Today's devotional comes from:
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: If You Give Up Too Early, You'll Miss the Boat Entirely
2. Success Story: The Opportunities this Ministry Provides are Priceless
3. This Week's Meeting: 16 Ways to Make a Message Persuasive
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: If You Give Up Too Early, You'll Miss the Boat Entirely
Three weeks ago I wrote about the world, the flesh and the devil -- the Unholy Trinity. The number of people who ask to be removed from the newsletter list usually goes up a bit on the weeks that I mention Satan in this article. It's usually 2-3 people per week v. 3-5 when I mention Satan. (For a baseline, 3359 people will receive this newsletter today.)
I think the number jumps because some people don't believe the devil exits. That was true for me for many years. I believed in the sinful nature within us, but I didn't believe in a devil who prowled around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (See 1 Peter 5:8). What helped to change my mind were some notes in the back of my Bible. Charles C. Ryrie, in The Ryrie Study Bible, says, "The existence of Satan is taught in seven Old Testament books and by every New Testament writer."
Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44). One of his lies is that he doesn't exist. Another one of his lies is what I want to write to you about today: "Networking works for some people, but it's not working [wouldn't work] for me." Have you heard a voice telling you this?
Twenty-five years ago this last week (24 August 1985), I was on a weekend scuba trip to West Palm Beach. One dive was on Saturday night two miles off the coast in 85-foot deep water. We dove down to a sunken Greek yacht named the Mizpah. Before the dive, along with the other safety precautions, we were warned of the dangers of the Gulf Stream currents; they could cause you to miss your target, and worse, they could sweep you miles away from the dive boat in the middle of the night.
My dive buddy, Ron Bennett, and I were selected by the dive master to lead a group of 20 people down to the Mizpah. I almost had an anxiety attack right there. I wasn't terrified of the pitch-black water. I wasn't terrified of the nocturnal creatures that prowl the seas. I wasn't terrified of being swept away by the Gulf Stream currents.
I was terrified of the wrath of the other 18 people if we missed the boat!
To understand my high anxiety, I will take you back four weeks earlier. Ron and I and some of the same people were in Fort Lauderdale to dive on the Mercedes, a freighter that had been sunk in 90 feet of water a mile off the coast. Ron had dived on the ship once before; I was in Atlanta for Independence Day. He said it had been a fantastic dive; they could see the freighter as soon as they jumped in the water.
The dive master gave specific instructions on how to navigate down to the wreck. We didn't listen because the dive had been so easy for Ron a few weeks earlier. Instead, we heard the lie: "Do it your way." When we jumped in we found out that on this particular day the visibility was very poor. We couldn't see the freighter from the surface. We started swimming down anyway. We swam in what we thought was the right direction, but we couldn't see the ship or anything else. When we reached a depth of 75 feet, we finally saw something.
Sand. Nothing but sand.
Ron and I had an underwater argument about whether we should swim around on the bottom looking for a 285 foot long ship or go back to the surface and ask for help. We were rookie scuba divers and had been warned about doing a "pop up." A pop up is when you abort a dive because you didn't follow instructions. I don't remember who won the argument, but soon enough we were on the surface waving for the men on the boat to come get us.
The boat captain and dive master let us have it for not following instructions. They dragged us over to the drop site again while we hung on to the dive platform for dear life. We used up most of our air during this exhausting experience. We found the boat on the second try, but were only able to spend seven minutes exploring the Mercedes. For the rest of the weekend (and for years to come), the other divers teased us unmercifully because we missed the boat.
The memories of our incompetence were racing through my mind as Ron and I were on the platform about to jump into the dark and eerie waters of the Atlantic. Then I remembered our training; I remembered what the instructors had said about reaching our goal. "Swim hard, and don't take your eyes off your compass." We swam due south; we swam directly against the current. We did what we knew was right -- even though we couldn't see the target. I looked up just before we hit the bow of the sunken yacht.
It was a wonderful dive. I'll never forget it. The depth, breadth and beauty of God's creation is just amazing. We went into one room and pushed our flashlights into the sand so they didn't cast any light. In the total darkness, it was cool to see hundreds, maybe thousands, of bioluminescent creatures glowing and floating at the bottom of the ocean.
What I learned from those two dives applies to job search: sometimes your goal is right before you, but if you don't follow wise counsel or if you give up too early, you'll miss the boat entirely. So here are some reminders from someone who's seen thousands of successful searches:
1. Listen to the experts. We know what we're talking about. Don't take your eyes off your compass. Your target will be right ahead of you if you stay focused on your goal and don't let yourself get distracted. If you listen to the lies that are flying around in your head, you could end up hundreds of feet away from your target and looking at nothing but sand. Swim hard. Keep your eyes on your compass. Don't give up too early.
2. Network. Chances are as high as 80% that you will find your next job through a personal contact. Why not shorten the time by doing more of it? Bring up your job search in almost every conversation you have, especially with new people. Make one phone call for every 30 minutes you spend on the computer. You may not see your next job up ahead, but it's out there. You have to do the right things in the right proportions to find it.
3. Pray and read the Bible. Chances are as high as 100% that your next job will suit your needs better if you seek the Lord with all your heart. Why not improve the quality of your life by doing more of it? Get into the Word every day, especially now while you have the time. You may not see where the Lord is leading you, but I guarantee you He has a plan and a purpose for your life and your career.
He will lead you in the darkness of job search; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." (Isaiah 42:16)
See you tomorrow at JobSeekers, the place where we use God's compass!
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
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2. Success Story: The Opportunities this Ministry Provides are Priceless
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.
Dave:
The stars and the JobSeekers' tools finally aligned and I was offered a job yesterday. On Monday, I start to work for one of the companies that I targeted early on in my job search. There were no openings for a quality assurance manager at the company when I started my search in mid-May, but I contacted a former colleague (now retired) who happens to be the brother-in-law of the owner of the company. He put me in touch with another former colleague of mine from over 10 years ago who is currently the company's corporate director of quality. When an opening appeared on the company's career website 10 days ago, I was ready to strike.
I submitted my resume online and immediately called my contact at the company to inquire about the position. He told me the ins and outs and asked me to email him the latest version of my resume. Two days later I got a call from the VP of HR to come in for an interview with him and my contact. My contact obviously lobbied for me behind the scenes, because at the start of the interview the VP of HR said he did not want to waste our time going through my resume since my contact had vouched for me.
After about four hours of open discussion about the company and the job, lunch, and a tour of the plant, I was invited back four days later for an hour-long interview with the COO that is responsible for the plant where I would be working. That afternoon the COO called me with an offer.
I will be making less money than I was making, but I feel blessed for the upsides that this job has to offer:
1) ...I do not have to relocate my family and the commute is only about 40 minutes.
2) The job brings me back to an industry that I love ...
3) The company is profitable and growing fast, so there will be ample opportunities for advancement.
4) The company's mission statement includes "honoring the covenant to support Christian-based ministries from the profits generated through the business."
Dave, please give my regards to the Ship's Crew and all of the job seekers for the insight and fellowship that they provide. The resources, tools and networking opportunities that this ministry provides are priceless.
Kind regards,
(name withheld for privacy)
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3. This Week's Meeting: 16 Ways to Make a Message Persuasive
Bring your marketing hat for tomorrow; you are the product! We will learn and practice some techniques and skills to ensure that the hiring company remembers us in a very positive way. This week's session will make you more effective in your networking and interviewing of course, but it will also make you more effective in all your communications -- as a parent, spouse, salesperson or entrepreneur.
Bring an extra copy of your resume for tomorrow's application activity.
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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Showing posts with label devotional. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotional. Show all posts
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Devotional from Max Lucado's book
HOPE
by Max Lucado
It's one of the most compelling narratives in all of Scripture. So fascinating is the scene, in fact, that Luke opted to record it in detail.
Two disciples are walking down the dusty road to the village of Emmaus. Their talk concerns the crucified Jesus. Their words come slowly, trudging in cadence with the dirge-like pace of their feet.
"I can hardly believe it. He's gone."
"What do we do now?"
"It's Peter's fault, he shouldn't have ... "
Just then a stranger comes up from behind and says, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help overhearing you. Who are you discussing?"
They stop and turn. Other travelers make their way around them as the three stand in silence. Finally one of them asks, "Where have you been the last few days? Haven't you heard about Jesus of Nazareth?" And he continues to tell what has happened. (Luke 24:13-24)
This scene fascinates me—two sincere disciples telling how the last nail has been driven in Israel's coffin. God, in disguise, listens patiently, his wounded hands buried deeply in his robe. He must have been touched at the faithfulness of this pair. Yet he also must have been a bit chagrined. He had just gone to hell and back to give heaven to earth, and these two were worried about the political situation of Israel.
"But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel."
But we had hoped ... How often have you heard a phrase like that?
"We were hoping the doctor would release him."
"I had hoped to pass the exam."
"We had hoped the surgery would get all the tumor."
"I thought the job was in the bag."
