SCROLL DOWN TO THE DESIRED DATE

Monday, December 8 | 10:30 AM – Virtual Meeting

Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey (PSGCNJ)

Speaker: Pat Romboletti

Topic:  The Blind Spots That Are Slowing Your Momentum

Registration Here

Overview: Join Pat to learn more about clarity blind spots that are invisible to you but glaringly obvious to others. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the majority of professionals who think they’re being clear actually aren’t. In fact, the more experienced and accomplished you are, the more likely you are to have clarity blind spots. You can’t fix what you can’t see! If you’ve ever wondered why your career conversations in networking and interviews aren’t converting to the results you expect, this session will give you the answer. And once you see these blind spots, you can’t unsee them. Patricia is an author, TEDx speaker, and creator of the 4-Step Bulletproof Your Career Methodology which she has used to coach over 1,000 executives globally. Every day, Pat helps her clients turn endless activity into meaningful progress. She coaches them to master the right moves for their current search – and build career insurance for life.

December 8 – 6-9 p.m.                                         

Join Us For “Professional Critique” and “All Networking Evening” – December 8 – 6-9 p.m.

Please Join Us:

 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. (CST)

In Person:

Holy Archangels Parish Ministry Center

729 Grand Canyon

Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169

We will have an “All Networking Meeting”, where you can meet and network with other job seekers. 

Meet and connect with Phil Ferenzi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipferenzi), who can provide referrals and introductions to his extensive professional network, and the Holy Archangels Parish Job & Networking Ministry Core Team, including Tiffany Kochanski (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanykochanski), who will provide free job and additional networking resources.

Bring plenty of handbills or resumes and be prepared to present through a dynamic elevator speech with target companies in mind.

There will be…

More personalized interview tips

More personalized resume advice

More personalized networking opportunities

Learn about our free job board (https://groups.io/g/StHubertJobMinistry/join) and our free job crate, with the latest job listings from LinkedIn.

*For More Information*:

Contact Us:

Email: sainthubertjobministry@…

Phone: (708) 232-6535

*What Future Presentations Would You Like To See?*

https://tinyurl.com/46bkf39r

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Monday, December 8, 2025 at 7:30pm. Save the Date: Our next Church of the Presentation Career Session.

Our last session of 2025!

This is Q&A and Group Discussion: Bring your Career and Job Search Updates and Questions!

This will be at the church in the Jerusalem Room.  

 Our experienced volunteers are there to provide:
– Support with networking and contacts, resumes, interviews, job-related social media, AI tools, etc.
– One-on-one follow-up time for assistance.
All are welcome. You need not have specific questions to attend this session!! …you will be hearing a lot of great tips and meeting others too.
If you wish to join our Career Management network, or have questions at any time, just email presentation.cmm@gmail.com with your name and a brief introduction and we will be happy to assist.

 If you are experienced and would like to contribute some time to work with us as a volunteer, please contact us at that same email and let us know.  Volunteers are always appreciated!

Tuesday, December 9^th,6:00pm to 7:30pm, Northern Fairfield Professionals (NFP) meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month and we usually have a guest speaker to discuss a topic of interest for business professionals.

To receive an NFP Evite email and other information on upcoming NFP meetings, please email  johnbarryitech@gmail.com.

Our next Northern Fairfield Professionals (NFP) meeting is on Tuesday, December 9^th   via zoom.

•       Speaker presentation is from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
•       Virtual meeting via zoom is Tuesday, December 9^th .  
•       New Zoom link is below.  

 Speaker: Sean Haggerty

Topic:  Employee to Entrepreneur through Franchising

The topic of discussion is centered around business ownership as an option to the traditional job career. The speaker’s presentation is from an educational perspective. 

Note the new zoom link for the NFP meetings

VIRTUAL Zoom Meeting

John Barry is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 874 8905 7200
Passcode: 570610

One tap mobile
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Tuesday, December 9, 2025 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM (EDT) 

The Tuesday evening NJ JobSeekers group, normally at Trinity Church in Princeton, is moving online for the time being.  We will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays, each month.

Web site:     https://sites.google.com/site/njjobseekers/home

Tuesday meeting permalink:     https://sites.google.com/site/njjobseekers/hot-link-to-this-weeks-online-meeting

December 12, PSG Mercer County

Plainsboro Public Library

Madeleine Elmgren

Job Search in the AI Era

Saturday December 13^th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: “Money Saving Strategies During a Career Transition” by Bill LaChance. This presentation will cover a number of strategies to consider to help with cash flow during a career transition.  The focus will be on those strategies that may not be well known or understood.  Topics will include Medical Insurance through the Affordable Care Act, strategies to take advantage of shifting marginal tax rates during a transition including impact of new tax laws, and advantages/disadvantages of 401k/403b rollovers.

 Bill LaChance is an independent financial advisor.  His firm offers a unique flat fee program that combines financial planning, portfolio guidance, tax planning and tax preparation. Prior to launching his financial planning practice, Bill spent twenty-two years in corporate finance in the retail industry and before that was a CPA with a large accounting firm.  Bill has a B.S. in Accounting from Bryant University and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University. Bill is a Certified Financial Planner as well as an Enrolled Agent authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

About the Meeting:

•         Meeting Date & Time: December 13, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

•         Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
•         Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
•         Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

 Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

•       Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
  Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
    There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

Wednesday, December 31, Job Seekers of Montclair

Our next meeting is in person: Dealing with Road Blocks and Setting Goals. You don’t want to miss this workshop next Wednesday, December 3!

You can always find out information about meetings and other helpful information from our website,https://jobseekersofmontclair.org.

Also, if you would like to give back to the community and add experience to your resume, volunteer for Job Seekers of Montclair. Reply to Rachael@jobseekersofmontclair.org for details.

