What is JobAngels

JobAngels is a “grassroots” non-profit organization whose mission is to connect talented career professionals with those searching for work“. Unlike other job hunting sites, volunteers have been the key to the quick success of JobAngels.

It was founded on January 29, 2009 by JobAngel’s president and head angel, Mark Stelzner.  His story is that one morning, while eating breakfast and thinking about the economy,  he realized that Twitter would be a tool to help job seekers and since he had accumulated about 700 followers, a large percentage of whom are experts and professionals in the HR sector,  he imagined that if each of these followers helped just one person find a job – then the effort can actually make a difference.

Here is Mark’s original Tweet:  “I was thinking that if each of us helped just one person find a job, we could start making a dent in unemployment. You game?”

Read a recent LA Times about JobAngels.   http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2009/02/with-jobangels.html

Summary of article contents:  JobAngles was set up by founder of Mark Stelzner as a grass-roots movement to help people find work.  The JobAngels Mission: “This movement is all about making a single connection”  AND “Just one person can make a difference“.

What started just at the end of January 2009 – is quickly gaining traction. There are hundreds of participants who are onboard with this movement – and its available free – not only on Twitter – but on Linkedin – http://www.linkedin.com/ as well.  Search for the Linkedin group for JobAngels

The concept of JobAngels is to develop one-on-one relationships which help facilitate more rapid placement for the unemployed.

Job Seekers:
By virtue of a JobAngel’s participation in this group, you have a tremendous pool of potential resources to aid you in your search for employment.  Go through the membership (over 500 members !) and seek those who match your desired industry, geography, market segment or position.  Be polite in your initial inquiry and let your Angel determine their level of comfort in providing assistance, advice, guidance and/or introductions.

JobAngels:
If you are willing to help someone in need, simply look at the discussions and comments and pick a person who might work in a similar industry, geography, market segment or position. Connect with them via LinkedIn and offer to review their resume, discuss their search and/or facilitate introductions (to the extent you are comfortable doing so).

As a JobAngel, your “mission” is to help just one person at a time.

Again, as the JobAngels founder Mark Stelzner says: “This movement is all about making a single connection”  AND “Just one person can make a difference“.

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JobAngels to the Rescue!

Job seekers! Help is on the way!  Job seekers, meet JobAngels

JobAngels is a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to help the job seeker find his/her next opportunity. All of JobAngels’ services are provided by volunteers, so there is no cost to the job seeker. The main goal is for each member to help just one job seeker find employment, it’s that simple.

Interview with Charee Klimek, Job Angels’ Chief Marketing Officer:

Q)   How did JobAngels get started?

A)   obangels got started through a random and thoughtful act of kindness by Mark Stelzner, Founder of JobAngels. Mark is an HR consultant in Washington DC and big Twitter user. It was the week of January 26, 2009, which was particularly rough with a record number of layoffs, when Mark sent out a tweet (message on Twitter) about how wonderful it would be if we could assist someone in getting a job today. On January 29, 2009, Mark sent his tweet to his network asking how we can help someone in our sphere of influence land a job. From there, JobAngels was born!

Q) From your website, www.jobangels.org,  I see you are on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.  What drove JobAngels to these social networks?

A) JobAngels got started on Twitter. Even before we put up our website (community coming soon!), we used Twitter’s search feature and created the #jobangels tag so people can post jobs, resources, job seekers and other information in a readable thread. This went completely viral!

We are on Facebook and LinkedIn since these social networking sites are the most heavily utilized. It’s all about getting the word out. The JobAngels’ network has expanded so vastly in just 45 days. We have 3800 followers on Twitter, 1100 friends on Facebook, more than 1200 connections on LinkedIn.

Q) How has using social networking helped JobAngels?

A) The community has truly been the driver for our rapid growth. This has evolved purely by word of mouth and people wanting to hep other people. Social networking has been the method in which we interact real time with our networks, job seekers and our volunteer JobAngels.

In fact, the JobAngels’ website is about to change dramatically. Right now, it is a static page, but we are launching our own community very soon. It will be like a cross between LinkedIn and Match.com. There will be a profile registration feature for the job seeker and our JobAngels (volunteers). Paired with smart matching functionality, people can be matched inside or outside of their designated vertical.

Q) What advise to you give job seekers in this treacherous job market?

A) The apply, apply, apply model no longer works. Companies are still hiring, but may not be advertising these posting heavily since layoffs are still happening. So networking is absolutely critical to the job search and JobAngels can help you to expand it.

Companies are also getting overwhelmed by resumes, so getting lost in the shuffle is common. Using social networking can help build your network. Of course, it is wise to build your network before you need it too!

Q) What direction do you give jobseekers about using social networking for job hunting strategies?

A) Networking is the most critical step job seeker can take, especially in this job market. Social networking plays a big a part of that. We are finding many who are new to Twitter and often provide mini coaching 1:1 to get them comfortable or need some technical assistance. We also recommend job seekers join the JobAngel networks on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Q) How can the Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter communities help JobAngels?

A) We have already had such an amazing response from people who have been so instrumental to JobAngels’ success. Many professionals including resume writers and career coaches have donated their time to assist the job seekers. And all operations are voluntary. We are also in the process of being established as a non-profit organization so staying true to our job seekers at a no cost model is very important to us.

So there you go! Pay it forward! Continue getting the word out about JobAngels and help us help those who need jobs. Use #jobangels tag on Twitter. Volunteers, partnerships and sponsorships would be a huge help to us.

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Another reference to JobAngels in a recent Wall Street Journal

Strangers Lend a Hand to Job Seekers

Read about it here:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123783938878417223.html

In the article  career experts state that the majority of the best jobs are found on the basis of networking or a relationship:  “The power of a referral is tremendous!”