Words painted gray with disappointment. What we wanted didn't come. What came, we didn't want. The result? Shattered hope. The foundation of our world trembles.
We trudge up the road to Emmaus dragging our sandals in the dust, wondering what we did to deserve such a plight. "What kind of God would let me down like this?"
And yet, so tear-filled are our eyes and so limited is our perspective that God could be the fellow walking next to us and we wouldn't know it.
You see, the problem with our two heavy-hearted friends was not a lack of faith, but a lack of vision. Their petitions were limited to what they could imagine—an earthly kingdom. Had God answered their prayer, had he granted their hope, the Seven-Day War would have started two thousand years earlier and Jesus would have spent the next forty years training his apostles to be cabinet members. You have to wonder if God's most merciful act is his refusal to answer some of our prayers.
We are not much different than burdened travelers, are we? We roll in the mud of self-pity in the very shadow of the cross. We piously ask for his will and then have the audacity to pout if everything doesn't go our way. If we would just remember the heavenly body that awaits us, we'd stop complaining that he hasn't healed this earthly one.
Our problem is not so much that God doesn't give us what we hope for as it is that we don't know the right thing for which to hope. (You may want to read that sentence again.)
Hope is not what you expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending. It's Abraham adjusting his bifocals so he can see not his grandson, but his son. It's Moses standing in the promised land not with Aaron or Miriam at his side, but with Elijah and the transfigured Christ. It's Zechariah left speechless at the sight of his wife Elizabeth, gray-headed and pregnant. And it is the two Emmaus-bound pilgrims reaching out to take a piece of bread only to see that the hands from which it is offered are pierced.
Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reaction.
From God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1985, 2004) Max Lucado
by Max Lucado
It's one of the most compelling narratives in all of Scripture. So fascinating is the scene, in fact, that Luke opted to record it in detail.
Two disciples are walking down the dusty road to the village of Emmaus. Their talk concerns the crucified Jesus. Their words come slowly, trudging in cadence with the dirge-like pace of their feet.
"I can hardly believe it. He's gone."
"What do we do now?"
"It's Peter's fault, he shouldn't have ... "
Just then a stranger comes up from behind and says, "I'm sorry, but I couldn't help overhearing you. Who are you discussing?"
They stop and turn. Other travelers make their way around them as the three stand in silence. Finally one of them asks, "Where have you been the last few days? Haven't you heard about Jesus of Nazareth?" And he continues to tell what has happened. (Luke 24:13-24)
This scene fascinates me—two sincere disciples telling how the last nail has been driven in Israel's coffin. God, in disguise, listens patiently, his wounded hands buried deeply in his robe. He must have been touched at the faithfulness of this pair. Yet he also must have been a bit chagrined. He had just gone to hell and back to give heaven to earth, and these two were worried about the political situation of Israel.
"But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel."
But we had hoped ... How often have you heard a phrase like that?
"We were hoping the doctor would release him."
"I had hoped to pass the exam."
"We had hoped the surgery would get all the tumor."
"I thought the job was in the bag."
Words painted gray with disappointment. What we wanted didn't come. What came, we didn't want. The result? Shattered hope. The foundation of our world trembles.
We trudge up the road to Emmaus dragging our sandals in the dust, wondering what we did to deserve such a plight. "What kind of God would let me down like this?"
And yet, so tear-filled are our eyes and so limited is our perspective that God could be the fellow walking next to us and we wouldn't know it.
You see, the problem with our two heavy-hearted friends was not a lack of faith, but a lack of vision. Their petitions were limited to what they could imagine—an earthly kingdom. Had God answered their prayer, had he granted their hope, the Seven-Day War would have started two thousand years earlier and Jesus would have spent the next forty years training his apostles to be cabinet members. You have to wonder if God's most merciful act is his refusal to answer some of our prayers.
We are not much different than burdened travelers, are we? We roll in the mud of self-pity in the very shadow of the cross. We piously ask for his will and then have the audacity to pout if everything doesn't go our way. If we would just remember the heavenly body that awaits us, we'd stop complaining that he hasn't healed this earthly one.
Our problem is not so much that God doesn't give us what we hope for as it is that we don't know the right thing for which to hope. (You may want to read that sentence again.)
Hope is not what you expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I'm-dreaming ending. It's Abraham adjusting his bifocals so he can see not his grandson, but his son. It's Moses standing in the promised land not with Aaron or Miriam at his side, but with Elijah and the transfigured Christ. It's Zechariah left speechless at the sight of his wife Elizabeth, gray-headed and pregnant. And it is the two Emmaus-bound pilgrims reaching out to take a piece of bread only to see that the hands from which it is offered are pierced.
Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks and be there in the flesh to see our reaction.
From God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1985, 2004) Max Lucado
Thursday, August 19, 2010
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
- - - - -
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
- - - - -
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, August 16, 2010
Fear of What's Next - a devotional
Today's devotional comes from Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1985, 2004) Max Lucado
Fear of What's Next
by Max Lucado
“I am going away” ( John 14:28).
Imagine their shock when they heard Jesus say those words. He spoke them on the night of the Passover celebration, Thursday evening, in the Upper Room. Christ and his friends had just enjoyed a calm dinner in the midst of a chaotic week. They had reason for optimism: Jesus’ popularity was soaring. Opportunities were increasing. In three short years the crowds had lifted Christ to their shoulders . . . he was the hope of the common man.
And now this? Jesus said, “I am going away.” The announcement stunned them. When Jesus explained, “You know the way to where I am going,” Thomas, with no small dose of exasperation, replied, “No, we don’t know, Lord. We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ( John 14:4–5 NLT).
On the eve of his death, Jesus gave his followers this promise: “When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:26–27 NLT).
As a departing teacher might introduce the classroom to her replacement, so Jesus introduces us to the Holy Spirit. And what a ringing endorsement he gives. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit his “representative.”
The Spirit comes in the name of Christ, with equal authority and identical power. Earlier in the evening Jesus had said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16 NIV).
Jesus’ promise: allos—“another one just like the first one.” And who is the first one? Jesus himself. Hence, the assurance Jesus gives to the disciples is this: “I am going away. You are entering a new season, a different chapter. Much will be different, but one thing remains constant: my presence. You will enjoy the presence of ‘another Counselor.’ ”
Can you see how the disciples needed this encouragement? It’s Thursday night before the crucifixion. By Friday’s sunrise they will abandon Jesus. The breakfast hour will find them hiding in corners and crevices. At 9 a.m. Roman soldiers will nail Christ to a cross. By this time tomorrow he will be dead and buried. Their world is about to be flipped on its head. And Jesus wants them to know: they’ll never face the future without his help.
Nor will you. You have a travel companion. When you place your faith in Christ, Christ places his Spirit before, behind, and within you. Not a strange spirit, but the same Spirit: the parakletos. Everything Jesus did for his followers, his Spirit does for you. Jesus taught; the Spirit teaches. Jesus healed; the Spirit heals. Jesus comforted; his Spirit comforts. As Jesus sends you into new seasons, he sends his Counselor to go with you.
God treats you the way one mother treated her young son, Timmy. She didn’t like the thought of Timmy walking to his first-grade class unaccompanied. But he was too grown-up to be seen with his mother. “Besides,” he explained, “I can walk with a friend.” So she did her best to stay calm, quoting the Twenty-third Psalm to him every morning: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life . . . ”
One day she came up with an idea. She asked a neighbor to follow Timmy to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, lest he notice her. The neighbor was happy to oblige. She took her toddler on morning walks anyway.
After several days Timmy’s little friend noticed the lady and the child.
“Do you know who that woman is who follows us to school?”
“Sure,” Timmy answered. “That’s Shirley Goodnest and her daughter Marcy.”
“Who?”
“My mom reads about them every day in the Twenty-third Psalm. She says, ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life.’ Guess I’ll have to get used to them.”
You will too. God never sends you out alone. Are you on the eve of change? Do you find yourself looking into a new chapter? Is the foliage of your world showing signs of a new season? Heaven’s message for you is clear: when everything else changes, God’s presence never does. You journey in the company of the Holy Spirit, who “will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26 NLT).
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1985, 2004) Max Lucado
Fear of What's Next
by Max Lucado
“I am going away” ( John 14:28).
Imagine their shock when they heard Jesus say those words. He spoke them on the night of the Passover celebration, Thursday evening, in the Upper Room. Christ and his friends had just enjoyed a calm dinner in the midst of a chaotic week. They had reason for optimism: Jesus’ popularity was soaring. Opportunities were increasing. In three short years the crowds had lifted Christ to their shoulders . . . he was the hope of the common man.
And now this? Jesus said, “I am going away.” The announcement stunned them. When Jesus explained, “You know the way to where I am going,” Thomas, with no small dose of exasperation, replied, “No, we don’t know, Lord. We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” ( John 14:4–5 NLT).
On the eve of his death, Jesus gave his followers this promise: “When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:26–27 NLT).
As a departing teacher might introduce the classroom to her replacement, so Jesus introduces us to the Holy Spirit. And what a ringing endorsement he gives. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit his “representative.”
