Feature Articles

Associations have long played an integral role in professional development, from hosting networking events to offering resume-building opportunities. But with unemployment hovering around 9% nationally and many clinging to jobs they aren't happy with because of the economy, offering job-hunting assistance is of great value to your members. For your members knowing that they can turn to you for assistance, should they need it, is gratifying. Offering a job board (a place where companies can post openings and hunters can post resumes) is a good start. But a job board is only as beneficial as the postings on it (and the search behind it). Its success is based purely on your ability to recruit companies to add listings. Sure, it can be an excellent source of non-dues revenue if you charge for listings and placement but you’re missing a larger opportunity to serve your members if you stop there.

A career center goes beyond a mere listing of available positions and candidates. It serves as a library-type resource for all advice job-related. Your association's career center could include career pathways and suggestions targeted toward recent grads or people starting over in a new career. Help your members uncover hidden careers with which they could use their talents. For instance, not every nurse must work in a hospital -- some will work in the corporate sector, some at summer camps, some will even be part of a traveling program. So often we choose a desired career based on the most common use of our skills and branching out to uncover these hidden professions may allow your members to land a more stable job. Writers can now use their skills in more steady employment for corporations, thanks in part to social media. You're no longer locked into creative or journalistic writing.

If you worried about the legal (or membership) ramifications of providing direct career counseling to your members, consider providing a forum and allowing members to help members with guidance and features provided by your association. In addition to jobs postings and resume search, a career center should/could include:

-Resume postings (allow companies to scan members’ resumes, for a fee or fee-free)

-Volunteer and internship postings. This allows candidates to try out new careers or pick up new skills that they can add to their resumes.

-Blogs from successfully employed members on how they “landed” their dream job. Insight to what people have done before you is always inspiring.

-Blogs from those looking for work who want to share their employment journey. This helps members feel like they are not alone. There are many bright, articulate people looking for work as well.

-Forums for job hunters who want to exchange ideas, encouragement, camaraderie. This feature functions much the same way the one above does but allows for more of a back and forth conversation than just a recounting of one person's experience.

-Job hunting suggestions. Whether these take the shape of microblog "Tip-a-day" type posts or something more in depth, the platform is up to you.

-Mentor opportunities. Professionals currently in a position are frequently happy to share suggestions and feedback with those trying to mirror their career path.

-Wiki pages on job advice (can be humorous, snarky, encouraging, etc. whatever tone fits your audience) plus the "wiki" aspect allows every member of your organization to get involved.

-Articles on incorporating social sites/strategies in your job hunt. Social is relatively new and we all need help and suggestions in maximizing its use from time to time.

-Articles on volunteerism and the job search. Volunteering your way into a position is a great way to encourage an employer to take a risk on you, especially if you don't have a lot of the background needed. This is perfect for recent grads, those reentering the workforce and people changing careers.

-Skill-based flow (or other org) charts for suggested career pathways uncover the "hidden" job market opportunities for those of us who need help stretching our imaginations.

-An RSS feed (or email notification) that notifies candidates of new postings of interest as well as a feed for companies to be alerted when a job hunter uploads or changes his/her resume. This helps your members always have the most up-to-date information in the most efficient way possible.

The list above is by no means definitive. Get creative. Think back to what helped you when you were first starting out. As Brian Solis said recently, “Engagement is not just about communication. It’s about creating meaningful, sharable experiences.” Helping someone find his ideal fit from a career standpoint will not only endear you to him but provide an invaluable service (and investment) in his professional development, something that also provides value to your organization.