Monday, January 27, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

NCJS Alumni Panel

Insights and Experiences to Help and Inspire

Panelists: Rachel Crane, Christopher Gentry, and Seth Lamp

Paul DiPronio, Moderator

North Coast Job Seekers is excited to kick off 2025 with a special Alumni Speaker Panel. Each panelist is part of the NCJS community who has successfully landed into their next career. These most recent landing points were actually CAREER PIVOTS for these alums. Rachel Crane, Christopher Gentry, Seth Lamp, and Paul DiPronio have experience in "traditional" job searches as well as finding themselves in new careers altogether.

Whether you're thinking about changing industries, exploring new opportunities, or working on your next successful transition, our alumni panelists will share actionable insights and real-life experiences to help you navigate your next move. Don't miss it – this is your chance to learn from those who have successfully made the pivot!

OUR PANELISTS

RACHEL CRANE

Rachel Crane began her career in the fields of education and behavioral science. What was intended to be a pit stop while pursuing graduate school turned into a successful, 18-year career, with 13 years serving as a high school teacher and 5 years as professional development facilitator/coach. During her time in education, Rachel achieved National Board Certification, earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and helped her school district become #8 in state rankings. She helped launch the Beginning Educator Support Team, a 3-year coaching program to support teachers new to the classroom. In addition to her years as a public school educator, Rachel owned a side business providing behavior therapy to children with autism.

Upon moving to Ohio, Rachel decided to pivot into a new career field: Learning & Development. Rachel serves an instructional designer and consultant for Radcom. She is also the founder of Thrive by Design Consulting, LLC where she provides instructional design, performance analysis and improvement, and coaching services to businesses and individuals. Combining her background in education, training, coaching, and behavior analysis, Rachel’s mission is to help individuals and businesses THRIVE through improved performance and development.

Rachel has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Mass Communication from the University of North Florida. Her Master’s degree, earned at the University of West Florida, is in Educational Leadership and Applied Behavior Analysis. More recently, Rachel has completed graduate coursework and certifications in Organizational Psychology, human resource management, and Performance Thinking©. Always looking for opportunities to grow and better serve her clients, Rachel is currently pursuing coaching certification through Case Western Reserve University.

Rachel resides in Medina with her husband, Christian, and four sons. In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading, hiking, and traveling. She’s an active volunteer with her local Boy Scout troop and the Great Trail Council.

SETH LAMP

Seth Lamp is the Manager of Talent Pipeline Programs at Swagelok in Solon, Ohio, where he leads initiatives to source diverse talent from universities, high schools, technical schools, and veteran pipelines. After transitioning from active duty in the U.S. Army, Seth has developed a passion for guiding others through their job searches and supporting career transitions.

During his seven-year Army career, Seth held multiple leadership roles, including Intelligence Officer-in-Charge, Recruiting Executive and Operations Officer, and Deputy Program Manager. In his final position, he commanded the Army’s largest intelligence company, overseeing more than 200 soldiers. His expertise spans project management, partnership building, talent acquisition, and talent management.

A native of Canton, Ohio, Seth holds an MBA from Herzing University and a Bachelor of Arts from The Ohio State University. He now resides in Cleveland with his wife, Janine.

CHRISTOPHER GENTRY

Christopher Gentry serves on the Advisory Board of North Coast Job Seekers and is one of our skilled resume reviewers and LinkedIn experts. Job seekers value his insight and feedback on their own LinkedIn profiles, activity, and presence, and his guidance and strategies for using this essential online tool. Christopher is also a skilled resume reviewer and practices mock-interviews with job seekers.

Professionally Christopher owns Assisting Hands which offers personalized, non-medical support services that help elderly, disabled, and other individuals maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life, regardless of where they call home—whether it's an apartment, house, assisted living facility or hospital.

He generously shares many skills and experiences he has learned in his career journey through multiple companies and industries. He is a frequent contributor to the NCJS LinkedIn Group adding career and job seeking insights, skills, and resources.

