For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.
We've talked quite a lot about how networking can help you both grow a career and find a job. I've even shared my personal networking plan with FMF readers. Now today we're going to take this usually non-Sunday topic and make it one by talking about how churches and faith-based groups can be part of a networking plan to grow your career and help you find a job.
This idea was brought to mind when I read "Asking God for peace, and help in job search" from MSNBC. They talk about the advantages of a church group designed specifically for the unemployed. Here are a few quotes from the article that highlight the advantages of such a group:
-
"When a person loses his or her job it's not just the income that's lost, but it's a kind of sense of meaning, sense of fitting in, a sense of contribution," Hicks said. "And many of those things have spiritual dimensions."
-
Baker offers group members resume reviews and mock interviews. He asks them to craft an "elevator speech" — a pitch of their qualifications they can deliver quickly. And he urges them to "draw close to God."
-
Faith-based groups provide rich networking opportunities because members may trust each other more, and go the extra mile for them, because they share a church or a faith, he said.
In other words, they get:
-
Emotional support during a tough time.
-
Practical job-hunting advice.
-
Networking opportunities that can lead to other contacts/jobs.
And not only is church a great place to seek employment when you have none, but it's a wonderful place to make contacts when you have a job -- to add to your list of networking opportunities. Doing so can drum up extra business for you/your company or simply provide you resources you may need if/when you need to make a job change. Like the piece says, the networking opportunities are great because members have a lot in common and want to help each other out.
Don't think this ever happens? It did for me. I'm living proof that this idea works.
Now let me add a couple qualifiers. I'm not saying that you should join a church or "work the room" in your current church simply to try and make more money for yourself and/or establish business connections. Of course you should go to a church because you believe in what they teach, are there for the spiritual aspects, etc. All I'm saying is that it's easy to connect with like-minded people and church presents a great opportunity.
Also, I'd warn you to be wary. There are some that have no interest in spiritual matters that frequent churches simply looking for "scores." These range in severity from people trying to sell something all the way to someone running a scam. It's common for others to fall into these traps because they trust people at church, so I'm giving you a heads up and suggested you simply use common sense. If a deal is too good to be true or if you really don't know someone that well, be careful. Also, networking is one thing, but giving someone you don't know that well money for an "investment" or a "business opportunity" is another.
So, what's your take on this idea? Anyone had any success in networking at their place of worship?
This is a function of your Pastor (or Rabbi in my case).
There was one guy who actually made it known at my synagogue that he was active on the board only because he was getting business.
Very short sighted and dumb. After he told me that, I just lost all respect for him.
It's very easy to tell when somebody really needs help and when they are just being selfish.
Posted by: neal@Wealth Pilgrim | July 26, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Never considered this. Thanks.
Posted by: AJ | July 26, 2009 at 01:47 PM
I would also suggest finding a volunteer position within the church. I became a volunteer on the finance committee, then as an assistant administrator, all which led to my current position now as a full time church administrator. Many church now a days prefer to hire within their congregation if possible as they are getting a known, experienced person.
Posted by: Bob's Occasional Musings | July 27, 2009 at 02:43 AM
"Networking" should be a natural side-effect of being in relationship with people in your church (or synagogue). In a true community of believers we know, pray, and try to meet each others needs. Most of the time when people come looking for something (prospects, "scores", job's etc), it is quiet easy to see and a definite turnoff. An artificial approach to relationship building, or one with an agenda (networking), usually doesn’t go very far in most churches - no one wants to feel like they are being used. Having said that, I have witnessed and helped many people find jobs through relationships at their church and it’s been a very positive thing. Maybe this period of economic uncertainty will help people become more rooted in communities of believers that genuinely look to give and not just receive.
Posted by: GSM | July 27, 2009 at 10:34 AM
I agree with GSM. I also think this is a great opportunity for churches to reach out to those in need. We actually have a ministry at our church for those that are seeking jobs. It helps with everything from learning to do a job search to resumes to interview helps.
I think it is also beneficial to let others know at your church what it is you do. Are Sunday School class has a board where people can put their business cards on it. You never know who may be looking for a roofer, contractor, cleaning service, IT geek, etc. I'd much rather get someone from within my group than pick a name from a list of people.
Posted by: SAHM | July 27, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Our church also has a ministry for those that are struggling and without a job. They do many of the same things that you mentioned. Help with writing a resume, mock interviews, and a job listings board for members where you can check out job openings with companies owned by members -or for companies that members work at, etc.
I think it's great that they offer something like this.
Posted by: Bible Money Matters | July 27, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I'm not religious, and it bugs me a little bit to think that I'm missing out on some of these networking opportunities. Maybe I'm the best qualified candidate, but the employer goes with a different candidate since they know them from church.
I also wonder a little about how this relates to equal opportunity employment law. For cultural or historic reasons, many churches tend to attract a fairly homogeneous congregation. If you post a job opening at church, where the members are 95% white (or some other background), could you be liable if your applicant pool skews heavily in one direction?
Posted by: Colin | July 28, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Colin --
I've never seen a job opening posted at a church (though that could happen.) In my experience, most of these sorts of connections are made by personal contact/networking, the same way many jobs are filled.
Posted by: FMF | July 28, 2009 at 04:45 PM