2026 Transition Support Meetings     

Wed Jan 7th, 6:00-8:30pm CT $25.00 Zoom Meeting on ENHANCING YOUR RESUME & LINKEDIN PROFILE plus a Round of Networking & access to a presentation recording. Click here to register. If you have any problems with your password or registering for this event, just email mgilbert@nsenginc.comimmediately.  

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST via zoom – Ask Charlotte Anything

This will be an open Q&A session exploring job search, networking, and all other career related topics with Charlotte A. Lee, Executive Coach and Founder of Lee Work Wise. Charlotte is passionate about providing empathetic and effective truth-talk to bring out the best in her clients. 2026 is right around the corner, and we would like to get you ready for one of your best career years ever!

• Considering a career pivot and not sure where to start?
• Curious about what’s happening in today’s job market?
• Wondering how to enhance your network?
• Thinking about how to shift your search tactics?
• Unsure how to stand out in a crowded executive talent pool?
• Looking to demystify the hidden job market?

With over 40 years of business experience, Charlotte will share her insights and perspective to enhance your career experience and trajectory.

As an Executive Coach, Charlotte coaches senior leaders and board members on personal branding, career strategies, communications, and executive presence. Prior to founding her own firm in 2022, she was the Senior Vice President, Managing Consultant, and International Center for Executive Options (ICEO) Advisor in the New York office of Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH). At LHH, she led the consultant teams in the New York and Stamford offices, as well as coaching thousands of senior executives through career transitions in financial services, consumer products, legal, telecom, media, and professional services. 

For additional information about Charlotte and her practice, visit her website at www.leeworkwise.net, see her five star book on Amazon, Bring a Dead Mouse: The Secret to Finding Your Perfect Job, and peruse her LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/charlottealee.

Register here: https://www.zoom.us/meeting/register/0icIoPiwSfOuBwANEi8rWQ#/registration

Additional Resources

My Networking Central provides continually updated information in one location to make your networking journey easier whether you’re looking for a job, for a networking group or a speaker for your event.

https://www.mynetworkingcentral.com/networking-groups-events/

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The Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center in Somerville is hosting a series of Jersey Job Club Workshops in November and December. These 18 workshops, each 90 minutes long and led by a state Employment Services Career coach, will focus on resumes and coversheets, networks, and interviewing – topics our job seekers say they need. These topics also align with feedback from businesses which participated in our past job fair events. The workshops will be virtual, through Zoom, but a limited number of seats are available for in-person attendance at the One-Stop Career Center in Somerville. More information can be found on the GRWDB website homepage and calendar page and the mobile platform, as well as the attached flyer and registration form. Please help spread the word about this great service – and congratulation to ES Manager Jeanetta Muhammad who has been working hard to get this service relaunched.

Rich Pettus

www.linkedin.com/in/RichPettus

347.688.4355

Recurring Meetings

When: Weekly, Sundays from 9:00 – 9:30 am

What: Keeppace with George Pace – What you should know about the latest IT and AI

Where: Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/keeppace

More Information: Leading Technology speaker, Researcher / IT strategist /Enterprise Architecture / Cloud / Open Source / Kubernetes / Microservices / Docker / DevOps / Video / Social Networking / Application Rationalization

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeppace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keeppace

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keeppace

Do you find it hard to “Keep Pace” with the never-ending stream of AI articles you encounter daily?  Wouldn’t it be nice to get professional insight into those topics, so you can be prepared for how AI will impact YOU and YOUR CAREER?

That is the driver behind my weekly LIVE Webinar (30 Minutes EVERY Sunday at 9AM EST), where George provides his insights to interesting AI advances AND the changes it will drive.

When: Weekly, Mondays from 9:00 – 10:30 am

What: The Ramsey Job Search

Where: Please contact Beth Berkenfeld at bberk2@optonline.net or 201-797-4342 if interested in joining the group.

More Information: Work Team meets every Monday morning. Networking starts from 9 to 9:30am and the meeting starts at 9:30 to 10:30 while virtual.  Members hold each other accountable at weekly (virtual) meetings for conducting a job search in earnest. Historically, the team has enjoyed a very high rate of “landings” by those conducting an active and vigorous job search.

Based on the Lee-Hecht-Harrison model, it’s more of a project management team made up of people committed to helping each other in the job search. By attending regularly and staying focused on key tasks, meetings serve as an advisory panel that knows you and your search and can offer answers to the questions that come up in job hunting.

Help others to help you (especially for the first few meetings) by having a prepared “elevator pitch” to introduce yourself. Jobs open up because there’s a problem to solve or a need to fill.

When: WNO meets once a month, on the third Monday of the month.

What: The Westchester Networking Organization (WNO)

Where: virtual

WNO.weebly.com

More Information: The Westchester Networking Organization (WNO) is a community supportive of those who are in career transition. We provide a safe environment in which to network across industries, fields and organizations. Members share best practices, experiences and job opportunities. The WNO hosts meetings featuring presentations by thought leaders in relevant topics. WNO members are committed to assisting one another. WNO activities are coordinated by a committee of member volunteers. To volunteer, contact us.

Contact wno1635@gmail.com

When: Weekly, Mondays from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Virtual)

What: Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey (PSGCNJ)

Where: psgcnj.biz → Click “Zoom Meeting Registration Here”. Register by 11 PM Friday and save the emailed link for access.

More Information: Join us Monday mornings for expert speakers, job-hunting insights, and networking with peers.

Special Recurring Sessions:

• 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 12:00 PM – Job Search Q&A with Maya Ollson, founder of Kokopella High Touch Outplacement (30-minute session).
• Every 3rd Monday, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Meditation Session with Coach Victoria Squazzo to energize and refocus through meditative practice.
   Website: psgcnj.biz
     LinkedIn: PSGCNJ LinkedIn Group
     Meetup: PSGCNJ Meetup

When: 2nd Tuesday of every month at  5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m onsite and   6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. via zoom. Note: for the December 9, 2025 meeting there is just a zoom meeting no onsite. In January will return to onsite and zoom

What: Northern Fairfield Professionals (NFP)

Where: Knights of Columbus building at Saint Rose Church

46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT. Also via zoom see below.

