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There is a small group of professionals that have a tremendous business network. They
work at it every day. These professionals keep in touch with all sorts of people that they have met over the years
because they truly enjoy it.
If you are like most people, however, your business network is fairly small. You have
a nice group of close friends and relatives, but beyond that, your circle of business associates outside of your current or
past employer may be limited.
Good News!
Several groups is Columbus exist solely to help job seekers expand their business network.
Other Columbus business organizations exist to foster their profession and can be attended with the intention for
job seekers to meet other people in their profession.
These organizations are a good way to start to expand your network. It's time to meet some
new people.
Read The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell.
A lot of books and articles have been written about the importance of networking in helping you find
a job. None is more profound that in Malcom Gladwell's book. Read Chapter Two titled 'The Law of the Few' and
pay particular attention to pages 53 through 56.
Mr. Gladwell explains that in 56% of job searchers interviewed in Boston by sociologist Mark Granovetter
found their job through a personal connection. The most significant observation, however, was that people were not finding
their jobs through their friends. They were finding their jobs through their acquaintences.
"Why is this? Granovetter argues that it is because when it comes to finding out about jobs
- or, for that matter, new information, or new ideas, - 'weak ties' are always more important than strong ties. Your
friends, after all, occupy the same world that you do. They might work with you, or live near you.... How much, them,
would they know what you wouldn't know? Your acquaintences, on the other hand, by definition occupy a very different
world than you. They are much more likely to know something that you don't."
Here are some very good networking
groups and professional organizations in Columbus that you can contact to expand your business network. - ExecuNet - ExecuNet is a network committed to the career-long success of business
executives.
They operate a great website, www.execunet.com, that has won many kudos for its content. You can sign up to receive job postings in your field for a fee. I do recommend that you attend the networking meetings of the local ExecuNet Chapter which is hosted by Janine
Moon. The Central Ohio networking meetings are designed for professionals who want to stay "on top" of their
careers, be alerted to job opportunities, penetrate the hidden job market, and trade information. Meetings are held at The Shops on Lane Avenue, Community Room B, Upper Arlington, Ohio every month from 7:30
am to 9:30 am. Contact Janine Moon at coach@cpcoaching.com for meeting details. Tell her I sent you.
- 40 Plus
of Central Ohio - 40 Plus of Central Ohio provides training and support
for professionals of all ages who are facing a career transition. Training programs, workshops, networking, and volunteer
opportunities are provided within the
member-run, non-profit organization. Located in Columbus, Forty Plus offers an
atmosphere free from the distractions of home: work areas with internet, fax, and printer access, as well as a library of
reference materials and business periodicals. Every
Monday at 9:00 a.m., free to the public, Forty Plus features a guest speaker, followed by an orientation for those wishing
to learn more about the organization. For more information, visit: www.fortyplusoh.org or call: 614-297-0040. Your success reflects our success…Let's succeed together!
- Scioto
Ridge Job Networking Group - SRJNG is a job networking group that meets at three local churches in and around
the Columbus Area. Go to www.sciotoridgejng.com for meeting locations, dates and times. Also, SRJNG puts on three Professional Career Fairs each year that are free
to its members.
The
purpose of this group is to assist people who have lost their job or are anticipating a career change by supporting them in
a motivational, inspirational and devotional manner. We bring in a speaker at every meeting that has specific expertise
in job transition or career coaching. I lead this group. These are great people that you should know. Contact
Ken Lazar at kenlazar@msn.com or phone 614-302-4840 for more information.
-TechColumbus
- A non-profit organization, TechColumbus presents forums for networking and education that meets the
unique needs of technology companies and supports programs that attract, build and retain a competitive skilled workforce.
Members
include information technology, life sciences, logistics and manufacturing companies, professional service organizations,
schools, and government agencies. Please
visit their website columbustechnology.org for
information on meetings and membership. If you are in the IT or a similar technology field, you really need to participate
in this professional organization.
-Human Resources Association of Central Ohio - If you are a human resources professional, this is an
organization that's for you. Almost 1000 members strong, HRACO meets on the second Tuesday of each month
at the Fawcette Center on the OSU campus for a luncheon meeting. Visit www.HRACO.org for details.
This is a must attend group for HR professionals in job transition.
- Breakfast with Business First - Business First is Columbus'
local business publication. If you have not subscribed to it or do not have access to Business First you really need
to go to the library and read up on past issues. Periodically, Business First hosts a networking breakfast that
is heavily attended. The breakfast is free and you will meet some great people.- Please refer to the Business First website at www.columbus.bizjournals.com for more information.
- Big Fish Networking - Steve Baldzicki
runs this very excellent networking resource and website. Please visit www.bigfishnetworking.com and become part of the "Big Fish" in Columbus. Big Fish sponsors
special events each month that are a good place for people to meet and network.
- Chagrin Valley Job Seekers - Cleveland. For
those of you who are targeting Northeast Ohio in your job search, please contact the CVJS in Solon, Ohio. This group
is over 1000 strong and meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Pioneer Presbyterian Church, 35100 Solon
Rd, Solon, Ohio. Contact founder Jim Grant at JWGrant@aol.com for details. If
you attend a CVJS meeting and register with the group, you will have access to their Yahoo Groups site and receive emails for
job postings in Northeast Ohio.
-The
Job Search Focus Group - Cincinnati. The Job Search Focus Group (JSFG) is an all-volunteer, non-profit
organization that supports individuals searching for new employment opportunities. It has been assisting employers and job
candidates in the Cincinnati area since 1992. The Job Search Focus Group is a source of experienced, high quality, action-oriented
professionals with positive, "can-do" attitudes. JSFG meets at 1345 Grace Avenue, Cincinnati, 45208 each Monday at 9:00
am. Website, www.jsfg.com. Phone, 513-871-0320.
-
Business and Professional Exchange - Indianapolis. Here
is a group in Indy that is similar to the Scioto Ridge Job Networking Group here in Columbus: http://www.bpeindy.org Founded in 1991,
the Business & Professional Exchange (BPE) is a networking organization for employers and those in career transition.
BPE provides employers a readily available pool of quality professionals from the Indianapolis area. More than 3000 individuals
and businesses have benefited from affiliation with the BPE.
- eWomenNetwork - eWomenNetwork is a
powerful community of entrepreneurs, women business owners and corporate professionals who are committed to supporting and
transacting business with women. Experience their monthly “Accelerated Networking ™” events in
Columbus.
See and feel the difference of eWomenNetwork. Let them help market you in a fun, friendly, professional environment. They are truly a community of women that want to know you, they want to know what you do,
and more importantly, they want to transact business with you! Please visit and see what’s going on at the
Columbus Chapter of eWomenNetwork, www.theabundantnetworker.com.
- The St Joseph's League - Dave Mullinex runs this great
group that meets every Tuesday eveining at 7:30 PM at the St. Brigids Church on Avery Road in Dublin. Dave gives all
attendees excellent information to help them during their job search.
- Other Networking Organizations - Here are some additional professional organizations in Columbus that may be
of value to you in your job search. Please send an email with feedback if you attend one of their meetings:
If you find additional networking groups that should be mentioned on this webpage, please email me at KenLazar@msn.com with your comments and information.
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