Job Seekers and Career Changers receive help from JCUMC Career Network

Have you recently been laid off from your job?

Are you looking for another job because of anticipated layoffs in your organization?

Are you unhappy in your work and thinking about exploring a new career?

Do you have openings in your business for qualified individuals?

Have you experienced a layoff before and want to help job seekers network to new opportunities?

Have you been thinking of returning to work after a number of years as a stay-at-home mom or dad?

Losing a job is considered by many to be among the most stressful events in life. One recent study found that aside from the death of a spouse, job loss has a more lasting effect an individual’s state of happiness and well being than any other life event. Clearly, all aspects of life are impacted by this loss. At the same time, this transition creates a profound opportunity to find or renew faith in God. It is for these reasons that the Career Network Ministry was restarted 5 years ago for JCUMC members as well as for those in the community seeking career transition assistance.

The Career Network meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 PM in Room 207. Twenty to thirty participants typically attend each meeting. Participants include senior executives, accountants, marketing specialists, IT professionals, administrative assistants, engineers and customer service representatives. All participants have an opportunity to briefly share their background and experience with the group as well as share ideas and contact suggestions. Participants often bring issues to the group for discussion such as negotiating an offer, dealing with relocation, conducting market intelligence, working with search firms, writing a resume and planning a career change. Recruiters and church members who are employers are welcome to attend. At one recent meeting a church member seeking a customer service representative for their business attended and was connected to another member seeking similar work. The church member was hired within the week!

New this year, JUMC is pleased to participate in the Crossroads Career internet portal (http://www.crossroadscareer.org). This outstanding website provides a wealth of resources for career explorers and employers. For career explorers, there is a six-step, Christ-centered job search and career transition model; a 150-page Crossroads Career® Explorer's Guide with instructions, exercises and devotionals; a career portal to over 120 career resources; and a job board to find career opportunities with local employers - for free through member churches. For employers, there is free access to a state-of-the-art job board to post jobs, find candidates and track applicants - by church, city, state or nationally. If you are an employer, please make this the first place to post your position and find candidates. The JCUMC Career Ministry meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7:00pm to 9:00pm in room 207. For questions, please contact Randal Kirkpatrick at 770-378-5763 (Mobile) (rkirkpa2@bellsouth.net).