Finding meaningful work

If you’re not satisfied in your current job, you’re not alone.

Eighty percent of people on LinkedIn reportedly hate their job or don’t enjoy it (Linkedin.com, 2/29/16) and according to a report by the Conference Board, the New York-based nonprofit research group, 52.3 percent of Americans are unhappy at work (Forbes, 2014). This is not good news for employees or employers.

What to do?

Get on the right track with “ReStart!” On Sept. 29, the ReStart Career Community will host its 13th semi-annual Career Conference at the Mount Pleasant campus of Seacoast Church. The all day program, which sports a 95 percent approval rating from attendees, is entirely free. The organization was created as a Christian outreach to help individuals find meaningful jobs during the depths of the unemployment crisis just over seven years ago. Now, more and more people attending the conference are looking to move up and into new work that is more suited to their talents.

What do attendees think of the program?

Here are a few samples of their comments:

“So, the tools that I learned at the ReStart Conference were about networking and looking online and about assessing what you want to do,” said Lauren, a 2016 attendee. “Not doing what you’ve always done, just to get a job. I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wanted to do something different; something that was meaningful and would make a difference. So, I used those tools and was able to find a wonderful job and I love it.”

“I was totally without an idea of where to go and how to proceed,” added Keith, who took part in the 2017 conference. “A friend told me about the ReStart Career Conference. They equipped me with all the tools to get out in today’s marketplace and find that job.”

“One of the greatest tools that the conference offers is the Talent Assessment, “ stated Karen, a 2015 attendee. “The Talent Assessment helps you figure out how you are hard wired into the marketplace; where you’re built to be and what is going to be the most satisfying type of work for your personality and what’s going to be most satisfying job.”

What are some of the features of the program?

ReStart’s three part process includes: a training conference in the spring and fall (Sept. 29); followed by workshops which cover the conference topics in depth; and, those events are supported by local community groups where participants gather in smaller groups to dive into exercises and more one-on-one assistance. Participants first learn about their talents and career fit using an online testing program, which is reviewed during a “Taking Stock” session at the conference. Then they learn how to manage change and transition into new employment, how to write their skills into the new styles of resumes and online profiles, such as LinkedIn. Finally, participants learn new techniques for interviewing and job searching.

While the ReStart Career Community believes the tools they teach are important, it’s the relationships and support that are key for many participants. The community groups provide a chance to meet with other job seekers in one’s local community while attending sessions led by human resource professionals, corporate executives and other experienced professionals. The monthly gatherings are held in separate locations around the Charleston area, allowing participants easier access to assistance and ongoing support.

The ReStart Career Community program is entirely free. Corporate, non-profit and church groups sponsor the program so that all interested participants can take part regardless of their circumstances. Attendance at the conference, the conference workbook (with lessons, tests and examples), lunch, workshop attendance and community group attendance are all included. Also provided free to all participants is the online talent assessment, which is used at both the conference and in the community groups.

Individuals who are interested in attending the conference on Sept. 29 are encouraged to visit the group’s website at: www.restartsc.org. Registration is online and provides access to all the group’s resources. Space is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Tom Young is a founding member of ReStartSC.