Jobseekers newsletter

Thanks to Dave O'Farrell, of JobSeekers of Peachtree City, for this newsletter.

"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: JobSeekers of PTC Completes Twelve Years of Ministry
2. Success Story: God Opened a Great Door for Me in the Field That I Love
3. This Week's Meeting: Ten Résumé Mistakes That Drive Me Crazy
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: JobSeekers of PTC Completes Twelve Years of Ministry
Praise the Lord; we've just completed twelve years of ministry!

Around noon today a former member of our group called with a job lead. While we were on the phone Dale asked how many people are coming to JS these days. I told him it's about 80 people per week. "Wow, things must be pretty tough these days," he said. We had 36 people at his first meeting on 12 May 2006, so to have twice as many people was a big mind shift for him.

I get the "things must be pretty tough these days" comment a lot while I'm out in the community. I'm not going to write a message today that denies this harsh reality of our times.

In fact, I've talked to more than the usual number of people in the past several days that have their backs up against the wall. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the number and the percentage of long-term (greater than six months) unemployed persons is at an all-time high. Some of the people I've spoken to meet this six-month criterion twice! I must admit that hearing their stories had me down earlier this week.

Are they tough? Sure they are.

Are they hopeless? Absolutely not. No matter how tough things may be, we ALWAYS have hope because we believe in the living God – the Lord of the Universe; the Lord of our lives.

People who attend JobSeekers regularly and put what we teach into practice also have hope because all they know all they need is ONE job, and when they land that ONE job, CNN and all the other media outlets will continue to tell us how depressing things are on the economic front. The unemployment rate will not change one iota in the county, state or country – but they will change dramatically in that one home.

"I got a job" messages are pouring in

In the past several days, I've learned of many people who've landed jobs. The good news has come via email and phone calls, from mutual friends, and at JobSeekers on Friday mornings. In fact we had four 'farewell' speeches a couple of weeks ago. Here are excerpts of some messages that have come in so far for this month:

1. (name withheld for privacy): After much frustration and learning pain I have gotten a job that meets my target criteria. I appreciate your mission and endurance; I'm sure you bang your head on the wall a lot. I also appreciate X's involvement. Her LinkedIn and resume classes were helpful, and the access to a little financial and investment advice gave me some comfort in knowing I could get help if the chips really got down.

I recognize that have a lot to learn about the tactics of finding a job. I have already put those three things you teach – keep your skills sharp, keep your network active, and keep up with your accomplishments along the way – into action. Thanks for being a cheerleader.

2. (name withheld for privacy): JobSeekers gave me hope even though I only attended a few times. God had in mind what he wanted me to be doing – and where and when he wanted me to find it. Just keep working at it and something great might just happen!

3. (name withheld): Thank you for any and all advice, information or referrals you provided me during this time. Many of you were familiar with job opportunities, while others provided ideas, suggestions, and or most importantly moral support. I am extremely appreciative for all that you did for me. God bless you and the JobSeekers ministry.

4. (name withheld): I am writing to thank you for your JobSeekers of Peachtree City ministry. Your newsletters have been a source of positive weekly encouragement for me over the last 10 months as I have been searching for a new career. The Lord blessed me with an offer from a great company last week...I did not attend any of your Friday morning meetings, but I wanted to let you know that your ministry touches more than just those that attend the sessions. We think your ministry is wonderful. Thanks again for all you do.

5. (name withheld): I can't thank you and everyone else I have come in contact with for your help, support, coaching, and spiritual encouragement. Tomorrow will be my last day at JobSeekers. If possible I would like to say a few words about my journey. I would like to share this information with the group to show them again that what you teach and preach works. You talk about the red Ferrari in the garage and you need to take it out and drive it. I don't have the Ferrari but I do have a red Corvette and tomorrow I'm going to drive it!

6. (name withheld): I used the resume writing tips, training from the LinkedIn class, and interviewing and networking skills that I learned from JobSeekers as I went through eight, yes eight, rounds of interviews. Through the entire process, I kept recalling Jeremiah 29:11-13, constantly praying for God's guidance, and prepping myself with the knowledge I had learned (much of it from JobSeekers).

7. Name withheld: As an agnostic, I was hesitant to take part in a Christian group. I thought it was going to be too preachy and too overbearingly religious for me. I was wrong, dead wrong. I'm not earning as much as my last position, but the firm is making money and I'm getting the fringe benefits, recognition, and happiness that was absent in my past positions. The money will follow, I'm certain of that.

I could not have done this at such an accelerated pace without my friends at JobSeekers and your Christian principals, fellowship and support. These are life-lessons I will take with me. I'm also now passionate in helping a few friends each week who are job seekers because of the struggles I went through; I'm determined to help them too.

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Praise to our Lord and Father in heaven for working through this ministry to change lives!

If you are looking for work and you aren't coming to JobSeekers, get your derriere in here. If you aren't careful, you might network with someone and find the opportunity of a lifetime. If you aren't careful, you might learn something you can apply within days that helps you land a job within weeks. If you aren't careful, you might have a God-ordained experience when you humble yourself and come to JobSeekers.

So when someone says to me, "Things must be pretty tough these days," I'm always tempted to say, "Not so much from my point of view."

A brief history of JobSeekers

JobSeekers has been changing lives since August 1998. Ernie Childs, Howard Tisdale and Larry Pelkowski started this group after they attended a JobSeekers' group that meets in Dunwoody. They gained the support of The Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City, and they have been a sponsor since day one.

Chaplain Howard Tisdale has attended more meetings than anyone else — about 550, and he's led about 300 devotionals. He says this is the best ministry he's ever been involved with. Ernie Childs led the group until the spring of 2000, when he took on a new role as CEO of a biotech company.

I came as a participant in February 2000; two months later Ernie stepped down and I moved into the leadership role. For several months I held the dual role of participant and facilitator. I landed a great job where I traveled around the country teaching consultative selling skills.

Soon after, I started my career coaching business. At first the sales training dominated, but my business grew to a full-time enterprise by 2004. This allows me to lead the group every Friday morning. This is not only the ministry that God has called me to; it's what I do for a living.

Well over 3000 individuals have come through JobSeekers in the past 12 years. Attendance this year is running close to 80 people per week (compared to 17 people at my first meeting in 2000). People think the high numbers are because of higher unemployment, but I'm convinced that the growth is also due to grass-roots marketing and strong programs.

...Most of all, I want to thank our Lord and Father in heaven who inspires us to reach beyond what we are capable of to achieve what only HE can do. He loves us and wants us to do everything we can do – and leave to him what only HE can do. Thanks be to God.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. -- Proverbs 16.3

See you tomorrow at JobSeekers, where we celebrate God's presence in our lives and in this ministry.

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

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This Week's Meeting: Ten Résumé Mistakes That Drive Me Crazy
What You Can Do to Avoid Becoming Another Casualty in the Worldwide War for Talent

Many of you are going onto the battlefield with a BB gun. Some of you know your résumé needs work, but you say, "I think I'll try my BB gun and see how I do." Others – full of pride, or covered in ignorance, or a little of both – think you have the latest weapons to win the battle. Meanwhile, the enemy is hidden on a hill, waiting for you to enter their kill zone in the valley below. Come on Friday and learn how to turn your BB gun into a B-1 bomber.

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 14 September 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 4 September. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.

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