In this tight job market, women continually turn to Women@Work to advise them on job search strategies, and our guidance is based on what we see and hear in the marketplace. We've always thought of our company as a community of "smart women helping other smart women", and we provide many opportunities for the mid to senior-level women in our network to give each other ideas, insights and advice. This current economic environment, however, calls for straight-talk, advice and "working knowledge" from the employer side of the table.

In a series of 90-minute discussions held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the summer we will bring employers and mid to senior level women together for job search networking and conversation. The objective is to create a general (not necessarily industry-specific) dialogue between employers and top candidates about how to navigate a difficult job market, foster relationship building for the near and longer-term and explore general workforce trends. Employers will share their personal thoughts, observations and opinions--and help the women in our network as they gather job search strategies.

Because we expect a tremendous amount of interest in these sessions with employers, the "Working Knowledge" Discussions will be open to Women@Work Annual Members only (those who have paid the $95 annual membership fee), and we are in the midst of scheduling at least a dozen discussions in June and July. Not a member yet? Join here.

Our next session, on Friday, July 10th from 8am to 9:30am, will be "How to Do Well by Doing Good: Tips for Transitioning to the Non-Profit World" Many women in our network tell us that they are no longer interested in the corporate grind, and they look to apply their business skills to the non-profit world. At this time when charitable giving has declined, what are the chances that you could make the transition from proft to non-profit? When opportunities do exist, what do non-profits look for in candidates who have built their career on a corporate foundation? Join Betsy Weber, President of the National Executive Service Corps (NESC) to discuss strategies for the job seeker looking for a non-profit post.

On Monday, July 13th from 12:30 to 2:00pm, the discussion in our Wilton, CT office will be: "Interview All-Stars: What Impressed me the Most About the Women I've Hired". Attendees will have a chance to chat with Lauren Shapiro, the Director of Recruiting for Archstone Consulting, who will talk about what has and has not impressed her in interviews--and what job seekers can do in an interview to increase their chances of being hired.

Make sure that your resume is working for you by joining in the discussion on Wednesday, July 22nd from 6:30 to 8pm: "How I Mine for Gold in Cover Letters and Resumes". Director of HR Gretchen Reising of IVI Companies and Netra Macon, HR Manager, IMsci & Osprey divisions of Grey Healthcare Group, will be here to help you make sure that you are putting your best foot forward.

We are in the process of adding more employer participants for each of these discussions and finalizing the overall schedule for the summer series. In the meantime, be sure to let Kathryn Sollmann know which of these discussions you would like to attend as seating will be limited.