More Information: The Northern Fairfield Professionals (NFP) is a free networking group that gathers monthly to foster connections and provide valuable resources for career growth. Open to professionals from all industries and career stages, our meetings are designed to help attendees expand their networks and gain the tools they need to advance in their careers. We focus on creating mutually beneficial relationships, where members can share ideas, exchange job leads and strengthen their networking abilities.

We usually have a guest speaker discuss a topic of interest for business professionals. For information on our next topic and speaker, please go to Northern Fairfield Professionals Linkedin group:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/74193/ 

VIRTUAL Zoom Meeting   6:00 – 7:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87489057200?pwd=lbXutepDA6vn4p7Zp6OpQyI0c1a73V.1

Meeting ID: 874 8905 7200

Passcode: 570610

One tap mobile
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When: virtually on alternate Tuesdays from 10-11:30am ET with rare exceptions

What: Career Conversations with Tony

 

Where: Zoom webinars

More Information: we offer a wide variety of highly interesting, informative, and interactive free webinars for those who are un/underemployed, in/considering a career transition. Q & A will follow. Zoom login info will be emailed the day prior to the session and registration officially closes at 8am the day of the session. Check our 2025 calendar for a list of webinar dates, topics, and descriptions:bit.ly/careerconversationswithtony2025. All are welcome, so please encourage folks in your network to join us. To subscribe to our listserv for occasional webinar announcements and reminders (including Zoom login info), volunteer or recommend a thought-leader or topic, or if you have any questions, please email Tony at: tony@absolutetransitions.com. Sessions are typically hosted by Tony Calabrese, founder of Absolute Transitions, LLC and Certified Get Five Career Coach, specializing in job search and career change. He’s certified by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) and integrates career and life coaching in his practice. Tony also works with REA – Partners in Transition, assisting spouses relocating to the NJ / NY area. In 2023, he joined Careerminds as an outplacement coach after Get Five’s acquisition, as well as provides outplacement coaching for the White Hawk Group. Previously, he spent 30 years at Prudential Financial, advancing from Programmer to Director of Financial Systems. Tony lives in Maplewood, NJ with his wife, Carolina.

When: Every Wednesday at 9:30 am

What: PSGMC (Professional Services Group Morris County) Via Zoom Online

Where: email Dale at dfavia@optonline.net for Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

More Information: PSGMC presents a virtual meeting each week.  They provide relevant speakers to help with your job search, as well as provide a forum to networks. If you would like to attend our meetings, please email Dale at dfavia@optonline.net for Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

When: Wednesdays at 7:30 PM

What: Job Seekers of Montclair is a free, job search training and support group open to all.

Where: We meet at the Assembly Hall of St. Luke’s Church on 73 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ and online.

More Information: We have professional speakers on a variety of job search topics including recognizing your accomplishments, developing your resume, networking, interview preparation, and dealing with road blocks.

Meetings and workshops are in person and on Zoom at 7:30 pm. Information about the upcoming meeting can be found on our website, https://jobseekersofmontclair.org. While you are there, you can join our weekly e-mail list where we send announcements of upcoming meetings or helpful information. Just click on Subscribe on the home page. You may also view our schedule and you have access to lots of resources. Our self-help group has been helping people in New Jersey and elsewhere get through the job search process and find new careers for the last forty years. For more information contact us at Richard@jobseekersofmontclair.org

When: Every Friday morning at 10:00 am

What: Professional Service Group (PSG) of Mercer County

Where: Princeton Public Library

More Information: The Professional Service Group (PSG) of Mercer County is a community program providing enrichment seminars for professionals in transition who are seeking new employment opportunities or exploring new career paths.  Meetings are always free, open to all, and do NOT require you to register in advance. Please check the PSG of Mercer County website Event Calendar for upcoming programs:https://www.psgofmercercounty.org/p/event-calendar.html.

All PSG of Mercer County meetings are in-person only without streaming or recording.

No Signup or Registration Required.

Starting in May 2025, PSG of Mercer County will have 2 alternating weekly meeting locations:

• 1st, 3rd and (occasional 5th) Fridays of each month at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ.
• 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at the Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren St, Plainsboro Township, NJ.

  

When: Meets virtually the first and third Saturday of each month at 8:30 AM EST

What: Careers in Transition

Where: Virtual

More Information: Each meeting offers: (1) various speakers and topics related to job search and career development (2) Resume Review.

Read more about us:  https://www.christchurchshorthills.org/careers-in-transition/

Link to sign up: : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3muBCmK-py-OMQH9RI8ne-TTlng6uwhTo ensure the security of our virtual meetings, invitations will be emailed directly only to members who register for the meeting.  Registration will be open until 5PM EST Friday before each meeting.

When: Wednesdays 12-1, 3rd Tuesday of the month

What: Penn State Great Valley Presents  My Career Transitions My Career Transitions

Where: Penn State Great Valley campus in Malvern, PA

More Information:  My Career Transitions has partnered with Penn State Alumni Career Services to offer virtual meetings and in-person networking events.  

 Please join us at our monthly meetings every 3rd Tuesday of the month to gain knowledge to support your career search and transition. Our meetings are virtual, with 3 in-person events a year in the Philadelphia area.

 To review our upcoming schedule of events, you can visit our event page or join our LinkedIn group. 

 With our new partnership with the Penn State Alumni Career Services, our members now have access to the following resources. 

