NEXT MEETING: Monday, August 15th - Personal Branding/Verbal Skills

Our next meeting is Monday, August 15th at 7:00pm in Room 209 at Grace Church. Special guest speaker Kris McGuigan from Professional Courage will lead us in an interactive session on "Personal Branding - Verbal Skills". This is a follow-up to our last meeting that introduced us to the critical importance of Person Branding in your job search.

Please join us and bring a friend!

Grace and peace,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, August 1st - Introduction to Personal Branding

Hi Everyone:

Our next meeting is Monday, August 1st at 7PM in Room 209 at Grace Church. Our special guest speaker will be Nate Davis from Western & Southern Life. His discussion topic will be an "Introduction to Personal Branding". Ever wonder how to better market yourself to the current job market to get better interviews and make it to the final round of job selection? Come and see how powerful a Personal Brand can be to your job search!

We will continue this discussion on Personal Branding for the entire month of August with Kris McGuigan joining us on Monday, August 15th and Monday, August 29th. (Yes, we will have 3 meetings this month because of the Labor Day Holiday).

Thanks and I hope to see you at all our August meetings!

Grace and peace,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, July 18th: LinkedIn Training with Roman Pawnyk

Our next meeting is Monday, July 18th at 7:00pm in Room 209 at Grace Church. Our special guest speaker will be Roman Pawnyk who will lead us in an in-depth LinkedIn Training Session. Please remember to bring your laptop or device so you can view your LinkedIn Profile and follow along with Roman.

Please keep our wonderful city in your prayers this week for safety and protection from any harm during the RNC.

Grace and Peace,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, June 20th - Crossroads Wrap-up

Our next meeting is Monday, June 20th at 7:00pm in Room 209 at Grace Church. We will be doing a Crossroads Wrap-up Session so please bring your Workbook and your Assessment Summary.

Thanks and Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's and Granddad's!

Grace and peace,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, June 6th (TONIGHT!) - Crossroads Step 7 - Walk in Good Works

Hi Everyone:

Our next meeting is Monday, June 6th (TONIGHT!) at 7:00pm in Room 209 (Atrium Chapel) at Grace Church. Our topic will be "Crossroads Step 7 - Walk in Good Works". We will focus on “Negotiating Offers and Compensation.” All are welcome… bring a friend!

See you tonight!

Wishing you many blessings in your job search,

Todd Linderman, Ministry Technical Support

Grace Job Seekers NetWORK

tlinderman@gmail.com

NEXT MEETING: Monday, May 16th - Crossroads Step 6 - WOW Interviewers!

Our next meeting is Monday, May 16th at 7:00pm in Room 209 (Atrium Chapel) at Grace Church. Our topic will be "Crossroads Step 6 - WOW Interviewers!". Successful Interviewing can make or break your chances of landing a good job. We will discuss Interviewing Best Practices and also have a open discussion on what has worked or didn't work in each of our Interviewing experiences.

We look forward to seeing you at this critical job search skills meeting...bring a friend!

Grace and peace,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, May 2nd - Networking Like a Rock Star!

Our next meeting is Monday, May 2nd at 7:00pm in Room 209 (Atrium Chapel) at Grace Church. Our topic will be Crossroads Step 6 - SEARCHING - Seek to Serve. This is our meeting dedicated to Networking so come and Learn How to Network Like a Rock Star! Please bring your Crossroads Workbook and a friend. Networking remains the #1 way to find great employer hiring opportunities, especially in the hidden job market. To find where God is Calling You for your next employment opportunity you must Network, Network, Network - and He will lead you to where He wants you to be through the people you meet!

All God's Best,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, April 18th: Crossroads Step 4 - ALTITUDE - Target Employers & Opportunities + FREE Head Shot Photo

Our next meeting is Monday, April 18th at 7:00pm in Room 209 at Grace Church. Our topic will be Crossroads Step 4 - ALTITUDE - Targeting Employers & Opportunities. We will explore how to create a working target employer list and how to determine the best employment opportunity for you at this time.

