National Job Network

Small towns and cities can be great places to live and work. They can offer lower costs of living, easier commutes and tight-knit communities. But job-hunting in a small town can be very different than searching in a metropolis area.

Finding a job in a small town can be trickier because your options are more limited, but if you adjust your approach you can still find success.

Use the local paper. In an Internet age, it’s easy to overlook the classified ads in local newspapers, but when it comes to job-hunting in a small town, these ads can be one of your best resources. When you job searching in a big city you can get away with neglecting the classified ads, but in small towns, most things printed in hardcopy aren’t always online too. Often times, jobs will only be advertised in the local paper in small towns. So continue to check online job sites, but make sure you pick up a paper as well.

Network. Although networking is key in any job market, it is essential in a small community because everyone is connected. Let friends, family and even acquaintances know that you’re looking for job to increase your potential for opportunities. Do everything you can to get yourself out there in the small community. In addition to social networking, join local community groups, intramural sports teams or a church, because as the cliché goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Adapt. Small towns don’t usually offer a wide variety of available positions, so be flexible on what kind of position you’re looking for. You probably won’t be able to find the same niche position that you would in a big city, so look for jobs where your current skills and experience can transfer. You don’t have to switch careers entirely but the more flexible you’re willing to be the more successful you’ll be.

Use other local resources. Small towns offer other resources that you might not ever think of, such as the local Chamber of Commerce or local government. Both of these usually keep databases of all the business in the area as well as job banks with openings. Don’t be afraid to use these readily available resources.

Additionally, remember that you can still use all the job search tactics that you use in a bigger city. When it comes to job-hunting in a small town, you often just have to adjust your approach to be successful.