

If you’re mailing resumes through the US Postal Service and waiting for the phone to ring, you could be in for a long job search. “Older men need to understand that job searching doesn’t work the way it used to,” says Fletcher. Hiring managers are likely to source for candidates online using job boards like Monster.com, search engines and social networking sites.

“The best advice I can give any job seeker is to build a strong and professional online presence,” says Fletcher. ”Be on social networking sites, connect with as many people as you can, and — if you have a talent for writing — consider starting a blog and/or writing articles about your expertise.” Also, your resume should be ready to go in email format, and you need to be well-versed on how to send documents and communicate via email.

Not only will using modern job search methods help you get noticed, but employers will see you are in tune with the latest technologies and tools.

Update Your Look

Now that your foot is in the door for a job interview, it’s time for a style check. What message is your image conveying?

Joseph Rosenfeld, a San Jose-based image consultant and owner of JosephRosenfeld.com, says there’s nothing wrong with showing signs of aging, but older men can create a style that is contemporary. “If a man hasn’t been shopping for a while, his clothes will look dated, and then he looks dated,” says Rosenfeld, who has been providing style advice to men for more than eight years. He advises men to select a suit that looks sophisticated, fits well, flatters the body shape and is age-appropriate.

Also, pay attention to your hair. If the style is unkempt or has not been updated in awhile, go to a hair stylist, advises Rosenfeld. And what about gray hair? It comes down to personal preference. “If the job seeker wanted to revive a more youthful look, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend coloring hair,” says Rosenfeld.

The ultimate confidence-booster is a focus on physical fitness. “When you walk in an interview and your endorphins are running high because you’re staying active, you exude a youthfulness and an energy that people want to access,” explains Rosenfeld. Staying fit can also influence your mental acuity, increasing the odds of a successful interview.

Remember that your experience and skills are of value to employers. The key is to get invited to interviews to give yourself the chance to shine. Your updated look and career marketing materials can help you do just that.

Copyright 2011 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles, visit:

http://career-advice.monster.com

By Beverly West, Monster Contributing Writer

When the going gets tough, your coworkers can be the first to get on your last nerve. Whether it’s due to on-the-job pressures, stress at home, familiarity or just proximity, when you’re feeling hot under the collar, it’s often your coworkers who wind up feeling the heat — whether they actually deserve it or not.

So the next time you’re ready to explode because your cube neighbor did something that irritates you yet again, let these tips from business-harmony experts help you make peace rather than war.

Rethink Conflict

“What we think of as the usual way of resolving conflicts does not foster resolution,” says ResolutionWorks founder Stewart Levine in his article “The Many Costs of Conflict,” adapted from Getting to Resolution: Turning Conflict into Collaboration. “Unfortunately, the operative premise that someone will win and someone will lose produces all losers, no matter who thinks they won. The dispute-resolution machinery often fuels the fire of conflict and impedes resolution.”

Rather than throwing down the gauntlet next time you find yourself in coworker conflict, try to start a calm, productive dialogue, where you can collectively arrive at a situation that satisfies both parties. This way, you both come out winners.

Address the Underlying Problem, Not the Latest Symptom

The fact that the gal in the next cubicle just took another personal call when you need to meet with her is probably not really why you’re so steamed. True, this is hardly considerate, and if it’s a pattern, you may want to discuss it with her. However, it’s rare one irritating act is the true source of conflict.

“Most conflict-resolution conversations do not foster resolutions that address the underlying sources of conflict — breakdowns in relationships,” says Levine in his article. So consider what’s really getting under your skin before you address your coworker.

Exercise Emotional Intelligence

“When emotionally upset, people cannot remember, attend, learn or make decisions clearly,” says Daniel Goleman in Emotional Intelligence. These three applications of emotional intelligence can be helpful in productively resolving office conflict:

• Air Grievances Sensitively: Think about the effect your criticism will have on its recipient. If your words suggest the person is dim-witted, lazy or inconsiderate, you will get defensiveness and resentment in response. Talk to your coworker the way you would want to be spoken to, and aim for resolution, not revenge.
• Consider Others’ Working Styles: Try not to get irritated just because somebody’s approach is different than yours.
• Learn to Negotiate Effectively: Focus on the desired outcome of a conversation with your coworker, and strategize the best possible way to achieve your result.