The Spirit comes in the name of Christ, with equal authority and identical power. Earlier in the evening Jesus had said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16 NIV).
Jesus’ promise: allos—“another one just like the first one.” And who is the first one? Jesus himself. Hence, the assurance Jesus gives to the disciples is this: “I am going away. You are entering a new season, a different chapter. Much will be different, but one thing remains constant: my presence. You will enjoy the presence of ‘another Counselor.’ ”
Can you see how the disciples needed this encouragement? It’s Thursday night before the crucifixion. By Friday’s sunrise they will abandon Jesus. The breakfast hour will find them hiding in corners and crevices. At 9 a.m. Roman soldiers will nail Christ to a cross. By this time tomorrow he will be dead and buried. Their world is about to be flipped on its head. And Jesus wants them to know: they’ll never face the future without his help.
Nor will you. You have a travel companion. When you place your faith in Christ, Christ places his Spirit before, behind, and within you. Not a strange spirit, but the same Spirit: the parakletos. Everything Jesus did for his followers, his Spirit does for you. Jesus taught; the Spirit teaches. Jesus healed; the Spirit heals. Jesus comforted; his Spirit comforts. As Jesus sends you into new seasons, he sends his Counselor to go with you.
God treats you the way one mother treated her young son, Timmy. She didn’t like the thought of Timmy walking to his first-grade class unaccompanied. But he was too grown-up to be seen with his mother. “Besides,” he explained, “I can walk with a friend.” So she did her best to stay calm, quoting the Twenty-third Psalm to him every morning: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life . . . ”
One day she came up with an idea. She asked a neighbor to follow Timmy to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, lest he notice her. The neighbor was happy to oblige. She took her toddler on morning walks anyway.
After several days Timmy’s little friend noticed the lady and the child.
“Do you know who that woman is who follows us to school?”
“Sure,” Timmy answered. “That’s Shirley Goodnest and her daughter Marcy.”
“Who?”
“My mom reads about them every day in the Twenty-third Psalm. She says, ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life.’ Guess I’ll have to get used to them.”
You will too. God never sends you out alone. Are you on the eve of change? Do you find yourself looking into a new chapter? Is the foliage of your world showing signs of a new season? Heaven’s message for you is clear: when everything else changes, God’s presence never does. You journey in the company of the Holy Spirit, who “will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26 NLT).
Friday, August 6, 2010
Don't let anger block your job search
Today's devotional comes from 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: Get Rid of All Bitterness, Rage and Anger
2. Success Story: Bock Comes in Second in 2006; First in 2010
3. This Week's Meeting: Winning Networking Appointments
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Inspiration: Get Rid of All Bitterness, Rage and Anger
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. -- Ephesians 4:31-32
A few of years ago I was walking across the parking lot of the Atlanta Bread Company for the informal networking session we have after each JobSeekers meeting. I came face-to-face with another JobSeeker in the traffic lane right in front of the coffee shop. I don't remember how the conversation started, but it quickly turned to how poorly his former employer had treated him.
He was seething with anger. You could see it in his eyes, you could hear it in his voice, you could see it as his skin turned red and the veins in his neck popped out.
I had to say something.
One of the reference books I use, Speaking the Truth in Love: How to be an Assertive Christian, says that if you see something that is holding someone back and don't say anything, then your silence is a form of lying. So I said, "Friend, I see something that is standing between you and a new job, and if I didn't tell you about it, that would be just as bad as lying to you. May a share it with you?" Of course he said I could. "Friend, your anger is standing between you and a new job. I can see it. Employers can see it. Until you get rid of your anger, you're going to have a hard time finding a job."
"ANGRY? I'M NOT ANGRY!" He squared up his body and clinched his fists as he said it.
I gently restated my concern. He backtracked and said that he did feel some bitterness, but he was sharing his anger with me in my role as a career coach. I saw where he was coming from and we walked into the ABC a few minutes later.
Within days, and for two years after that, several people said to me, "I saw your friend at Publix the other day, and boy, was he angry." This fellow was tormented by anger not only for two years; when I first met him it had already been eight years since they let him go! My friend had a 200-pound chip on his shoulder for 10 years.
Our Chaplain, Reverend Howard Tisdale, says that when you harbor resentment toward your former employer, it comes out obliquely. In other words, your anger betrays you and hurts your chances of winning a job. No matter how hard you try to hide it, it seeps out in ways that you might not sense, but to employers, it's as plain as your flaring nostrils and dilated pupils.
I've described an extreme case, but I see anger impacting job search frequently. Oftentimes, the anger is directed at a former employer. Sometimes the anger is about something else, but it still impacts job search. Christian relationship expert Gary Smalley says anger is usually the result of one of three things: hurt, fear or frustration. For a job seeker, for instance, it might be hurt that you were let go, fear of losing your house, or frustration that you missed out on three consecutive job opportunities.
Almost everyone feels some resentment toward his or her former employer. I worked on a big outplacement project at UPS in 1995. These people were paid handsomely to leave the company voluntarily. Even they were mad. It's not a question of whether or not you have it; it's a matter of degree.
To what degree is anger (hurt, fear or frustration) getting in your way?
If you just read this and said, "Anger? For me? Nope, not at all." I want you to think again. When I see anger and mention it to someone, he or she usually gets defensive. Has anyone told you that your anger or attitude was getting in the way of achieving your goal? How did you react?
Here are three steps to address this issue:
1. Admit it. If you were saying "not me" up above, maybe the first step is to admit that you are feeling some hurt, fear or frustration. It's okay if you do. It's normal. It's real. It's painful. I'm not suggesting you deny the wound or ignore the pain and the hurt. What I am saying is that you've got to put the past behind you before you move on.
2. Take it to the cross. Friends, unless you've told me, I don't know where your pain is coming from. I don't know exactly what your wound is, but I do know this: if Christ can forgive those who crucified him, and just as God has forgiven us, we can forgive those who have hurt us. Read the second half of the verse at the beginning of this message again, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
3. Get some help. Ask God to put people in your life to win the battle. Use your board of advisors (add a new member if necessary) to help you methodically conquer this demon. Satan loves it when we try to tackle problems ourselves because we are so lousy at it. We end up in downward spiral and soon the ripple effect of unemployment takes effect. If we've gone down far enough, or if the situation is grave enough, it may take professional help and medication to turn the tide.
There are a lot of self-help books out there that may be beneficial. If you go to a bookstore website and search on anger, a ton of them will come up. I tried it and got 464,408 results. Two books that might not be on the "anger" list that I would recommend are Wild at Heart and Captivating. The first is by John Eldredge; the other is by John and his wife Staci. Wild at Heart is about healing the masculine soul; Captivating is about "unveiling the mystery of a woman's soul." I've read the book for men three times (I'm a slow learner) and the one for women once. (Guys, I recommend you read the women's book too; and ladies, you will find the men's book fascinating.)
If you read the whole fourth chapter of Ephesians, take note of verse 26 and 27. "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." And down in Ephesians 6:11: "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
We are in the midst of spiritual warfare. Arm yourself for battle. Don't give the devil a foothold.
- - - - - - -
I'm happy to report that my friend with the 10 years of anger is doing better. I've bumped into him a few times since the story took place and he's in the process of reinventing himself so he can do something that he really enjoys.
I hope after reading this, you will put the past behind you so you can move forward and toward the abundant life God has in store for you.
See you (Friday mornings)at JobSeekers, where we refuse to give the devil a foothold.
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
3. This Week's Meeting: Winning Networking Appointments
Overcoming Call Reluctance and Other Campaign-Stalling Inertia
By now everyone knows that most salaried jobs (up to 80%) are found through networking. People tell me that they are reluctant to make networking calls -- and they wouldn't know what to say if they did make networking calls. Tomorrow we will address both of these issues. Come and find out how and why.
By the way, last week I challenged you to meet with two or three advisors at the same time to address the #1 issue in your campaign right now. If you haven't done so already, do it today!
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"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: Get Rid of All Bitterness, Rage and Anger
2. Success Story: Bock Comes in Second in 2006; First in 2010
3. This Week's Meeting: Winning Networking Appointments
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Inspiration: Get Rid of All Bitterness, Rage and Anger
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. -- Ephesians 4:31-32
A few of years ago I was walking across the parking lot of the Atlanta Bread Company for the informal networking session we have after each JobSeekers meeting. I came face-to-face with another JobSeeker in the traffic lane right in front of the coffee shop. I don't remember how the conversation started, but it quickly turned to how poorly his former employer had treated him.
He was seething with anger. You could see it in his eyes, you could hear it in his voice, you could see it as his skin turned red and the veins in his neck popped out.
I had to say something.
One of the reference books I use, Speaking the Truth in Love: How to be an Assertive Christian, says that if you see something that is holding someone back and don't say anything, then your silence is a form of lying. So I said, "Friend, I see something that is standing between you and a new job, and if I didn't tell you about it, that would be just as bad as lying to you. May a share it with you?" Of course he said I could. "Friend, your anger is standing between you and a new job. I can see it. Employers can see it. Until you get rid of your anger, you're going to have a hard time finding a job."
