Job Connections , an outreach of CPC, has become one of the largest and most reputable professional networking groups in Northern California.

As we redefined this outreach ministry in January of 2002, we identified our mission as a means to support and encourage the unemployed throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. With established professional relationships directly with hiring managers and executives within our church and major companies, we have been able to re-introduce a talented resource pool of qualified professionals for employment consideration.

Today, our membership roster includes approximately 1,400 people, including those who are seeking a new career, those that are working and support the program as alumni, or simply those who may be a “person of influence” in their workplace.

Some of our success has been to coach candidates into succeeding in the job hunting process and securing professional career paths at companies such as Kaiser Permanente, Safeway, Novartis (formerly Chiron) and California State Automobile Association, to name a few.

It has been suggested that approximately 87% - 89% of the working population today are unhappy in their current professional setting and are considering a career change, and a typical “employee tenure” has been identified as a three to five year engagement in any given job. Accepting this premise, we believe that we are called to be available as a ministry to encourage, educate, affirm and support those that may be in a career transition.

Our philosophies are simple:

• Come as you are. While we care about where the community is spiritually, we believe that it’s not a pre-requisite for networking. Acknowledging this, our membership includes people from every aspect of “spiritual positioning.”

• Ego’s are discouraged. Self-appreciation is encouraged. When you come to our program, regardless of what you have done in your previous role, today it’s likely that you are all making significantly less money. Certainly, people are positioned differently with their finances or investments, but with regards to employment income, most are receiving unemployment and many others have exhausted their unemployment benefits and receive nothing.

• Our services are 100% free. We do not want any financial burdens to prevent people from benefiting from our program! Additionally, with the exception of Pastoral Support, Job Connections is run and managed 100% by approximately 60 volunteers.

Our members include people from a wide variety of business, financial, technical, and professional disciplines who are planning a career change or seeking a new opportunities or change the direction of their career.

Here are a few comments from our membership:

BK writes, “I have been attending CPC-Job Connections since late February and not a week goes by without a new idea for my job search, a new contact, or a new job lead. The environment is welcoming and supportive. The leadership team seems to hit the nail on the head with their interactive discussions. Thanks to the variety and quality of the speakers, I've learned new ways to structure my resume, conduct interviews with different styles of hiring manager, and gained good friends. The new Kick-Start meetings are also productive and motivating.

In addition, I always appreciate the opening and closing prayers for their inspiration and gratefulness.

Many thanks for your support, encouragement and generosity.”

JM writes, “I am a teacher looking to combine my teaching experience and sales experience and/or training position with a company.  I have really benefited coming on Saturdays to listen to fantastic speakers about how to interview and write resumes.  It is beneficial to be able to network with people because I learn from everyone I meet.  I wouldn't meet these people if Job Connections didn't exist.”

KB writes, “Because of the wonderful connections I have been able to make at this forum, I've been able to continue my process of re-invention towards the next step in my career.  My resume looks better than ever, my interviewing skills are sharper, and I'm actually working these days as a contracted VP of Sales for a software company startup...and couldn't be happier.

Your organization provides a great community service of significance for those that choose to drink from the well.  Many thanks for what you do!”

JV writes, “ Once again, I have to thank you and CPC Job Connections.  I have used your organization previously to post positions, and to search for candidates for the many openings I have had.  Being a part of CPC has been a wonderful addition to my human resources network.  The daily CPC emails that I receive are always filled with great, interesting information.  In July, I spotted an email for a Sr. Recruiter opening at Novartis.  I was very interested in this position.  I submitted my resume via CPC, received a call right away from Novartis, interviewed and was offered the position.  I would of never known about this opportunity if it was not for CPC Job Connections. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

I am a true testimonial that CPC Job Connections does work!

Now, I would like to give back to CPC and let you know that Novartis has over "150" open positions here in Emeryville.   Novartis is recognized as the 2nd most admired pharmaceutical company in the world.  You can say I referred you.”

If you are interested in learning more about how you might be able to contribute or participate in this exciting Ministry, please call the church office at 925-837-5525 or send an email to Leadership@JobConnections.org

For more information, you can also visit our website at
www.JobConnections.org