Thank You For Making an Impact and Merry Days Ahead to All of The Job Forum Community

Including volunteer members, job hunters, expert speakers, sponsors and donors: you are a unique group of positive, action- oriented proactive people, and you are making a difference here in the SF Bay Area. Thank you.

We are most grateful to be able to truly make a difference and Impact job hunter success together – here is some quick data for you about what was accomplished in 2025:
In 2025, The Job Forum volunteers offered a remarkable grand total of 168 events to reach and assist job hunters. This included 80 expert speaker panel events focused in growing industry careers and events designed for teaching and advising, re: modern job search skills. The Job Forum also hosted 41 weeks of Wednesday small group job search problem-solving sessions. The Job Forum also provided 47 weeks of 1-On-1 advising. We had 4,323 job hunters sign up, and the job hunters were mostly of core working ages and represented a broad range of income and race, reflecting the SF Bay Area. In 2025, an overwhelming number of people said they were referred to The Job Forum by a friend or colleague and the majority of attendees said it was their first time at The Job Forum. In 2025, the majority of the attendees who came were already without a job, unemployed, rather than employed and looking.
Good news: We just heard from a successful job hunter who said: “Thank you for your support. You transformed my job search and I am relieved to land a promising role!”
During 2025, The Job Forum expanded our youth program ( Workforce of the Future) by planning and delivering a successful Field Trip with 40 high schoolers from San Francisco’s Burton high school to visit the fabulous South San Francisco Offices of AbbVie, a global Biopharmaceutical company that focuses on innovative therapies for immunology, oncology neurosciences and aesthetics.  We are so grateful to AbbVie, which is a sponsor of The Job Forum, and whose company leaders regularly participate on expert Speaker Panels.
Thank you to The Miranda Lux Foundation for support of the youth program, Workforce of the Future.
The Job Forum also participated in programs to advise and broaden the career prospects for high school students at even more high schools in the greater SF Bay Area.  Megan Slater leads the Workforce of the Future program with the able involvement of Job Forum volunteer, Rex Ridgeway.
The Job Forum’s STEM program was very strong in 2025,  with special events provided to assist advancing women in the STEM industries and job roles in science, engineering, technology and finance. We are fortunate to have our volunteer, Abby Evans, now heading the STEM program and to have the support of The James Tien Family Foundation who provides the Stem initiative with much needed financial support.
 During 2025 we also had a very successful Veteran’s Career Fair and had financial support and overall sponsorship from Microsoft, plus supporting donations from Strauss Family Creamery, Marc Gallo of PWC and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.  Thank you to all who made that event a success.
We sincerely thank our sponsor Google and the William E. and Aenid R. Weisgerber Foundation and the SF Chamber of Commerce who is The Job Forum’s fiscal sponsor for  the last 73 years.  The Job Forum is also so grateful to all the individuals and volunteers who donate to the operations and financial needs of The Job Forum.
Because of you, job hunter hopes and Job Forum volunteer efforts turn into opportunities for the workforce here and a very positive impact for jobs and companies in the SF Bay Area.

At The Job Forum, We Don’t Like Ghosting

 You might be horrified by it too.

“Ghosting. The most disrespectful practice that’s ever disgraced the market.”

That’s what one client told one of our volunteers. We agree.  This came up when talking about the hardest part of a job search; the practice of sudden cutting off communication without explanation.

This job hunter explained she was navigating the same uphill battle many face: tailoring every resume, trying to stay positive, showing up to interviews fully prepared, and then silence. No feedback. No rejection. Just a black hole.

She said something that really stays with us:

“People seem to forget they were once on the other side of the table, hoping and praying someone saw their potential.”

And she’s right.

As a former recruiter, now a coach, I’ve seen both sides. I understand bandwidth issues, HR systems, delays, and indecision. But I also know this:

💬 A 30-second follow-up, even a “no,” can go a long way in showing respect.

We must do better. All of us. even though we are “busy”.  This is especially true for acknowledging the humans behind the resumes. For they are people, showing up, giving their best, and too many are walking away with nothing but silence.

If you’re in hiring or influencing others, who are hiring, we hope you’ll keep voices like hers in mind. Because we believe that while ghosting may be common, it should never be acceptable.

by Cindy Fassler, Job Forum volunteer

(cindy@cindyfassler.com)  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyfassler/

Take Your Great LinkedIn Profile Out for a Spin in 2026

The Job Forum is very pleased to help people with their LinkedIn profile, and no one is better at this than Sandra Clark of Linked Mentoring. Here is the latest from Sandra:

I’m often asked why someone should bother with their LinkedIn profile or hear complaints like, “It’s not getting me any business or job offers anyway.”

There’s a lot you can do to make LinkedIn work for you, but let’s start with the basics.

Did You Lose Opportunities Because of Your Profile?

Can you tell how much business or how many potential job opportunities you’ve missed because your profile wasn’t up to par?

Has someone looked you up, only to be turned off by an incomplete or outdated profile—or unsure it was even you because the photo didn’t match? Your LinkedIn presence is often your first impression. Make it count.

