Blog Post: Join the club! ...the job club that is.

As a recruiter in the area of hospitality, I've come across many mid- and high-level professionals in recent months that are having trouble finding a job because:

1. the hospitality job market "shrinks" during the summer months in places like Houston because we are not a primarily tourist destination in the same way Orlando or Las Vegas might be; and,
    
2. mid- and high-end jobs in this industry are competitive and face waves of saturation for certain professions (meaning there are lots of qualified people going after the same jobs).

Because of this, I've started a JOB CLUB for Hospitality Professionals (our first meeting is Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 9 am -- if qualified and interested, please e-mail me [daniel.zendejas@wrksolutions.com] to RSVP).

What exactly is a Job Club? 

Are you a professional that is having a hard time landing a job?  Are you trying to transition into a better position in your field?  Do you enjoy networking and meeting other professionals in your field of interest?

Then a job club might be the networking opportunity and support you're looking for.  A job club is a small meeting group for a select group of individuals that share a common career interest.  Within the group, there is a three-fold purpose:

1. NETWORKING - Simply meeting other people that share your interests opens up a new world of resources for available jobs, professional growth, and socializing about common experiences and knowledge. 
2. SUPPORT - We all know that looking for a job is tough work (if done correctly).  Waiting for employers to call, sending resumes, searching for the right opportunities -- all of that can become overwhelming and stressful.  Attending a job club meeting lets you talk to other professionals in your field who might be able to offer advice based on their experience, might be able to share an important contact, or might be the shoulder you need to lean on to keep moving forward with a positive attitude and hopeful outlook.  Who knows?  You might even make a friend or two! 
3. JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE - A quality job club should be moderated by an "insider" from the industry.  For my job club, that would be me.  I attend 3-5 professional organization meetings and networking functions each month.  I have many contacts in the industry and work in a function that connects job seekers to employers.  Each job club meeting should contain a significant amount of job search assistance.  In my job club, we'll look at resumes, practice interview questions, and share job leads.  

Job clubs are a great support system and a good networking tool to help the seasoned professional get back into the workforce or successfully transition to a new opportunity.  If you need help finding a job club, contact your community agencies and professional organizations in your area(s) of interest.  If you are a professional in the Hospitality industry, definitely e-mail me. 

While my job club is geared at people IN the industry and not necessarily those who are seeking entry-level positions, there are opportunities for entry-level professionals out there.  Ask your contacts, contact your community groups, and network.  A good lead is to go to your local Workforce Solutions office and ask for a facilitator.  These individuals offer free help with resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, and job searching. 

Try out a job club -- it may be exactly what you need.  And hopefully, if all works well, you'll find a great job, meet interesting people, and move forward with an exciting career!