I remember the first time I “tried” to go to a networking meeting for people in transition.
Somehow, I didn’t make it there, and went home. At least I “tried.”
The second time I did the same… I “tried,” then went home.
I was embarrassed and nervous, and I really didn’t think I’d get any value out of going to that meeting.
The third time, fortunately, was a charm. I got there, went inside, introduced myself, and the rest was history.
I needed to be there. I really, really needed to be there. Why?
I learned that it was normal for someone with my education and experience to be in transition.
I thought that I was a big loser, and everyone else with my skills and experience were in jobs. This was not the case. I sat down and listened to the 30 second pitches of others and was amazed at how accomplished they were. Just listening to that made me feel much, much better about my own situation.
If it could happen to them, why not to me?
This was invaluable.
I learned I was doing what everyone else was doing, and I was getting the same non-results.
I assumed I knew what a job search entailed, and that’s what I worked on for about 10 hours a day. When I learned, at those meetings, that I was doing all the wrong things, it helped me realize it isn’t necessarily a numbers game… I had to have a smarter, better strategy. I had to do things dramatically different.
If I didn’t go to those meetings I would have just kept plugging away a tall the wrong things. Total waste of time.
I learned about resources that could be really helpful.
In my meetings I learned there was a free 2-day workshop I could attend – this really changed a lot for me in my search. It was very, very valuable.
As I travel I’ve seen clubs that offer short workshops, long workshops, and help you tap into state resources (for example, to get your PMP certification, etc.).
Clubs have a lot of information to help you get to the next level, and you need to go and at least ask what other resources they can share with you.
I regret not going to these meetings earlier… but I was really just too scared. Thank goodness I finally made myself go.
Have you gone? Will you go?
Here’s a link that might help you find something local to you: http://www.job-hunt.org/job-search-networking/job-search-networking.shtml
Jason,
I totally agree, with me it was joining a job club, I thought I’d just be hanging around with a bunch of depressed unemployed people. But that’s not the case, the job clubs are where the smart, motivated job seekers go and I got exactly the benefits you shared. An additional benefit for a more “seasoned” job hunter like myself, is the ability to share tips and leads which helps you affirm your abilities and knowledge and I’ll tell you that helping someone else find work feels almost as good as doing it yourself. I’ve had more jobs than I’d like the past few year, but even the temp/contract jobs I’ve landed serve as inspiration to others that they can get back to work, too.
Oops – sorry Peter – I got here from Jason Alba’s blog and forgot to switch gears when I wrote my comment!
Meetings with others in transition provide support and resources…very true. In the Rochester, NY area there are fantastic opportunities to network that way. My concern? Result: too many people only network with those groups. In my workshops, individuals say that they are very engaged in networking. When I ask where they network, they list multiple events, all with other job seekers. Big Mistake! Networking needs to out in the community: Chamber and Rotary meetings, individual coffee meetings with people in the industry, – all in a relationship building, reciprocal way. Gather with other job seeking groups for support and information but your weekly transition plan needs to get you “out and about.”
@Cleo – no problem, I write posts for Peter’s blog and I wrote this one – so you didn’t do anything wrong 🙂
@Rita – that is an excellent point, and should become another blog post 🙂 Thanks for sharing.