Manage Your Stress

Our own pressures can make us short-tempered. “The workplace holds a plethora of anxiety producers,” says Gloria Dunn, president of management-consulting company Wiser Ways to Work. She suggests the following strategies for regaining a sense of control and managing your stress level:

• Mark off daily time that you keep free of interruptions.
• Learn to say no. Create realistic boundaries, and stick to them. That way, you won’t feel walked on, and you will feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
• Create a workspace that nurtures you (e.g., makes you feel both physically and emotionally comfortable).
• Exercise daily.

But the best way to avoid office drama is to refuse to engage in it. Nobody can cook up a full-scale conflict alone. If you can maintain a clear head, a good perspective on the issues, a sense of self-awareness and some compassion for your coworkers, you really can work in peace.

Copyright 2011 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles, visit:

http://career-advice.monster.com

By Charles Purdy, Monster+HotJobs Senior Editor

Every job interview is different — but some general principles can guide you in just about any interview, for any job. When you’re talking about yourself and your experience, keep the following six points in mind.

1. Be the Solution

Companies fill or create positions because they have problems they want to solve — for instance, ineffective advertising or long customer-service lines. So prepare for an interview by identifying the problems hinted at in the job ad (if there’s no job ad, research the company and industry) and then preparing examples of how you’ll solve those problems — and how you’ve solved similar problems in the past. Practice telling stories about specific results you’ve achieved.

And if you’re changing careers, keep in mind that many problems — such as a lack of effective project management or a breakdown of teamwork — are not industry-specific. Offering solutions to these problems is a great way to overcome a lack of directly applicable experience.

2. Be Specific

Avoid empty clichés. Be prepared to back up your claims about your skills or characteristics with relevant and specific stories. For example, don’t just say you “work well with others” — talk about the types of teams you’ve worked with and what you’ve learned from them. Or if you plan to say you’re “detail-oriented,” come to the interview prepared with a story about how your attention to detail saved a former employer money (or otherwise saved the day).

3. Prepare Sound Bites

Prepare three or four effective sound bites that highlight your skills and past successes. A sound bite is succinct and direct, so it’s catchy and easy to remember — for example, “I’ve designed logos for three Fortune 500 companies” or “My efficiency plan decreased product-delivery times by 15 percent without costing the company a cent.”

When you’re coming up with your sound bites, ask yourself, “What were my greatest achievements at my most recent job?” and “What sets me apart from other candidates?”

4. Prepare to Talk About Your Resume

Your resume and cover letter will likely form an outline for at least part of your interview. Because a resume has to be brief, it probably says many things that could be elaborated on or explained in more detail. Often a resume explains the “what” (for instance, “supervised two people”). Use the interview to talk about the “how,” as well as skills you gained, praise you received and so on.

5. Be Aware of Nonverbal Communication

You “say” a lot about yourself with nonverbal language: your posture and your facial expressions, for instance. Sit up straight — leaning forward can make you seem closed off, as can holding a briefcase or purse in your lap. Maintain eye contact when answering questions, and smile frequently. Also, practice your handshake with a friend: An overly aggressive handshake can be as off-putting as a limp one.

6. Be Positive

Avoid complaining about a former employer or laying blame at a former manager’s feet — doing so will likely make you seem difficult to work with (or just disloyal). Even if you quit your last job in a rage because you had an incompetent manager, saying something like “I felt I was ready for a more challenging position — like this one seems to be” turns a potentially interview-killing situation into something that makes you look very attractive to a hiring manager.

Copyright 2011 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles, visit:

http://career-advice.monster.com

By Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

As soon as the calendar turns over to September, retailers will know how much help they’ll need to handle the holidays.

John Challenger, CEO of outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, states that retailers are facing an uphill battle. “Consumers are tapped, and credit is increasingly harder to come by,” he says. “Meanwhile, retailers’ shipping costs are ballooning thanks to gas prices, and the weak dollar is raising the price of imported goods. With profits already getting squeezed, most retailers are going to be reluctant to take on the additional cost of extra staffing.”

