Sample Agenda

Welcome to the Job Support Networking Group. We're glad to have you here and hope we become an integral part of your job search.

INTRODUCTION OF FACILITATORS

Try to attract facilitators who are experts in their field. Career or Life Counselors, Resume Writers, Human Resource personnel, and individuals who have gone through job loss are excellent prospects to assist and encourage people in their job search. Often times, group members will relate with the facilitators story which can motivate the member to take purposeful steps in their job hunt.

INTRODUCTION OF GROUP MEMBERS

Each week, members should give their name, a brief description of their work history, where they're headed in their job search or what they would like to do. Encourage individuals to speak for at least one full minute as a way to become comfortable when speaking about themselves. These introductions are important for 2 reasons:

• It helps the job seeker focus on the type of career or job they want and/or need.
• Job seekers will (often) be in a situation during their job search where they'll have to explain to others what they've done or what they want to do. This is especially important during an interview or while networking.

GROUP GOALS

What do members expect from the group and from each other?

• A basic need is for people to show up. The group lives and dies with its members, so people need to make a commitment and attend regularly to show support for each other. By acknowledging that the job search can be very difficult and (sometimes) long, you validate the feelings and needs of others to share their story during group.
• Networking for each other - exchanging names and phone numbers - keeping an eye and ear out regarding job opportunities for other members.
• Sharing the good news as well as the bad news. You want people to come back after they've found a job and share that success story with other members. We want these successful individuals to come back and explain the process, the steps they took to land a job, and to let other group members know when they start their new position!
• Your main goal is helping members cope with their job loss and job search. How is it affecting family, friends, neighbors, and themselves? What can they do to keep motivated, active, and involved in their job search? By attending, talking, and actively participating in the networking group, your group will be able to give them the support they need to keep going strong.
• Goal Setting is an important part of the job search and the networking group is there to assist members in sorting through their choices. Try to set at least 1 goal for the week regarding the job search. Each person should take a proactive approach, committing to work on their job search for a minimum of one hour per day, and reach their goal of the week. Whether it's calling contacts, sending resumes, meeting with people or researching potential employers, encourage members to do something that's going to help them become employed.

TOPICS OF INTEREST

You could occasionally have a guest speaker, videos or worksheets that focus specifically on certain topics such as:

Coping With Change

-Working Through the Loss
-Dealing With the Fear
-Learning the Transition Process
-Understanding Endings
-Establishing a Plan of Action

Networking

-How to Network Effectively
-Networking Skills
-Who Do You Network With?

Interviewing Skills

-Making First Impressions
-Communicating Effectively
-Responding to and Asking Questions

Resumes and Job Search Letters

-Determining Resume Styles
-Establishing an Objective
-Organizing Information
-Writing Job Search Letters

Videotaped Mock Interviews

-Performing Mock Interviews

Financial Planning

-Assessing Your Finances
-Determining Future Needs
-Establishing a Financial Plan

Negotiating

-Salary
-Benefits
-Perks

Handling Stress

-Understanding Stress
-Identifying Stress Problems
-Relieving Stress
-Problem Solving

Job Search

-Organizing the Job Search
-Writing Letters
-Networking
-Researching Companies
-Identifying Job Trends