PAUL DIPRONIO, Moderator

Paul DiPronio is a seasoned Operations Management Consultant and Fractional CFO, with FocusCEO. He has a proven track record of helping executives in small and mid-sized companies achieve outstanding results. He excels in driving transformative change through process optimization, productivity enhancements, and innovation. His focus is on reducing costs, accelerating revenue growth, and improving profitability.

Paul's approach is collaborative, working closely with teams to craft tailored solutions that address specific business challenges, ensuring sustainable success and competitive advantage. His expertise spans industries including distribution, office operations, and more. 

Prior to consulting, Paul led operations at ComDoc, A Xerox Company. He also ran large health care, food and environmental service departments, for Sodexo.

Paul holds an MBA, from Bentley University, in Waltham, MA, and a Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, degree from Suffolk University, in Boston, MA. 

Monday, February 24, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Building Relationships to Help Your Job Search

Speaker: Erin Johnson

Erin Johnson will lead us through a presentation on how to leverage networking and relationship marketing tactics to enhance your job seeking efforts.

Erin is a real estate agent with eXp Realty and Board President of the Copley Chamber. She is on a mission to be Ohio's most resourceful Realtor, dedicated to empowering individuals to navigate the real estate market and lead their best lives in the outstanding state of Ohio. Her expertise lies in serving clients in the areas of Copley, Fairlawn, Bath and surrounding suburbs including Medina. She also runs a local Facebook Group called Outstanding Ohio. Learn more by visiting Erin’s website at OutstandingOhio.com or by joining her Outstanding Ohio Facebook group. Erin lived in Medina for 11 years before moving to Fairlawn in 2014, where she lives with her husband and two teenage daughters. When she's not selling houses or watching her daughters play volleyball, she likes to read, craft and travel. .

Monday, March 24, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Happiness @TheSpeedofLife:

Five Tips for Nurturing Resilience During Your Search and Beyond
Speaker: Jim Smith

The idea of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) is decades old concept to describe the world, which is now a living VUCA laboratory! This talk will provide you foundational principles for living and leading a happier, more balanced life during your crazy, unsettling job search! You will leave with five specific actions you can practice to improve the strength of your “positive emotional muscles” and increase your experience of happiness in life, work, and pursuing work.

You will also learn how much control you really have over your attitude, even in the worst of times. Why is this important to you? Hey, happier people make better partners, parents, and friends, as well as better leaders and job candidates. It starts with you!

Jim Smith is The Executive Happiness Coach®, a global executive coach, author, international speaker, and troublemaker.  His passion is to create a Happier world and workplace, one Leader at a time.

Jim has coached leaders from 40 countries and six continents to better balance their lives, boost their confidence and executive presence, and build more positive workplace cultures.

AND before Jim got all global and awesome and stuff, he was laid off four times from various corporate positions before he decided to become a freelancer. One of his gigs was running an outplacement center, and he estimates he’s written or edited over 1800 resumes in his career, including several of his own.

Jim is known for his generosity in supporting others on their path. He lives in a multi-generational home filled with love, sharing, unending challenges, and great food.

Finally, Jim wants you to know this: he dances a little every day, he worships the Forces of Darkness (Dark beer, Dark Coffee, and Dark Chocolate) and deeply believes that Happiness is a Decision, not an Event!

Monday, April 28, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

How to Use AI to Help You Land Your Dream Job

Speaker: Jeff Trattner

Jeff Trattner is a business-to-business marketing executive.  He leverages career disruptions as learning opportunities to develop job search techniques. He excels in securing challenging roles and now helps others navigate the job market. Jeff holds a BS in Journalism from Ohio University and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He is an operating advisor at Ronin Equity Partners and principal advisor at Construct Advisory, a commercial growth consultancy assisting building materials manufacturers achieve above-market results.

Monday, May 12, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH?

Using & Interpreting the Trimetrix DNA Instrument

Speaker & Facilitator: Jim Folger

This extraordinary opportunity is NOT-TO-BE-MISSED!

