Job Tips, Job News, Job Search – Blog by Browse Local Jobs

Searching for a new job is full of emotional, financial, and even physical ups and downs. Living in the turbulence of the experience can be devastating to even the strongest of us. However, it doesn’t have to be. Across the country there are thousands of job search support groups that exist for the sole purpose of getting people back to work. The advantages that come with these groups are well worth the limited amount of time required to attend.

Advantages of a Job Search Support Group:

• Find a job faster – Members of these support groups are quick to talk about opportunities you may not have found on your own.
• Manage the stress of the job search – A dedicated group of individuals sharing similar experiences offers the perfect environment to talk about the challenges of your current situation without talking a negative attitude during the hunt.
• Break the monotony – Sometimes searching, applying, and interviewing can become very dull. A set meeting date gives you a time to break the monotony in a healthy way.
• Get better at finding a job – Just hearing others talk about their challenges will help you become better at managing your job search. Learn quickly what worked and what didn’t work for others.

Can’t find a Job Search Support Group – Start one:

To help you get started, we’ve created the following “charter” for a healthy support group.

• Small & nimble is best – Find groups of around 10 people. Too many more and members will be uncomfortable talking openly. Too few and you may be the only one at the meeting.
• Schedule a regular time and place for the meeting – This lets people schedule their time around the meeting. Instability here will ensure an empty meeting.
• What happens in the JSSG stays in the JSSG – Members have to agree to keep everything they hear in the group private and confidential.
• Support Group means everyone gets to play in the sandbox – Every member takes turns speaking, listening, and responding. However, everyone has to be respectful to stay.
• There’s no crying in Support Group – Emotional support is great, but the goal of the support group is to get everyone back to work. Limit emotional issues and focus on constructive job search issues.
• Diversity is king – Don’t just invite in all of your ex-compadre’s from your prior job. Open the group to local sources and let a diversity of members attend.

Related posts:

1. Manage your emotions during a job search
2. Find a New IT Job through User Groups
3. Respect the Happy Hour
4. Dude, Where’s My Job Search?!?
5. Handling the Stress of the Job Search