Seeking a job? Get support — or start your own group

– You’re unemployed. You know what you want to do, and you have a pretty strong resume. So you start responding to classified ads, checking employer hot lines and posting your resume on career Web sites. You know you should be networking, but you don’t know that many people other than family and a few friends. What to do?

By MARVIN WALBERG
Scripps Howard News Service
Albuquerque Tribune

One of the best ways to get to know new people and learn about what’s going on in the job market where you live is something that was very popular 10 to 15 years ago: job-search support groups. Job seekers meet once a week and share their experiences, ideas, techniques, interview feedback, company information and names of company officials and even networking contacts.

Sometimes support groups are organized and led by someone like me, a job-search specialist, and sometimes it’s just a group of people who see the benefit of learning from each other.

How do you find support groups in your town? Check with your Chamber of Commerce, public library, community college and large churches or synagogues. Usually there are no membership costs, other than a contribution for refreshments.

If you discover such groups in your city, I strongly urge you to check them out. And, if you find no groups in your city, start one. I’ll help you get started.

You’ll need a free place to meet, so again, check with your Chamber of Commerce, public library and large churches/synagogues as well as major banks and corporations. Many large companies maintain rooms that can be used for public meetings as long as you make reservations and leave the room as you found it.

When you have a room, promote it through your chamber, public library and churches/synagogues. Believe me, word will get out.

Charge a nominal fee for refreshments. I knew one group that was called "The Buck-a-Week Support Group."

Let different "members" lead the group each week, encouraging employers and placement specialists to be guest speakers.

Meet early on a weekday, like 8 a.m. on Mondays, and always urge participants to dress for business. You’ll leave motivated and still have time for a couple of interviews.

(Marvin Walberg is a Birmingham job-search consultant and the author of "About Getting Hired: the Job Search." Send questions to P.O. Box 130757, Birmingham, Ala., 35213, or e-mail mwalberg(at)bellsouth.net.)

http://www.abqtrib.com/shns/story.cfm?pk=HIRED-02-13-03&cat=FF