Also, we are offering a FREE Head shot Photo Session with my son Josh from Ripcho Studios. If you want a free head shot for your social media profiles (LinkedIn) then please dress professionally and bring a flash drive to take your photo file with you.

All God's Best,

-Jim

Thrivent Career Open House

I will be hosting a Career Open House tomorrow, April 12th from 11am – 1pm and 4pm – 6pm at the Amsdell Multi-purpose Suite B, 6751 Engle Road at Airport Executive Park in Middleburg Heights, OH 44130.

Thrivent Financial is a member organization of Christians and we will be interviewing to fill openings for new Financial Advisers (Representatives). Bring your resume and bring a friend. Come learn what a Financial Adviser does and how Thrivent helps people manage their money wisely so they can live generously.

I hope to see you there!

NEXT MEETING: Monday, April 4th - Resumes That Get Results!

Our next meeting is Monday, April 4th at 7:00pm in Room 209 at Grace Church. Our special guest speaker will be Kris McGuigan, Certified Resume Writer and Owner of Professional Courage. Our topic will be "Resumes That Get Results!". This is a great meeting to upgrade your resume, learn what resume styles and presentations are on on trend for today's job market, and see what employers are looking for in a resume that will lead to an interview! Kris is a great resource for our group and wants to help you get your brand out there with a powerful resume. This is a meeting you don't want to miss, so come and bring a friend!

Keep Pressing on in His Grace,

-Jim

Kris McGuigan

Certified Resume Writer

President, Professional Courage

NEXT MEETING: Monday, March 21st - Discover Your Work/Style Preferences

Our next meeting is Monday, March 21st at 7:00pm in Room 209 (Atrium Chapel) at Grace Church. We will be taking the final assessment in our APTITUDE - Discover Your Strengths step in Crossroads. We will be taking a Work/Style Preferences Assessment. Every wonder what work environment you are best suited for, and what PEOPLE you work best with? We all have Work/Style Preferences for where we work and we all need to learn how to work with people with different personality types. Come and join us for this fun and informative session and invite a friend!

Also, I will have the Spiritual Gifts Assessment Key for anyone who still needs to score their assessment from last session.

Grace and peace,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, March 7th - Passions & Spiritual Gifts Assessments

Hi Everyone:

Our next meeting is Monday, March 7th at 7:00pm in Room 209 at Grace Church. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MEETING OF OUR CROSSROADS TRAINING. We will be taking the Passions Assessment and the Spiritual Gifts Assessment. Both of these will give you the insight you need to identify your God-given STRENGTHS and better prepare you to interview with confidence!

Please don't miss this very critical session. We will start promptly at 7:00pm so there is enough time to get through both assessments and have some great discussion around them. Please come early and ready to learn more about how God uniquely gifted you!

Keep Pressing on in His Grace,

-Jim

No Meeting Monday, February 29th

Just a reminder…there is NO MEETING tomorrow night, February 29^th. Our next meeting is Monday, March 7^th where we will continue our discussion of Crossroads - APTITUDE and complete the Passions Assessment.

Happy Leap Year Day!

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, February 15, 2016: Crossroads Step 3 - APTITUDE - Knowing Your Skills & Abilities

Our next meeting is Monday, February 15th at 7:00PM in Room 209 at Grace Church. Our topic will be Crossroads Step 3 - APTITUDE - Know Your Skills & Abilities. This is the first of three sessions were we will take personal assessments of our strengths, passions and spiritual gifts. Please complete Step 3 in your Workbooks before our session and remember to work on your weekly goals sheet.

I look forward to jumping into these Aptitude sessions. You will be amazed at what you learn about yourself and your unique God-given gifts and abilities!