"ANGRY? I'M NOT ANGRY!" He squared up his body and clinched his fists as he said it.
I gently restated my concern. He backtracked and said that he did feel some bitterness, but he was sharing his anger with me in my role as a career coach. I saw where he was coming from and we walked into the ABC a few minutes later.
Within days, and for two years after that, several people said to me, "I saw your friend at Publix the other day, and boy, was he angry." This fellow was tormented by anger not only for two years; when I first met him it had already been eight years since they let him go! My friend had a 200-pound chip on his shoulder for 10 years.
Our Chaplain, Reverend Howard Tisdale, says that when you harbor resentment toward your former employer, it comes out obliquely. In other words, your anger betrays you and hurts your chances of winning a job. No matter how hard you try to hide it, it seeps out in ways that you might not sense, but to employers, it's as plain as your flaring nostrils and dilated pupils.
I've described an extreme case, but I see anger impacting job search frequently. Oftentimes, the anger is directed at a former employer. Sometimes the anger is about something else, but it still impacts job search. Christian relationship expert Gary Smalley says anger is usually the result of one of three things: hurt, fear or frustration. For a job seeker, for instance, it might be hurt that you were let go, fear of losing your house, or frustration that you missed out on three consecutive job opportunities.
Almost everyone feels some resentment toward his or her former employer. I worked on a big outplacement project at UPS in 1995. These people were paid handsomely to leave the company voluntarily. Even they were mad. It's not a question of whether or not you have it; it's a matter of degree.
To what degree is anger (hurt, fear or frustration) getting in your way?
If you just read this and said, "Anger? For me? Nope, not at all." I want you to think again. When I see anger and mention it to someone, he or she usually gets defensive. Has anyone told you that your anger or attitude was getting in the way of achieving your goal? How did you react?
Here are three steps to address this issue:
1. Admit it. If you were saying "not me" up above, maybe the first step is to admit that you are feeling some hurt, fear or frustration. It's okay if you do. It's normal. It's real. It's painful. I'm not suggesting you deny the wound or ignore the pain and the hurt. What I am saying is that you've got to put the past behind you before you move on.
2. Take it to the cross. Friends, unless you've told me, I don't know where your pain is coming from. I don't know exactly what your wound is, but I do know this: if Christ can forgive those who crucified him, and just as God has forgiven us, we can forgive those who have hurt us. Read the second half of the verse at the beginning of this message again, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
3. Get some help. Ask God to put people in your life to win the battle. Use your board of advisors (add a new member if necessary) to help you methodically conquer this demon. Satan loves it when we try to tackle problems ourselves because we are so lousy at it. We end up in downward spiral and soon the ripple effect of unemployment takes effect. If we've gone down far enough, or if the situation is grave enough, it may take professional help and medication to turn the tide.
There are a lot of self-help books out there that may be beneficial. If you go to a bookstore website and search on anger, a ton of them will come up. I tried it and got 464,408 results. Two books that might not be on the "anger" list that I would recommend are Wild at Heart and Captivating. The first is by John Eldredge; the other is by John and his wife Staci. Wild at Heart is about healing the masculine soul; Captivating is about "unveiling the mystery of a woman's soul." I've read the book for men three times (I'm a slow learner) and the one for women once. (Guys, I recommend you read the women's book too; and ladies, you will find the men's book fascinating.)
If you read the whole fourth chapter of Ephesians, take note of verse 26 and 27. "Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." And down in Ephesians 6:11: "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."
We are in the midst of spiritual warfare. Arm yourself for battle. Don't give the devil a foothold.
- - - - - - -
I'm happy to report that my friend with the 10 years of anger is doing better. I've bumped into him a few times since the story took place and he's in the process of reinventing himself so he can do something that he really enjoys.
I hope after reading this, you will put the past behind you so you can move forward and toward the abundant life God has in store for you.
See you (Friday mornings)at JobSeekers, where we refuse to give the devil a foothold.
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
3. This Week's Meeting: Winning Networking Appointments
Overcoming Call Reluctance and Other Campaign-Stalling Inertia
By now everyone knows that most salaried jobs (up to 80%) are found through networking. People tell me that they are reluctant to make networking calls -- and they wouldn't know what to say if they did make networking calls. Tomorrow we will address both of these issues. Come and find out how and why.
By the way, last week I challenged you to meet with two or three advisors at the same time to address the #1 issue in your campaign right now. If you haven't done so already, do it today!
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!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friday, July 30, 2010
A devotional from Max Lucado
Friends, this was so good, I just had to share it today!
The Guest of the Maestro
by Max Lucado
What happens when a dog interrupts a concert? To answer that, come with me to a spring night in Lawrence, Kansas.
Take your seat in Hoch Auditorium and behold the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra—the oldest continually operating orchestra in the world. The greatest composers and conductors in history have directed this orchestra. It was playing in the days of Beethoven (some of the musicians have been replaced).
You watch as stately dressed Europeans take their seats on the stage. You listen as professionals carefully tune their instruments. The percussionist puts her ear to the kettle drum. A violinist plucks the nylon sting. A clarinet player tightens the reed. And you sit a bit straighter as the lights dim and the tuning stops. The music is about to begin.
The conductor, dressed in tails, strides onto the stage, springs onto the podium, and gestures for the orchestra to rise. You and two thousand others applaud. The musicians take their seats, the maestro takes his position, and the audience holds its breath.
There is a second of silence between lightning and thunder. And there is a second of silence between the raising of the baton and the explosion of the music. But when it falls the heavens open and you are delightfully drenched in the downpour of Beethoven's Third Symphony.
Such was the power of that spring night in Lawrence, Kansas. That hot, spring night in Lawrence, Kansas. I mention the temperature so you'll understand why the doors were open. It was hot. Hoch Auditorium, a historic building, was not air-conditioned. Combine bright stage lights with formal dress and furious music, and the result is a heated orchestra. Outside doors on each side of the stage were left open in case of a breeze.
Enter, stage right, the dog. A brown, generic, Kansas dog. Not a mean dog. Not a mad dog. Just a curious dog. He passes between the double basses and makes his way through the second violins and into the cellos. His tail wags in beat with the music. As the dog passes between the players, they look at him, look at each other, and continue with the next measure.
The dog takes a liking to a certain cello. Perhaps it was the lateral passing of the bow. Maybe it was the eye-level view of the strings. Whatever it was, it caught the dog's attention and he stopped and watched. The cellist wasn't sure what to do. He'd never played before a canine audience. And music schools don't teach you what dog slobber might do to the lacquer of a sixteenth-century Guarneri cello. But the dog did nothing but watch for a moment and then move on.
Had he passed on through the orchestra, the music might have continued. Had he made his way across the stage into the motioning hands of the stagehand, the audience might have never noticed. But he didn't leave. He stayed. At home in the splendor. Roaming through the meadow of music.
He visited the woodwinds, turned his head at the trumpets, stepped between the flutists, and stopped by the side of the conductor. And Beethoven's Third Symphony came undone.
The musicians laughed. The audience laughed. The dog looked up at the conductor and panted. And the conductor lowered his baton.
The most historic orchestra in the world. One of the most moving pieces ever written. A night wrapped in glory, all brought to a stop by a wayward dog.
The chuckles ceased as the conductor turned. What fury might erupt? The audience grew quiet as the maestro faced them. What fuse had been lit? The polished, German director looked at the crowd, looked down at the dog, then looked back at the people, raised his hands in a universal gesture and . . . shrugged.
Everyone roared.
He stepped off the podium and scratched the dog behind the ears. The tail wagged again. The maestro spoke to the dog. He spoke in German, but the dog seemed to understand. The two visited for a few seconds before the maestro took his new friend by the collar and led him off the stage. You'd have thought the dog was Pavarotti the way the people applauded. The conductor returned and the music began and Beethoven seemed none the worse for the whole experience.
Can you find you and me in this picture?
I can. Just call us Fido. And consider God the Maestro.
And envision the moment when we will walk onto his stage. We won't deserve it. We will not have earned it. We may even surprise the musicians with our presence.
The music will be like none we've ever heard. We'll stroll among the angels and listen as they sing. We'll gaze at heaven's lights and gasp as they shine. And we'll walk next to the Maestro, stand by his side, and worship as he leads.
These final chapters remind us of that moment. They challenge us to see the unseen and live for that event. They invite us to tune our ears to the song of the skies and long—long for the moment when we'll be at the Maestro's side.
He, too, will welcome. And he, too, will speak. But he will not lead us away. He will invite us to remain, forever his guests on his stage.
From When God Whispers Your Name
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Max Lucado
The Guest of the Maestro
by Max Lucado
What happens when a dog interrupts a concert? To answer that, come with me to a spring night in Lawrence, Kansas.
Take your seat in Hoch Auditorium and behold the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra—the oldest continually operating orchestra in the world. The greatest composers and conductors in history have directed this orchestra. It was playing in the days of Beethoven (some of the musicians have been replaced).
