As long-term
unemployment continues for many Americans, some job seekers are choosing to
join job clubs. A job club is an
organization of job seekers who meet to exchange job leads, business cards,
resumes, ideas, and information that could lead to finding a job. But how do you know which job club is
right for you? Below are a few tips:
1.
Many
experts say that the most effective job clubs meet at least once a week and
offer daily support via phone and/or email for its members. Members in a well organized job club
should be able to, within reason, call and email each other for support between
meetings.
2.
Job
seekers need to be careful about paying fees to belong to a job club. Unless the club is paying rent for the
meeting place, there really shouldn’t be any fees charged. Right now there are some opportunistic
companies and individuals who may run “job clubs” that require a fee, but fail
to offer the support the job seeker needs. So be careful.
3.
Effective
job clubs have rules established which prevent one member from monopolizing the
group’s meeting times with their personal problems. Experienced job club leaders will have systems in place so
that each member has equal opportunity to get help with their issues.
4.
The
best job clubs set aside time to help members set goals and make them
accountable for meeting those goals.
Job clubs which are worth your time should focus on setting and
accomplishing job search goals while avoiding “gripe sessions” that focus on
problems instead of solutions.