Keep Pressing on in His Grace,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, February 1st - ATTITUDE - Overcoming Anger, Fear & Depression

Our next meeting is Monday, February 1st at 7:00pm in Room 209 (Atrium Chapel) at Grace Church. Our topic will be Crossroads Step 2 - ATTITUDE - Overcoming Anger, Fear and Depression. Learn how managing your Attitude can have a dramatic impact on your job search.

We are digging deeper into those internal factors that make a job seeker successful in today's job market. Please Complete Step 2 - Attitude in your Crossroads Workbooks and bring it to our meeting for our table discussions. Workbooks are available for $5 at each of our meetings. 

All God's Best,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, January 18th: Crossroads Step 1 - UPWARD - God's Calling

Our next meeting is Monday, January 18th at 7:00PM in Room 209 at Grace Church. We are beginning the Crossroads training program with "Step 1 - UPWARD - God's Calling". Please complete Step 1 on your Workbooks or online at www.crossroadscareer.org. If you have ever wondered how to hear God's Calling for your work this is a great first step to understanding what He has prepared for you!

Please bring a friend or anyone you know that is in job transition as we begin the Crossroads journey.

I and our Team look forward to seeing you Monday night!

All God's Best,

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, January 4th - Introduction to Crossroads Career Network

• New Year - New Job? 
• Looking for God's Calling for your Work?

Happy New Year Everyone!

Our next meeting is Monday, January 4th at 7PM in Room 209 at Grace Church. It is time to get your job search in high gear for 2016  and we have the tools and resources to help you find your next GOOD JOB! I will be introducing you to Crossroads Career Network, our Bible-based career transition program that will give you a competitive advantage in today's job market, and help you find GOD'S CALLING for your work.

Please come and invite a friend. I am anticipating a big turnout for our first meeting of 2016 and all of us on the Grace Job Seekers NetWORK Team are passionately ready to support your job search efforts!

Have a Blessed, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

-Jim

NEXT MEETING: Monday, May 18th - How to WOW Interviewers!

Our next meeting is Monday, May 18th at 7PM in the Atrium Chapel/Room 209 (NOTE ROOM CHANGE). Our topic will be Crossroads Step 6: "How to WOW Interviewers!". MIchelle Natale from Just Resumes will be joining us via Skype. Michelle is a resume and interviewing consultant and her presentation will touch on all the tough interviewing challenges. This is one meeting you do not want to miss, especially if you have interviews coming up soon!

Please come and tell a friend!

All God's best,

-Jim

Demand for Skilled Talent is at an All-time High

Here is a great and timely report from Robert Half on the current need for skilled talent in the workforce:

Special Report: The Demand for Skilled Talent

It is NEVER too late to increase your skill sets and look at new career paths to market your talent. The need is out there, but the workers are not!

Keep Pressing on in His Grace,
-Jim

Medina Workforce Development Coffee Talk at Brunswick Library

FYI - I will be speaking at the Medina Workforce Development Coffee Talk tomorrow, Monday, November 10th at the Brunswick Library from 1:00PM - 3:00PM. My topic will be "Networking Best Practices". If your networking skills could use a boost then please plan on attending. I look forward to seeing my Grace Job Seekers NetWORK friends there!

Good Hunting!

-Jim

Jobs Monster: 15 jobs that pay $30 an hour

Jobs Monster: 15 jobs that pay $30 an hour: By  Debra Auerbach, Want to know some fun facts about the number 30? Four months of the year have 30 days. A U.S. senator must be 30...