• Job Search Webinars every Wednesday from 12 – 1 pm EST on Resumes, Applicant Tracking Systems, LinkedIn, and Networking.

• Alumni Expert Series is a monthly webinar series on a variety of career-related topics.

• Alumni Career Services Networking Events are offered throughout the year in locations on the East Coast.

• Access to the interview practice tool Interview Prep

 We hope you will continue to join us and spread the word so we can assist other job seekers in their job search journey.

 My Career Transitions: 

A regional program by Penn State Alumni Career Services for Alumni and Community Members. 

                         

When:  2nd Saturday of each month

What: The Breakfast Club NJ.  In Person Meetings

Where: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ

More Information: Fee: $10 cash only (exact change appreciated), will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room

Why: Join one of the premier and longest running networking groups in New Jersey, founded in 2001 to help you with your career search

Website: https://thebreakfastclubnj.com/

Register at: https://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/

 Please share this with other groups you may be in. Join us on Meetup.com at:https://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Join The Breakfast Club NJ where people of all disciplines: IT, Finance & Accounting, Communications, Human Resources get together with a common focus to assist each other in pursuing new employment opportunities, tackling the challenges of their current positions, and providing a support network to and networking with the volunteers and other attendees that may be able to help you.  

The Breakfast Club NJ (TBCNJ) has returned to in person meetings!!! Our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am & end 11:30am (The Library doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in). The presentation will be 930-1030am then facilitated networking 1030-1130am then meeting will conclude but you can follow up on leads in room until noon. The new location is the Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library – address is 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ and Directions can be found at https://ilove.ebpl.org at bottom of home page under hours & directions:https://maps.app.goo.gl/JAudegdMQJX1ktbh8

There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through the library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

Please help us by extending invites to anyone you know who is in transition. We will be collecting $10 Cash per attendee (exact change is appreciated) at door as we must pay to rent the room and are required to have insurance to use the facility. Looking forward to seeing everyone and welcoming you and the new members. No food or drink is allowed in the library as per library rules.

 RSVP via Meetup – https://www.meetup.com/home/ By RSVPing on Meetup, we can plan to have appropriate seating, and you will be able to contact other meeting attendees, and they will be able to contact you, as well. Additionally, any meeting changes will be sent out to members who register on Meetup. To receive our job listings, and timely job search and career updates, JOIN our pay it forward group atwww.thebreakfastclubnj.com.

When: On Demand – see below

What: Neighbors-helping-Neighbors (NhN)

Where: Go to: www.nhnusa.org

More Information: The has now changed its operating model from virtual meetings, face-to-face meeting to a one-on-one mentor/coach model. Our leaders and others who volunteer and are vetted by founder will offer one on one sessions with our membership information and a large amount of resources for NhNUSA may be found at www.nhnusa.org. There is both a registration for members needing help, along with a registration for applying to be a coach/mentor.  Please feel free to use the free career resources on this site and join their Linked-In group.

Copyright 2025

Monday, December 1 | 10:30 AM – Virtual Meeting

Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey (PSGCNJ)

Speaker: Deb Krawiec

Topic:  Targeted Cover Letters and Thank You Notes

Registration Here

Overview: When read, a well-written cover letter and thank you note can only help you stand out from the rest. In today’s world of work, a cover letter is optional, and you could also ask AI to write your cover letter and thank-you note. However, you must always read through what has been created to ensure accuracy. You must still stay involved in the process! Join Deb to learn what to look for and how to write an effective cover letter and thank you note. Deborah (Deb) Krawiec is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and the founder of Arrow Career Consulting, LLC. She has worked with all levels of employees and brings not only a knowledge of job search strategies but also an understanding of the business world.  Deb worked within the outplacement industry for many years, primarily for the premier outplacement firm Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH), where she last held the position of Vice President/Career Coach. Today she continues to affiliate herself with one of the top outplacement firms, Randstad RiseSmart. With over 20 years of experience, Deb remains passionate about helping others manage the experience of job loss while guiding them through their journey to find their next opportunity.

Thursday, December 4, 2025, 10:00 am to 11:30 am EST

JVS Job-Seekers Virtual Workshop

Using AI to Strengthen Your Resume and Cover Letter

Have you dabbled in using Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT or CoPilot in your job search, or do you shy away from new technology?

Don’t let new technology intimidate you. During this webinar, we are going to make AI your new best friend. We will take a deep dive into using AI platforms to not only improve your resume but also make writing cover letters easier and less time-consuming.

Topics we will cover include:

• Which Artificial Intelligence platforms you should use.
• Suggestions to improve your resume using AI.
• Tips for writing a cover letter and how to customize it for each job application.
• Security of AI – What are the risks?

You will leave with AI prompts and tips as well as a one-page resource document to refer to throughout your job search.

 There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Friday, December 5· 9:45 am – 12:00, PSG Mercer County

Sean Haggerty – Employee to Entrepreneur through Business Ownership- In Princeton

The Princeton Public Library. 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton NJ 08542

Have you ever considered franchising? This presentation will provide overview of what a franchise is and is not, including common myths (Hint: It’s not just food and retail!). It will cover government regulations for franchises.  This program will also show how we consult with our clients to determine if franchise ownership is right and, if so how to research and safely select the right franchise for long-term success.

 

Monday December 8 | 10:30 AM – Virtual Meeting

Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey (PSGCNJ)

Speaker: Pat Romboletti

Topic:  The Blind Spots That Are Slowing Your Momentum

Registration Here

Overview: Join Pat to learn more about clarity blind spots that are invisible to you but glaringly obvious to others. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: the majority of professionals who think they’re being clear actually aren’t. In fact, the more experienced and accomplished you are, the more likely you are to have clarity blind spots. You can’t fix what you can’t see! If you’ve ever wondered why your career conversations in networking and interviews aren’t converting to the results you expect, this session will give you the answer. And once you see these blind spots, you can’t unsee them. Patricia is an author, TEDx speaker, and creator of the 4-Step Bulletproof Your Career Methodology which she has used to coach over 1,000 executives globally. Every day, Pat helps her clients turn endless activity into meaningful progress. She coaches them to master the right moves for their current search – and build career insurance for life.

