How to Ace the Interview

As a member of the Crossroads Career Network, Dunwoody UMC is participating in a unique program that is jointly sponsored by 9 interdenominational churches in North and Northwest Atlanta. The Crossroads “6-Step Small Group Series” is a course offered by many Crossroads member churches that is based upon the Crossroads Career Network 2010 Workbook.

The unique program that we offer is that this course is:

1. offered on a regular basis
2. offered by a highly qualified team (career ministry leaders at the 9 participating churches)
3. can be completed in a very short time period – under 2 weeks!

If you have been recently unemployed, are considered a transition or your job search just needs a jump-start, then this program is highly recommended by our career ministry team. Visit this website to find out when the next available program is being offered:

www.xroads.eventbrite.com

and follow the link you will find there in order to register for the next scheduled course. It may be offered at another Northside Atlanta area church, but that’s OK, you are welcome to attend the class. Let this program help you find the work that God has planned for you and get you back to work! After completion of the “Crash” course, you should continue to participate in our career ministry programs to supplement what you learned in the “Crash” course.

The Dunwoody UMC Crossroads Career Ministry meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 PM in the Asbury Room. The Career Ministry will kick off 2010 with renewed vigor and a focus on interactive, experiential learning. The first meeting of the year will be this Tuesday, January 12. Dr. Phil Sidwell will open with an interactive session titled “New Beginnings," which will enable participants to assess and reflect upon the effectiveness of their job search efforts in 2009 and to take a fresh look at how to focus their efforts in 2010. In the second half of the program, Dr. Randy Lucius will help participants build upon these reflections by teaching them a method for “Creating an Individual Career & Job Search Plan for 2010.” Please contact the Career Ministry at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information, to share job opportunities, or to volunteer.

The Dunwoody UMC Career Ministry is growing rapidly and we need help planning and executing our bi-weekly programs and special events. A few hours a month of your time will prove to be a worthwhile and rewarding way for you to serve your church family. Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get involved!

Ten percent of Georgians—and of our congregation—are unemployed. If you are a hiring manager with available positions, or if you know of openings of any kind, please contact The Dunwoody UMC Crossroads Career Ministry at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will ensure the information gets to our Career Ministry job seekers.

Welcome to the DUMC Career Ministry website. This page is intended to serve as a resource for those that are:

• out of a job and looking for employment
• currently in a job but want to change jobs/careers
• simply looking for ways to build their career
• hoping to post jobs or find potential employees within the DUMC congregation or the Christian community at large

For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
-Jer 29:11

We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.
-Romans 8:28

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
-John 8:28

Crossroads Career Network

Dunwoody UMC has also joined Crossroads Career Network, a Christ-centered job search and career assistance program supported by a team of professionals and volunteers.  Crossroads Career Network offers extensive internet-based resources including a job board where employers can connect with job seekers, dozens of articles, and links to other churches and their events in the Atlanta area and elsewhere.

Crossroads Career Network provides tools for career explorers to help in their job search, including online career tools and assessments, resources for employers, downloadable guides and extensive program materials for career ministry volunteers.  Want to know what the Bible says “if you are between jobs?”  You can find it online at www.crossroadscareer.org!

The Crossroads Career Network resources are available to all DUMC members and offered as an outreach program to community members as well. In order to obtain access to the full resources of Crossroads Career Network, you will need to register (as an “Explorer”) select Dunwoody UMC as your church and provide the Dunwoody UMC access password.  Our password is “cedumc” (all lower case). After providing some brief contact information, you will create your own login (your email address) and personal password.  Contact Dunwoody UMC Career Ministry if you need help.

Online Professional Networking for Dunwoody UMC

Many jobs today are not advertised; according to labor experts, more than 70% of all jobs are found though personal networking.   One recent study found that an individual who is personally referred to an employer has 40 times greater probability of being hired than a candidate who is not referred to the employer!

In a church as large as ours, we interact with many others, but most of us still know only a fraction of our membership.  Think about how many people you pass in the hallways on Sunday but how many names do you know?  And what do they do the rest of the week (Monday thru Fridays)?  Fellow church members offer a tremendous resource for professional networking, benefit those seeking employment, and can be the foundation for new friendships as well.

Online social networks (such as Facebook) are common among younger crowds, but there are also networks such as LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com) that provide professional networking for the rest of us.  LinkedIn is an online network of more than 30 million experienced professionals all over the world representing 150 industries.  In order to allow DUMC members to network online, a new LinkedIn group called “DunwoodyUMC Network” has been established and is open to all DUMC members.   Membership requires approval by a group manager, but any DUMC member will be welcome; DUMC non-members will be approved only if they demonstrate an established relationship to DUMC. 

If you are interested in professional networking with fellow DUMC church members, please join the DunwoodyUMC Network group at LinkedIn.  If you are already a LinkedIn member, search the group directory for “DunwoodyUMC” and join the group.  If you are not a LinkedIn member, go to www.LinkedIn.com and join.