Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA Inc. Volunteer Job search networking and support group

1. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc.
Page 1
Introduction to
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA Inc.

2. Page 2
Group Purpose
Includes anyone in career transition
* Recent college grads, veterans
* Laid-off workers,
* Unemployed or underemployed
professionals,
* Persons re-entering the job market,
* Struggling small business owners,
* Retirees looking for part time work.
Group members assist each other with:
* Techniques, suggestions and resources to
improve job search,
* Support and help with personal and
professional networking to find a position,
* Resources are available at area libraries
to assist with computer searches and
useful career sites.
Reminder – your job search effort / campaign / project is
YOUR responsibility; we are here to provide help and support.
A cost free peer volunteer support & networking group for adults who are
actively looking for work and would like to re-invigorate their job search.

3. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 3
NHN Mission
Network of peer volunteer support & networking groups
Community based approach
* Helping under-employed and unemployed residents get back to work
Ethos ‘pay it forward’
* Asks all associates (members) to contribute to other members by sharing job
search
Techniques
Professional career development resources
Personal referrals
Generally provide a forum to empower, energize and focus members on their job search.
NhN is a network of volunteer peer led job search networking and support groups that follow a
community-based approach to help under-employed and unemployed residents get back to work.
NhN embraces a ‘pay it forward’ ethos, asking all associates to contribute to other members by
sharing job search techniques, related professional career development resources, personal referrals
and generally providing a forum where members feeling empowered, energized and focused on the job
search.

4. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 4
NHN Goals & Core Behaviors
Goals
* Provide compassionate, nonjudgmental
support to members through
Networking
Coaching
Leadership experience
Camaraderie
* Partner with community business leaders
to match members with
Job openings
Volunteer and/or
Paid consulting opportunities
* Expand
Network reach throughout local
communities
New York-New Jersey metro area
Eventual expansion into other states
Core Behaviors
* Be positive in approach and
encourage others
* Remain positive when facing the
inherent challenges of the job search
* Be compassionate and firm, as needed
* Maintain a productive meeting
atmosphere for consistent results
orientation
* Be active in respective home towns by
developing the group and its role in
each community
* Take the extra step to help members
by sharing personal network and job
leads.

5. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 5
Typical NHN Agenda led meeting
Open Meeting
* New members complete contact info sheet
* Career Center announcements
Facilitator/Moderator
* Brief introduction
group mission
ground rules
Group Introductions
* Elevator Pitch: 30 second pitch by each
attendee (examples provided)
* Return to New Members for some additional
time
Status Updates
* All members update group on job search
efforts and progress for the past week
Job Leads/Opportunities (from all)
* Request / Share contacts
* Hot companies
* Upcoming Networking Events
* Lessons Learned this week
* Volunteering Opportunities
Open Discussion
* Group Open Discussion
Specific Calls for Help (from all)
* Share tips on tools like Linkedin
* Encourage all members to send email job
leads to :
John Fugazzie – Founder/Leader of NhN
organization for forwarding / sharing
Other Business (from all)
Close

6. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 6
--- PLEASE Be Courteous ---
Turn your cell phones on silent/vibrate mode during the meeting;
If required, take calls outside meeting area
Late Arrivals - please take a seat in the back of the room so as
not to disturb the group in progress
Meeting recaps will not be provided for latecomers after the meeting
Being on time is an important discipline and shows respect for others
Thank you

7. * No talking during another persons’ elevator pitch – please allow them to finish
* Provide constructive feedback to help the other person refine their elevator pitch
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 6
Elevator Pitch Ground rules
What is the Purpose of an Elevator Pitch?
*This is your “branding statement” - What you have to offer that makes you
interesting and unique
*Gets people interested in you
*Presents your value proposition
*Used in a social situation like a networking event or meeting
*Practice until it becomes second nature and flows naturally

8. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 8
Components of a Good Elevator Pitch
* 15 to 30 seconds in length
Content - answers three questions: Who are you? What do you do? What are you looking for?
Begin and end your pitch with your name.
Don’t speak the way you write – sound like a real person, not an infomercial
What is your “value proposition”? Your expertise? What problem can you solve for a potential employer?
Focus your message on your listener's needs (WIFM - What’s in It for Me?)
 Turning your pitch into a question makes it more interesting. If you’re a professional organizer, ask “You know that
pile of papers you’ve got somewhere in your house that you’ve been meaning to get through? As a professional
organizer, I help people finally get through it.”
Eliminate industry jargon – speak using every day language.
Environment
Be aware of your environment
Speak up if in a large crowded or noisy room,
Speak in a normal voice if talking-one-on-one
Body Language
Stand in a relaxed manner, act confidently, and SMILE!
Look your audience directly in the eyes
Try to avoid folding your arms (defensive posture) or clasping your hands - Keep your arms at your side, look
relaxed!

9. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Slide 9
Elevator Pitch Example
Use benefit-focused terminology to convince an interviewer that you have the
experience, savvy and skills to get the job done at his or her business.
Compare the following:
“I am a human resources professional with 10 years experience working for consumer products companies.”
vs.
“I am a human resources professional with a strong track record in helping to identify and recruit top-level talent
into management.”
Elevator Pitch for Project Management
Hi, my name is ____________. Let me give you an example of one of my most successful projects. I was leading a
virtual team across 3 competing companies in a project mandated by the European Regulatory Agency. My role was
to plan and lead the monthly meetings where we decided how to test and validate our methods and where the labs
compared their data. I am happy to report that we came up with a methodology that became an international
standard, despite one company’s up-front stated goal to drag the project out as long a possible. My name is
___________, and I am interested in taking on scientific challenges in an emerging biotech firm.
Elevator Pitch Template for a Life Coach
Hi, my name is ____________. I work with women who are facing divorce. I was working with a client recently whose
husband announced that he had a girlfriend and wanted a divorce. Rather than staying mad, she joined my coaching
program and took charge of the situation. She kicked him out, changed the locks, filed for divorce, and ended up
saving the marriage. I’m _______ and while I can’t always guarantee that result I can empower you in your
relationships.

10. Next Steps
What can the NHN group members do for you?
Describe the position / type of work you’re looking for
Your target industries or companies
What can you provide for the group?
* After you develop your pitch, deliver it to someone and ask them to tell you what
they heard. You may find that you have to modify it.
* Practice, Practice, Practice!
Practice sufficiently so that when you deliver your pitch it sounds natural, unrehearsed
and memorable!
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 10
You’ve perfected your Elevator Pitch – Now
what?

11. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 11
Additional Resources for “Elevator Pitch”
For additional information / help creating an elevator pitch, refer to:
www.15secondpitch.com
http://motivatednetworker.com/constructing-your-elevator-pitch-2/#more-257), including
templates for a 10-second pitch and a longer, 30-second pitch. article includes examples
borrowed with permission from Linda Pulford, Professional Organizer
REMEMBER
An elevator speech should “sum up unique aspects of your service or product in a way
that excites others”
“The Perfect Elevator Speech”, Aileen Pincus ,June 18, 2007, Businessweek,

12. Neighbors-helping-Neighbors USA, Inc. Page 12
Additional Job Search Resources
Neighbors-helping-Neighbors web
site and social media groups
* www.nhnusa.org
* LinkedIn group: Neighbors-helping-
Neighbors USA
* Facebook group: Neighbors-helping-
Neighbors USA, Inc.
* Twitter: @johnrfugazzie
* Extensive job-search document library
* Other libraries – in progress
* www.jobs411.org
Generating Job Leads
* Open forum - Members present / share
leads
Associations /Groups
LinkedIn groups, Alumni groups, Associations
 For example for IT folks: AITP , Association
of Information Technology Professionals,
http://www.aitp.org