Finding a job is easier if you have the support and assistance of other people who are pursuing the same goal. And that’s exactly what Job Clubs of Eastern Kentucky provide.

The local Job Club, sponsored by Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) and the Office of Employment and Training, meets weekly at the Pikeville Public Library. At the meetings, members get a chance to support each other with stories, teach job hunting techniques, share job leads, and provide networking opportunities.

Job Club members can also take advantage of partnerships the Job Club has with local businesses, as well as the wide array of training and other workforce services offered through EKCEP’s JobSight Network of workforce centers.

The Job Club, which began on May 25, is the first in the area but more will be formed soon.

People who join a job club have more success than those that try to go it alone, according to Traci Nolen, the job club facilitator for EKCEP. Nolen told the group that attended the initial meeting that statistics show that the success rate for job club participants is about 86 percent, compared to about 15 percent for those who job hunt solo.

Nolen said she feels passionate about the working with this Job Club because she has experienced how difficult it is to be an unemployed divorced mom looking for work.

Nolen said that while she was unemployed she sent out 66 resumes. She got exactly one response back, and it said, “thanks but the position has been filled.”

During her search, however, she got four part time jobs that eventually led to a full-time position, just by talking to people and asking them to help her keep an eye out for opportunities.

This is an example of how the “hidden job market” dwarfs the advertised job market and mustn’t be overlooked, said Joyce Wilcox, a Global Career Development Facilitator with EKCEP.

The “hidden job market” consists of jobs that are never advertised and are filled by personal contact or through networking and recommendations. These jobs account for 75 to 85 percent of all job openings, and the job club is designed to help its members find them, Wilcox said.

The small group of job seekers in the club can look out for each other and share job leads. The job club will also develop relationships with local business leaders so the participants can network directly with them.

DeMarcum Henderson of Banner said he hopes the job club can help him find a job he will enjoy that will allow him to put his good people skills to use. Henderson has been laid off since April 12, when the construction company he worked for had to cut back on its staff.

Henderson’s long range plans involve going back to college and studying criminal justice, but he needs a means of support in the meantime and he’s optimistic the networking opportunities provided by the job club will help him find it.

“I need every lead I can get, so I think this is going to be a great thing,” Henderson said.

The local Job Club’s first meeting featured a welcome speech by Pikeville College President Paul Patton, who encouraged the members of the club to take advantage of opportunities that it offers and expand their education through whatever opportunities are available, such as the education and training programs available through EKCEP’s JobSight Network.

He also encouraged the job club participants to be optimistic that they are on the right track to employment.

“This economy is tough, but it will get better,” Patton said.

The important thing is to keep one’s spirits up and keep working toward one’s goals, he said.

“You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince,” Patton said. “But you’re only looking for one job.”

To find out more about joining Job Clubs of Eastern Kentucky, call 1-877-512-WORK.