Thanks to Jim Folger and Target Training International,

this $399 instrument is offered to NCJS members for FREE.

Registration is required for this event
and will open on Thursday, April 10

Registration details follow the meeting description below

Jim Folger has been using behavioral sciences to help clients make better hiring decisions by aligning the right people with the right jobs for almost 2 decades.  In Jim’s volunteer work with job seekers he has also used these tools to help job seekers understand whether they are pursuing the right jobs.

TRIMETRIX DNA ASSESSMENT

Prior to the meeting, you will be given an opportunity to take a self assessment tool to provide insights into your behavioral style, the things that motivate you, and the development levels of 25 soft skills that the instrument looks at.  Jim has arranged for NCJS members to receive and use this instrument at no cost (it ordinarily costs $399 per individual).  In a group presentation Jim will give an overview of how these relate to our jobs.

In this session you will:

• Receive a FREE online instrument utilizing 3 sciences:  Behaviors, Motivations, and Skills (a $399 value).

• Gain a better understanding of yourself, how you interact with others, why you do what you do, and how your behaviors, motivations, and skills  align with your career.

• Understand how to read others and adapt your style to improve communication effectiveness.

​Jim Folger is a recruiter, and the President of OneSource Technical, Inc., a national search firm that partners with small to medium sized companies to help them recruit for a broad range of professional positions.  Jim is an Engineer with 2 decades of industry experience in Engineering, management, and customer facing roles prior to founding OneSource Technical.

Jim’s background as a hiring manager and as a recruiter provides a unique perspective that encompasses both sides of the hiring desk.  Jim can be a valuable resource to reach out to should you be at a crossroad in your career and need to brainstorm ideas.  Job seekers are also welcome to Search Jobs in the company’s network of nearly 1.000 recruiters.

**REGISTRATION INFORMATION**

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS NCJS PROGRAM

You must register in order for you to complete the Trimetrix DNA Instrument and receive your individual results.
 

REGISTRATION IS A 3-STEP PROCESS:

1. Click the REGISTRATION button below
2. Complete and submit the simple registration form
3. Watch your email inbox for Jim Folger to contact you with a link to the online instrument
 

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ

Your registration is a commitment to use the instrument and attend the May 12, 2025 NCJS meeting. The Trimetrix instrument itself is a $399 value that is offered to NCJS participants for free. Please take this commitment seriously as space is limited, the instrument is costly, and Jim's effort and expertise are priceless.

Registration Opens on April 10 and Closes at Noon on May 12

Monday, June 23, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

LinkedIn 101

Speaker: Christopher Gentry

Join us for an overview of areas on LinkedIn job seekers should have set-up on LinkedIn (instead of their resume). Topics to be discussed will be basic LinkedIn set-up activities for new users, Security and Privacy settings, and ensuring your LinkedIn is ready for the job search. Come with your questions as this will be a great opportunity to network and learn next-level details about LinkedIn.

Christopher Gentry is one of NCJS' skilled resume reviewers and LinkedIn experts. Job seekers value his insight and feedback on their own LinkedIn profiles, activity, and presence, and his guidance and strategies for using this essential online tool. Christopher is also a skilled resume reviewer and practices mock-interviews with job seekers. Professionally he owns Assisting Hands which offers personalized, non-medical support services that help elderly, disabled, and other individuals maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life, regardless of where they call home—whether it's an apartment, house, assisted living facility or hospital.. He generously shares many skills and experiences he has learned in his career journey through multiple companies and industries. He is a frequent contributor to the NCJS LinkedIn Group adding career and job seeking insights, skills, and resources. Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn and join him in the NCJS LinkedIn Group..

Monday, July 28, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

How to Use LinkedIn for Job Search

Speaker: Katherine Burik

You might know that LinkedIn is an important job search tool, but do you know what to do with it? Is it enough to have a nice-looking profile? Are we restricted to talking to people we already know or can we reach out to people we don’t know yet? How do we do that? What makes someone else want to talk to me?

Every job seeker struggles with these questions. The answer is closer and easier than you think! You can make a huge impact on your job search by being curious and active on LinkedIn. 