December 8 – 6-9 p.m.     

Join Us For “Professional Critique” and “All Networking Evening” – December 8 – 6-9 p.m.

Please Join Us:

 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. (CST)

In Person:

Holy Archangels Parish Ministry Center

729 Grand Canyon

Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169

We will have an “All Networking Meeting”, where you can meet and network with other job seekers.

Meet and connect with Phil Ferenzi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillipferenzi), who can provide referrals and introductions to his extensive professional network, and the Holy Archangels Parish Job & Networking Ministry Core Team, including Tiffany Kochanski (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanykochanski), who will provide free job and additional networking resources.

Bring plenty of handbills or resumes and be prepared to present through a dynamic elevator speech with target companies in mind.

There will be…

More personalized interview tips

More personalized resume advice

More personalized networking opportunities

Learn about our free job board (https://groups.io/g/StHubertJobMinistry/join) and our free job crate, with the latest job listings from LinkedIn.

*For More Information*:

Contact Us:

Email: sainthubertjobministry@…

Phone: (708) 232-6535

*What Future Presentations Would You Like To See?*

https://tinyurl.com/46bkf39r

Monday, December 8, 2025 at 7:30pm. Save the Date: Our next Church of the Presentation Career Session.

Our last session of 2025!

This is Q&A and Group Discussion: Bring your Career and Job Search Updates and Questions!

This will be at the church in the Jerusalem Room.

 Our experienced volunteers are there to provide:
– Support with networking and contacts, resumes, interviews, job-related social media, AI tools, etc.
– One-on-one follow-up time for assistance.
All are welcome. You need not have specific questions to attend this session!! …you will be hearing a lot of great tips and meeting others, too.
If you wish to join our Career Management network, or have questions at any time, just email presentation.cmm@gmail.com with your name and a brief introduction, and we will be happy to assist.

 If you are experienced and would like to contribute some time to work with us as a volunteer, please contact us at that same email and let us know.  Volunteers are always appreciated!

December 12, PSG Mercer County

Plainsboro Public Library

Madeleine Elmgren

Job Search in the AI Era

Saturday December 13^th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: “Money Saving Strategies During a Career Transition” by Bill LaChance. This presentation will cover a number of strategies to consider to help with cash flow during a career transition.  The focus will be on those strategies that may not be well known or understood.  Topics will include Medical Insurance through the Affordable Care Act, strategies to take advantage of shifting marginal tax rates during a transition including impact of new tax laws, and advantages/disadvantages of 401k/403b rollovers.

 Bill LaChance is an independent financial advisor.  His firm offers a unique flat fee program that combines financial planning, portfolio guidance, tax planning and tax preparation. Prior to launching his financial planning practice, Bill spent twenty-two years in corporate finance in the retail industry and before that was a CPA with a large accounting firm.  Bill has a B.S. in Accounting from Bryant University and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University. Bill is a Certified Financial Planner as well as an Enrolled Agent authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

About the Meeting:

•         Meeting Date & Time: December 13, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

•         Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
•         Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
•         Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

 Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

•       Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
  Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
  There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

Wednesday, December 31, Job Seekers of Montclair

Our next meeting is in person: Dealing with Road Blocks and Setting Goals. You don’t want to miss this workshop next Wednesday, December 3!

You can always find out information about meetings and other helpful information from our website,https://jobseekersofmontclair.org.

Also, if you would like to give back to the community and add experience to your resume, volunteer for Job Seekers of Montclair. Reply to Rachael@jobseekersofmontclair.org for details.

2026 Transition Support Meetings      

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST via zoom – Ask Charlotte Anything

This will be an open Q&A session exploring job search, networking, and all other career related topics with Charlotte A. Lee, Executive Coach and Founder of Lee Work Wise. Charlotte is passionate about providing empathetic and effective truth-talk to bring out the best in her clients. 2026 is right around the corner, and we would like to get you ready for one of your best career years ever!

• Considering a career pivot and not sure where to start?
• Curious about what’s happening in today’s job market?
• Wondering how to enhance your network?
• Thinking about how to shift your search tactics?
• Unsure how to stand out in a crowded executive talent pool?
• Looking to demystify the hidden job market?

With over 40 years of business experience, Charlotte will share her insights and perspective to enhance your career experience and trajectory.

As an Executive Coach, Charlotte coaches senior leaders and board members on personal branding, career strategies, communications, and executive presence. Prior to founding her own firm in 2022, she was the Senior Vice President, Managing Consultant, and International Center for Executive Options (ICEO) Advisor in the New York office of Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH). At LHH, she led the consultant teams in the New York and Stamford offices, as well as coaching thousands of senior executives through career transitions in financial services, consumer products, legal, telecom, media, and professional services.

For additional information about Charlotte and her practice, visit her website at www.leeworkwise.net, see her five star book on Amazon, Bring a Dead Mouse: The Secret to Finding Your Perfect Job, and peruse her LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/charlottealee.

Register here: https://www.zoom.us/meeting/register/0icIoPiwSfOuBwANEi8rWQ#/registration

Additional Resources

My Networking Central provides continually updated information in one location to make your networking journey easier whether you’re looking for a job, for a networking group or a speaker for your event.

https://www.mynetworkingcentral.com/networking-groups-events/

 —————————————————————————————————————-

The Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center in Somerville is hosting a series of Jersey Job Club Workshops in November and December. These 18 workshops, each 90 minutes long and led by a state Employment Services Career coach, will focus on resumes and coversheets, networks, and interviewing – topics our job seekers say they need. These topics also align with feedback from businesses which participated in our past job fair events. The workshops will be virtual, through Zoom, but a limited number of seats are available for in-person attendance at the One-Stop Career Center in Somerville. More information can be found on the GRWDB website homepage and calendar page and the mobile platform, as well as the attached flyer and registration form. Please help spread the word about this great service – and congratulation to ES Manager Jeanetta Muhammad who has been working hard to get this service relaunched.

