Beyond networking in the job search

I wrote a couple weeks ago about the “perfect search” and the unflagging hard work and innovation it takes to land a job.

Through contact with Net2Work and Unemployed in Des Moines networkers, I’ve seen first hand the kind of dedication it takes to keep marching when doors seem to be closing all around.

I’ll go out on a limb, however, and suggest that there are a couple intangibles that are critical to a job search—community and faith.

I imagine I’m not the only one who thought at one point: “Why do I want to hang out with a bunch of other frustrated depressed unemployed people?”

My experience at job seeking networking groups has been anything but depressing. Each time attend, I meet new people, gain ideas for new strategies, and give and receive encouragement. I leave the session energized, refilled with energy and hope.

As for faith—don’t get too nervous here. I am talking about putting ourselves in the position where serendipity, the goodness of kind people and the power of positive thinking are at work. Whether you practice a religion, believe in a universal power or are a skeptic, you know that sometimes things too good (and as we know, too bad) to be true often happen.

In early November, one of our networkers, Colette Noble, took risk taking a step further. She offered to be interviewed by ABC/Yahoo news about her search that has been in process for nearly a year. Colette is the “every man/woman” of today’s job search dilemma. Family stress, mortgages, support for kids and their activities, health insurance pile on top of the rigors of job searching to sometimes make the situation feel untenable.

So the other night, as I did my swing through Google world, I came across a link to a rabbi’s message to his membership that offered a Hanukah message “[Colette] Noble was laid off in January as an account manager at CDS Global, an Iowa-based subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation, where she worked for over two decades. She was the sole breadwinner for her family of four. Who amongst us cannot identify with her dilemma, tears and struggle? “

Think of it…people in a Jewish synagogue in New York State are thinking about the many Colettes, (Brians, Kathys, Joes and Dianes) of our country and holding them in thought. Whether you follow a religious practice, believe in Karma the power of this and many other thoughts of support can’t go ignored.

I’ll choose to say “thank you” to the people who offer positive thoughts, deeds of good will, and reach a hand out to me and other unemployeds during this season of economic downturn. Our job is to keep on putting one foot in front of the other, and I trust that positive energy from those in better positions will make a difference, one way or another.

(If you’d like to check out the Rabbi’s comments, go to http://www.kingsparkjewishcenter.org/rabbi.htm.