You watch as stately dressed Europeans take their seats on the stage. You listen as professionals carefully tune their instruments. The percussionist puts her ear to the kettle drum. A violinist plucks the nylon sting. A clarinet player tightens the reed. And you sit a bit straighter as the lights dim and the tuning stops. The music is about to begin.
The conductor, dressed in tails, strides onto the stage, springs onto the podium, and gestures for the orchestra to rise. You and two thousand others applaud. The musicians take their seats, the maestro takes his position, and the audience holds its breath.
There is a second of silence between lightning and thunder. And there is a second of silence between the raising of the baton and the explosion of the music. But when it falls the heavens open and you are delightfully drenched in the downpour of Beethoven's Third Symphony.
Such was the power of that spring night in Lawrence, Kansas. That hot, spring night in Lawrence, Kansas. I mention the temperature so you'll understand why the doors were open. It was hot. Hoch Auditorium, a historic building, was not air-conditioned. Combine bright stage lights with formal dress and furious music, and the result is a heated orchestra. Outside doors on each side of the stage were left open in case of a breeze.
Enter, stage right, the dog. A brown, generic, Kansas dog. Not a mean dog. Not a mad dog. Just a curious dog. He passes between the double basses and makes his way through the second violins and into the cellos. His tail wags in beat with the music. As the dog passes between the players, they look at him, look at each other, and continue with the next measure.
The dog takes a liking to a certain cello. Perhaps it was the lateral passing of the bow. Maybe it was the eye-level view of the strings. Whatever it was, it caught the dog's attention and he stopped and watched. The cellist wasn't sure what to do. He'd never played before a canine audience. And music schools don't teach you what dog slobber might do to the lacquer of a sixteenth-century Guarneri cello. But the dog did nothing but watch for a moment and then move on.
Had he passed on through the orchestra, the music might have continued. Had he made his way across the stage into the motioning hands of the stagehand, the audience might have never noticed. But he didn't leave. He stayed. At home in the splendor. Roaming through the meadow of music.
He visited the woodwinds, turned his head at the trumpets, stepped between the flutists, and stopped by the side of the conductor. And Beethoven's Third Symphony came undone.
The musicians laughed. The audience laughed. The dog looked up at the conductor and panted. And the conductor lowered his baton.
The most historic orchestra in the world. One of the most moving pieces ever written. A night wrapped in glory, all brought to a stop by a wayward dog.
The chuckles ceased as the conductor turned. What fury might erupt? The audience grew quiet as the maestro faced them. What fuse had been lit? The polished, German director looked at the crowd, looked down at the dog, then looked back at the people, raised his hands in a universal gesture and . . . shrugged.
Everyone roared.
He stepped off the podium and scratched the dog behind the ears. The tail wagged again. The maestro spoke to the dog. He spoke in German, but the dog seemed to understand. The two visited for a few seconds before the maestro took his new friend by the collar and led him off the stage. You'd have thought the dog was Pavarotti the way the people applauded. The conductor returned and the music began and Beethoven seemed none the worse for the whole experience.
Can you find you and me in this picture?
I can. Just call us Fido. And consider God the Maestro.
And envision the moment when we will walk onto his stage. We won't deserve it. We will not have earned it. We may even surprise the musicians with our presence.
The music will be like none we've ever heard. We'll stroll among the angels and listen as they sing. We'll gaze at heaven's lights and gasp as they shine. And we'll walk next to the Maestro, stand by his side, and worship as he leads.
These final chapters remind us of that moment. They challenge us to see the unseen and live for that event. They invite us to tune our ears to the song of the skies and long—long for the moment when we'll be at the Maestro's side.
He, too, will welcome. And he, too, will speak. But he will not lead us away. He will invite us to remain, forever his guests on his stage.
From When God Whispers Your Name
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1999) Max Lucado
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Jobseekers of Peachtree City
Thanks to Dave O'Farrell and the fine folks at JobSeekers of Peachtree City
for today's devotional:
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: A Sharp Focus is Key
2. Success Story: Massengill: LinkedIn + Telephone = New Job
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
JobSeekers of PTC Website | JobSeekers of PTC on LinkedIn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Inspiration: A Sharp Focus is Key
Have you ever used a magnifying glass to set a leaf on fire? Looking for a job is a lot like catching a leaf on fire. In both, a sharp focus is key. I've noticed that some of you have a magnifying glass, but you don't know which leaf you want to focus on. Others know which leaf you want, but you aren't focusing the light properly. Still others focus the light, but you switch to another leaf just before the flame starts.
I looked up "focus" on www.biblegateway.com and was surprised to find that the word does not appear even once in the NIV. The Message paraphrase Bible uses the word "focus" 29 times. I selected this one for you, Philippians 3:15:
"So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision -- you'll see it yet!"
When discussing focus with a group of my clients, one pointed out a verse from Proverbs that has to do with focus; here are two versions of Proverbs 17:24:
"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." (NIV) and "Anyone with wisdom knows what makes good sense, but fools can never make up their minds." (Contemporary English Version)
With this in mind, my message to you is this:
1. Make up you mind about what you want to do. The leaves could represent different functions or industries. There may be several that would make sense for you to choose. In order for you to set the leaf on fire (win a job), you must choose one to focus your energy on. Someone sent me a resume a while back that said something like, "Seeking a management position in sales, marketing, operations, administration, human resources or finance." Gee whiz, pick one to focus on or you won't get hired!
2. Build a short list of high-value target companies, organizations or agencies. Now that you've chosen your leaf, decide exactly where you are going to focus the sun's rays. Don't swirl the light beam around thinking that you will start a bigger fire. You won't. If someone woke you up from a deep sleep and asked what companies you're targeting, you should be focused enough to say, "I'm targeting third-party logistics providers like Exel, UPS Supply Chain Solutions and Eagle Global Logistics."
3. Work tirelessly and single-mindedly to accomplish your goal. At first, it will seem like nothing is happening. Be patient. Be steady and strong. Have faith. Remember your past success catching a leaf on fire, or listen to the wise counsel of others who have. Don't let a failure or rejection deter you. Don't let the contrary opinion of one or two people sway you. Don't drop out of the race a few feet from the finish line.
Lewis Carroll, in his classic Alice in Wonderland, says Alice came to a fork in the road and saw the Cheshire Cat in a tree. "'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' was his response. 'I don't know,' Alice answered. 'Then,' said the cat, 'it doesn't matter.'"
In job search, it does matter!
If you are blown and tossed by the wind, you may not reach your full potential -- and the job that God has in store for you. It may be that you would have a longer job search, earn less income, perform a less desirable job, work in a hostile environment, make a long commute, or be forced to relocate. Get focused and get results.
Paul of Tarsus was the embodiment of focus. He knew exactly what he was called to do (preach the good news and start the Christian church). He knew exactly who his audience was (first the Jew, then the Gentile), and he was totally focused on his ministry and mission (and he wouldn't let things like the emperor of Rome, the Jewish leaders, or persecutions stop him). Paul accomplished his mission. You can too.
See you tomorrow at JobSeekers; the place where a sharp focus comes into view!
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Success Story: Massengill: LinkedIn + Telephone = New Job
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.
The purpose of LinkedIn is not to build your network for its own sake, but to use your network to initiate meaningful business dialogue. The best and highest level for dialogue is face-to-face; next is voice-to-voice and finally, as a last resort, via an electronic medium.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. This Week's Meeting: Seven Search Strategies and Their Relative Effectiveness
How is your job search going? What's working? What do you need to change? I continue to be amazed at the number of people who place the majority of their time and energy on dead-end search strategies. There are seven ways to find a job; come tomorrow to find out which ones work (and why) and which ones don't (and why not).
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 13 July 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 7 August. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. Job Leads
For Employers
Our goal is to help our members find good jobs, close to home, in minimum time. Most of our members are salaried employees from the professional, technical and supervisory level all the way up to general managers and other senior executives. If you have a job lead with the three criteria below let us know.
Please send a brief position profile and tell us how you would like to be contacted. We run the lead for three weeks unless we hear from you to remove or extend the listing.
This 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. 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.
7. Donate to the JobSeekers' Ministry
You could help save a career, a home or even a marriage.
