Career networking grows in leaps and bounds

Career networking meetings aren't what they used to be.

Expanding beyond business card exchanges and emphasizing a lifelong practice of making contacts -- whether employed or not -- several networking organizations regularly have human resource managers and recruiters on hand at meetings to review résumés and talk face-to-face with potential candidates.

Time and again, networking leaders and participants say the end-all of networking isn't just about landing a job or getting sales leads. First and foremost, it's about empowering people -- by sharing a story, experience or networking skill that encourages and teaches. And often, a job or business contact will unfold from there.

"We feel like we're called to do this work," said Brian Ray, founder of Crossroads Career Network and its volunteer board chairman. Crossroads is a ministry that serves all people, not just Christians.  "It's just a wonderful opportunity to help people in such a critical point in their lives."

One of the reasons one networking group, Re:Focus on Careers, works is "it gives [people looking for work] the tools and hope that there is a path through the dark time they're in," said Alan Burgess, a participant in the group and materials product manager at Gravograph-New Hermes, a leader in engraving equipment and materials with an office in Duluth. Burgess first attended the networking group during a job transition three years ago, back when it was called the "Layoff Lounge."

Networking should also be an ongoing practice, leaders say, not just something that occurs when someone's between jobs.

"It's been proven if you continue networking, the chances of you being unemployed are slim to none compared to if you're not networking," said Debbie Rodkin, executive director of Re:Focus on Careers.  Rodkin said membership in Re:Focus is "well over" 1,000. The group also has members in about 20 states. Some may be interested in moving here; others may just want to work here.

The group meets monthly. There is a new member orientation at every meeting, which also includes a speaker, information on networking skills, door-prize giveaways and a speed networking opportunity.

During this session, participants -- who include job-seekers, entrepreneurs, recruiters and other professionals -- give a 30-second "elevator pitch" to one another at one table at a time, then move to another table to repeat the process with someone else.

Participants in these sessions can offer career search suggestions, share job or sales leads, or just get more familiar with other people and their talents and goals. The main point of the exercise is building contacts, Rodkin said.

A new member can expect to meet 50 to 100 professionals at a meeting and have their résumé reviewed; there are recruiters present who are actively hiring, as well as others, such as career coaches, who are present at every meeting, she added.

One of the more important tasks for a member attending the meeting is to be prepared. "Bring many business cards," Rodkin advised. "Bring not five or 10 but 80 business cards."

Re:Focus teams up regularly with other groups, such as Business Network International and the Georgia State University Alumni Association for joint gatherings creating an even greater networking impact. "You can never meet too many people," said Dave Cohen, alumni programs coordinator at GSU. Bringing together the two groups has "widened the circle and has brought more people in contact with one another, which is really what it's all about."

Crossroads has 36 member churches; 14 in Georgia, and 22 in states such as Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Virginia and Wisconsin. Instead of job-seekers or job hunters, it uses the term "career explorers."

"You get there at 6:30, [career explorers] are starting to line up," said Jay Litton, volunteer leader of Roswell United Methodist Church's Crossroads program.

A key to Re:Focus' large attendance and participation is an uplifting atmosphere and the breadth of its members' experience and skill.

"We have a lot of fun," Rodkin said. "Our group is positive. You never hear anyone complaining, saying, 'I'm not working.' We've seen a group growing and developing, really focused on career development."

Ray said Crossroads' success is rooted in its mission of serving God. "They don't have to believe in God, they don't have to accept Christ, they just have to know I care."  Jack Scherer, director of the Crossroads Career ministry at The Catholic Church of St. Benedict in Duluth, said he thinks the locale of the meetings also brings people back. "Brian [Ray] was a very good visionary in this because I think the key is using the church as a basis of networking really creates a trustful environment," Scherer said. "If you can't go to church and trust that environment, who can you trust?"

There is more information about the group at www.refocusoncareers.com.

Crossroads meetings at Roswell United Methodist Church begin at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of every month and include a guest speaker. About 45 minutes before the meeting, anywhere from eight to 12 human resource recruiters begin reviewing résumés.