By Joellyn Wittenstein-Schwerdlin
To tap into a great resource that might lead to your next job, consider joining a job club or job-networking group. When workers suddenly become unemployed or underemployed, there is a natural tendency for them to isolate and limit job searching to posting résumés online or sending out mass mailings scattershot – and waiting for responses that may never come. Jobseekers engaging in such passive activities quickly become discouraged and sometimes abandon their search altogether. Alternatively, the support and camaraderie that job clubs offer will deflect job-seeking candidates’ feelings of isolation and depression, while providing ways to extend job search efforts beyond print and Internet classified ads.
Benefits and Features of Job Clubs / Uncovering the Hidden Job Market
Typically, in a good job club, members will meet on a regular basis with perhaps 10-30+ peers, to share job leads, practice interviewing and salary negotiation skills, take advantage of resume critiques, and listen to presentations or workshops conducted by guest speakers. Some job club memberships are free, while others will assess a nominal charge, to offset costs for printed materials or room rental. In most clubs, the group facilitators and members will network with businesses, search firms, and employment agencies within the community, to uncover unadvertised job leads — a.k.a. the “hidden job market” — that are subsequently provided to members at meetings or via web resources and e-mailings.
Some Job Clubs Cater to Specific Populations
Keep in mind that some job clubs or job-networking groups cater to specific populations, such as senior executives, mature workers (50+), or homemakers re-entering the market after an extended absence. When in doubt, visit a club on a trial basis (once or twice) and get a feel for the group’s agenda and goals, as well as the overall demeanor of the facilitators and members – and be sure that the atmosphere is upbeat, positive, and proactive!
Sources for Finding Job Clubs
To find a job club that fits your needs, contact your local library, house of worship, community groups, unemployment office, or village/municipal township office. You might also find listings for job clubs in the telephone book, your local newspaper (usually the business or community calendar sections) or a free employment weekly newspaper, if your city publishes one. Or, you can conduct an Internet search, by typing in the words “job clubs” or “job- networking groups” plus your city & state, and evaluating your results. Two other sources for locating job clubs are CareerJournal’s calendar: http://www.careerjournal.com/calendar/ and The Riley Guide: http://www.rileyguide.com/support.html#netweb.
If you there are no job clubs or job-networking groups within your community, consider organizing one yourself!
© Joellyn Wittenstein-Schwerdlin, CPRW, JCTC, 2004. All Rights Reserved.