Job loss puts stress on our health, our finances, our relationships, our churches, and our community. Ultimately is affects our walk with the Lord and the kingdom of God. Your donations have helped save marriages, health, homes, college educations, and cross-country relocations. You can help alleviate these challenges for someone else by donating to the ongoing ministry of JobSeekers. Please send your tax-deductible donation to:
JobSeekers of PTC
P.O. Box 2124
Peachtree City, GA 30269
There's another way to donate: with the generous gift of your time. We are seeking to add to our Ship's Crew. We need a group of dedicated men and women who can come to most of the meetings on Friday and establish relationships with our new and existing members. Let me know if you are interested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Published by:
Dave O'Farrell
O'Farrell Career Management
Career Coaching and Outplacement Consulting
21 Eastbrook Bend, Suite 217
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269
http://www.linkedin.com/in/daveofarrell
dave@ofarrell-cm.com
www.ofarrell-cm.com
770-486-6289 office
770-823-2710 cell
"Helping people put their lives back together and get their careers back on track."
for today's devotional:
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: A Sharp Focus is Key
2. Success Story: Massengill: LinkedIn + Telephone = New Job
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
JobSeekers of PTC Website | JobSeekers of PTC on LinkedIn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Inspiration: A Sharp Focus is Key
Have you ever used a magnifying glass to set a leaf on fire? Looking for a job is a lot like catching a leaf on fire. In both, a sharp focus is key. I've noticed that some of you have a magnifying glass, but you don't know which leaf you want to focus on. Others know which leaf you want, but you aren't focusing the light properly. Still others focus the light, but you switch to another leaf just before the flame starts.
I looked up "focus" on www.biblegateway.com and was surprised to find that the word does not appear even once in the NIV. The Message paraphrase Bible uses the word "focus" 29 times. I selected this one for you, Philippians 3:15:
"So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision -- you'll see it yet!"
When discussing focus with a group of my clients, one pointed out a verse from Proverbs that has to do with focus; here are two versions of Proverbs 17:24:
"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." (NIV) and "Anyone with wisdom knows what makes good sense, but fools can never make up their minds." (Contemporary English Version)
With this in mind, my message to you is this:
1. Make up you mind about what you want to do. The leaves could represent different functions or industries. There may be several that would make sense for you to choose. In order for you to set the leaf on fire (win a job), you must choose one to focus your energy on. Someone sent me a resume a while back that said something like, "Seeking a management position in sales, marketing, operations, administration, human resources or finance." Gee whiz, pick one to focus on or you won't get hired!
2. Build a short list of high-value target companies, organizations or agencies. Now that you've chosen your leaf, decide exactly where you are going to focus the sun's rays. Don't swirl the light beam around thinking that you will start a bigger fire. You won't. If someone woke you up from a deep sleep and asked what companies you're targeting, you should be focused enough to say, "I'm targeting third-party logistics providers like Exel, UPS Supply Chain Solutions and Eagle Global Logistics."
3. Work tirelessly and single-mindedly to accomplish your goal. At first, it will seem like nothing is happening. Be patient. Be steady and strong. Have faith. Remember your past success catching a leaf on fire, or listen to the wise counsel of others who have. Don't let a failure or rejection deter you. Don't let the contrary opinion of one or two people sway you. Don't drop out of the race a few feet from the finish line.
Lewis Carroll, in his classic Alice in Wonderland, says Alice came to a fork in the road and saw the Cheshire Cat in a tree. "'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' was his response. 'I don't know,' Alice answered. 'Then,' said the cat, 'it doesn't matter.'"
In job search, it does matter!
If you are blown and tossed by the wind, you may not reach your full potential -- and the job that God has in store for you. It may be that you would have a longer job search, earn less income, perform a less desirable job, work in a hostile environment, make a long commute, or be forced to relocate. Get focused and get results.
Paul of Tarsus was the embodiment of focus. He knew exactly what he was called to do (preach the good news and start the Christian church). He knew exactly who his audience was (first the Jew, then the Gentile), and he was totally focused on his ministry and mission (and he wouldn't let things like the emperor of Rome, the Jewish leaders, or persecutions stop him). Paul accomplished his mission. You can too.
See you tomorrow at JobSeekers; the place where a sharp focus comes into view!
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Success Story: Massengill: LinkedIn + Telephone = New Job
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.
The purpose of LinkedIn is not to build your network for its own sake, but to use your network to initiate meaningful business dialogue. The best and highest level for dialogue is face-to-face; next is voice-to-voice and finally, as a last resort, via an electronic medium.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3. This Week's Meeting: Seven Search Strategies and Their Relative Effectiveness
How is your job search going? What's working? What do you need to change? I continue to be amazed at the number of people who place the majority of their time and energy on dead-end search strategies. There are seven ways to find a job; come tomorrow to find out which ones work (and why) and which ones don't (and why not).
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 13 July 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 7 August. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. Job Leads
For Employers
Our goal is to help our members find good jobs, close to home, in minimum time. Most of our members are salaried employees from the professional, technical and supervisory level all the way up to general managers and other senior executives. If you have a job lead with the three criteria below let us know.
Please send a brief position profile and tell us how you would like to be contacted. We run the lead for three weeks unless we hear from you to remove or extend the listing.
This 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. 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.
7. Donate to the JobSeekers' Ministry
You could help save a career, a home or even a marriage.
Job loss puts stress on our health, our finances, our relationships, our churches, and our community. Ultimately is affects our walk with the Lord and the kingdom of God. Your donations have helped save marriages, health, homes, college educations, and cross-country relocations. You can help alleviate these challenges for someone else by donating to the ongoing ministry of JobSeekers. Please send your tax-deductible donation to:
JobSeekers of PTC
P.O. Box 2124
Peachtree City, GA 30269
There's another way to donate: with the generous gift of your time. We are seeking to add to our Ship's Crew. We need a group of dedicated men and women who can come to most of the meetings on Friday and establish relationships with our new and existing members. Let me know if you are interested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Published by:
Dave O'Farrell
O'Farrell Career Management
Career Coaching and Outplacement Consulting
21 Eastbrook Bend, Suite 217
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269
http://www.linkedin.com/in/daveofarrell
dave@ofarrell-cm.com
www.ofarrell-cm.com
770-486-6289 office
770-823-2710 cell
"Helping people put their lives back together and get their careers back on track."
Friday, July 2, 2010
JobSeekers of Peachtree City - devotional for July 4 weekend
Thanks to Dave O'Farrell and the people of JobSeekers of Peachtree City, for sharing their 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 Declaration of Dependence
2. Success Story: Giving Up Was Not an Option; ...Lands FT Job After 576 Days
3. This Week's Meeting: NO MEETING THIS WEEK
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Inspiration: The Declaration of Dependence
We celebrate the 234th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence this week. As bad as some people say things are, or as bad as they may seem, this is still the best nation on earth to live in. For this we can thank the founders of this nation; they were not only brave patriots, they were devout Christians as well. Their source of strength was the Lord God Almighty. He is the rock this nation is built upon.
Yes, our forefathers declared independence from Britain; they also declared their dependence on God, not on a king or queen or anything else on this earth:
1. Thomas Paine published a booklet in January 1776 called Common Sense. The booklet inspired the colonists to work toward the formation of a new independent government. In one section Paine outlined the origin and development of monarchies using the Bible as his textbook. He made this comment in his essay: "Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry." Paine did not want his country to be connected with the work of Satan. There was a biblical basis for his plea for independence.
2. Thomas Jefferson said, "God, who gave us life, gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? And that they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
3. Patrick Henry, best known for saying, "Give me liberty or give me death," also said: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
As Americans, we thank God for the independence we enjoy today. We thank the brave men and women in our armed forces around the world -- today and yesterday -- for preserving the freedom that we often take for granted. God bless them all -- living and dead -- for putting their lives on the line so we can worship our Father in heaven.
As JobSeekers, it's time for us to declare our independence from the things of this world and to declare our dependence on God Almighty. It's time to stopping complaining about how big our storm is, and to start telling the storm how big our God is.
We are dependent on God. When we acknowledge this, he provides for our every need. When we forget, he humbles us just as he did the Hebrews in the wilderness: "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." -- Deuteronomy 8:3
See you on Friday 9 July at JobSeekers, where we declare our dependence on God.
# # #
Some of the content from this article is from "Faith of Our Fathers" by B. Jane Kulp, and found at http://www.christianteacher.org/articles/faithofourfathers.htm.
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Success Story: Giving Up Was Not an Option; FT Job After 576 Days
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.
(name changed for privacy) John Doe is resilient. He was two months into his search when he came to his first JS meeting in February 2009. After nine months of disappointment and frustration, he acknowledged his dependence on God...he started a six-month contract assignment one month later.
Last September he wrote this about landing the contract:
- - - - -
I found myself at the brink - spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially.
Out of pride, for nine mouths I had tried to go it alone. With the tenth month looming I humbled myself and sincerely asked God for help. WOW, did he ever send it! He reminded me that every success I have enjoyed in life was due to "teamwork."
Afterwards, I "finally" accepted the invitation to your workshop, (an) offer of a lending ear, and counsel from... a fellow job seeker and friend. Mostly importantly,... I submitted my family to the Lord. In short, it made all the difference. Exactly one month from that prayer, I begin my new opportunity ...
I landed the position we had used for the interview role-play in your office. I eliminated four other candidates in the process. Thanks for all your support.
- - - - -
John continued to attend JobSeekers whenever he could until the contract ended a couple of months ago. He went back into search mode full time and landed a dream job at one of his top 25 target companies. The key... was his resilience. He really earned my respect when he kept pushing forward even when things weren't going so well...giving up was not an option. Congratulations and God bless you!
