North Coast Job Seekers is a job search support group for professionals in transition or those who are currently employed but seeking new career options. We provide tools, tips, resources, techniques and networking opportunities to help maximize a job search. If in transition, or want to explore new career options, we encourage attending North Coast Job Seekers meetings.

"North Coast" refers to the geographic region of NE Ohio, particularly the metropolitan Cleveland area (which is on the shores of Lake Erie, hence the "North Coast" of the U.S.). However the resources available here are offered to any who might benefit from them.

Use this link to join our virtual meetings from your computer,
tablet, or smartphone:

NEXT MONDAY NIGHT MEETING:

Monday, April 12, 2021

7:30 – 9:00pm EDT
[online meeting room will open at 7:15pm]

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Virtual Networking Meeting
Networking & Job Search Issues

Join with other NCJS members and leaders for constructive networking,
job search troubleshooting, sharing what's going well and what is not,
and collaborating on job leads.

Use this link to join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone:

NCJS Online Meetings

North Coast Job Seeker meetings are held online during this season of social distancing.  Using a secure platform, our meetings continue "virtually."

Using the secure and encrypted platform GoToMeeting, we are continuing our most important NCJS services:  Meeting "face-to-face" for networking, job search support, and presentations to assist professionals in transition.  While not the same as "being there" with the group, these virtual meetings are a helpful time of connecting and networking.  They also serve as good training ground for virtual interviews!

How to prepare for NCJS Virtual meetings:

• Download the GoToMeeting app to your computer or phone (it's free):
  GoToMeeting Download
• Make sure your tech is working and plan a quiet space to join the meetings.
• If you do not have webcam/video technology, you will be able to call into the meetings and participate with audio only either from your computer or a phone.
• Review your "30-Second Elevator Speech" to be able to introduce yourself and clearly communicate your expertise and skills to someone who doesn't know you. We will be using these in the online meetings.  Here's an easy to follow tutorial: Elevator Speech
• At the designated time, join the meeting using the link provided.  Each meeting "room" will open 15 minutes before the meeting begins in order to make sure you are connected and to become familiar with the GoToMeeting platform.

PLAN AHEAD - FOLLOWING MEETING:

Monday, April 26, 2021

7:30 – 9:00pm EDT
[online meeting room will open at 7:15pm]

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

"Personal Branding"

Speaker:  Kris McGuigan

In today’s competitive business world, having a personal brand is essential to differentiate yourself and stand out among the crowd. Are you able to articulate your personal ROI in a clear and compelling manner?

In this interactive program, you will learn to:

• Discover your unique value proposition
• Communicate your brand in a memorable, meaningful manner
• Develop simple strategies for ongoing reputation management

Kris McGuigan, MBA, BCC, ACRW

Early in Kris’s career, a supervisor coined the term “professional courage” to describe her direct and fearless approach to problem-solving. Kris McGuigan now brings that same bold outlook to her clients and their career aspirations.

In founding Professional Courage, Kris translated 15 years of corporate success into a targeted mission: empowering high potentials to step up and stand out in the marketplace. She built a premier career services firm from the ground up, replacing a 6-figure income within 24 months of leaving her corporate position. In 2019, Kris was honored as an Entrepreneurial Woman of Note by Crain’s Cleveland Business.

Kris is distinguished as a Board Certified Coach with 200+ hours of training alongside some of the industry’s top experts. She also holds the prestigious ACRW designation, making her one of only a handful of Academy Certified Resume Writers across the globe to also hold an MBA.

With a brand formed by courage and constancy, Kris uses her own story to guide clients and audiences to success in an ever-changing job market. When not on stage or in the office, she and her husband, Rick, enjoy time with their two children – Claire and Matthew – and a mini golden named Geoffrey.

Use this link to join the meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone:

Additional Suggestions During the Coronavirus Crisis

Even during this pandemic, job search work does not take a pause.  We have several recommendations and ways that NCJS can continue to support your job search networking and efforts:

• Our NCJS LinkedIn Group is stronger and more vibrant than ever.  That is an outstanding place to actively network, ask questions, promote discussions, and stay connected with one another.
• Telephone Networking.  Picking up the phone and talking with other NCJS members you have met, following up on job leads, and networking voice-to-voice is an excellent tool that is not impeded by the COVID-19 virus.
• Find an Accountability Partner who will commit to helping you stay on track with your job search and with whom you can talk about job search issues.
• Our NCJS website contains helpful information in our Resource Library that you can explore and use.  We will do our best to bolster that resource during this time.
• Commit to using this time to focus on your job search via internet searches and online resources, one-on-one meetings (practicing "social distancing" for safety), and making/keeping appointments as you are able.

We are committed to supporting you in whatever ways we can.  We commit to keeping you informed of changes and updates to our scheduled events.  Please be safe, smart, and help others do the same.

-- North Coast Job Seekers Advisory Board

Career transitions are seldom easy. The many pieces of a job search can be overwhelming, and fitting those pieces together to find your next position can be tricky. North Coast Job Seekers wants to provide support, training, and resources as you go through your job search.

NCJS is a completely volunteer organization bringing together those in job transition with leaders, presenters, resources, and other job seekers.  Job seekers themselves bring a multitude of resources to NCJS with knowledge, experience, skills, and professional networks.  Together we share a mission to help motivated people succeed through career changes.

North Coast Job Seekers meets in the Gym/Fellowship Hall of Pioneer Memorial Presbyterian Church in Solon, Ohio at 7:30pm on the second and fourth Monday of the month. We actively network, discuss job search issues, and get terrific tips from job search experts. If you are in transition or want to explore new career options, we encourage you to start attending North Coast Job Seekers meetings.

NCJS Job Search Process
Road Map

The NCJS Job Search Process Road Map is the core of our approach to career transition.  The downloadable document in our Resource Library outlines each of the three major waypoints on the road map.  It is important to note that the Road Map is not a simple
1-2-3 step method.  Rather, it is more organic and dynamic – the steps lead to one another, and in the end lead back to the beginning.  It is easier than it sounds, is more intuitive, and is more effective than a "do this list of things and you'll land your dream job" approach.  This is our Road Map for guiding us through the next career move in ways that use our best gifts, skills, passions, and experiences to our advantage.

Use the link below to download a pdf version of the Road Map:

If you're not part of the online discussions, job leads, and networking with NCJS, join the NCJS LinkedIn Group now to expand your job search resources.

The twice monthly meetings of North Coast Job Seekers is supplemented by an active LinkedIn Group. This rich forum includes relevant discussion topics, job postings, and networking opportunities. Click on the LinkedIn logo to visit the group page.

If you are looking for our job listings or have a position to share with the NCJS membership, we invite you to participate in the NCJS LinkedIn group.  All of our job postings and information are handled on LinkedIn, not on our website.  For more information about the LinkedIn group or for instructions on posting a job opportunity, click this link.

Newest Resource in the Library:

We are grateful for our generous partners: