Stepping Stones

By Ellen Brown

After writing my last blog post on the benefits of joining a job club, a number of people reminded me of how important it is to choose your club carefully. Why? Because there are no one-size fits all clubs. And at some clubs, there’s a little too much negativity permeating the air. And you don’t want to leave the meeting feeling like you need to shower off the toxic sludge.

So, here are a few tips on how to choose a club:

• Check out a number of clubs and, as they say, “try before you buy.”
• After attending a meeting, notice how you feel. Did you feel supported and encouraged? Or did you leave feeling beaten down and hopeless? A good club will leave you feeling uplifted.
• Look for a club that will allow people to express their feelings without allowing them to vent nonstop. While venting can be helpful, too much negativity can bring a club down. And it’s good to have a balance between sharing feelings and sharing strategies to propel your job search forward.
• Notice whether everyone gets a chance to participate, or whether there’s someone who hogs the conversation and choose the former.
• Find a group that fits your style. For example, if you’re more of an informal person, you may prefer a club that meets at members’ homes rather than one that’s held in a church or synagogue.
• Be aware of your feelings about other participants. Do you feel a kinship or camaraderie? To what extent did you connect with people? It’s hard to tell whether there’s a connection on the first visit, or even on the second or third, sometimes,. But you can usually tell if you feel comfortable or not. I, personally, think it’s good to feel both supported and challenged by other participants, so that you can feel safe about sharing your experiences but challenged to grow.

So what do YOU value most in a career club?

What do you find most helpful in such a group, and what do you find most annoying?

I’d love to hear what you have to say. Please join in the conversation by leaving a comment here on Stepping Stones.

Are you dealing with a challenging life transition? If so, I’d love to help out. Visit my webs at http://www.ellen-brown.com to sign up for an introductory coaching session or a coaching package that’s right for you. Since coaching sessions are conducted by phone, I can work with clients anywhere in the world.

Ellen Brown is a certified professional coach, based in Cleveland, OH.