- - - - -
3. This Week's Meeting: NO MEETING THIS WEEK
No meeting this week BUT - do your best networking as you are out and about. In 2004 one of our members got a lead that turned into his job in the middle of the Independence Day parade in Peachtree City. Be alert for opportunities 24/7.
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 13 July 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 7 August. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. Job Leads
For Employers
Our goal is to help our members find good jobs, close to home, in minimum time. Most of our members are salaried employees from the professional, technical and supervisory level all the way up to general managers and other senior executives. If you have a job lead with the three criteria below let us know.
Please send a brief position profile and tell us how you would like to be contacted. We run the lead for three weeks unless we hear from you to remove or extend the listing.
This 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. 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Donate to the JobSeekers' Ministry
You could help save a career, a home or even a marriage.
Job loss puts stress on our health, our finances, our relationships, our churches, and our community. Ultimately is affects our walk with the Lord and the kingdom of God. Your donations have helped save marriages, health, homes, college educations, and cross-country relocations. You can help alleviate these challenges for someone else by donating to the ongoing ministry of JobSeekers. Please send your tax-deductible donation to:
JobSeekers of PTC
P.O. Box 2124
Peachtree City, GA 30269
There's another way to donate: with the generous gift of your time. We are seeking to add to our Ship's Crew. We need a group of dedicated men and women who can come to most of the meetings on Friday and establish relationships with our new and existing members. Let me know if you are interested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Published by:
Dave O'Farrell
O'Farrell Career Management
Career Coaching and Outplacement Consulting
21 Eastbrook Bend, Suite 217
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269
http://www.linkedin.com/in/daveofarrell
dave@ofarrell-cm.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.ofarrell-cm.com
770-486-6289 office
770-823-2710 cell
"Helping people put their lives back together and get their careers back on track."
# # #
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 Declaration of Dependence
2. Success Story: Giving Up Was Not an Option; ...Lands FT Job After 576 Days
3. This Week's Meeting: NO MEETING THIS WEEK
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Inspiration: The Declaration of Dependence
We celebrate the 234th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence this week. As bad as some people say things are, or as bad as they may seem, this is still the best nation on earth to live in. For this we can thank the founders of this nation; they were not only brave patriots, they were devout Christians as well. Their source of strength was the Lord God Almighty. He is the rock this nation is built upon.
Yes, our forefathers declared independence from Britain; they also declared their dependence on God, not on a king or queen or anything else on this earth:
1. Thomas Paine published a booklet in January 1776 called Common Sense. The booklet inspired the colonists to work toward the formation of a new independent government. In one section Paine outlined the origin and development of monarchies using the Bible as his textbook. He made this comment in his essay: "Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry." Paine did not want his country to be connected with the work of Satan. There was a biblical basis for his plea for independence.
2. Thomas Jefferson said, "God, who gave us life, gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? And that they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever."
3. Patrick Henry, best known for saying, "Give me liberty or give me death," also said: "It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
As Americans, we thank God for the independence we enjoy today. We thank the brave men and women in our armed forces around the world -- today and yesterday -- for preserving the freedom that we often take for granted. God bless them all -- living and dead -- for putting their lives on the line so we can worship our Father in heaven.
As JobSeekers, it's time for us to declare our independence from the things of this world and to declare our dependence on God Almighty. It's time to stopping complaining about how big our storm is, and to start telling the storm how big our God is.
We are dependent on God. When we acknowledge this, he provides for our every need. When we forget, he humbles us just as he did the Hebrews in the wilderness: "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." -- Deuteronomy 8:3
See you on Friday 9 July at JobSeekers, where we declare our dependence on God.
# # #
Some of the content from this article is from "Faith of Our Fathers" by B. Jane Kulp, and found at http://www.christianteacher.org/articles/faithofourfathers.htm.
Copyright © 2010 / Dave O'Farrell / All Rights Reserved
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Success Story: Giving Up Was Not an Option; FT Job After 576 Days
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.
(name changed for privacy) John Doe is resilient. He was two months into his search when he came to his first JS meeting in February 2009. After nine months of disappointment and frustration, he acknowledged his dependence on God...he started a six-month contract assignment one month later.
Last September he wrote this about landing the contract:
- - - - -
I found myself at the brink - spiritually, physically, emotionally and financially.
Out of pride, for nine mouths I had tried to go it alone. With the tenth month looming I humbled myself and sincerely asked God for help. WOW, did he ever send it! He reminded me that every success I have enjoyed in life was due to "teamwork."
Afterwards, I "finally" accepted the invitation to your workshop, (an) offer of a lending ear, and counsel from... a fellow job seeker and friend. Mostly importantly,... I submitted my family to the Lord. In short, it made all the difference. Exactly one month from that prayer, I begin my new opportunity ...
I landed the position we had used for the interview role-play in your office. I eliminated four other candidates in the process. Thanks for all your support.
- - - - -
John continued to attend JobSeekers whenever he could until the contract ended a couple of months ago. He went back into search mode full time and landed a dream job at one of his top 25 target companies. The key... was his resilience. He really earned my respect when he kept pushing forward even when things weren't going so well...giving up was not an option. Congratulations and God bless you!
- - - - -
3. This Week's Meeting: NO MEETING THIS WEEK
No meeting this week BUT - do your best networking as you are out and about. In 2004 one of our members got a lead that turned into his job in the middle of the Independence Day parade in Peachtree City. Be alert for opportunities 24/7.
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 13 July 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 7 August. This is a community service of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, 5885 Mallory Road, College Park, Georgia 770-306-9922.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5. Job Leads
For Employers
Our goal is to help our members find good jobs, close to home, in minimum time. Most of our members are salaried employees from the professional, technical and supervisory level all the way up to general managers and other senior executives. If you have a job lead with the three criteria below let us know.
Please send a brief position profile and tell us how you would like to be contacted. We run the lead for three weeks unless we hear from you to remove or extend the listing.
This 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. 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
7. Donate to the JobSeekers' Ministry
You could help save a career, a home or even a marriage.
Job loss puts stress on our health, our finances, our relationships, our churches, and our community. Ultimately is affects our walk with the Lord and the kingdom of God. Your donations have helped save marriages, health, homes, college educations, and cross-country relocations. You can help alleviate these challenges for someone else by donating to the ongoing ministry of JobSeekers. Please send your tax-deductible donation to:
JobSeekers of PTC
P.O. Box 2124
Peachtree City, GA 30269
There's another way to donate: with the generous gift of your time. We are seeking to add to our Ship's Crew. We need a group of dedicated men and women who can come to most of the meetings on Friday and establish relationships with our new and existing members. Let me know if you are interested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Published by:
Dave O'Farrell
O'Farrell Career Management
Career Coaching and Outplacement Consulting
21 Eastbrook Bend, Suite 217
Peachtree City, Georgia 30269
http://www.linkedin.com/in/daveofarrell
dave@ofarrell-cm.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.ofarrell-cm.com
770-486-6289 office
770-823-2710 cell
"Helping people put their lives back together and get their careers back on track."
# # #
Friday, June 25, 2010
A devotional for the weekend
"With God in you, you have a million resources that you did not have before!"
GEN members, I found those words on Max Lucado's Twitter site today. If you don't know Max Lucado, he's a Texas-based pastor and author whose messages focus on God's love and provision. (And if you're not familiar with Twitter, it's a "social networking" site, sort of like Facebook.)
I watched the news last night and thought about how grim everything is right now. The housing market is down, many people still need jobs, and oil is flooding into the ocean. It's easy to feel discouraged and even hopeless. What can any of us do, when so much is wrong?
Then I saw Max's words this morning and realized that it isn't about what we can do. It's about what God can do. Always has been, always will be.
Our God is an awesome God, and no matter how dark things may seem, He's still in control. He has a plan for every single life, and He will never, ever leave us. Because we have a Savior in Jesus, we can live with hope!
We want you to know that no matter where you are right now, we're praying for you this weekend, asking God to fill your heart with peace during this time of career change. Be blessed, friends.
Your GEN team
GEN members, I found those words on Max Lucado's Twitter site today. If you don't know Max Lucado, he's a Texas-based pastor and author whose messages focus on God's love and provision. (And if you're not familiar with Twitter, it's a "social networking" site, sort of like Facebook.)
I watched the news last night and thought about how grim everything is right now. The housing market is down, many people still need jobs, and oil is flooding into the ocean. It's easy to feel discouraged and even hopeless. What can any of us do, when so much is wrong?
Then I saw Max's words this morning and realized that it isn't about what we can do. It's about what God can do. Always has been, always will be.
Our God is an awesome God, and no matter how dark things may seem, He's still in control. He has a plan for every single life, and He will never, ever leave us. Because we have a Savior in Jesus, we can live with hope!
We want you to know that no matter where you are right now, we're praying for you this weekend, asking God to fill your heart with peace during this time of career change. Be blessed, friends.