October Crossroads Newsletter

CCNewsletter October 2014 In this Issue... Resume experiment reveals religious discrimination   Try Our Expanded Online Resume Builder Signup for Small Group Online Class Oct 7 Buy Fifty Get Something Nifty Improved Email & Text to Your Explorers and Employers Important Changes with Place Assesment.    Resume Experiment Reveals  Religious Discrimination Should you put your church or ministry activities in your resume?  It depends! Religion at Work in America  Religious discrimination may be growing in America.  The number of complaints considered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) increased from 1,709 in 1997 to 3,721 in 2013. To shed light on this issue, social researcher Bradley Wright at the University of Connecticut sent 9600 resumes to 2400 job postings.  Half of the resumes included just one more additional word, such as, Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Atheist.  The other half went with no reference to religion.* Resumes with religion got 40% fewer responses!   Religion in Your Resume?  Click here for the Full Story  Try Our Expanded Online Resume Builder Only from Crossroads Career Network, super-simple chronological and functional resume templates with cover letters format. Free, saved on your career dashboard, ready to send to any one or more of the 155,000 jobs from over 2,000 employer on our job connection service.  Login to CrossroadsCareer.org and go to your Resume Tab.  Or follow the link to the new video tutorial. VIDEO TUTORIAL Signup Now for Small Group Online Class Oct 7 7-STEP, FAITH-BASED, CHRIST-CENTERED CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND JOB SEARCH LED BY MAVERICK MARTIN With a sense of humor and a solid Biblical foundation, Maverick Martin brings career development and job search principles to life. Maverick facilitates Crossroads Career workshops locally in Wisconsin and worldwide via video conferencing. He has facilitated dozens of workshops helping many people discover who God created them to be and then discover the path that He also created for them. Maverick is a former Senior Quality Engineer for Lockheed Martin, and he now lives in Wittenberg, WI with his wife JuLee and two fat kitties. Connect with others in a small group from around the country. Meeting via video conference for one hour each week to learn the seven steps to find jobs, careers, and God’s calling.  Explore how God made you His masterpiece, created for good works which He has prepared for you.  Discover how your work can be worship through this faith-based, Christ-centered approach to career development and job search. The next 7-week class begins Tuesday, Oct 7, 11:00 AM Eastern Sign up now at our online store Buy Fifty get Something Nifty  BUY 50 workbooks and get 5 free mugs   Cold weather’s coming.  Heat up your ministry team with hot drinks in super-sealed and spill-proof Crossroads Career mugs. Push the button on top to sip.  Push again and not a drop will drop.  Order a box of 50 workbooks by Oct 31, we will also send you five mugs as long as supply lasts.  Go to our store now.           Improved  Email & Text Your Explorers & Employers Now you can sort your Explorer, Employer and Ministry lists by date.  Maybe you want to send a message to just the current class or last years group or just the new active employers.  Login or register for the new "COMMUNICATE” tab on your Dashboard.  If you have questions, call Cory at 800-941-3566 or email support@crossroadscareer.org.   PLACE ASSESMENT NO LONGER FREE Two ways get discounts and more 1.  Give Promo Code for Individual Assessments at 1/3 Off We are grateful for Place Ministries generosity over the years by offering Crossroads Career explorers free assessments, but we also understand that high volumes and rising costs required revision of the program.  Explorers can get 1/3-Off promo code for individual Place assessment for a net cost of only $9.95 at the www.crossroadscareer.org/Place  2.  Get Your Own PLACE Assessment Center  By John Gray, Crossroads Career Ministry Leader First Baptist Church Jacksonville, FL foghsphr.gray1@gmail.com Recently we were blessed when one of our ministry supporters provided funds to offer Place Assessments to our church’sCAREER EXPLORERS.   I called Place Ministries representative Barbara Valerioti at (877) 463-2863, and found even more discounts - plus we could have our own Place Assessment Center webpage.  Here’s what it looks like: http://fbcjax.mobilyzr.com.  This allows us to send interested CAREER EXPLORERS directly to take the assessment.  Following their completion of the assessment… Click for the Full Story on Crossroads Career Network LinkedIn Leadership Teams Group Questions: Call Cory @ 800-941-3566 or email cory@crossroadscareer.org

DON'T TAKE A VACATION FROM YOUR JOB SEARCH!

Come to our meeting tonight at 7 PM in Room 22 at Grace Church and get valuable advise on how to manage your money during this challenging time in your career. I look forward to seeing you and hearing how God is at work in your life!

