'Job Seekers' Program Puts People to Work

'Job Seekers' Program Puts People to Work
Posted By - Chris Sweigart
Last Updated On: 9/24/2010 5:45:56 PM

PEACHTREE CITY, GA -- Thousands of Georgians continue to remain on the unemployment rolls. They're looking for work, but jobs are hard to come by.

A Peachtree City Church is stepping up to help.

Every Friday morning at the First Baptist Church of Peachtree City, professional career coach Dave O'Farrell gives some of his time to help job seekers put their best foot forward. It isn't a job fair. It's an educational program for job seekers to gain the skills they need to land their next job.

"When you get right down to it, it really doesn't matter what the unemployment rate is because the unemployment rate at your house is quite high, approaching 100 percent if you're the sole breadwinner," O'Farrell said Friday.

"It helps me to get my job search organized. Before I wasn't very organized," said job seeker Janet Walker. "It's a systematic way to look for a job."

The program is called Job Seekers. And not only do attendees get the opportunity to learn from a professional career coach, they also have to opportunity to learn from and lean on each other.

"It keeps our job search and our situation in perspective," said job seeker Bert Jermain.

"You know that you're not alone. You're not going through this job search by yourself," Walker said. "It's always good to come here to network with people, fellowship. You always get a good word of the day, so it's good."

Apparently the Job Seekers program is working. About 60 to 70 people attend each Friday. Organizers say every week, six or seven people find a job. They credit the program for their success.

"All you got to do is find one job," O'Farrell said. "Because when you find that one job, the unemployment rate is still going to be whatever it is, but the unemployment rate in your house is going to improve dramatically."

O'Farrell says there are several programs like Job Seekers all over Atlanta. So, check with your church to see if they have or know of a similar group. Or click this link to find a program near you.
http://www.jobnetworkingcenter.com/calendar/events/index.php?com=location