The document summarizes a weekly job seeker support group run by career counselor Joe Ryan at a church in Washington DC. The group brings together unemployed individuals of various backgrounds and ages to provide resume help, job searching advice, and social support to combat the loneliness and depression often felt. A survey of participants found that while professional networking and advice were important motives for attending, equally critical was the sense of community, care, and hope found among peers also struggling with unemployment. Ryan believes the high level of "love" or social support is a key factor in the group's success in helping participants feel less alone and more motivated in their job searches.

1. Getting Engaged in Employment Forums:
“What’s Love Got to Do with It?”
WASHINGTON - What’s love got to do with joblessness? “A lot,” says career counselor Joe Ryan.
Ryan runs the weekly Job Seekers Ministry meetings at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, DC.
It’s a varied group from twenty-somethings to baby boomers and beyond, from former CEOs to recent
college grads and their parents too. Every Monday the group gathers around a table with brownies, coffee
and soft drinks.
“It’s an awesome group,” says one participant. “ We benefit from the expertise of an experienced senior
executive, Joe Ryan, who coaches clients on their careers at his day job.”1
“He helps us for free and really cares about us,” notes another.
“He gives great advice and gets back to us after the meetings with emails or phone calls to give additional
help.”
Curious about the inner dynamics of the weekly meetings where smiles and laughter punctuate the
discussions, Ryan wanted to find out what made things work so well. He asked a research expert to help
him understand. The answers came from the job seekers themselves in responses to a research process
designed to uncover attitudes often overlooked by traditional survey methods.2
Not surprisingly, many of the motives for attending the sessions were professional. Nearly everyone cited
needs for resume help and insight about where to find jobs and how to apply. Typical comments were:
 “Otherwise, I’d be spinning my wheels.”
 “I feel more informed.”
 “I learned about the social networking tools, like Linked In…and that’s a must these days.”
Equally as important, however, was the need for an escape from the loneliness and depression that plague
and sometimes paralyze the unemployed. The meetings provide feelings of being connected and cared
about, replacing despair with hope. Welcoming arms and warm expressions help heal bruised egos.
Participants in the survey said:
 “I’m more motivated now….I don’t feel alone.”
 “Others there are just like me…they understand and care.”
 “I felt like giving up, but the group keeps me going.”
They give knowing nods when they see others showing these concerns in the meetings. A sense of
community becomes an effective antidote for worry, at least for awhile.
As Ryan says,”What’s love got to do with it? A lot.”
1
Joe Ryan is the managing principal of a career counseling and coaching firm, CareerMentor.us in Washington,
DC.
2
The survey structure followed a method where more personally relevant motives and values are uncovered. For
more on this method, contact Mary Beth Merrin, Ph.D., CEO of Decision Making Research at www.dmrdc.com.