Learn to use LinkedIn more effectively to move your job search forward with this informative and interactive workshop, Be a LinkedIn Job Search Pro! Join Katherine Burik, The Interview Doctor, to learn four strategic techniques. 

KATHERINE BURIK is the founder of The Interview Doctor, Inc.^® offering fast action remedies to help you find your ideal job. Her coaching techniques come directly from her personal experience as a business leader organizing her own job searches, creating a better way to interview, and figuring out how to “network” as a shy person to get ahead in her career.

Monday, August 25, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Rethink the Résumé: Strategies That Open Doors

Speaker: Annette Garsteck

Your résumé is more than a list of responsibilities—it’s your proof of impact. In today’s competitive market, simply having a résumé isn’t enough. It needs to leave a strong first impression, showcase what makes you the right choice, and open the door to interviews.

During this session, career coach and former Fortune 50 hiring manager Annette Garsteck reveals what actually works to stand out: how to craft a results-driven résumé, utilize AI as your behind-the-scenes content assistant to tailor each version, and go beyond job boards and the Easy Apply button by tapping into the power of your network.

If you’re ready to stop being overlooked and start being remembered, Rethink the Résumé is your first step.

ANNETTE GARSTECK empowers professionals, especially women, to reinvent their careers, rediscover their purpose, and redefine career success on their own terms. A Certified Senior Professional Career Coach, Certified Résumé Writer, and former Fortune 50 hiring leader, Annette brings insider expertise and a transformational coaching approach to every client she serves.

Since leaving Corporate America and founding Annette Garsteck Career Consulting, she has helped hundreds of clients advance, pivot, and confidently own their career stories. Annette is the author of Own Your Career: Take Control + Accelerate Your Professional Growth, co-host of Exposing the Hidden Reality, and a passionate advocate for women navigating both career successes and challenges. Her insights have been featured in outlets such as SUCCESS Magazine, Fast Company, and the BBC.

Today, Annette speaks, writes, and coaches to ignite career reinvention and to inspire and empower professionals to navigate their next chapter with confidence, courage, and conviction. Annette's LinkedIn page: Annette Garsteck

Monday, September 8, 2025

7:30 – 9:00pm ET
North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

In-Person Networking Event

A Unique Opportunity to Practice and Improve Networking Skills

In-Person Gathering will be at

Sandler Training by MP Solutions

Spectrum Office Building

6060 Rockside Woods Blvd N #105

Independence, OH

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming North Coast Job Seekers In-Person Networking Event! This is a unique opportunity to meet with fellow job seekers, practice your elevator pitch, and get personalized feedback from our experienced advisory board members—all in a welcoming, supportive environment. A few skill-building highlights:

• Elevator Speech Practice: Hone your pitch and gain the confidence to introduce yourself effectively in any professional setting.
• Advisor Insights: Work one-on-one with members of our advisory board who will provide expert advice and guidance on improving your job search strategy.
• Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with other professionals who are also navigating the job market.

Whether you're actively seeking a new position or simply want to enhance your professional networking skills, this event is for you! Don’t miss out on the chance to gain valuable insights and elevate your job search game.

[There will be no Zoom meeting with this event]

Monday, September 22, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Elevate Your Interview Skills:
Strategies for Success

Speaker: Kristen McLaughlin

Do you feel confident walking into an interview? Join this session to learn strategies for interviewing success to help showcase you as your best self professionally, stand out against the competition and land the offer.

Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of how to:

• Prepare for an interview effectively
• Answer commonly asked interview questions, including the 3 most challenging questions
• Clearly articulate your unique value in the interview

KRISTEN MCLAUGHLIN

Founder, KM Career Coaching & Consulting

Kristen McLaughlin works with accomplished professionals who are looking to advance and accelerate in their careers. As a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, she is passionate about working with clients to uncover their strengths. Whether clients are seeking a career pivot or to advance in their current field, Kristen enjoys working with clients to help them find fulfillment in their careers.

