JobSeekers of Peachtree City

Thanks to Dave O'Farrell, of JobSeekers of Peachtree City, for allowing us to re-post his weekly e-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: The #2 Thing Every Job Seeker Must Have
2. Success Story: 32 Members Land Jobs in October
3. This Week's Meeting: Acing the Behavioral Interview
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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JobSeekers of PTC was featured on 11Alive, the NBC affiliate here in Atlanta, four weeks ago. Thanks to Chris Sweigert for putting this story together. Click here to view the article and video, and then go get your one job!

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1. Inspiration: The #2 Thing Every Job Seeker Must Have
Many of you have heard me talk and have seen articles I've written about the #1 thing every JobSeeker must have. Your chances of finding a job without having the #1 thing are pretty slim -- as in "slim and none." After working with thousands of people over the past 16 years I've concluded your chances aren't a whole lot better unless you have the #2 thing too. The #1 thing every JobSeeker must have is a positive attitude; the #2 thing every JobSeeker must have is great follow-up and follow through.

For example, I'll call or email a troubled JobSeeker (or O'Farrell client) to see how his or her search was going. When I don't hear back, I call and leave a message that goes something like this: "Jim, this is Dave O'Farrell. I have some good news for you; give me a call." When Jim calls to hear the good news, I say, "Jim, the good news is that I know what's standing between you and a new job: YOU DON'T FOLLOW U-U-U-P-P-P-P-P!!!"

Here are some other examples of things I see from time to time:

1. I hear through the grapevine that someone has missed an interview.

2. One of my clients misses an appointment.

3. Someone has a hot lead for someone else at JobSeekers; the other person fails to follow through. In one specific instance that I know of, the fellow had been looking for a job for over a year.

Follow-up and follow through are vitally important not just for success in search, but in most areas of our lives. JobSeekers' board member and management consultant J.B. Kirk says that poor follow-up and follow through behaviors are epidemic in the management ranks throughout corporate America. The implications for the job seeker are obvious: demonstrate good behavior in this area, and you will certainly stand out.

My first indicator of good follow up behavior (and therefore, job search success) with a new member of JobSeekers is when he or she responds to the welcome message I send to each new person. I ask them to respond to three questions. I also ask them to email a resume. People who honor these two requests honor themselves. Their response not only helps us to help them; it also indicates the behavior that will lead to success in search, on the new job, and in many other areas of life.

Another key indicator happens on Fridays. I'll have some advice, information or a referral (AIR) that can help someone and I'll ask him or her to send me an email with a reminder of what I promised. Guess how many people follow through? About one in five. Amazing.

Some indicators of good follow through behavior (and therefore, job search success) with one of my clients is whether or not he or she completes the exercises that I assign before, during and after the workshop. I assign a lot more work than can be accomplished on the first day of the workshop, so I give clients four days (Friday through Monday) in between the first and second day to follow through on their assignments. Many times clients come in with a list of excuses of why they couldn't devote any time to completing their assignments over the weekend. I wonder, was that an aberration, or was that a fairly typical four days of job search at your house?

A few years ago a client wrote to tell me about her new job. Julie wrote: "I had four companies interested in me all at once: a couple of contract positions near closure and one permanent position here in Atlanta that I was just waiting on the offer. Then another offer came in. It started when I received a call from the CFO. We interviewed over the phone, and then I went in for an interview (five people in five hours!). Within 48 hours I sent all five people a thank you note that was unique to the interview we had. Within two weeks they had finalized the offer. The use of the materials we developed in your workshop were critical, Dave. When the CEO called to offer me the job, he said that I did an excellent job of follow-up."

Hiring managers are busy; sometimes the job goes to the one who has the best follow-up -- someone who is persistent without being a pest -- someone who is finding a way to make it happen instead of finding a reason why it didn't.

The bottom line is: to improve your job search results, improve your follow-up and follow through behaviors. The solution is simple. Make a decision to follow-up and follow through. Manage your time. Set priorities and stick to them. Here are three relevant verses:

1. Proverbs 13:18 -- He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

2. Proverbs 24:32-33 -- A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest -- and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

3. Titus 1:8 -- Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

You've got to be disciplined. You've got to follow up on every networking or job lead just like a criminal investigator does. You never know which clue may be the one that cracks the case.

If you have an anecdote about follow-up and follow though from your job search (either a good or bad), please send it to me. I'd love to hear it. Thanks.

See you tomorrow at JobSeekers, the place where we learn self-discipline.

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

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2. Success Story: 32 Members Land Jobs in October
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.

Praise the Lord, we are averaging one person per day landing a job in the month of October. The total includes 16 O'Farrell clients, four former clients and 12 other members of JobSeekers. I was asked if it centered around certain functions or industries – or if the economy was picking up, or what. I can't see a pattern in function or industry. The job statistics have not shown any improvement.

The common denominator is faith in action. These people know how to find a job, they have great tools, they have learned good networking and interviewing skills, and they have remained faithful even when they were discouraged. Here's a letter that sums it up pretty well; congratulations (name withheld)!

- - - - -

Hey Dave!

I got a job!!! All praises go to God. On Monday, October 18th, I will be starting at the ___through the "Mahone Group" staffing agency.

I learned about JobSeekers through a notice on the board at the Clayton County Resource Center in Morrow.... Attending JobSeekers truly helped me to be motivated and even more encouraged. I looked forward to going to JobSeekers; being at JobSeekers, I enjoyed the fellowshipping, weekly topics, and especially learning about the use of LinkedIn. A friend had told to put my profile out on LinkedIn, however, going to JobSeekers is where learned the true value of LinkedIn. I became more proactive, I learned to set goals; and how to truly network with former employers, co-workers and friends.

...Several recruiters located me on LinkedIn and contacted me about an interview or presenting my résumé for opportunities in state and a few out of state. Looking for a job was a job by itself. I changed my résumé over 100 times. One day I answered an Internet ad on Indeed.com from The Mahone Group; this stored my résumé in their directory. At least once a week, I received an email about a job opportunity with them; all I had to do was answer the requested questions, which led to this position. I prayerfully believe that working with The Mahone Group will lead to a permanent and long term career with some corporation.

I thank God for patience, faith, knowledge and understanding because many times I felt discouraged; those were the times when I drew my strength from Jesus. I was reminded he would never leave me nor forsake and he would supply all my needs. I have always been faithful in tithing; and the belief that all my needs will be met if I did not waiver. I can honestly say that all bills were paid as if I worked and nothing was ever disconnected for non-payment. Thank you Lord.

Thanks to all of you at JobSeekers: Dave, Linda, all the Ship's Crew and volunteers. Keep up the good work. I pray our economy begins to turn for the better in all things.

Thank you JobSeekers!

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3. This Week's Meeting: Acing the Behavioral Interview
This week's topic focuses on one of the most common types of interviews. If you don't understand the employer's strategy, you may not do well in the interview, even if you are a well-qualified candidate. Come tomorrow for this important topic -- and for a great learning experience.

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 9 November 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 6 November. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.
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.