• By Don Dwiggins
• Posted Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Networking your way to the job

Getting the job you want is not just being in the right place at the right time. It requires an understanding of how jobs are obtained in today’s ever-changing labor market. A fundamental part of job searching in today’s world is dependent upon your ability to successfully network. The Library is honored to present Damian Birkel, one of the country’s leading experts in job networking for a special job networking program in the Central Library Auditorium on Monday, September 28 at noon. This is a free program but please e-mail dwiggidr@forsythlibrary.org if you plan to attend.

Mr.Birkel is the Founder of Professionals In Transition ® Support Group, Inc. (PIT®), a non-profit organization founded in 1992 to assist downsized employees. He is also a Certified Career Counselor.

Professionals In Transition has held over 1,000 free, weekly support group meetings for the unemployed and the under-employed. Nationally recognized for its unique program, PIT has been highlighted in numerous printed and electronic publications including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Fortune Magazine, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Oprah's Oxygen Network, National Public Radio, Parade Magazine, Entrepreneur, Ebony, ABC.com, MSNBC.com and Monster.com.

Having lost a job as a result of downsizing and survived three company reorganizations, Birkel established PIT to create "safe space" where members could discuss the issues surrounding unemployment. He has written widely about career topics in numerous publications and is the co-author of Career Bounce-Back!, which has recently been reprinted in a second revised edition. Birkel's book is a direct outgrowth of time spent with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (a world class expert on death and dying) and Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute (Ten Speed Press).