Frequently Asked Questions
PAPEN is the Pennsylvania Professional Employment Network, a non-profit, volunteer-based
organization that promotes career management through networking.
PAPEN was founded in 1992 by A. William Jefferson who, in the midst of a job search,
began meeting with several of his friends who were also in job search mode to share
leads.
Our mission statement, which appears on the last page of every bulletin, is repeated
here:
PAPEN is an organization of professionals, managers, and executives committed to:
- Fostering networks of personal contacts and relationships
- Providing an environment where Participants can develop and perfect their networking
skills
- Sharing career-related experiences, strategies, and knowledge
- Uncovering career opportunities that may be of interest to other Participants
While most Participants tend to be mid-and upper level management and senior staff
professionals, anyone with a sincere desire to enhance his or her career through
networking is welcome.
No. A donation of $10.00 is suggested.
We suggest a $1.00 donation - strictly voluntary and optional - at any meeting that
you attend.
Networking is the best way to find your dream job. Most long-term high-quality jobs
involve networking in some way, shape or form. PAPEN meeting provide an opportunity
to develop and perfect your networking skills, to build and enhance your personal
network, to hear industry professionals address topics which will enhance your job
search skills, increase your marketability, or whatever. If you choose to become
involved as an Chapter officer, you will have an opportunity to develop or demonstrate
your personal skills to improve the organization. Attending meetings on a regular
basis helps restore a little regularity to this difficult time of your life, gives
you something to focus on, and may help increase your personal accountability with
respect to your job search.
PAPEN is based on the "Chapter" concept. Chapters are autonomous groups which operate
under the general guidelines of formal bylaws. Chapters elect their own officers,
schedule their own speakers, and conduct meetings. Each Chapter's Director and Assistant
Director are members of the Executive Board. In addition, there are six members
at large. Five are elected via Chapter-wide balloting and the sixth member is the
Founding Director of PAPEN.
Here’s a thumbnail description of a typical meeting. Prior to the official meeting
start, Participants may network with other Participants, new Participants, or the
scheduled speaker. Once the meeting is opened, there are various brief announcements.
The scheduled speaker presents a topic of interest to job seekers. After the presentation,
there is a short break. Following the break, Participants reconvene in 'focus groups'
to network, discuss job search goals, skills, and strategies.
Chapter meetings provide a variety of useful information including a schedule of
upcoming speakers at each Chapter.
The meeting schedule is here.
Absolutely. You may vote for officers at each Chapter, but you may vote only once
for At-Large Participants, regardless of how many chapters you join. If you attend
multiple meetings in any week, you need not donate $1.00 at every meeting.
Each chapter has a 'Programs Chairperson' whose responsibilities include scheduling
speakers. If you have an idea for a specific topic, see your Programs Chairperson
and make your voice heard. He or she has a master index of all people who have spoken
at PAPEN and their topics.
Chapter Officers are responsible for local operations within the general scope of
control as defined by the by-laws or by guidelines created by the Executive Board.
For more information, see the Executive Board FAQ.
Bylaws are on the PAPEN website.
None. Our mission is not to find you a job; that's your mission. We do, however,
receive job leads from a variety of local employers, out-of-town employers, recruiters,
and our own Participants.
None. Participants are responsible for identifying suitable job leads, making initial
contacts, and providing any documentation that may be required by the prospective
employer.
The best way to get help with your resume is to first develop a personal support
network within PAPEN and then ask your network for help.
The URL is www.papen.us
(724) 443-8260
It is a convenient, fast way to receive job leads from employers, employment agencies
and recruiters, and Participants. PAPEN policy does not permit use of the fax machine
for personal business. Anyone who has done so has committed a major breach of professional
etiquette.
We have no messaging service. Consult your alumni directory for phone or fax numbers
or email addresses.
Your Focus Group leader or Chapter Director will have the most current job leads.
That depends on many things including how hard you work at it, the type of position
you are seeking, and general local market conditions. Some Participants have found
jobs in days, while others have been without permanent positions for in excess of
two years.
The question is ambiguous, since 'positive results' is a subjective term and thus
a matter of personal opinion. If you're serious about networking, and serious about
your job search, you could very well see results after only one meeting.
A fair question. Most people erroneously believe that finding a job means that they
cease their association with PAPEN. Smart networkers will strengthen their individual
relationships and continue their relationship with the organization, either through
attending meetings whenever possible, serving as a speaker, helping out with ongoing
projects to improve the organization, reminding their employer that PAPEN is a viable
source of experienced job candidates, promoting PAPEN wherever possible, or acting
as a resource for other PAPEN Participants.
Priority II
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