Chamber takes over job club

TOLEDO, Ohio - The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce announced it is assuming management of "The Flourishing Job Club," and renaming it the "Chamber Job Club." The move is an effort to help even more people, along with area businesses.

"As Chamber members this offers them a tool for people they've had to downsize as part of their membership so they can say go to the Chamber they've got this job club and they'll help you transition,” says Wendy Gramza, Executive Vice President of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The original job club was started by Heather Bradley in April 2009. The non-profit project is designed as a way for job seekers to meet on a regular basis and swap job leads, hold mock interviews, and critique resumes. The group has even held two reverse job fairs where employers can meet a room full of candidates who are ready to go to work.

"You know that they are all fabulous job seekers and that's how I know how tough the economy is,” says Bradley. “We have great candidates in our job club and its tough out there so what I tell them it is a sprint not a marathon so that's part of what the job club can offer."

The job club already boasts nine alumni who have either found jobs or have started their own businesses. The Chamber of Commerce hopes its involvement will help that number grow.

The Chamber is holding an informational session Wednesday, August 12 for people interested in joining the job club. Click here to register.