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St. James' Career Assistance Ministry offers asssitance in several areas:
Networking Meetings
Informational Interviews
Resource Links:
Print Resources
Internet-Based Resources
People Resources
Networking Meetings
The Career Assistance Ministry sponsors a series of meetings for parishioners who are in the job market so that they can exchange information, share experiences, and provide support for each other. The group meets every other week after the 11:15 a.m. service. The meetings are a combination of presentation and group discussion. Each meeting focuses on a particular job search topic like networking, determining search objectives, preparing resumes, and using the Internet. Check the weekly announcements for the latest details, or contact the Career Assistance Ministry if you'd like more information.
Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are a critical part of a job search. They involve talking with people who are currently working in the field to gain a better understanding of an occupation or industry and to build a network of contacts in that field. The Career Assistance Ministries connects parishioners who are looking for jobs with other parishioners who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. If you are seeking a job and would like to explore contacts with other parishioners, contact the Career Assistance Ministry with a brief summary of the fields in which you are interested. If you are willing to share your knowledge with other parishioners who are seeking jobs, contact the Career Assistance Ministry with a summary of the areas you are comfortable discussing. Volunteering to help does not imply that you know of a specific job opening; your knowledge of your field is valuable to this ministry.
Other Resources
There are many resources to guide you at every step of the career transition process, from defining your goals and developing an action plan to getting job referrals and managing the search. These include books, websites, and groups and professionals who work in this area.
Print Resources
- Five O’Clock Club has a series of five books that address the various aspects of career planning and the job search. Targeting a Great Career is the first, and it provides an overview of their job search process. Copies of these books can be borrowed from the Rev. Will Peyton, Associate Rector for Pastoral Care.
- Strengths Finder 2.0, developed by Gallup, provides an approach for determining your strengths and building a career around them. It includes a web-based assessment tool.
- The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success by Nicholas Lore, published by Fireside. This book helps the reader decide what to do and how to make it happen.
- Job Hunting for Dummies, by Max Messner, Chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, Wiley. An overview book with a lot of attention to the basics.
- In Search of the Perfect Job (to $250,000+) by Clyde C. Lowstuter. Published by McGraw Hill. Overview aimed at the experienced professional.
- Rites of Passage at $100,000 to $1 million+ by John Lucht. Published by Viceroy. Best-selling book that includes some non-traditional approaches to the job searches for experienced professionals.
- Monster Careers: How to Land the Job of Your Life by Jeff Taylor & Doug Hardy. Book of practical advice from the founder of Monster.com.
- Adam’s Resume Alamanac, Asher’s Bible of Executive Resumes and How to Write Them, Adam’s Cover Letter Almanac, Adam’s Job Interview Book. These are huge collections of resumes, cover letters and interview questions by job title.
- Job Hunting in New York City, published by WetFeet, 2007 edition. Includes information on Employment and Temp agencies as well as major industry profiles and employment trends in New York City.
- The Lawyer's Career Change Handbook: More Than 300 Things You Can Do With a Law Degree, by Hindi Greenberg, published by HarperCollins. Ideas for transitioning within and out of the legal firm environment.
- Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers
These free books offer advice for people considering a career in the nonprofit sector.
Internet Resources
People Resources
- St. Bart’s Career Assistance Center offers 12-week seminars in effective job search strategies and one-evening sessions on various topics related to finding a job. These are paid seminars led by professionals who are associated with St. Bart’s.
- Fifth Avenue Presbyterian offers a variety of free seminars on searching for a job.
- Five O’Clock Club offers a wide variety of helpful resources in finding a job with weekly meetings on various topics. Club membership is required to attend seminars.
- The New York Public Library's Mid-Manhattan Library offers a variety of free seminars on the job search process. The library’s job information center also offers counseling and other resources for job seekers.
return to the Career Assistance Ministry's page
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