Finding the right job isn’t always easy. Don’t be frustrated if the first or fifth or twentieth job you pick isn’t the one you really love. Depending on your interests and skills, you may want to reach out for some help from one of these local resources.

Here are some of the places and people that can help you find training programs, assist in job searches and resumes, and much more. The truth is employers here are looking for dedicated, confident, skilled workers like you. These resources will help you find those hidden jobs, since they do this stuff everyday!

Your local WorkForce Center can assist you in mastering your job search. Investment in learning this information will provide job seekers an opportunity to reap benefits such as:

• Shorter time to obtain a new job
• Increase in the number of interviews and job offers
• Higher starting wage
• Reduced fear of unemployment
• Increase in potential for job satisfaction

MinnesotaWorks.net - Minnesota's Job Bank
Create an account for yourself and search thousands of job openings! You can track the jobs you've applied for and apply for jobs online with your resume. This service is offered at no cost for job seekers or employers.

Minnesota WorkForce Centers & Veteran's Services
WorkForce Centers are a collaboration of partners, including the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), theRural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP), and local community agencies. Students, people seeking work, businesses seeking employees, and those looking for a first job or returning to the workforce will find services to meet their needs offered at no cost. Each WFC houses a Resource Area offering computers with high-speed Internet and email access, phones, fax machines, and printers. Resource Areas have knowledgeable staff ready to guide you through all the steps of your job search and career planning process. Many state and federal programs exist to ensure that Minnesota veterans get specialized employment and training services. Minnesota's Veterans Employment Representatives work with local businesses and veterans.

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Moorhead
715 11th Street N., Suite 201
Clay County Family Service Center
Moorhead, MN 56560-2086
Phone: 218.236.2191
Fax: 218.299.5871
TTY: 218.236.2001
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
Website: http://www.mnwfc.org/moorhead/

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Detroit Lakes
801 Roosevelt Avenue
Roosevelt Building
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-3703
Phone: 218.846.7379
Fax: 218.846.0773
TTY: 218.846.0772
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Website: http://www.mnwfc.org/detroitlakes/

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Alexandria
303 22nd Avenue West, Suite 107
Alexandria, MN 56308-1811
Phone: 320.762.7800
Fax: 320.762.7530
TTY: 320.762.7805
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Website: http://www.mnwfc.org/alexandria

Minnesota WorkForce Center - Fergus Falls
125 W. Lincoln Avenue, Suite 1
P.O. Box 418, Lincoln Center
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218.739.7560
Fax: 218.739.7496
TTY: 218.739.7287
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday
Website: http://www.mnwfc.org/fergusfalls

Rural Minnesota Concentrated Employment Program (CEP)
CEP provides job training and employment opportunities for the economically disadvantaged, the unemployed, and the under-employed.
~ Regular Program Services
~ Programs for Youth
~ Programs for Senior Americans
~ Special Programs
- - > Dislocated Worker Program; Food Stamp Employment & Training Program (FSET); Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)

Higher Education
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 colleges and universities, including 25 two-year colleges and seven state universities, and separate from the University of Minnesota. The Northwest Minnesota region is home to the University of Minnesota, Crookston and Morris; Bemidji State University; Minnesota State University, Moorhead; four campuses of Minnesota State Community & Technical College; two campuses of Northland Community & Technical College; Northwest Technical College; Alexandria Technical College; and Central Lakes College.

Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Phone: 218.477.2161 or 800.593.7246 or 952.226.1055
Website: http://www.mnstate.edu/home/
Enrollment: 9,025 total students; 7,009 full-year equiv. enrollment
Degrees Offered: Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, Specialist degrees, Associate degrees, certificates and diplomas
Largest Programs: Elementary education, mass communications, business administration, art, and social work
Unique Programs: American Indian studies, athletic training, biosciences, Chinese and Japanese languages, construction management, exercise science, film studies, geosciences, health services administration, and music industry

Minnesota State Community & Technical College
Detroit Lakes campus
Phone: 888.MY.MSCTC (696.7282)
Website: www.minnesota.edu/campuses/detroit_lakes/


Fergus Falls campus
Phone: 888.MY.MSCTC (696.7282)
Website: www.minnesota.edu/campuses/fergus_falls/

Moorhead campus
Phone: 888.MY.MSCTC (696.7282)
Website: www.minnesota.edu/campuses/moorhead/

Wadena campus
Phone: 888.MY.MSCTC (696.7282)
Website: www.minnesota.edu/campuses/wadena/

Enrollment: 6,874 total students; 4,414 full-year equiv. enrollment
Degrees Offered: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, diplomas, certificates
Largest Programs: Liberal arts transfer, business, construction electricity, practical nursing
Unique Programs: Nanoscience technician, Case IH and Deere diesel technology, health information technology, Web development, Associate in Arts honors program, pharmacy technology, plumbing technology, business office systems specialist, computer network security, correctional officer, paralegal

