20 July, 2010
Meeting every other week at St. John's Parish Hall, the Hopkinton Networking Group (HNG) provides a venue for unemployed residents of Hopkinton and surrounding towns to get together, make connections and support one another as they look for a new job.
The group was founded by Hopkinton resident Gil Krispien in April of 2009. Originally a member of a similar group formed in Acton in 2002, Krispien went looking for a new meeting location when the location in Acton became overcrowded. As a member of St. John's parish, Krispien approached the pastor and received approval to hold meetings in the parish hall, where HNG has been meeting every other week for the last year and a half.
According to Krispien, it’s actually a win-win situation for the group and for St. John the Evangelist parish. At every meeting, donations are collected from members to cover the cost of the coffee and donuts served. Over time, as the fund grows, HNG has been able to make a contribution to the parish. Rather than just donating money, HNG asked the parish if it had any particulars needs, and was able to buy a needed projector.
Including Krispien, there are five coordinators of HNG who take turns facilitating the meetings. Acting as facilitator at the July 9th meeting, Denise Zazzera has been a member of the group as an unemployed analytical chemist. Zazzeera found one job through networking with HNG and is now back again looking for work.
"One of the good things is that it’s always here," said Zazzera.
She also credits HNG with helping her to stay abreast of the changing job market and keeping up to date on hiring practices.
"It also refines your interviewing skill, it refines how to approach things, because things are always changing," said Zazzera.
On the day HCAM News was present, the group numbered approximately 50 people with nine new members. New members are welcomed to the group, and as part of their introduction, are asked to complete a 60 seconds maximum "elevator speech" detailing their name, skills and value statement, where they have been, where they like would to go, their title, target companies and geographic area of their search. Membership is not limited to Hopkinton residents, but is open to residents of surrounding towns as well.
"We have people from Milford, Ashland and other southern communities," said Krispien. "We even have people who have come from Rhode Island.
According to Krispien, average attendance is around 50 members, but can go even higher if a speaker or workshop is scheduled. Speaking on Friday, July 9 was Judy Gagnon, Principal of JHG Consulting, a local recruiting/employment consulting firm. During the presentation portion of the program, Gagnon offered attendees resume advice.
"Don't just list what you did," said Gagnon. "List your accomplishments, and if possible, make them quantifiable. Use bullets and list action items."
The meetings have been standardized over time and generally follow the same format, running for about two hours. After the beginning welcome, members discuss "landings" which are jobs found through HNG, followed by a discussion of needs and leads. In this part of the meeting, members can exchange information about the type of jobs they are looking for, and other members can help to provide leads or contacts. Next comes the introduction of the new members, followed by any announcements, and if scheduled, the speaker for the event.
According to Krispien, the group meetings foster a sense of camaraderie among those who are looking for a job and help to bolster spirits.
"The most important thing is that you don’t have to do it on your own," said Krispien.
The Hopkinton Networking Group meets every other Friday in the parish hall of St. John the Evangelist at 20 Church Street in Hopkinton. Meetings begin at 10 a.m. and generally run until noon. Coffee and donuts are served.
For more information about HNG, contact Gil Krispien at g.krispien@comcast.net.
For more information about HNG and the related Acton Networkers, visit their website.