Rich Pettus

www.linkedin.com/in/RichPettus

347.688.4355

Recurring Meetings

When: Weekly, Sundays from 9:00 – 9:30 am

What: Keeppace with George Pace – What you should know about the latest IT and AI

Where: Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/keeppace

More Information: Leading Technology speaker, Researcher / IT strategist /Enterprise Architecture / Cloud / Open Source / Kubernetes / Microservices / Docker / DevOps / Video / Social Networking / Application Rationalization

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeppace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keeppace

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@keeppace

Do you find it hard to “Keep Pace” with the never-ending stream of AI articles you encounter daily?  Wouldn’t it be nice to get professional insight into those topics, so you can be prepared for how AI will impact YOU and YOUR CAREER?

That is the driver behind my weekly LIVE Webinar (30 Minutes EVERY Sunday at 9AM EST), where George provides his insights to interesting AI advances AND the changes it will drive.

When: Weekly, Mondays from 9:00 – 10:30 am

What: The Ramsey Job Search

Where: Please get in touch with Beth Berkenfeld at bberk2@optonline.net or 201-797-4342 if interested in joining the group.

More Information: Work Team meets every Monday morning. Networking starts from 9 to 9:30 am and the meeting starts at 9:30 to 10:30 while virtual.  Members hold each other accountable at weekly (virtual) meetings for conducting a job search in earnest. Historically, the team has enjoyed a very high rate of “landings” by those conducting an active and vigorous job search.

Based on the Lee-Hecht-Harrison model, it’s more of a project management team made up of people committed to helping each other in the job search. By attending regularly and staying focused on key tasks, meetings serve as an advisory panel that knows you and your search and can offer answers to the questions that come up in job hunting.

Help others to help you (especially for the first few meetings) by having a prepared “elevator pitch” to introduce yourself. Jobs open up because there’s a problem to solve or a need to fill.

When: WNO meets once a month, on the third Monday of the month.

What: The Westchester Networking Organization (WNO)

Where: virtual

WNO.weebly.com

More Information: The Westchester Networking Organization (WNO) is a community supportive of those who are in career transition. We provide a safe environment in which to network across industries, fields and organizations. Members share best practices, experiences and job opportunities. The WNO hosts meetings featuring presentations by thought leaders in relevant topics. WNO members are committed to assisting one another. WNO activities are coordinated by a committee of member volunteers. To volunteer, contact us.

Contact wno1635@gmail.com

When: Weekly, Mondays from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Virtual)

What: Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey (PSGCNJ)

Where: psgcnj.biz → Click “Zoom Meeting Registration Here”. Register by 11 PM Friday and save the emailed link for access.

More Information: Join us Monday mornings for expert speakers, job-hunting insights, and networking with peers.

Special Recurring Sessions:

• 2nd & 4th Mondays @ 12:00 PM – Job Search Q&A with Maya Ollson, founder of Kokopella High Touch Outplacement (30-minute session).
• Every 3rd Monday, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM – Meditation Session with Coach Victoria Squazzo to energize and refocus through meditative practice.
  Website: psgcnj.biz
     LinkedIn: PSGCNJ LinkedIn Group
     Meetup: PSGCNJ Meetup

When: 2nd Tuesday of every month at  5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m onsite and   6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. via zoom. Note: for the December 9, 2025 meeting there is just a zoom meeting no onsite. In January will return to onsite and zoom

What: Northern Fairfield Professionals (NFP)

Where: Knights of Columbus building at Saint Rose Church

46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT. Also via zoom see below.

More Information: The Northern Fairfield Professionals (NFP) is a free networking group that gathers monthly to foster connections and provide valuable resources for career growth. Open to professionals from all industries and career stages, our meetings are designed to help attendees expand their networks and gain the tools they need to advance in their careers. We focus on creating mutually beneficial relationships, where members can share ideas, exchange job leads and strengthen their networking abilities.

We usually have a guest speaker discuss a topic of interest for business professionals. For information on our next topic and speaker, please go to Northern Fairfield Professionals Linkedin group:https://www.linkedin.com/groups/74193/

VIRTUAL Zoom Meeting   6:00 – 7:30 pm

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87489057200?pwd=lbXutepDA6vn4p7Zp6OpQyI0c1a73V.1

Meeting ID: 874 8905 7200

Passcode: 570610

One tap mobile
+16469313860,,87489057200#,,,,*570610# US
+19292056099,,87489057200#,,,,*570610# US (New York)

When: virtually on alternate Tuesdays from 10-11:30am ET with rare exceptions

What: Career Conversations with Tony

 

Where: Zoom webinars

More Information: we offer a wide variety of highly interesting, informative, and interactive free webinars for those who are un/underemployed, in/considering a career transition. Q & A will follow. Zoom login info will be emailed the day prior to the session and registration officially closes at 8am the day of the session. Check our 2025 calendar for a list of webinar dates, topics, and descriptions:bit.ly/careerconversationswithtony2025. All are welcome, so please encourage folks in your network to join us. To subscribe to our listserv for occasional webinar announcements and reminders (including Zoom login info), volunteer or recommend a thought-leader or topic, or if you have any questions, please email Tony at: tony@absolutetransitions.com. Sessions are typically hosted by Tony Calabrese, founder of Absolute Transitions, LLC and Certified Get Five Career Coach, specializing in job search and career change. He’s certified by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) and integrates career and life coaching in his practice. Tony also works with REA – Partners in Transition, assisting spouses relocating to the NJ / NY area. In 2023, he joined Careerminds as an outplacement coach after Get Five’s acquisition, as well as provides outplacement coaching for the White Hawk Group. Previously, he spent 30 years at Prudential Financial, advancing from Programmer to Director of Financial Systems. Tony lives in Maplewood, NJ with his wife, Carolina.

