Posted: 21 May 2010 11:57 PM PDT

Bowling often is called the sport of the working class. In Tucson, it's become the sport of job hunters.

Twice a week, on different ends of town, dozens of employment seekers gather at local bowling alleys for free games of 10-pin and a chance to rub elbows with someone who might offer them a means to make a living.

Tucson Bowl, 7020 E. 21st St., and Santa Cruz Lanes, 3665 S. 16th Ave., have been combining free bowling with job fairs one morning a week at each site since early May.

The concept, which started in Michigan and spread to a handful of Arizona cities, has led to at least 10 local hirings so far, said Tucson Bowl manager Gary Gaynor Jr.

When the economy slows down, so does the bowling business, he said.

"If we can help people get back to work, everybody wins," Gaynor said.

Incongruous sights and sounds are everywhere at these sessions.

Employers set up application tables atop carpets dotted with neon bowling balls as Michael Jackson songs waft from the alley's sound system.

The clatter of falling pins filled the air, along with the aroma of barbecued chicken wings, as Ann Mazza showed up Friday in search of work.

"I'm looking for anything," said Mazza, 44, recently laid off from a credit collections job. "This sounded like an interesting concept so I thought, why not?"

She faced a problem getting dressed that morning, though. What to wear to an event that's part fun, part job hunt?

"I went for the interview look," said Mazza, sporting a navy sweater and tan slacks as she clutched a binder full of résumés.

"We've seen everything from blue jeans to business suits," Gaynor said. "And they all got up and bowled.

"We even had a cop bowling in uniform one day."

Recruiters from the Tucson Police Department, Truly Nolen pest control, the Pascua Yaqui tribal government, and several health-care firms have taken part.

The U.S. Army also has shown up, so far snagging one potential recruit.

Unlike traditional job fairs, which often charge employers $50 to $300 for tables, firms can set up for free at the bowling lanes.

The sessions have drawn anywhere from 20 to 65 job seekers at a time, Gaynor said.

"So far it's gone pretty well," the manager said. "Not as well as we'd hoped, but we're still getting the word out."

The two bowling centers - both owned by the same parent firm - will continue the job fairs next week and may extend them into June if turnout warrants, Gaynor said.

Richard Crum, 52, who showed up at Friday's job fair with his bowling bag, said he's grateful for anything that might help him find work.

He's been laid off twice since 2008, most recently from a maintenance job in Green Valley.

"At this point," he said, " I just need to pay the bills."

Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.

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Opportunity Knocks and YNPNsfba Announce June 29 San ... - PRWeb

Posted: 22 May 2010 12:04 AM PDT

San Francisco Bay Area professionals looking to accelerate their nonprofit career and job search can join Opportunity Knocks and YNPNsfba (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - San Francisco Bay Area chapter) at the Nonprofit Career Conference, a one-day event on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM at Cal State East Bay's Oakland Center, located at 1000 Broadway, Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94607.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) May 22, 2010 -- San Francisco Bay Area professionals looking to accelerate their nonprofit career and job search can join Opportunity Knocks and YNPNsfba (Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - San Francisco Bay Area chapter) at the Nonprofit Career Conference, a one-day event on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM at Cal State East Bay's Oakland Center, located at 1000 Broadway, Suite 109, Oakland, CA 94607.

This full day conference will feature workshops and consultative sessions designed to help nonprofit professionals and corporate professionals looking to switch careers improve their job-seeking skills and career development strategies.

Through sessions led by experienced and qualified career consultants and nonprofit subject matter experts, attendees will learn how to become more competitive in the nonprofit job marketplace. Featured workshop presenters include Janelle Cavanagh, Executive Director of the University of California Press Foundation;Colin Lacon, President & CEO of Northern California Grantmakers; Nelson Layag, Project Director of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services; Sherry Platt Berman, Owner S.W.I.T.C.H. Careers and The Career Wisdom Institute; and Mauri Schwartz, President and CEO of Career Insiders.

"The Opportunity Knocks Nonprofit Career Conference is produced as an ongoing effort to assist the job seekers and professionals of the San Francisco Bay Area, where Opportunity Knocks was launched, access the resources and knowledge they need to get a job in the nonprofit sector," says Karen Beavor, President and CEO of Opportunity Knocks.

Attendees will receive training and consultations that will provide them with the skills needed to:

Registration capacity is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. A limited number of partial scholarships through Opportunity Knocks are available and YNPNsfba paid members receive a discount.

More information can be found at: http://content.opportunityknocks.org/2010/04/29/nonprofit-career-conference/ and www.ynpn.org/sfba.

About Opportunity Knocks: Opportunity Knocks is the national nonprofit Job Board, HR Resource and Career Development website exclusively on the nonprofit community. For nonprofit professionals, www.OpportunityKnocks.org is the premier destination to find nonprofit jobs and access valuable resources for developing successful careers in the nonprofit community. For employers, www.OpportunityKnocks.org is the best way to find qualified nonprofit candidates and receive valuable information that nonprofit organizations need when building successful recruitment, retention and human resource strategies.

About YNPNsfba: YNPNsfba connects emerging leaders in our community as a force for good. We empower nonprofit professionals to create connections and opportunities for impact through peer-led programs and resource sharing.

Contact: Lynne Norton, Marketing Manager, Opportunity Knocks, 678-916-3066 or lnorton(at)opportunityknocks(dot)org

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Student Job Search: Craigslist Vs. Career Services - Associated Content

Posted: 21 May 2010 05:01 PM PDT

A Look into the User Experince of Craigslist Vs. Career Services

I'm not arguing against career service offices, in fact, I believe that they should have an expanded role in connecting students with employers. That said, these offices need to invest in better digital experiences and offer students a clear value proposition. Technology rapidly accelerates the ability for students and employers/alumni to foster meaningful relationships - lead this! It's important!

At the end of my meeting with these career service professionals, I challenged them to think like a student and go to their career service website for the first time. If you get a chance, do the same and post comments on your experience interacting with the software as a first time student would.

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