All the best,
-Jim

Looking for Jobs in Demand?

It may not be what you think...

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-03-20/skilled-welder-shortage-looms-in-u-dot-s-dot-with-many-near-retirement

US Department of Labor Newsletter - February 6, 2014

FYI - here is the link to the current DOL Newletter:

http://www.dol.gov/_sec/newsletter/.
  

FACT SHEET: Opportunity For All - The President's Call to Action to Give the Long-Term Unemployed a Fair Shot | The White House

Below is a link to a FACT SHEET I received from the White House concerning the issue of Long-Term Unemployment and efforts to get those in this situation back to work as soon as possible. I will keep you posted on any new developments. -Jim

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/31/fact-sheet-opportunity-all-president-s-call-action-give-long-term-unempl

Connect! November CCNewsletter

Connect! In this Issue Orlando Conference Connect with Employers Connect through Velop New Resources Special Offers Quick Links Printable Employer Note Video Overview CCN Blog CCN Website What's your favorite ministry environment?   New Resources Here's a look at two ways we are stepping up: Ebooks: digital versions of our Workbook in English and Spanish, as well as our two new resources, New Job Jumpstart and Real Success at Work, will be available in December. New Online Store: we are creating an online store where you can view and order all of our resources in one place. Join us at our Career Ministry Conference in sunny Orlando, FL November 14-15! This free event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with other career ministries and our Crossroads Career Network leadership team.  Click here for more information. Connect with your Employers Help employers in your area connect with your career ministry and future employees through the Crossroads Career Network.  Our website provides a free forum for Employers to post job openings and search resumes to find the perfect fit for their organization. Use this printable handout to engage employers. Need a refresher on how to post jobs and search resumes?  Watch this video overview to review some key points on using the website. Engaging employers provides your career ministry with a level of expertise and opportunity that is not possible to reach without them.  They can contribute as presenters or allow you to host your own career fair.  Job fairs bring employers and explorers in from your community to extend the reach of your ministry as you help more people find jobs, careers and God's calling.    Connect through Velop I was the guest facilitator on Velop last week.  Our topic was "How to Wow Interviewers." It turned out to be a fun time with lots of laughter and learning.  What made it great was the group interacting, working together, and helping each other.  I also appreciated that everything we needed was right at hand:  * The workbook  * Worksheets  * Power point slides  * Passing notes to group members  * Watching videos and being videoed  This morning I reviewed the video of our meeting.  As I watched everyone interact and even myself, I started laughing and learning all over again!  What a cool meeting, especially since I could sit in the comfort of my home office and not have to travel anywhere as I met with a group spread from one end of the country to the other.  --Brian Ray, Founder of Crossroads Career Ministry Questions?  Contact Cory at:  support(at)crossroadscareer.org (800) 941-3566 Free shipping on cases of 50!  $3.95/book Use this promo codes for free shipping on our new books, New Job Jump Start and Real Success at Work: I4OI3JI2T26E Expires November 30.  Price per book for case of 50 only.

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6 Million Young Adults Are Not Working

Here is a link to a Newsnet5 Article on a new crisis in the workforce - 6 Million Young Adults are Not Working!

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/national/Study-6-million-lazy-young-adults-a-drain-on-Americas-economy

If you are in this category or know someone who is PLEASE invite them to join our Grace Job Seekers NetWORK and attend our monthly meetings! It could mean the difference in their careers and lead them to meaningful work!

Grace and Peace,
-Jim

Great PD Article on LinkedIn Etiquette (Sunday, March 24, 2013)

Polaris Westshore Career Fair

Did anyone attend the Polaris Westshore Career Fair on the 27th? Was it worthwhile and would you recommend it as a MUST event for our Job Seekers?

Thanks,
-Jim

Polaris Westshore Career Fair

 

Hi Everyone:

Please see the announcement below on the Polaris Westshore Career Fair on March 27, 2013: