Jobseekers of Peachtree City

Thanks to Dave O'Farrell and the fine folks at JobSeekers of Peachtree City
for today's devotional:

Helping People Find Good Jobs, Close to Home, in Minimum Time

Get out and about. Come to JobSeekers this week. Bring a friend.
If you're not looking, forward this message to someone who needs it.

In This Issue
1. Inspiration: A Sharp Focus is Key
2. Success Story: Massengill: LinkedIn + Telephone = New Job
3. This Week's Meeting: Seven Search Strategies and Their Relative Effectiveness
4. Networking: ABC from 10:15 to 11:30
5. Job Leads: Leads and Links in South Metro Atlanta
6. Contact: Chaplain and Ship's Crew
7. Donate: You Could Help Save a Career, a Home or Even a Marriage

JobSeekers of PTC Website | JobSeekers of PTC on LinkedIn

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1. Inspiration: A Sharp Focus is Key
Have you ever used a magnifying glass to set a leaf on fire? Looking for a job is a lot like catching a leaf on fire. In both, a sharp focus is key. I've noticed that some of you have a magnifying glass, but you don't know which leaf you want to focus on. Others know which leaf you want, but you aren't focusing the light properly. Still others focus the light, but you switch to another leaf just before the flame starts.

I looked up "focus" on www.biblegateway.com and was surprised to find that the word does not appear even once in the NIV. The Message paraphrase Bible uses the word "focus" 29 times. I selected this one for you, Philippians 3:15:

"So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision -- you'll see it yet!"

When discussing focus with a group of my clients, one pointed out a verse from Proverbs that has to do with focus; here are two versions of Proverbs 17:24:

"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." (NIV) and "Anyone with wisdom knows what makes good sense, but fools can never make up their minds." (Contemporary English Version)

With this in mind, my message to you is this:

1. Make up you mind about what you want to do. The leaves could represent different functions or industries. There may be several that would make sense for you to choose. In order for you to set the leaf on fire (win a job), you must choose one to focus your energy on. Someone sent me a resume a while back that said something like, "Seeking a management position in sales, marketing, operations, administration, human resources or finance." Gee whiz, pick one to focus on or you won't get hired!

2. Build a short list of high-value target companies, organizations or agencies. Now that you've chosen your leaf, decide exactly where you are going to focus the sun's rays. Don't swirl the light beam around thinking that you will start a bigger fire. You won't. If someone woke you up from a deep sleep and asked what companies you're targeting, you should be focused enough to say, "I'm targeting third-party logistics providers like Exel, UPS Supply Chain Solutions and Eagle Global Logistics."

3. Work tirelessly and single-mindedly to accomplish your goal. At first, it will seem like nothing is happening. Be patient. Be steady and strong. Have faith. Remember your past success catching a leaf on fire, or listen to the wise counsel of others who have. Don't let a failure or rejection deter you. Don't let the contrary opinion of one or two people sway you. Don't drop out of the race a few feet from the finish line.

Lewis Carroll, in his classic Alice in Wonderland, says Alice came to a fork in the road and saw the Cheshire Cat in a tree. "'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' was his response. 'I don't know,' Alice answered. 'Then,' said the cat, 'it doesn't matter.'"

In job search, it does matter!

If you are blown and tossed by the wind, you may not reach your full potential -- and the job that God has in store for you. It may be that you would have a longer job search, earn less income, perform a less desirable job, work in a hostile environment, make a long commute, or be forced to relocate. Get focused and get results.

Paul of Tarsus was the embodiment of focus. He knew exactly what he was called to do (preach the good news and start the Christian church). He knew exactly who his audience was (first the Jew, then the Gentile), and he was totally focused on his ministry and mission (and he wouldn't let things like the emperor of Rome, the Jewish leaders, or persecutions stop him). Paul accomplished his mission. You can too.

See you tomorrow at JobSeekers; the place where a sharp focus comes into view!

Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved

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2. Success Story: Massengill: LinkedIn + Telephone = New Job
We love to hear from you when you land a new position. Please write and let us know how you found your job, what you learned from the experience, and how JobSeekers helped you.

