Free Job Assistance
While there is some value to the free/cheap and religious organization networking and support groups, their advice should be taken with a grain of salt. These groups are usually run by volunteers who have very limited experience in job search.
Contact Alan Case at alancase1@aol.com for information on the the St. Andrews Job Search group. (Although we’ve provided a link to Alan, he is not associated in any way with Heckers Development Group, LTD.)
Northern Colorado Networking Group: Meets in Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ft. Collins
DiscoveryJobNetwork: A free networking group through the Roman Catholic Church of St. Thomas Moore. Non-sectarian in nature.
Longnet Networking in Longmont
Collective Net: A group of networking clubs mostly in Northern Colorado. Lots of access to government job sites. Be cautious about résumé posting, as always.
Volunteer Match Site: Volunteering during a time of unemployment is often a way to meet new folks and network with “movers and shakers,” or, at least, their families. This site will match you and your skills and desires with a volunteer opportunity. While most volunteer gigs tend to be hewing wood and drawing water, some more high level positions do exist, especially if you’re willing to do fundraising.
Colorado Shares: To stretch the eating dollar in times of unemployment, especially if you already volunteer, try Colorado Shares. In exchange for volunteering (anywhere that can be certified) you are able to purchase highly discounted groceries at a weekly “share” meeting. Sometimes government surplus or the like, but normally of pretty good quality. It usually includes items like fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, peanut butter, rice, beans, a little meat, and so on. Only about half of those who take advantage of this actually need to do so, and there is no “needs test.”
Jewish Business Alliance: Not free, but a good networking group with great events.
Network Denver: The stated purpose is to match non-profits with volunteer board members and donors, but they also have great networking events.
Chambers of Commerce
Every area or city has a Chamber of Commerce. Some are listed below, especially the “specialty” ones.
Most Chambers are composed of local smaller businesspeople. Even those where larger companies belong, however, rarely see anyone at the top level representing the company. So, spending time at public-access Chamber events can be a mixed bag.
However, if you qualify for a “specialty” Chamber, such as the Asian Chamber of Commerce, it doesn’t hurt to go and check it out.
Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
French American Chamber of Commerce
Arvada Chamber of Commerce (Web page says it is not found)
Broomfield Chamber of Commerce
Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce
Castle Rock Economic Development Council
City of Lakewood Economic Development Division
Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI)
Colorado Business Council (Gay and Lesbian Business owners and supportive businesses.)
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce One of the largest Chambers in this region, with many events and networking opportunities.
Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce
Greenwood Village Chamber of Commerce
Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce
Louisville Chamber of Commerce
Metro North Chamber of Commerce
South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce
West Chamber of Commerce (Jefferson County)
Colorado Workforce Center
The Workforce Centers will be pretty useless to the Director Level and above candidate, but are very helpful for those who are Supervisory or “below.” They are free, and often offer retraining certificates, classes and help. Here is a list of these centers in the Metro Area. I do not have websites for these individually.
Adams County
Tel: 303-453-8600
Adams County
Tel: 303-363-9380
Adams County
Tel: 303-452-2304
Arapahoe County
Tel: 303-636-1160
Arapahoe County
Tel: 303-734-5200
Arapahoe County
Tel: 303-784-7868
Boulder County
Tel: 303-651-1510
Bioulder County
Tel: 303-301-2900
Broomfield County
Tel: 303-464-5855
Denver County
Tel: 720-865-2120
Denver County
Tel: 720-865-5619
Denver County
Tel: 303-458-4891
Denver County
Tel: 720-865-0060
Denver County
Tel: 720-944-1615
Jefferson County
Tel: 303-271-4700
Email: merussel@jeffco.us