When: Every Wednesday at 9:30 am

What: PSGMC (Professional Services Group Morris County) Via Zoom Online

Where: email Dale at dfavia@optonline.net for Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

More Information: PSGMC presents a virtual meeting each week.  They provide relevant speakers to help with your job search, as well as provide a forum to networks. If you would like to attend our meetings, please email Dale at dfavia@optonline.net for Zoom Meeting ID and Password.

When: Wednesdays at 7:30 PM

What: Job Seekers of Montclair is a free, job search training and support group open to all.

Where: We meet at the Assembly Hall of St. Luke’s Church on 73 S. Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ and online.

More Information: We have professional speakers on a variety of job search topics including recognizing your accomplishments, developing your resume, networking, interview preparation, and dealing with road blocks.

Meetings and workshops are in person and on Zoom at 7:30 pm. Information about the upcoming meeting can be found on our website, https://jobseekersofmontclair.org. While you are there, you can join our weekly e-mail list where we send announcements of upcoming meetings or helpful information. Just click on Subscribe on the home page. You may also view our schedule and you have access to lots of resources. Our self-help group has been helping people in New Jersey and elsewhere get through the job search process and find new careers for the last forty years. For more information contact us at Richard@jobseekersofmontclair.org

When: Every Friday morning at 10:00 am

What: Professional Service Group (PSG) of Mercer County

Where: Princeton Public Library

More Information: The Professional Service Group (PSG) of Mercer County is a community program providing enrichment seminars for professionals in transition who are seeking new employment opportunities or exploring new career paths.  Meetings are always free, open to all, and do NOT require you to register in advance. Please check the PSG of Mercer County website Event Calendar for upcoming programs:https://www.psgofmercercounty.org/p/event-calendar.html.

All PSG of Mercer County meetings are in-person only without streaming or recording.

No Signup or Registration Required.

Starting in May 2025, PSG of Mercer County will have 2 alternating weekly meeting locations:

• 1st, 3rd and (occasional 5th) Fridays of each month at the Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ.
• 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month at the Plainsboro Public Library, 9 Van Doren St, Plainsboro Township, NJ.

When: Meets virtually the first and third Saturday of each month at 8:30 AM EST

What: Careers in Transition

Where: Virtual

More Information: Each meeting offers: (1) various speakers and topics related to job search and career development (2) Resume Review.

Read more about us:  https://www.christchurchshorthills.org/careers-in-transition/

Link to sign up: : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3muBCmK-py-OMQH9RI8ne-TTlng6uwhTo ensure the security of our virtual meetings, invitations will be emailed directly only to members who register for the meeting.  Registration will be open until 5PM EST Friday before each meeting.

When: Wednesdays 12-1, 3rd Tuesday of the month

What: Penn State Great Valley Presents  My Career Transitions My Career Transitions

Where: Penn State Great Valley campus in Malvern, PA

More Information:  My Career Transitions has partnered with Penn State Alumni Career Services to offer virtual meetings and in-person networking events.

 Please join us at our monthly meetings every 3rd Tuesday of the month to gain knowledge to support your career search and transition. Our meetings are virtual, with 3 in-person events a year in the Philadelphia area.

 To review our upcoming schedule of events, you can visit our event page or join our LinkedIn group.

 With our new partnership with the Penn State Alumni Career Services, our members now have access to the following resources.

• Job Search Webinars every Wednesday from 12 – 1 pm EST on Resumes, Applicant Tracking Systems, LinkedIn, and Networking.

• Alumni Expert Series is a monthly webinar series on a variety of career-related topics.

• Alumni Career Services Networking Events are offered throughout the year in locations on the East Coast.

• Access to the interview practice tool Interview Prep 

 We hope you will continue to join us and spread the word so we can assist other job seekers in their job search journey.

 My Career Transitions:

A regional program by Penn State Alumni Career Services for Alumni and Community Members.

When:  2nd Saturday of each month

What: The Breakfast Club NJ.  In Person Meetings

Where: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library, 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ

More Information: Fee: $10 cash only (exact change appreciated), will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room

Why: Join one of the premier and longest running networking groups in New Jersey, founded in 2001 to help you with your career search

Website: https://thebreakfastclubnj.com/

Register at: https://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/

 Please share this with other groups you may be in. Join us on Meetup.com at:https://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Join The Breakfast Club NJ where people of all disciplines: IT, Finance & Accounting, Communications, Human Resources get together with a common focus to assist each other in pursuing new employment opportunities, tackling the challenges of their current positions, and providing a support network to and networking with the volunteers and other attendees that may be able to help you.

The Breakfast Club NJ (TBCNJ) has returned to in person meetings!!! Our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am & end 11:30am (The Library doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in). The presentation will be 930-1030am then facilitated networking 1030-1130am then meeting will conclude but you can follow up on leads in room until noon. The new location is the Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library – address is 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ and Directions can be found at https://ilove.ebpl.org at bottom of home page under hours & directions:https://maps.app.goo.gl/JAudegdMQJX1ktbh8

There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through the library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

Please help us by extending invites to anyone you know who is in transition. We will be collecting $10 Cash per attendee (exact change is appreciated) at door as we must pay to rent the room and are required to have insurance to use the facility. Looking forward to seeing everyone and welcoming you and the new members. No food or drink is allowed in the library as per library rules.