Your GEN team
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Music for the Dance - a devotional by Max Lucado
Music for the Dance
by Max Lucado
Let's imagine that you want to learn to dance. Being the rational, cerebral person you are, you go to a bookstore and buy a book on dancing.
You take the book home and get to work. You do everything it says. The book says sway; you sway. The book says shuffle; you shuffle. The book says spin; you spin.
Finally, you think you’ve got it, and you invite your wife to come in and watch. You hold the book open and follow the instructions step by step.
You continue to read, then dance, read, then dance, until the dance is completed. You plop exhausted on the couch, look at your wife, and proclaim, “I executed it perfectly.”
“You executed it, all right,” she sighs. “You killed it.”
“What?”
“You forgot the most important part. Where is the music?”
Music?
We Christians are prone to follow the book while ignoring the music. We master the doctrine, outline the chapters, memorize the dispensations, debate the rules, and stiffly step down the dance floor of life with no music in our hearts. We measure each step, calibrate each turn, and flop into bed each night exhausted from another day of dancing by the book.
Dancing with no music is tough stuff.
Jesus knew that. For that reason, on the night before his death he introduced the disciples to the song maker of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7–9).
Of the three persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the one we understand the least. Perhaps the most common mistake made regarding the Spirit is perceiving him as a power but not a person, a force with no identity. Such is not true.
The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is a person. He has knowledge (1 Cor. 2:11). He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He has a mind (Rom. 8:27). He has affections (Rom. 15:30). You can lie to him (Acts 5:3–4). You can insult him (Heb. 10:29). You can grieve him (Eph. 4:30).
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. He is not Popeye’s spinach or the surfer’s wave. He is God within you to help you. In fact John calls him the Helper.
Envision a father helping his son learn to ride a bicycle, and you will have a partial picture of the Holy Spirit. The father stays at the son’s side. He pushes the bike and steadies it if the boy starts to tumble. The Spirit does that for us; he stays our step and strengthens our stride. Unlike the father, however, he never leaves. He is with us to the end of the age.
What does the Spirit do?
He comforts the saved. (John 16:7).
He convicts the lost. (John 16:8).
He conveys the truth. (John 16:12).
Is John saying we don’t need the book in order to dance? Of course not; he helped write it. Emotion without knowledge is as dangerous as knowledge without emotion. God seeks a balance. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
What is essential is that you know the music is in you. “If Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life” (Rom. 8:10). You don’t need a formula to hear it. I don’t have a four-step plan to help you know it. What I do have is his promise that the helper would come to comfort, convict, and convey.
So think about it; have you ever been comforted? Has God ever brought you peace when the world brought you pain? Then you heard the music.
Have you ever been convicted? Have you ever sensed a stab of sorrow for your actions? Then you’ve been touched by the Holy Spirit.
Or have you ever understood a new truth? Or seen an old principle in a new way? The light comes on. Your eyes pop open. “Aha, now I understand.” Ever happen to you? If so, that was the Holy Spirit conveying to you a new truth.
What do you know? He’s been working in your life already.
By the way, for those of us who spent years trying to do God’s job, that is great news. It’s much easier to raise the sail than row the boat. And it’s a lot easier getting people to join the dance when God is playing the music.
That’s what makes God, God.
From A Gentle Thunder
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1995) Max Lucado
by Max Lucado
Let's imagine that you want to learn to dance. Being the rational, cerebral person you are, you go to a bookstore and buy a book on dancing.
You take the book home and get to work. You do everything it says. The book says sway; you sway. The book says shuffle; you shuffle. The book says spin; you spin.
Finally, you think you’ve got it, and you invite your wife to come in and watch. You hold the book open and follow the instructions step by step.
You continue to read, then dance, read, then dance, until the dance is completed. You plop exhausted on the couch, look at your wife, and proclaim, “I executed it perfectly.”
“You executed it, all right,” she sighs. “You killed it.”
“What?”
“You forgot the most important part. Where is the music?”
Music?
We Christians are prone to follow the book while ignoring the music. We master the doctrine, outline the chapters, memorize the dispensations, debate the rules, and stiffly step down the dance floor of life with no music in our hearts. We measure each step, calibrate each turn, and flop into bed each night exhausted from another day of dancing by the book.
Dancing with no music is tough stuff.
Jesus knew that. For that reason, on the night before his death he introduced the disciples to the song maker of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (John 16:7–9).
Of the three persons of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is the one we understand the least. Perhaps the most common mistake made regarding the Spirit is perceiving him as a power but not a person, a force with no identity. Such is not true.
The Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is a person. He has knowledge (1 Cor. 2:11). He has a will (1 Cor. 12:11). He has a mind (Rom. 8:27). He has affections (Rom. 15:30). You can lie to him (Acts 5:3–4). You can insult him (Heb. 10:29). You can grieve him (Eph. 4:30).
The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force. He is not Popeye’s spinach or the surfer’s wave. He is God within you to help you. In fact John calls him the Helper.
Envision a father helping his son learn to ride a bicycle, and you will have a partial picture of the Holy Spirit. The father stays at the son’s side. He pushes the bike and steadies it if the boy starts to tumble. The Spirit does that for us; he stays our step and strengthens our stride. Unlike the father, however, he never leaves. He is with us to the end of the age.
What does the Spirit do?
He comforts the saved. (John 16:7).
He convicts the lost. (John 16:8).
He conveys the truth. (John 16:12).
Is John saying we don’t need the book in order to dance? Of course not; he helped write it. Emotion without knowledge is as dangerous as knowledge without emotion. God seeks a balance. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
What is essential is that you know the music is in you. “If Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life” (Rom. 8:10). You don’t need a formula to hear it. I don’t have a four-step plan to help you know it. What I do have is his promise that the helper would come to comfort, convict, and convey.
So think about it; have you ever been comforted? Has God ever brought you peace when the world brought you pain? Then you heard the music.
Have you ever been convicted? Have you ever sensed a stab of sorrow for your actions? Then you’ve been touched by the Holy Spirit.
Or have you ever understood a new truth? Or seen an old principle in a new way? The light comes on. Your eyes pop open. “Aha, now I understand.” Ever happen to you? If so, that was the Holy Spirit conveying to you a new truth.
What do you know? He’s been working in your life already.
By the way, for those of us who spent years trying to do God’s job, that is great news. It’s much easier to raise the sail than row the boat. And it’s a lot easier getting people to join the dance when God is playing the music.
That’s what makes God, God.
From A Gentle Thunder
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1995) Max Lucado
Friday, November 6, 2009
God has a plan
GEN members, we talk a lot here about how to find a job, where to find a job, and so on. Sometimes it's easy to overlook the fact that God has a plan for each one of us, and He is at work in our situation, too.
If you get discouraged during your search, make time to spend a few minutes in prayer. Talk to God honestly and sincerely; David, the shepherd boy who became a king, certainly did. The Psalms are filled with his pleas and even groanings, when times were bad, and yet we're told that David was a man after God's own heart. God is big enough, after all, to hear whatever we need to say or ask.
God will lead you through this time of transition. Be sure that He loves you.
"My Word is eternal. My promises forever. They will never let you down. You can count on Me to keep My Word, even when the sky and earth disappear." From Mark 13:31,excerpted from God's Little Book of Guarantees by Heather Kopp.
If you get discouraged during your search, make time to spend a few minutes in prayer. Talk to God honestly and sincerely; David, the shepherd boy who became a king, certainly did. The Psalms are filled with his pleas and even groanings, when times were bad, and yet we're told that David was a man after God's own heart. God is big enough, after all, to hear whatever we need to say or ask.
God will lead you through this time of transition. Be sure that He loves you.
"My Word is eternal. My promises forever. They will never let you down. You can count on Me to keep My Word, even when the sky and earth disappear." From Mark 13:31,excerpted from God's Little Book of Guarantees by Heather Kopp.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A cure for bad news
GEN-ers, the news you may have heard on the radio or TV this morning was grim. Georgia's unemployment rate has hit double digits. It's easy to feel discouraged when you're looking for a job.
But with God, there is always hope! Here's a short devotional taken from Max Lucado's book, Grace for the Moment:
"I am the LORD, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me." Jeremiah 32:27
Lucado writes, "We need to hear that God is still in control. We need to hear that it's not over until he says so. We need to hear that life's mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out. They are simply a reason to sit tight.
"Corrie ten Boom used to say, 'When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through....'
"The way to deal with discouragement?...(R)ead the story of God....Be reminded that you aren't the first person to weep. And you aren't the first person to be helped.
Read the story and remember, (the) story is yours!"
But with God, there is always hope! Here's a short devotional taken from Max Lucado's book, Grace for the Moment:
"I am the LORD, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me." Jeremiah 32:27
Lucado writes, "We need to hear that God is still in control. We need to hear that it's not over until he says so. We need to hear that life's mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out. They are simply a reason to sit tight.
"Corrie ten Boom used to say, 'When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through....'
"The way to deal with discouragement?...(R)ead the story of God....Be reminded that you aren't the first person to weep. And you aren't the first person to be helped.
Read the story and remember, (the) story is yours!"
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