There will be some holiday hiring, he assures job seekers. However, Challenger points out, “The labor pool is flush with qualified candidates who undoubtedly would be eager to earn some extra holiday spending money and take advantage of employee discounts.”

If you want to get a distinct advantage over other would-be seasonal workers, plan your job search carefully using these tips.

Know Where to Look

“The best opportunities for seasonal job seekers will be at the large discounters like Target and Wal-Mart, which will be heavily favored by cost-conscious consumers this holiday season,” Challenger says. But be prepared to look past retail sales jobs for other opportunities.

“The big-box stores need extra workers on the floor, but they also need extra workers in their shipping facilities and overnight stocking positions,” he says. “Opportunities also exist outside of retail, in areas like catering and with shipping companies such as UPS and FedEx.”

Start Early

Employers already know how many people they’ll need, so start searching today. Even if a job doesn’t begin for another month, it’s best to lock in an opportunity sooner rather than later.

Dress the Part

When you’re looking for any kind of job, show up dressed in business-casual attire, at the very least. Even if the seasonal work for which you’re applying is outdoors (think Christmas trees), wear neat slacks, polished shoes and a collared shirt.

Be Prepared

If you’re stopping into an establishment to shop for seasonal work, be prepared to fill out an application and participate in an impromptu interview. Bring your own pen, necessary documentation to prove you can work in the US legally, a resume if you have one and all contact information for your professional references. Be sure you block off enough time to meet with a few supervisors should the opportunity arise.

Know What You Want

If you’re applying for seasonal work, know precisely what you offer to a potential employee — and what you want in return. Determine what hourly rate is acceptable to you, what hours and days you’re available, if you’ve got the wherewithal for a particular position (some may involve lifting heavy boxes or standing for the greater part of your shift), and if the location is viable in terms of fuel costs and transportation options. (Will you always have access to a reliable car or a convenient subway or bus line?) You don’t want to make a commitment only to leave an employer in the lurch during the hectic holidays.

Be Flexible

The best way to make sure you stand out from other seasonal talent is to present yourself as flexible — but only if you really are. A hiring manager revealed that demanding a specific schedule from prospective employers is a sure way to jettison your chances at landing a job.

Instead, advises Challenger, “Temporary workers must be prepared to be flexible, whether it is hours or type of work. Either can vary as the holiday season progresses.”

Copyright 2010 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles, visit:

http://career-advice.monster.com

By Breeana Laughlin For Employment Marketplace

One of Missoula’s largest employers is showing appreciation for their staff during a recognition dinner on Tuesday, September 27. Employees who have worked for five-years or more and will celebrate their accomplishments with their guests and coworkers at the patriotic-themed event. “It’s a way of coming together and celebrating everyone who is here and has given so much of their lives,” said Debbie Tran, of human resources. Barry Olson, the Director of the Rehabilitation Institute of Montana, has been working at Community hospital for 30 years. “To me, the best thing about working here has been all of the personal growth opportunities that have ranged from clinical to administration,” Olson said. “It’s given me variety and a challenge.” Lynette Kirschenheiter, who works in patient financial services, and Basia Benbenek, telecommunications manager, will both be celebrating 35 years with Community. They are amazed with how much the hospital has grown since they first started working there. “Looking back over the years, I see how community has changed from a local hospital to a regional medical center. It’s expanded and grown so much no one would have ever guessed,” Benbenek said. Benbeneks first job was at the hospital’s switchboard. Back then, her job duties didn’t include just the switchboard, but also registration, cashiering and even working at the snack counter. Kirschenheiter started her career at Community Medical Center, not long after graduating from high school. She had a rough first day. “I told my boyfriend, who is now my husband, “I’m not going back,” Kirschenheiter said. “But he said to to go back and give it another try, and today I am still here.” The longtime employees enjoy what they describe as a family-oriented work atmosphere. They also appreciate how many opportunities there are within the hospital system. “I don’t see myself getting bored in my arena. It’s always changing, and if I do need a change there is always the opportunity for something different,” Benbenek said. Employees said they also enjoy the well-maintained campus, an emphasis on community involvement and competitive compensation. “They treat us very fairly in that the salary has been competitive and the benefits have been excellent,” Olson said. Olson also appreciated the opportunity to keep his family in the Missoula area. “My kids are fifth generation Missoulians, so Community Hospital has allowed my family to stay here,” he said. “I actually graduated from graduate school in New York on a Friday and started here on Monday.” Human resource employee Tran said no matter how many years each employee attending the dinner has worked with the hospital, they will all leave the event with a feeling of accomplishment. “I think they’ll take away that we do care about them as people – not just their skills but them as human beings – and that they really do contribute to patient care no matter what they do in the facility,” Tran said. Local job seekers interested in starting a career with Community Medical Center can visit their Website at http://www.communitymed.org and click on the employment link at the bottom of the page.

By Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

In preparing for a job interview, you’ve probably practiced a firm (but not too firm) handshake, rehearsed answers to tough interview questions about your background and spiffed up your lucky interview suit. But many job hunters overlook a crucial part of the interview process: the very end.

As you finish an interview, you have one last chance to sell the interviewer on your skills — and get the information you need in order to follow up. Experts offer these tips for successfully closing an interview:

Don’t Leave Empty Handed

To be sure you can follow up later, don’t leave the interview without getting the names, titles and contact information of everyone you met. This includes people you may dismiss as unimportant. “You don’t know who has pull,” says Laura DeCarlo, president of Career Directors International, a global professional association of resume writers and career coaches.

Know the Next Steps

You should also ask what the next steps are in the process: Will the most-promising candidates be called back for another interview? Is the company about to make a hiring decision? How soon does the hiring manager expect to move to this next step?

“It’s totally appropriate for a candidate to ask this,” says Peggy McKee, founder of Career Confidential.

Lay the Groundwork for a Follow-Up

Once the interviewer explains how the process will unfold, DeCarlo explains, “You say, ‘Thank you. Is it OK if I call you if I haven’t heard from you?’” Although you don’t need the interviewer’s permission to follow up, having the interviewer say it’s OK will likely make you less apprehensive if doing so becomes necessary.

Close the Sale

After you thank the interviewer and briefly summarize why you think you’re a good fit for the job, McKee suggests asking straight out, “Based on this interview, do you feel that I could be successful in this position? Will you move me forward in the interview process?”

A positive response doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to get the job. But the interviewer will likely remember you as a stronger candidate. “When you answer yes, you cross a line mentally,” McKee says.

What if the interviewer expresses reservations? “That’s the big fear,” McKee says. But even though it may be disappointing, it’s better to know. “This is your only really strong opportunity to find out what her objections are, so you can overcome those objections,” she says.

For example, if the interviewer says you lack experience in a particular area, you may realize that you didn’t emphasize your relevant experience enough. You can now clarify, either on the spot or in a follow-up letter.

You may get a noncommittal answer — the interviewer may say simply that there are more candidates to interview, for example. If that happens, use this as an opportunity to ask for more information about how the hiring process will play out.

Remember the Details

Your interview thank-you letter will be more effective if you can mention specifics about your interview. The best way to do this, DeCarlo says, is to write down everything you remember — good and bad — as soon as you can after the interview.

Copyright 2011 – Monster Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You may not copy, reproduce or distribute this article without the prior written permission of Monster Worldwide. This article first appeared on Monster, the leading online global network for careers. To see other career-related articles, visit:

http://career-advice.monster.com

Positive work environment for those who enjoy working with children

By Breeana Laughlin

Local children may be enjoying their summer break, but Missoula County Public Schools are ramping up for another school year.
Missoula County Public Schools encompasses 17 schools, including 3 middle schools and 9 elementary schools. A big part of preparing for the upcoming school year includes hiring the right employees for the job.

Employment positions with the schools range from noon teachers-aides and crossing guards – which only require working a couple hours per day – all the way up to the superintendent of schools.

Steve McHugh, the human resources director for Missoula County Public Schools, has enjoyed a variety of positions with the local schools. Before becoming human resources director, he was a teacher and a principal for several years.

“It’s a positive and upbeat work environment,” he said. “The nice thing about it is that the majority of people are working with kids – and that’s a pretty good deal when you get to work with children.”

