JobSeekers of Peachtree City
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: David Found Strength in the Lord His God
2. Success Story: Cuneo Wins in a Four-month Interview Process
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Inspiration: David Found Strength in the Lord His God
Hello JobSeekers and friends in our network!
I'm looking forward to 2011 with hope in my heart, optimism in my eyes, and faith in God that through Him, all things are possible! In recent weeks I've spoken to many of you who are feeling quite the opposite: you have lost hope, are feeling depressed, and don't believe much of anything good is possible.
King David had his ups and downs. If you don't believe me, read the Psalms. The difficult days of his life prepared him to lead a nation and write psalms that inspire us 3000 years later.
Sometimes the seasons of our life aren't always synched up with the seasons of the year. When many people are full of joy, you may be in the doldrums. Ecclesiastes says there's a time and a season for everything. It may be winter in your life now, but spring is just around the corner.
David had a rough winter in his life before he became King of Israel.
John Ortberg tells the story of how David hid in caves to escape Saul in "If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat." Although I'd read the story about hiding in caves before, I didn't realize that David was on the run from Saul for about 10 years. In my mind he went from the youth who slew Goliath to King David in a short period of time.
Here's what really happened: after being a shepherd and slaying Goliath, he was a musician in King Saul's court. From there he became a warrior and rose to become the most successful officer in the army. At that point Saul became jealous (see 1 Samuel 18: 7-9). He tried various ways of killing David, including using his daughter Michal as a snare. The trap didn't work; in fact, David married Michal.
As the story progresses, David loses his job (here's our link), loses his wife (she was given to another man by her father), loses his best friend (Saul's son Jonathan), loses his mentor (Samuel, who had anointed him when he was just a shepherd boy, and had continued to give David advice over the years -- he died of old age), he lost his friend Ahimelech and 84 other priests who had sided with him (they were killed by Doeg the Edomite because they had protected David), and he had survived a few assassination attempts (Saul himself hurled a spear at him, 1 Samuel 20:33).
Are you getting the picture here? Things weren't going so well for David.
David hid in caves; he was constantly on the run from Saul's army, just like Saddam Hussein did when he was hiding from the U.S. armed forces. David found 600 loyal men and their families who stuck with him. Things got even worse when David and his men returned from some raids on nearby towns to find that their city, Ziklag, had been burned to the ground and all their wives, sons and daughters had been taken captive by the Amalakites. Now even his loyal men turned on him. Ortberg says what David did next was one of the great statements in scripture (1 Samuel 30:6): "David found strength in the Lord his God."
The story ends well. David and his men killed the Amalakites and got back their wives, children and all their possessions that had been taken as plunder. The Philistines killed Saul and his sons. David was anointed king, and he became the greatest king in the Bible, a man after God's own heart. And he was the father (many generations removed) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ortberg says the cave is a wonderful place to find that you are loved by God. He says, "The cave is where God does some of his best work in molding and shaping human lives. Sometimes when all the props and crutches in your life get stripped away and you find you have only God, you discover that God is enough." (p.139)
How many of you reading this message today are in a cave right now? I've spent quite a bit of time in caves myself these past few years, and I am a better man for it. Use this cave time to allow God to mold and shape you. Use this time for good. It has a purpose. God has a purpose. Like David, there are indeed brighter days ahead for you. It's God's promise to all of us. As we begin a new year, listen to Jesus' words to us, the sheep of his flock:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -- John 14:27
Let's all look forward to 2011 with hope in our hearts, optimism in our eyes, and faith in God that through Him, all things are possible! Amen!
Copyright © 2011 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
2. Success Story: Cuneo Wins in a Four-month Interview Process
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.
I've learned of several people who've landed jobs over the last couple of weeks. If you've landed too, please let me know. Mark called me a few days before Christmas and then sent this letter last week. Congratulations Mark!
Hey Dave,
I got a job. A full time job. I've been waiting a while to say that – 16 months to be precise. I never would have thought I would be out of a job for so long. It was a very challenging time and I really appreciate the advice and guidance you gave me.
I will be starting with XX in January. I started interviewing with them in August when I was contacted by an external recruiter. Yes that's right, a four-month plus interview process that included a face-to-face interview, several phone interviews, an online evaluation, and a three-week background check.
Dave, thanks again for your help, the ministry of JobSeekers was very meaningful to me. Just knowing that so many skilled and talented people were dealing with the same difficulty that I was dealing with really helped.
May the Lord continue to bless you!
Sincerely,
Mark
3. This Week's Meeting: Seven Search Strategies and Their Relative Effectiveness
The holidays are over. It's time to get off the sidelines and back in the game! It seems everyone I've spoken to is experiencing some serious inertia after the holidays. Come to JS this Friday and get your mojo back!
I'll teach you what works (and why) and what doesn't (and why not). I will share something that I've never seen on another career website, or seen in another book, or heard from another career coach. If you embrace this concept, prepare yourself thoroughly, and maintain a positive attitude you can and will land a job. See you Friday!
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 11 January 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 go to "newnanfumc.org" 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 5 February. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.
Career Transition / Job Search Workshop
New Hope Baptist Church / North Campus Missions Center
Wednesdays, January 12 – 26 from 6-8 PM
* * * Must register for class and complete online assessment prior to class * * *
To register call or email Lesley Deyton, 770-461-4337 ext 884 / lesleyd@newhopebc.org
childcare is provided!
If you are looking for work or considering changing careers, this workshop is for you. Free gift assessment and workbook will help you discover how God has equipped you. Resume assistance and interview skills are also extensively covered. This workshop is designed to help you find the job(s) that you are gifted for and make the best first impression to land that job! Workshop led by Bruce King.
No comments:
Post a Comment