Know Someone Who is Unemployed? A Job Search Work Group May be Just What They Need
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Being unemployed can be one of the most lonely feelings a person can experience. Some companies provide a severance package and outplacement services that allow the person to “continue” a routine of sorts. For most, even those lucky enough to have an outplacement service, there is a signficant risk of lost productivity, lack of energy, lack of focus and low self-esteem throughout the job search period. This emotional energy rises and falls constantly throughout the unemployed period resulting in a slower pace and longer time line to finding a job.
To reduce the emotional impact, Success Discoveries’ Carl Nielson has started a low-cost support group for unemployed people. Using state-of-the-art tele-conferencing tools, Carl holds group tele-sessions much like a live, in-person workshop setting. He breaks the group into pairs or triads for more one-on-one brainstorming or focused discussions and brings the group back together for group discussions and sharing. Referring to these support groups with a unique name, Job Search Work Groups, Carl also uses the tele-conferencing technology to vote on agenda items and allows participants to raise their hand if they want to ask a question or take the floor. According to Carl, the traditional tele-conferencing solutions don’t provide enough control over the call environment. This new telephony solution is incredible and highly effective.
Participants, upon registering and paying a nominal monthly fee (two month initial commitment is required, paid all at once or in two monthly easy-pay installments), receive the telephone number and pin to call in at the group’s scheduled time. On the first introductory call, the group decides what day and time is best for all. Particpants are matched in some ways but a very diverse group is found to be valuable for getting many different perspectives and perhaps networking suggestions. There are no long-term commitments or contracts to join a JSWG.
Ready to join a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group? Register here now!
So what is a Job Search Work Group or JSWG (pronounced ”J-swig”)? It is a group of indivduals that operate in a similar fashion to a Mastermind Group. There is synergy of energy, commitment, and excitement that participants bring to a job search work group. The beauty of a job search work group is that participants both support each other and raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. JSWG participants act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues throughout the job search process.
Like a Mastermind Group, in a Job Search Work Group the agenda belongs to the group, and each person’s participation is key. Your peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability structures that keep you focused and on track. You will create a community of supportive colleagues who will brainstorm together to move the group to new heights. You’ll gain tremendous insights into job search strategies, which can move you through the job search process much quicker. Your Job Search Work Group is like having a objective board of directors.
What participating in a Job Search Work Group provides:
- Increase in job search confidence
- Sharpen your interviewing and interpersonal skills
- Create real progress in your job search
- Add an instant and valuable support network
- Get honest feedback, advice and brainstorming
- Borrow on the experience and skills of the other members and your professional coach (some group coaching is provided based on group desires)
- Create action plans and have the group hold you accountable for fulfilling your action plans
- Receive critical insights into yourself
- A sense of shared endeavor - there are others out there!
What a Job Search Work Group is NOT
- A job search work group is not a class. While groups can vote to request their coach/facilitator present a topic of interest to the group or bring in guest speakers occasionally, the main focus of a job search work group is sharing among the group members.
- A job search work group is not a networking and referral group. While you may share leads and resources with each other, the main focus of a job search work group is brainstorming and support.
Commitment to Your Job Search Work Group Is Necessary
Because of the nature of a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group, a commitment is required. Your job search work group members rely upon your participation, and you want to know that they are going to be around for you, too.
A new group membership requires a commitment for at least two months. Why? Because research suggest the best mastermind groups—the most effective and bonded and helpful groups, the groups that help each individual to move rapidly toward their dreams—are ones that stick together for at least three months. With a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group, we want to see people move in and out of a work group as quickly as possible - because they found the job and are no longer in need of a support group. But there remains a feeling of commitment to the group which can be shown by continuing to participate in the group for a period of time to support others in your group. How long you continue in the group is up to you.
The ideal candidate for a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group is someone highly-motivated who is both willing to ask for help and support, and is willing to give help and support to other people. To be a member of a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group you have to be ready to commit three to four hours per month to actively participate in the weekly group tele-sessions. Skipping a group meeting is not an option.
Ready to join a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group? Register here now!
Are you currently unemployed?
- Do you fear being unemployed in the future—or do you want to make sure that you are never laid off again?
- Are you angry at the idiot who “downsized” you?
- Are you disgusted with the company that treated you like dirt?
- Are you miserable and frustrated by being passed over for work by people less qualified than you?
- Are you sick and tired of looking for work and having doors slammed in your face?
EMPOWER YOURSELF NOW!
Imagine . . .
- Walking into an interview with confidence
- Knowing you are going to be ok
- Having the power to choose the best “next” job for you
Ready to join a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group? Register here now!
EMBRACE THE FUTURE NOW!
Empower yourself to:
- Grieve your job loss and move on
- Control your anxiety
- Relieve your depression
- Increase your self-esteem
- Embrace change and its possibilities
- Redirect your anger
TAKE BACK CONTROL NOW!
Learn new strategies to:
- Identify and internalize your personal strengths
- Research your transferable skills
- Manage your time
- Activate your supporters
- Overhaul and age-proof your resume
- Follow new directions to find the right job for you
- Develop your personal network
- Reframe your approach to job search
Ready to join a Success Discoveries Job Search Work Group? Register here now!
BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE NOW!