 RSVP via Meetup – https://www.meetup.com/home/ By RSVPing on Meetup, we can plan to have appropriate seating, and you will be able to contact other meeting attendees, and they will be able to contact you, as well. Additionally, any meeting changes will be sent out to members who register on Meetup. To receive our job listings, and timely job search and career updates, JOIN our pay it forward group atwww.thebreakfastclubnj.com.

When: On Demand – see below

What: Neighbors-helping-Neighbors (NhN)

Where: Go to: www.nhnusa.org

More Information: The has now changed its operating model from virtual meetings, face-to-face meeting to a one-on-one mentor/coach model. Our leaders and others who volunteer and are vetted by founder will offer one on one sessions with our membership information and a large amount of resources for NhNUSA may be found at www.nhnusa.org. There is both a registration for members needing help, along with a registration for applying to be a coach/mentor.  Please feel free to use the free career resources on this site and join their Linked-In group.

Copyright 2025

Lewis Maltby

National Workrights Institute

Every year, thousands of Americans lose new jobs they’ve worked hard to earn before they even start.  They fall victim to pre-employment credit checks, drug tests, criminal record checks, personality tests, and social media monitoring.

Fortunately, all these traps can be avoided if you know how.

Credit Checks

Half of all employers (51%) conduct credit checks of prospective employees.  This is not limited to jobs involving financial responsibility. 

Unfortunately, credit reports contain mistakes.  A study by the Consumers Union found that 44% of credit reports contain errors. 

The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires employers to inform applicants before they take negative action based on a credit report.  Unfortunately, the law does not require employers to keep the position open while the applicant gets the report corrected, and employers don’t wait. 

To be safe, get a copy of your credit report when you start your job search.  You can get a copy at:

         Freecreditcheck.com

If you see any mistakes on the report, follow the instructions to get them fixed.  The process is intentionally slow and time-consuming.  But if you stick with the process, the mistakes will be fixed.

If the negative information on your report is correct, be prepared to explain what happened to prospective employers.  If you were overwhelmed by medical expenses or temporary unemployment, tell the HR professional about it when applying for a new job, hopefully pointing out that this was a temporary situation.

Drug Tests

 

Many people believe that because marijuana is now legal in their state, employers won’t hold a positive test for marijuana against them.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  HR professionals who smoke pot themselves don’t think twice before throwing your offer letter in the wastebasket over a positive marijuana test.

This problem, too, can be avoided by advance planning.  Marijuana only stays in your system for a few days.  If you switch from marijuana to beer when you’re offered an interview, by the time the hiring process is complete you’ll pass the drug test.

A few employers (7%) test hair instead of urine.  Unlike urine, marijuana stays in your hair forever.  The standard hair test detects drug use for 90 days.  If you want to be completely safe, stop using pot when you start your job search.

Do not try to cheat.  The scientists who design the program are aware of every form of cheating and have designed the test to detect it.

Criminal Record Checks

 

Most employers perform criminal record checks on prospective employees.

The days when a single arrest was an automatic rejection are largely behind us.

But any prior conviction can be a problem.  As with credit, start by making sure your record is accurate.  Run a criminal record check on yourself.  Use a member of the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) that has met their accreditation standards.

If the report contains an incorrect statement about your criminal history, call it to their attention.  They might be able to get the mistake corrected.  If not, you may have to hire an attorney to do it.  It’s not extremely expensive and you can’t afford not to do it.

It’s also possible that the report will contain information about situations in which you were arrested, but not convicted.  You should be eligible to have these items expunged.  Try contacting the courthouse yourself.  If that doesn’t work, get a lawyer.  Ask them for a flat fee.

If the record is accurate, prepare to explain what led you to do what resulted in your conviction and how your life has changed since then.

If you have multiple convictions, especially for felonies, look at companies that have made a public commitment to giving people with records a second chance.  You can find a list of such companies at:

            Secondchancebusinesscoalition.org

If you have a criminal record, don’t lie about it.  Criminal records are computerized and a competent background checker can find an offense that occurred in another state many years ago.  Not being honest guarantees you won’t be hired.  An employer who might have overlooked a minor conviction will automatically reject your application if they catch you lying about it.

Personality Tests

 

The majority of Fortune 500 companies (and many smaller one) use personality tests for a as a pre-employment screen.  Some tests, are highly invasive and contain questions about religious beliefs, sexual practices, and even bathroom habits.  Worse yet, the wrong answers can cost you the job.

These tests apparently look for people with psychological issues that might make them problematic employees.  This can be a trap for people who are too candid.  It’s ok to pray, but if you say God talks to you, the test thinks you’re delusional.  Many of us sometimes wonder what’s the point of it all.  But if you say “sometimes I think life is not worth living” you look suicidal.  Try to give honest answers that aren’t too extreme.

Social Media

 

According to Career Builder, at least 70% of employers conduct social media checks of applicants.

One purpose is to confirm statements on your application about education and work history.  Traditionally, applicants could do a little “puffing” in their resume.  Today, such statements are likely to be caught.  Employers are very concerned about any dishonesty on the part of applicants and getting caught exaggerating will cost you’re the job.

But social media can also cost you the job even if you’ve been scrupulously honest.  You might think that HR professionals would know that your political views and social behavior have nothing to do with your qualifications and ignore them.

Sadly, this is not the case.  HR professionals frequently don’t distinguish between what offends them personally and what’s job related.  People have lost jobs because of their views on the Iraq war, religion, and many other controversial subjects.

The key to avoiding this trap is to avoid making controversial statements publicly.  If you want to express your political opinions, do it in an email or post it on Facebook for “friends only”.

 

Conclusion

 

Pre-employment screens truly are a minefield that can cause even the most qualified person to lose a job opportunity.

But by knowing how the minefield works, and taking the right steps, you can navigate it safely and keep your new job.