The purpose of LinkedIn is not to build your network for its own sake, but to use your network to initiate meaningful business dialogue. The best and highest level for dialogue is face-to-face; next is voice-to-voice and finally, as a last resort, via an electronic medium.

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3. This Week's Meeting: Seven Search Strategies and Their Relative Effectiveness
How is your job search going? What's working? What do you need to change? I continue to be amazed at the number of people who place the majority of their time and energy on dead-end search strategies. There are seven ways to find a job; come tomorrow to find out which ones work (and why) and which ones don't (and why not).

Who: All are welcome; the topics are targeted for professionals, managers and executives.

What: JobSeekers is a nondenominational career ministry.

When: Friday mornings from 7:30 to 10:00 am.

Where: First Baptist Church in Peachtree City; 208 Willow Bend Road.

Why: We work with you to find a job, and we walk with you on your journey of faith.

Attire: Business casual.

Agenda: 7:30 coffee / 7:45 welcome and devotional / 8:10 introductions and announcements / 8:45 job search training module / 10:00 adjourn to the Atlanta Bread Company

We look forward to seeing you on Friday!

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4. Networking
Atlanta Bread Company

After the JobSeekers meeting, we go to the ABC from 10:15 to 11:30 for an informal gathering. There's no agenda; we just have fellowship and help each other out.

Newnan First UMC Job Networking Ministry

Come join us at our next meeting on Tuesday 13 July 6:00 PM.

Meetings are always held the second Tuesday of each month in the Parish Hall of Newnan First United Methodist Church. The church is located at 33 Greenville Street in Newnan. You may reach them by telephone at 770-253-7400 or click here and select "Job Network" under "Resources" on the left side of the home page. We look forward to seeing you there.

College Park Job Seekers

Have a family member, friend or neighbor concerned that they may lose their job, and they cannot take time off to attend a job seekers group? Attend the College Park Job Seekers Group which meets the first Saturday in every month from 9:00 am – 11:30 am. The next meeting is Saturday 7 August. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.

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5. Job Leads
For Employers

Our goal is to help our members find good jobs, close to home, in minimum time. Most of our members are salaried employees from the professional, technical and supervisory level all the way up to general managers and other senior executives. If you have a job lead with the three criteria below let us know.

Please send a brief position profile and tell us how you would like to be contacted. We run the lead for three weeks unless we hear from you to remove or extend the listing.

This service is FREE!

1. The position is salaried; or it is a higher-level hourly position

2. The job is located on this side of Atlanta, especially in Fayette or Coweta County

3. The compensation is not 100% commission-based; this includes MLM's

If your job lead meets these criteria, please submit it before noon on Wednesday.

For JobSeekers

Leads are updated each week, or when I get a chance! Please forgive me if they are a little out of date. Click on this link (or copy-and-paste the following one into your browser) to view this week's jobs:

http://jobseekers-ptc.org/js/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=71

For more leads go to: JobSeekers of PTC on LinkedIn; go to the 'jobs' tab.

7. Donate to the JobSeekers' Ministry
You could help save a career, a home or even a marriage.

Job loss puts stress on our health, our finances, our relationships, our churches, and our community. Ultimately is affects our walk with the Lord and the kingdom of God. Your donations have helped save marriages, health, homes, college educations, and cross-country relocations. You can help alleviate these challenges for someone else by donating to the ongoing ministry of JobSeekers. Please send your tax-deductible donation to:

JobSeekers of PTC
P.O. Box 2124
Peachtree City, GA 30269

There's another way to donate: with the generous gift of your time. We are seeking to add to our Ship's Crew. We need a group of dedicated men and women who can come to most of the meetings on Friday and establish relationships with our new and existing members. Let me know if you are interested.

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Published by:

Dave O'Farrell
O'Farrell Career Management
Career Coaching and Outplacement Consulting
21 Eastbrook Bend, Suite 217
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269

http://www.linkedin.com/in/daveofarrell
dave@ofarrell-cm.com
www.ofarrell-cm.com
770-486-6289 office
770-823-2710 cell

"Helping people put their lives back together and get their careers back on track."