Alexandria Technical College
Phone: 320.762.4520 or 888.234.1222
Website: http://www.alextech.edu
Enrollment: 3,475 total students; 2,145 full-year equiv. enrollment
Degrees Offered: Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, diplomas, certificates
Largest Programs: Law enforcement, nursing, diesel mechanics (partnership with Ziegler, Inc., the Caterpillar dealer for Minnesota and Iowa), carpentry, marine and small engine mechanic (partnership with Arctic Cat), interior design
Unique Programs: Medical device manufacturing, e-commerce Web developer, health and fitness specialist, communication art and design, hotel-restaurant management, fashion management

Concordia College - Moorhead
Phone: 218.299.4000
Website: www.concordiacollege.edu
Degrees Offered: Bachelor's degrees, preprofessional programs, graduate and continuing studies
Majors and Minors: Accounting, art, biology, business, chemistry, church professions, classical studies, classics, clinical laboratory science, communication, communication studies - theatre art, computer science, earth science, economics, education, English, environmental studies, exercise science, food/nutrition and dietetics, French, German, global studies, health, healthcare administration, history, political science, humanities, Latin, mathematics, music, neuroscience, nursing, philosophy, physical education studies, physics, psychology, religion, Russian studies, Scandinavian studies, social work, sociology, Spanish, and women's studies
Preprofessional Programs: chiropractic, dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, seminary, and veterinary medicine

White Earth Tribal College
Mahnomen campus
Phone: 218.935.0417
Website: http://www.wetcc.org/
Degrees Offered: Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science
Largest and Unique Programs: Business, Management, Marketing, Education, Early Childhood, Environmental Science, Natural Science, Natural Resources, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Native American Studies, Ojibwe Language, Social Studies, and Computer Information Systems

Community Services and Non-Profits
Adult Basic Education (ABE) provides educational opportunities for area adults wishing to acquire or enhance their basic education. The West Central Initiative Foundation, Lakes and Prairies Community Action Partnership, Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council, West Central Minnesota Community Action, Mahube Community Council, and Lakes Country Service Cooperative play an important role in improving the overall quality of the families and children in Minnesota communities by providing resources for citizens.

West Central Initiative
Address: 1000 Western Avenue; Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218.739.2239 or 800.735.2239 (MN Only)
Serves: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties
Executive Director: Nancy Straw
Website: http://www.wcif.org/index.shtml

Lakes and Prairies Community Action Partnership
Address: 715 - 11th Street North; Moorhead, MN 56560
Phone: 218.299.7000
Serves: Clay and Wilkin counties
Executive Director: Joe Pederson
Website: http://www.lakesandprairies.net/

Otter Tail-Wadena Community Action Council
Address: 109 Walker Ave S; New York Mills, MN 56567
Phone: 218.385.2900
Serves: Otter Tail and Wadena counties
Executive Director: Davis Leino-Mills
Website: http://www.otwcac.org/

West Central Minnesota Communities Action
Address: 411 Industrial Park Blvd.;
Elbow Lake, MN 56531
Phone: 218.685.4486
Serves: Traverse, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, and Pope counties
Executive Director: Steve Nagle
Website: http://www.wcmca.org/

Mahube Community Council
Address: 1125 West River Road , Detroit Lakes, MN 56502
Phone: 218.847.1385
Serves: Mahnomen, Becker, and Hubbard counties
Executive Director: Leah Pigatti
Website: http://www.mahube.org/

Lakes Country Service Cooperative
Address: 1001 E. Mount Faith, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Phone: 218.739.3273
Serves: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties
Website: http://www.lcsc.org/

Mahnomen Community Education
Public School District #432
Address: P.O. Box 319, 209 1st Street SW, Mahnomen, MN 56557
Contact: Sue Bishop
White Earth Tribal Community College
Phone: 218.935.5022

Resume Help and Creative Job Search
Making a good first impression is important. Applications, cover letters, and resumes are most often your first contact with a potential employer. Most employers will not meet with you if your application is not filled out properly or your resume is written poorly. Below are related Internet sites, software, books, videos and workshops, which are available at your nearest WorkForce Center.

ISEEK The Job Application Tools section includes tips for resumes, cover letters, job applications, references and more. MCIS: Minnesota Career Information System (you can obtain a username and password at a local WorkForce Center) The Job Search section includes tips for writing resumes and cover letters. Minnesota Careers (MnCareers) The Job Preparation section includes tips and resources for preparing for a job. JobWeb Includes guidelines and samples for writing cover letters.

General Resume Assistance Creative Job Search The Resume and Cover Letters section of this job search guide includes tips for resume writing, example resume formats, and worksheets for completing your own resume. Electronic Portfolio (eFolio Minnesota) A multimedia electronic portfolio designed to help you create a living showcase of your education, career and personal achievements. Resume Tutorial A step-by-step guide for writing a resume with links for additional information. Riley Guide: Resumes and Cover Letters Collection of resume articles and resources. Include an article on preparing your resume for the Internet and the differences between a scannable and Internet version of a resume. University of Minnesota Resume Tutor An interactive workbook designed to make resume writing easier.

Note: The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development claims no responsibility for the content of these sites. Users are encouraged to exercise caution when dealing with businesses, organizations and individuals on the Internet.

Feedback: Nathan.Dorr@state.mn.us