Clients from a variety of industries and levels of their career have seen success in working with Kristen. Her unique experience in working with a variety of companies over the past 15+ years in external partnership roles provides her with an understanding of the challenges facing professionals today.

Born and raised in Cleveland, OH, Kristen earned her Executive Coaching Certificate from Case Western Reserve University and is a Board Certified Coach (BCC). She earned an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and Bachelor of Business Administration degree from John Carroll University.

Kristen is a member of several professional organizations, including Career Thought Leaders, International Coach Federation - Cleveland Chapter and Women United – United Way of Lake County.

Kristen's LinkedIn page: Kristen McLaughlin

Monday, October 27, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

HUMAN RESOURCES PANEL

Q&A with HR Experts

Panelists: Kevin Doherty, Steve Melfi, Susan Osciak

This NCJS presentation will be a conversation with a panel of HR leaders.  Topics will include:

• Their BEST TIPS for the job search process.
• What is the best way to get noticed when going after a posted opening?
• Is there more I should be doing? Will my phone calls and emails help or hurt during the process? How much is too much?
• What is the best piece of advice an HR professional could share with you to make your search more effective?
• What burning question do you have that an HR professional could answer?

The panel of HR professionals with unique experiences in diverse organizations will share their job search insights and do their best to answer your important questions. Click the button below to find out more about our outstanding panelists.

Monday, November 24, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

The Five Stages of Letting Go

Speaker: Bridgette Carey

In this deeply personal presentation, Bridgette shares the emotional reality of losing a job. It’s a raw reflection on how rejection can lead to redirection, and how even in endings, there’s room for growth and grace.

BRIDGETTE CAREY is a marketing strategist, writer, and host of the Bountiful Bridge podcast, where she explores life’s transitions with honesty, heart, and a touch of humor. Drawing from years of leadership in brand marketing and her passion for storytelling, Bridgette helps others navigate change and rediscover purpose in both work and life. She’s also the author of The Glass House, a heartfelt novel about love, loss, and finding your way home along the Oregon coast.

Monday, December 8, 2025

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

North Coast Job Seekers Meeting

Make the Holidays the Best Time for Job Search

Speaker: Mark Gonska

70% of Job Seekers think no one gets hired between Thanksgiving and New Years
FALSE
Everyone is too busy for networking during the Holidays
FALSE
All the important people are on vacation
FALSE
If most of the other job seekers have gone into hibernation... YOU should too. 
DEFINITELY FALSE

Events, family gatherings, and holiday parties can actually yield job offers. Learn how a robust networking plan can fit while wearing your Christmas tie. Gonska has a super-secret hack on overcoming unemployment embarrassment in the HO, HO, HO.

MARK GONSKA is an Executive Coach who has assisted thousands of individuals in career acceleration. Mark is the career accelerator who loves to demystify “what do I really want to do next?” and “how do I move forward in my career?” His unmatched relationships with clients and candidates are built on candor and commitment to address problems head-on and solve them. He’s action-oriented in all roles: teacher, mentor, and coach.

Mark’s personal trainer approach to coaching: “You can have excuses or results, not both.” He is living proof you can create a great new chapter in your career.
 
Passionate about strategic coaching, he has helped clients advance, obtain new positions, and explore other career or entrepreneurial options. Mark is recognized as a master coach on leadership development. He has substantial experience with group projects—throughout the United States. Mark brings a significant network of contacts from business, industry and not-for-profit organizations. His background includes international marketing and product management positions in a Fortune 200 corporation, participating in the successful start-up and development of a technology-based company. He holds a BA in Communications from Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and has completed additional human resources study at Baldwin-Wallace College (Ohio). Mark is certified in several assessment protocols.
 
Mark has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the local Society for Human Resource Management. In addition to being a nationally certified professional resume writer, he contributed to the book, The Five O’Clock Club Guide to Building a Great Resume. He has presented hundreds of webinars, podcasts, and public addresses. Mark hosts a weekly television show, “Job Hunt Cleveland.”

2024 Meetings & Topics

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