logo on any page to return to the CICT Home pageWhat is the Christians In Career Transition (CICT) Ministry?
We are an Ecumenical support ministry that began at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte, NC during March 1997. Since that time, we have helped hundreds of people to understand and successfully put into practice those methods and procedures for finding and accepting employment. People who come to St. Matthew’s Christians in Career Transition have lost their jobs, or are working in a job that does not or soon will not provide a family supporting income and benefits.
Mission: To provide guidance for those out of work or about to be out of work who attend the CICT meetings regardless of their faith, for the purpose of helping them find employment. This is accomplished by discussing issues encountered by job seekers, recommending actions and providing advice based on experience, critiquing résumés, providing articles and reference publications, fostering work group interchanges, discussing networking and interviewing techniques, suggesting people with whom they can network, directing job seekers to employ various tips and methods to aid their search, and distributing job leads and postings.
The CICT ministry provides their services free of charge. Your obligation to CICT is very simple. We ask that when you get that new job, you let the facilitator / counselors know your status, help others find a position of employment by being a network contact, and advising us of positions that you know are available.
There are numerous other groups in the Greater Charlotte community that provide support, and job seekers are encouraged to visit them. However, we ask all job seekers to keep us informed of their status.
Our next meeting is Monday, July 1st, 2013, 7:00 PM. in Room 132 of the New Life Center building, St. Matthew Church on Ballantyne Common Pkwy., between Rea Rd. and Elm La.
What are your major issues encountered while searching for suitable employment?: starting a business; haven’t worked in years; changing field of work; transitioning from military service; difficulty networking; no response to resumes sent; consider yourself too old; etc.?
Please come to the meeting with issues you’re facing and questions. You’ll get answers.
Take Notes
UTILIZE YOUR GOD-GIVEN TALENTS
ATTEND the MEETINGS
FINDING A JOB IS A JOB
While You Wait for the Next CICT Meeting: Contact 1 or 2 CICT Counselors to Discuss Your Issues & Potential Solutions for You
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Helpful dialogue is encouraged at every meeting. These are your meetings.
Come to the CICT meeting with your questions and concerns on any topic.
Take Notes. Improve Your Search! LET US HELP SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS
* (Have suggestions for Discussions, please email them to Jack Rueckel, jrueckel@earthlink.net and put -CICT Discussion Suggestions- in the Subject line.)
(If you have landed a job and / or if you wish to have your name removed from the CICT distribution, please let me know.)
Have a Super Week. Jack Rueckel
Checklist for Job Search: Page 1 / 2
SELF-ASSESSMENT
- what have I done well; strengths / weaknesses
- what do I want to do; feel best at; does your talents match your experience
PERSONAL JOB OBJECTIVES
- position(s) max 3
- industry(-ies)
JOB SEARCH PLAN / SELF MARKETING PLAN
- activities
- milestones; quantitative expectations
- resources needed
- record keeping
EXIT STATEMENT
- why did I leave; want to leave (in 15 – 20 seconds)
RESUME
- format consistency
- Summary or Profile (avoid Objective); key words match target job
- Experience (responsibility; accomplishments/performance; results – include quantity, quality)
- Education; Continuing Education
- Affiliations and Publications (as appropriate); related Volunteer work
30-SECOND ELEVATOR SPEECH a career summary as both an intro and why people should be interested in you
- write it; edit it; say it; re-edit. Practice / practice
- verbally explains who you are; with one or two major career accomplishments; career objective
- ask for names & contacts of those who may help you get connected; send thank-you’s & follow-up
PERSONAL ATTITUDE
- no bitterness to employer(s)
- positive / positive / positive – smile always
- accept rejection positively; a learning experience
LIST OF REFERENCES
- list, contact for approval
- send resume to each
- keep informed regularly, especially if their name given out
ADMINISTRATIVE LOG
- detailed record keeping (for tax deductions and for contact follow-up):
- tax: miles driven, cost of stationary / equipment / out-of-pocket meals
- meetings & phone: dates/times/results/follow-up
- network & other contact list: name/address/phone/date
- attach ads to copy of correspondence
- copy of all correspondence
RESOURCES
- book stores (see “What Color Is Your Parachute”, “Knock ‘em Dead” series other publications)
- library: books identified from the book stores; Moody’s; Dun and Bradstreet for published co. profiles
- Internet: Linkedin; Google; Facebook, etc.
- trade journals
Checklist for Job Search
Page 2 / 2
TARGET COMPANIES
- research companies and related operating details
- modify list of companies as needed
COVER LETTERS / LETTERS to EXECs
NETWORK
- methods to build a network; point of commonality
- groups / friends / relatives / other job-seekers / previous associates and managers / people met at social events / your references / … /even the janitor
- ask for names & phone numbers of “those who might know of someone seeking my skills”
- never ask for a job from anyone (except at last interview with employer before offer)
- “looking for new opportunities”; target industries / companies
RECRUITERS
- contact as many recruiters as possible who specialize in the industries and job functions you seek (see The Directory of Executive Recruiters,” Kennedy Publications, Fitzwilliam NH for a comprehensive list of Retained Search & Contingency Firms by industry, and terrific info on job searching)
- be sure recruiter provided name & details of company, staff you will meet – before sending you there
INTERVIEWING
- (see “49 Tough Interview Questions” & answers); how do you remain up-to-date on the business/industry/technology?
- be prepared; If you were the head of the target company, what might be your issues; what is the industry concerns (e.g., depending on the business - peak season volume, delivery issues, suppliers, notorious customer service problems); assume the unexpected
- smile; don’t giggle; shake hands firmly; dress well and look good; speak clearly
- ask questions; end about 50% of your answers with a question that begs an open-ended answer (e.g., “…how do you see it,” “… how has the company approached such issues,” etc.
- always end with expression of interest and ask for “next steps”
- Also see: “Out Interviewing the Interviewer,” Stephen K. Merman & John E. McLaughlin, Prentice Hall Press
- “The Art of Asking Questions,” Stanley L. Payne, Princeton University Press (may be out of print)
THANK YOU
- say thank you meaningfully always
- send personal hard copy letter of thanks (hint: use monarch stationary for execs) or e-mail thanks to every person on face-to-face interview; e-mail thanks to telephone interviewers (as appropriate) or use “snail-mail”
- verbally thank your references, especially if they let you know they go a call
FOLLOW-UP
- always try to get a follow-up call or interview until you get an offer
- keep references, recruiters, network informed on your progress – someone may have additional useful info
NEGOTIATION
- Once an Offer Extended: GET IT IN WRITING. If they say they don’t do that, be suspicious
- Once an Offer Extended: ask for more money, an additional 5 – 10% generally isn’t unreasonable. Be prepared to counter a “No” with a request for other benefits: stock, office assistant, company car, tuition
- If the Company Drags its Feet: politely indicate that another company is about to send you an offer letter, but that you believe your (target) company is the best
- (read “Getting to YES,” Fisher, Ury and Patton)
Questions, comments and recommendations for improvement and enhancement to the above are welcome.
Best Wishes, Jack Rueckel
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