Current certified-licensed open positions include a high school English and drama teacher, elementary and middle school music teachers and a counselor. Open classified positions include tennis, volleyball, football and basketball coaches and assistant coaches, a speech assistant director and a substitute sign language interpreter.

The hiring directors at Missoula County Public Schools are looking for people who are qualified for the position they are applying for, who have a good work ethic and who will develop good relationships with their students and colleagues.

“Right now with the economy as it is we are noticing there quite a few more people applying for each job we put out there,” human resource director McHugh said.
The large number of highly quality applicants translates into tough competition for job seekers, but school representatives said it also translates into a great pool of employees working at local schools.

“We are fortunate in getting high-quality people to join our workforce,” McHugh said.

Anyone looking for a job with Missoula County Public Schools should look online at their website.  People who want to apply for an open position should fill out an application, then submit it to the job they are applying for. Incomplete applications won’t be considered.

“When you are applying for a job and submit the information, it creates a file for us. But you have to make sure you also submit your application to the particular job you are applying,” McHugh said.

After submitting an application, McHugh recommends following up with human resources to make sure everything has gone through correctly.

“Follow up on it, because we don’t like someone not to be considered for a job after they think they have applied,” he said.

Applicants are encouraged to go over the job descriptions listed on the Missoula County Public Schools website. The descriptions include a list of essential functions required for each job.

If a job applicant makes it through to the interview process, it’s important to be prepared and take this portion of the application process seriously. Job seekers are rated on how well they answer interview questions.

“You should be able to tell us why you are the best candidate for the job. One of the ways you can do that is by answering the questions to the best of your ability and show us you know what you’re talking about,” McHugh said.

For more information about employment opportunities and to apply for a position with Missoula County Public Schools, go to www.mcps.k12.mt.us and click on the employment tab.

Missoula Job Service offers relocation tips

There are a lot of reasons to be allured into moving to Missoula. But finding a job position in the Garden City isn’t always a walk in the park.

Saundra Long, an employment specialist at the Missoula Job Service, has some tips for those who want to relocate or are new to the area.

Research is a great way to start a job search.

“Understanding how many openings there has been and what the wages are will help them plan ahead,” Long said.

A federal job search Website called Career One Stop (www.careeronestop.org) offers information about different occupations, including how many job openings there has been in the past few years in certain fields and wage information.
“For instance, if you know you want to work for small nonprofit you can go in and basically drill down and get a list of small nonprofits in the area,” Long said.
The list is more comprehensive than putting keywords in a search engine.
“It’s one of my favorite tools for targeting certain markets,” the job specialist said.
If someone has already moved to the area and is having trouble finding the right job, they are welcome to talk to someone at the job service for employment advice.
“People can always come in and have us look over their resume and cover letter and see if it looks like what Missoula, Montana employers are looking for,” Long said.
Most of the core job search skills remain the same no matter where you’re at, but in Missoula there is still an emphasis on face to face interaction and networking.
“Nationwide they still say about 75 percent of people find jobs through people they know,” Long said. “It’s very important for people who already live here, or are thinking about moving here to start plugging in to some networks.”
Volunteering is a great way to meet people and start making connections in the Missoula community – whether it be at an organization related to your career field, serving on a board, getting involved with the chamber of commerce or a local church. Those want to improve their networking skills should be ready and willing to build personal connections.
“It’s also important to be able to articulate your skills and what you are looking for, so when you meet people and build your network you will have a memorable message,” Long said.

Classified ads are helpful when finding a job. But job seekers can also look beyond the organizations that are currently hiring and build networks with employers who may not have current openings.

“Sometimes the best way to find a job that you really want is looking beyond what is available at that time,” Long said. “Focus your energy on the target market and build that network, so when an opening becomes available, you’re the person that pops into employers minds.”
People looking to relocate to Missoula shouldn’t count out entrepreneurial opportunities. The Missoula area has a wide variety of interesting and innovative businesses.
“It could be the right thing to do to start your own business doing something you love,” Long said.
For more information about finding a job in the Missoula area, visit the Missoula Job Service Website at https://jobs.mt.gov.