Can You Be Found?

Another common issue is visibility. When I teach LinkedIn workshops, I look up attendees in advance to get familiar with them. It’s not unusual that I can’t find a third—or even half—of the class.

In most cases, they do have profiles, but their settings or incomplete information keep them from showing up in searches. If people can’t find you, your profile can’t do its job.

I’ve Got a Great Profile—Now What?

A client recently emailed asking why her profile views hadn’t increased after a full makeover. I checked her activity and discovered she’d only had seven interactions that entire month.

That brings us to the real key: activity.

It’s All About Activity

Having a great profile is important—but your results depend on using it. Here’s how to build momentum:

  1. Network actively. Attend business meetings, networking events, or volunteer activities. Every time you meet someone, they may look you up on LinkedIn.
  2. Share your LinkedIn link. Add your custom LinkedIn URL to your email signature and business cards so people can easily find you.
  3. Stay visible online. Check your “Who’s viewed your profile” page and your activity feed. Share, comment, and post thoughtfully—give LinkedIn a reason to show you to others.
  4. Reach out to connect. Expanding your network and engaging directly with others significantly increases profile views.
  5. Visit other profiles. Make sure you’re not in anonymous mode—when you look at someone’s profile, many will look right back.
  6. Engage in groups. Contribute to discussions, answer questions, and comment meaningfully. Groups can still be a valuable source of visibility and leads when used strategically.
  7. Share your content. If you publish an article or post relevant to a broader audience, share it to targeted groups with context—add a question or comment to spark interest.

Small, Consistent Actions Win

It’s better to spend five minutes each day being active on LinkedIn than an hour once a week. Consistency builds visibility and credibility.

A LinkedIn profile isn’t meant to just sit there and look pretty—although that’s a good start. It’s meant to be used.

I’ll admit I’m not a “car person,” but it’s the perfect analogy: having a great profile and not using it is like owning a shiny new car and leaving it parked in the driveway. You’ll get noticed occasionally, but if you really want results, you’ve got to take it out for a spin.

By Sandra Clark – sandra@linkedmentoring.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandraaclark/

Meet The Veteran Advisors

The Job Forum offers “1-on-1 Veteran Advising” sessions on Tuesdays for military making the transition to civilian job roles. Job Forum’s expert volunteers are managers with backgrounds from a variety of companies and are skilled in working to help veterans translate their excellence and value and will provide guidance and advice, and contacts, for next steps in career and job search.  They enhance the veterans’ business network and assist military members to develop the skills and the confidence veterans need to be successful in today’s civilian job market. They will evaluate your short- and long-term career goals and make concrete suggestions.

Steve Gentry is the owner of Cognate Cyber, a security advisor, expert in infoSec and former CIO and CISO, and has worked at companies such as Adobe and VMware.

 

Marc Gallo is just recently retired as a partner of PWC with expertise in Financial Services and consulting and large multi million dollar transformational projects and programs for clients.

 

Michael Anthony is a GRC expert (governance, risk and compliance) who defines and supports enforcement of security standards and manages risk assessments and translate regulations into technical controls, protecting systems data, and infrastructure. He was in the banking sector (Wells Fargo and First Republic) and in the Media industry (CBS).

With the Assistance of experts like these The Job Forum offers real value:

30 minute “1-On-1 Veteran Advising” Sessions with a Job Forum Professional Advisor. The cost is a fee of $20 for one session and $50 if you book three sessions, (much less than the average market rate.)

“1-on-1 Veterans Advising” sessions appointments can be conducted via phone or zoom and you can decide on the timing with your advisor.

Veterans’ Career Coaching appointments can cover a variety of topics, including:

Exploring Career Options and where to focus a search, Companies to target who welcome veterans, Making the case for your value,Translating your transferrable skills, Resume and Cover letter Review, LinkedIn Consultation, Networking Techniques.

Advice on Internships, Job Search & Volunteering, Practice (mock) Interviewing, Advice on Salary Negotiation and more.

Sign up here: https://1on1veteransadvisingtuesdays.eventbrite.com

The Job Forum volunteers can also introduce military job hunters to American Corporate Partners, a military veteran mentoring group, if Vets are interested in having ongoing mentoring. ACP and The Job Forum partner together.

The Job Forum Visits Las Lomas High School

In addition to hosting our free Good Careers for Young People virtual events on zoom for young people 15-25, the Job Forum Workforce of the Future program also meets with students in person for career panels, mock interviews, and other career-focused activities.

We recently had the opportunity to visit students at Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek to discuss careers in biotech and healthcare. Our expert Job Forum panelists were Derrick Richardson, a Biotechnology Operations & HR Executive formerly with Alumis; Betiel Hadgu Haile, a Medical and Scientific Affairs Professional at Roche; and Robin Thomas, also a Medical and Scientific Affairs Professional at Roche.

Students listened attentively as the panelists shared their career paths, highlighted the wide range of roles in biotech and healthcare, and described the skills needed to succeed. The students, ranging in age from sophomores to seniors, were highly engaged and asked thoughtful questions about relevant areas of study, educational choices, and how to navigate or pivot as they plan their future careers, including how to adapt as they learn new information about themselves, respond to emerging technologies, and adjust to the rapid evolution of the biotech and healthcare fields.

