Best way to network

The best place to find a place to live and work is a place called Connections. It is located straight down the street from the ferry landing. I moved to St. John last year for the season, and had a wonderful time. You are moving to the island right at the beginning of the slow season, so it might be difficult to find a job, however it will be very easy to find an apartment. Check out everything yourself, sometimes people on the island tend to sugar coat things a bit and you might find that things are not as good as described to you. Shopping for food is a 3 market experience. Each of the markets has its own deals and specialties. Few people go to the market by the Westin.... try this market out for cheaper fresher food. Also, the bank above this market is the most user friendly. Commercial Bank. First bank won't let you go inside if you don't have an account....to cash checks from your employer. What sort of job will you be looking for? I will be moving back down to St John around the first of November....

Most people do their networking at bars. May not sound like the most wholesome choice, but it's where you will find the most people. Connections is also a good place to find out about happenings on the island that might give you an opportunity to meet some people, plus as gparrot says, it's where to look for apts. and jobs. Sometimes finding a job in the off season is easier than you might think. That's when a lot of people leave, so it can create openings. When I worked at a restaurant, seems we always had to hire people in the summer.

FirstBank won't let you inside if you don't have an account???? Is that just a small, satellite type, bank, or something?

First Bank is a regular large bank. It is located across the street from Connections. They have a walk up window on the side of the building . People who go to the bank to cash checks without having a bank account at the bank are required to use the outside window, which closes at 2 pm. My employer had an account there at the bank , and wrote us checks from that bank. So in order to cash your check you had to use the outside window, or have an account there at the bank. I once went to the bank after 2pm , noticed the window was closed, and went inside. There were zero other customers in the bank, walked up to one of the 4 tellers at the bank, and she asked if I had an account at the bank, I said No, and she asked me to use the outside window, I explained that the window was closed, and she told me I had to come back the next day before 2pm to use the window, and that she would not cash the check inside the bank , even though there were 4 tellers doing nothing, and asked me to leave. That is why I would never recommend this bank to anyone. Sorry about my poor writing skills, hope you get the gist of the story.

Thanks for the tips!! I do remember going to Connections when I was at STJ last year. I know that's pretty much STJ's Craigslist!! My main question though is how do I go about meeting important people!! Juanita says bars, which was the only place I've had in mind so far, but was wondering if there might be other places on the island that a lot of people congregate.

Gparrot: I'm just looking for a bartending job. I also thought about dental assisting because one of my degrees is a pre dental degree and I'm also a certified dental assistant, but I know there is only one dental office on STJ, so I'm guessing it's probably going to be pretty much impossible to get a job there. I'm also thinking about doing some sort of internship at a government office, because I'm thinking about applying to law school sometime in the future when I get my 'island fever' out of my system. =)

Just about everyone you will meet on a very small island who lives on it full time is going to be very important. You meet people at bars and then follow up with lunch or beach and get to know them better who will then introduce you to others. Nothing is fast on the islands. Your first job will very likely not be your dream job and may even be one that turns over every season for the new person. But get your foot in the door and then you will have the time to network and get to know people in the career you want to be in. Most important thing on a small island is your reputation, keep that very much in mind your first year. Be on time, be a hard worker with a good attitude and chances are by the second year you will be where you want to be.

Keep in mind that you never know who you are talking to in these situations - being honest works but often you might offer up an opinion that seems innocent or innocuous to you and it strikes a very relevant chord to the listener - being yourself and in control of your tongue and brain especially in a bar situation in a small town like STJ will establish your reputation and the opinions that people hold of you for a long time into the future, and one that may be hard to change later even as you mature and understand the social dynamics - everyone was important when you look at it all in retrospect.

Thanks you all!!

I just wanted to clear up what I meant by 'important.' I don't want anyone thinking I meant some people are more important than others. I simply meant that I want to know where I can find people that can help me find a good job. Basically, people who know a lot of other people in the service industry and have good relationships with them.

i can't speak about STT, but on STX, you cannot tell who will be important to you in either a search for home or job. The guy bussing tables could be leaving island and can hook you up with his landlord for the perfect place to live. The lady at the gas station's daughter might work somewhere that is hiring, you just never know. Be nice to and talk to EVERYBODY.

What Hiya and Exit Zero have said is very good advice.

Many restaurants will be closed when you arrive, and a lot of the people you will want to connect with will be off island until October. Be nice to absolutely everyone you meet, hang out at the places where you feel comfortable, don't drink too much, and you should be able to find work within the month. Good luck!