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Faith-Based Network Can Help In Job Search

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By SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN The Wall Street Journal

Published: October 8, 2007

When Amber Edwina Hampton began searching for her first post-college job last spring, in addition to praying, the recent convert to Islam took advantage of her new religious connections to network.

As a result, a classmate at an Islamic school told Hampton about a job opening at the NYU School of Medicine. The classmate, already an employee at the medical school, also agreed to hand Hampton's resume to the hiring manager. Three weeks later, the 24-year-old was hired as a program associate.

If you're searching for work, consider reaching out to fellow congregants, spiritual leaders and others in your religious circle. These folks are often eager to help like-minded believers. What's more, many nonsecular institutions provide free job-search resources that are available to anyone.

Successful networkers say they often secure leads from their faith-based connections by bringing up their employment status in casual conversations about their lives. These conversations can take place after services, at holiday parties or at other religious gatherings, they say.

Mary Stutts, an associate pastor at Revival Center Ministries in Vallejo, Calif., says she regularly spreads the word about local job opportunities to worshipers before and after services. 'In the last month, I've given out four job referrals,' she says. Stutts even announces job opportunities from the pulpit.

Some religious groups use e-mail and online forums to share job leads, facilitate networking and channel career advice.

Although many job seekers may rely on religious contacts for support and success, career experts warn against discussing faith when meeting with hiring managers or executive recruiters. 'You don't want to turn it into a religious conversation,' says Kevin Zwetsch, a partner with the law firm Fowler White Boggs Banker in Tampa. 'You're veering off the path of what you're there for.'

An exception might be if your involvement in religion can promote your candidacy, adds Zwetsch. For example, if you mention that you are a deacon at a church during a job interview, 'that demonstrates leadership and community involvement,' he says.

But he warns that 'if you go any further, employers will get skittish,' because recruiters are prohibited by law from asking candidates questions about their religious beliefs unless they pertain to the job at hand. Religion 'is one of those taboo topics,' he says.

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