How to Build Your Career Network in Faith-Based Groups

Faith based groups, or houses of worship, can be excellent places to network for your career change. Whether you’re Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or any other religion the faith-based group with which you choose to associate is often like a family. The members generally care about each other and want to help their fellow believer in whatever way possible. This primer is intended to guide you on networking within your faith-based group to find, and also give, the help you need for your job search.

Shared Common Beliefs

Faith-based groups are people who share a common set of beliefs. They come together regularly to listen, study, celebrate and share in those beliefs with others. Churches, as we will generically refer to them herein, are more than a place for attending a worship service weekly. They are a collection of families who choose to congregate together and share many of the most important things in life. Outside of your immediate family, this group of people are most likely and most eager to help you in whatever way they can. When you network within your church and let people know you are searching for a new career opportunity you are giving them an opportunity to feel the joy of helping you. The core teachings of most religions emphasize the importance of helping others who are in need and this is a great opportunity for your faith family to express this.

Consider Joining

If you are not currently a member of a faith community, it might be a good time to consider joining one. Be sure that you are primarily interested in exploring your faith and finding a like-minded community. Nothing contained herein will work if it is not from a genuine desire to be a part of the faith community and explore the shared beliefs. Whatever your preferred faith community is, this is a great time to explore your relationship with the powers that encompass your faith. Changing jobs, or being out of a job, cause all of us to do some serious soul searching and introspective work. Finding and clarifying your core beliefs about life and the life beyond can be a powerful force in helping you in all aspects of your existence. The community you join can be great allies for the rest of your life in your career and every other area of your life.

Opportunities for Networking at Church

There are many opportunities to network at church that are completely appropriate, and in fact, specifically designed for this purpose. The church leaders want this kind of networking and fellowship to take place. The more connected their followers are to each other the stronger the bond of their flock and the members are more prosperous and healthier. Put away the feelings of awkwardness, or guilt, about engaging in networking
at church and seeking the help of others. It is highly encouraged and expected. In the following sections we will discuss the specific opportunities that you might consider utilizing in your networking efforts.

Schedule a Visit with Your Priest, Pastor, Rabbi or Imam

Go straight to the top. Reach out to the spiritual leader of your church and schedule a time to visit. Larger churches might have several spiritual leaders. Choose the one with whom you feel most comfortable. The spiritual leader knows the people in his/her flock and can quickly put out the word to let others know you would like some help. Get ready, because you will hear from several people inside the church asking how they can help or offering some ideas or to open their network to you.

Attend Networking / Fellowship Gatherings

Most churches have fellowship opportunities scheduled before or after worship and might include coffee, pastries or other preferred snacks. These opportunities are specifically hosted so you can network and get to know others within your community. The spiritual leaders want you to help each other, do business with one another, socialize outside of the regular worship times. This is one of the main goals of having a community, to support each other. Go to these gatherings and get to know people. When you meet someone get to know them first. Ask about them. Explore ways you might be able to help them. The conversation will naturally flow back to you, and you can share a little bit about your situation. Even if the opportunity doesn’t immediately present itself, you will have other opportunities at the next fellowship event as you get to know them better.

Small Groups

Many churches have structured small groups for members to gather with others who have similar interests or needs. Some examples include, women’s groups, men’s groups, parenting groups, spousal groups, senior citizen groups, study groups for specific spiritual topics, or service groups centered around specific projects. These small groups are great opportunities to meet others in a more intimate setting versus the large gathering hall that might be a little overwhelming.

Volunteer Opportunities

Most churches offer opportunities to help others in specific ways. Perhaps it is an outreach ministry to the elderly who aren’t able to attend worship services in-person. Maybe it’s helping a non-profit with a specific project that the church has agreed to support as part of its mission. Another volunteer opportunity could be to help members of the congregation who are in need of home repairs, counseling or a whole host of other areas of need. When you volunteer to help you will build bonds with the other volunteers and meet numerous people who might be able to help you. If you are in between jobs, it might also be a great way to get out of the house and focus some energy in a positive way versus dwelling on the job search challenges insider your own home all day.

Career Change Support Group

Several churches have groups created specifically for the people who are in the same boat as you. You can get together to share ideas, open networks to each other and get some guidance and counseling from group leaders who have gone through this before. These groups provide not only great resources for networking and ideas that you might be able to use, but they also provide emotional support to help you get through the many challenges that everyone experiences when going through a job change. If your church doesn’t have one, maybe you can be the person who proposes starting one. Even if there are only a few people at first it increases your resources, opportunities and support.

Pay It Forward

Church is about community. It’s a family. The members are there for each other in good times and in bad. When you are the one in need, many people are there for you. When your needs are in good order be sure to pay it forward to others who might need similar help.

Conclusion

Faith-based groups offer many opportunities for networking. It’s a community of like- minded people who share common beliefs and are committed to helping each other. There’s not reason to feel awkward about networking and reaching out to ask others in your church for help. The spiritual leaders encourage and will likely help you if you ask them. The members of your congregation can and will help you in many ways. Be sure
to pay it forward once you find the success in what you seek. Your efforts will help build a stronger community and the rewards will come back to you time and time again.