Thanks to Jobseekers of Peachtree City and Dave O'Farrell for the newsletter quoted below:
1. Inspiration: This is Job Hunting Season
Every year I find out that some of you are less active -- or not active at all -- in your job search between Thanksgiving and New Year's. If I get a chance to hear from you, it goes something like this, "Dave, I've been looking for a while and I'm kind of burned out on job search, so I need a break; besides, no one's hiring around the holidays anyway."
Have you had thoughts and feelings similar to this?
No one is hiring around the holidays? In the battlefield of the mind, the devil wants to you to think this way. Friends, NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! On the contrary, some executive recruiters have a higher quota in December than in any other month.
If a company's fiscal year is the same as the calendar year, budgets are formulated and approved in September and October. Imagine a plant manager finally getting approval for a much-needed new position for a plant engineer funded for FY2011. Candidates are screened, interviewed and offered jobs in November and December. They start their new jobs on the first business day of January.
Satan would love it if you put your search on hold for eight weeks!
Is your competition interviewing for jobs that you're qualified for while you're out spending money you don't have? Will they be starting a new job on Monday 3 January 2011 (60 days from now) because you were out shopping, or doing projects around the house, or unwinding because of all the stress of your job search?
Companies are hiring right now. Every year several JobSeekers start new jobs in January because they didn't sit on the sidelines in November and December. Get in the game now. Today is a workday. You have a full-time job right now -- with deferred compensation!
Seven years ago, for instance, Dave T. went home to Kansas for Thanksgiving. He came back with a job offer. Andy Whitlock, leader of the job ministry in Newnan, interviewed for a job the week before Christmas and again on New Year's Eve; he got the offer within a week. He said, "And I thought the holidays were going to be quiet."
Six years ago H.G. went to a company Christmas party; he seized the opportunity to do some job networking and made a great impression on a gentleman who called a couple of weeks later to see if he was still looking. He was, and the gentleman offered him a job....
Three years ago, between 11/15/2007 and 1/17/2008 (64 days) I received 26 "I got a job" emails, plus some others verbally – one every other day. In fact, eight of the emails arrived between January 3rd and 7th. Wes H. received three offers in one week. Mike F. received a job offer while we were at the Atlanta Bread Company; he'd been unemployed less than five weeks. Aaron R. interviewed for a job on December 26th; yes, the day after Christmas! He started on January 14th. Don't sit on the sidelines this season.
Two years ago, we had about 20 people get jobs in October. Phil K.landed a job on November 3rd. This was followed closely by John T, Adrian N, Don M, Cynthia S, Gordon B, Pete W, Kelly S, Donald A and Matt D.
Matt wrote, "staying in the hunt during the holiday season does pay off. I found this job through an evening newsletter that I get through The FENG (Financial Executive's Networking Group). I happened to see the posting in the job leads section that appeared on the last newsletter that I would get for 2008. I applied to the position on Christmas Eve, had a phone interview on the 26th and an in-person interview on New Year's Eve. Before I had left the office on the 31st, I was offered the position and, of course, gladly accepted. I started here on January 5th."
Last year, 17 people...accepted jobs in this timeframe.
This year we had about 37 people get jobs in October. Good month. Praise the Lord.
One key concern I have is that you think you have good tools to fight this battle. No you don't. I've seen your résumés. You're good at what you do but you've got a lousy résumé. You're going onto the battlefield with a butter knife. You think you have a B-1 bomber; you don't even have a bazooka – or even a bayonet. If you'd like me to rate your résumé as a butter knife, bayonet, bazooka, or B-1 bomber, just email your résumé to me and I'll offer my professional opinion.
And one more piece of good news: as the number of open positions increases during the holiday season, the number of job seekers who are actively looking decreases – because of the false assumption mentioned in the first paragraph above.
Yes, you can get a job if you use the strategy, tools and skills we teach – and top it off with a positive attitude. Is it tougher out there? Yes, but with God's help you can do it. All you need is ONE job. Don't sit on the sidelines this season.
Here are three things I challenge you to do as the holidays approach:
1. Work on your search 24/7.
Work hard. Work smart. Always be on the lookout for networking opportunities. Don't make a mistake that will cost you a month's pay. What would God want you to do this month? Sit on the sidelines or look for a job? Look again at Proverbs 3:5-6 from The Message: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track." Notice the phrase, "in everything you do." It implies action, not passivity.
2. Be joyful always, even when money it tight.
Don't spend beyond your means. Set a good example for your kids and others. What better time to show that your happiness is not rooted in what you have or in what great (expensive) presents you can give? Your happiness comes from the spirit of the living God. I think of Paul's words in Philippians 4:10-12: "I rejoice greatly in the Lord ... I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
3. Bring joy to others, especially those who are not connected to you.
God desires a sacrifice of our time, talents and treasure. When money is tight, you can still give of your time and talents. We are God's hands and feet, so put them to work. Back to Paul's words; this time in Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
I close with this blessing from Paul: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -- Romans 15:13
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
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from a jobseeker:
I know that the job market has been tough and I have not been attending here in Peachtree City for some time now, however, I have been networking with contacts and professionals in the Atlanta area and from here to the New York area.
I have utilized Linkedin to network and I have attended job networking events in Alpharetta (C3G Healthcare Group), Roswell (Roswell United Methodist Church), Newnan (First United Methodist Church), Peachtree Road UMC in Buckhead, among a few others. The support has been wonderful.
I have traveled to the New York area five times to interview and network with a number of strong contacts. The resources weren't there for a few to hire me and those looking to hire had a number of applicants and the salary level was not good for me to relocate. This seemed to make sense to consider New York since I worked there for 14 years. Since we have a home here in Peachtree City, working here was great for me and my family.
My avenue for landing the position was/is the Georgia Works program with the Georgia Department of Labor. Jeff Weronick who you know, works in the Dunwoody agency/office for MassMutual and offered me an unpaid internship so this was the start there.
Their established financial advisor(s) were looking for an assistant. I started this past Monday – October 25th – after working with Jeff for four weeks. So, I support two advisors in a full-time position.
Thanks for your help and support.
George B.
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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.
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. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.
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5This 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. Go to www.jobseekers-ptc.org and navigate to the job leads pages.
For more leads go to: JobSeekers of PTC on LinkedIn; go to the 'jobs' tab.
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