The panelists also underscored the importance of developing interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and emotional intelligence alongside strong scientific and technical capabilities.

Overall, it was a meaningful and positive experience for both students and panelists. We look forward to continuing to connect with young professionals across the Bay Area through the Workforce of the Future program. Our sincere thanks go out to The Miranda a Lux Foundation which supports The Job Forum and the Workforce of the Future program. If you are interested in participating in Workforce of the Future events, please contact janet@thejobforum.org or signup on the job from volunteer form on our website: https://thejobforum.org/volunteer-with-us/ .

Megan Slater,  Director Job Forum youth program,  Linkedin.com/in/meganslater

 

Job Forum Social Gathering With the Toastmasters Club

The Job Forum had a warm happy social gathering at the SF Chamber of Commerce boardroom with sushi, wine and nibbles.  The goal was to reinforce our network of fabulous volunteers and have some time for updates around the table. We want to be sure everybody who volunteers with The Job Forum gets to know more wonderful volunteer members of The Job Forum.

For this event, we had the pleasure of a collaboration between The Job Forum and Golden Gate Toastmasters. Toastmasters meet at our fiscal sponsors site, the SF Chamber of Commerce. The event proved to be a highly engaging and productive joint meeting. Members from both organizations came together in a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged conversations and meaningful connections.  Our two groups share a commitment to professional growth and community support.

The Job Forum of San Francisco brings its strength in job search skills, career development, job hunting strategies and Bay Area business contacts. Job hunters who attend benefit from insights via The Job Forum manager’s real-world experiences and inside company knowledge about job search.  Golden Gate Toastmasters core specialty is helping individuals build confidence in public speaking, communication, and leadership.We had a 70% turnout among our own volunteers who had signed up (21/30) for this social event. The Job Forum will be creating additional opportunities for volunteer engagement and networking together in 2026.  This successful joint effort highlighted how positive collaboration can be. Both organizations look forward to future opportunities to refer one another, learn from one another, and support members in achieving personal and professional success.

Ethan Etheridge, Job Forum Volunteer Engagement

linkedin.com/in/ethanetheridge

Do You Yearn For a Career That Feels Meaningful and Fulfilling?

When job seekers in the San Francisco Bay Area hire a career coach, the most important things we talk to them about tend to fall into three major areas:  shaped by the unique Bay Area job market, tech-centric culture, and high cost of living. Below are what we find to be the most important needs, along with discussions for how to conduct an effective a job search at sessions and events at The Job Forum weekly events.

A job search coach can help with these three:

  1. Market-specific Strategy & Positioning

Because the Bay Area has a very competitive job market (especially in tech, startups, and product roles), job-seekers often need help:

  • Understanding which roles and companies are realistic to target given their background, and how to target them.
  • Creating a strategy that accounts for the local hiring dynamics: many roles are filled via referrals or internal networks rather than simply applying. You will potentially need help from experts at The Job Forum and coaches can also assist clients in building networking plans relevant to this geography.
  • Positioning their skills for roles in high‐demand sectors (tech, product, design, etc.), where the standards and competition are high: tailoring résumé, LinkedIn profile, and pitch accordingly.
  • Dealing with cost of living / compensation expectations: In the Bay Area the stakes are higher, so it’s important to understand salary/benefits, relocation (if applicable), and cost‐of‐living implications.

So, if you’re in the Bay Area, map your background to where the “opportunity zones” are locally, not just generically. That is why   a local career coach will get you OnTrack to land your next job.

  1. Personal Branding, Visibility & Networking

Because many opportunities in the Bay Area aren’t purely posted publicly (they’re filled via referrals, or via people who are highly visible in their field), The Job Forum volunteers and a coach can really help with:

  • Building a strong online presence (especially on LinkedIn) and a résumé/profile that stands out in a highly-qualified pool.
  • Crafting your story: What sets you apart? What’s your “why” (especially important in mission-driven Bay Area companies). Coaches emphasize uncovering strengths and values so you can articulate them.
  • Networking strategically: Not just generic “send invites” but targeting former colleagues, alumni in the area, local meet-ups, referrals from Job Forum volunteers, and if you get a coach they can assist that way too.
  • Navigating hidden job markets and “getting in line ahead of the crowd” rather than competing purely on volume of applications. is going to be key
  1. Practical Execution, Action & Accountability

High-chance job search demands more than just ideas: execution matters. In the Bay Area, job-seekers often expect help with:

  • Tailored job search: résumé/cover letter tailored to local firms, interview prep (including tech/systemic interviews), salary negotiation in a high-cost region.
  • A structured plan with clear milestones: What roles you’ll apply to, when you’ll network, prep steps.
  • Mindset, resilience, and managing complexity: The Bay Area market can be draining (many rejections, high competition), so having accountability, weekly check-ins, and a partner to keep you on track is especially important.
  • Navigating transitions: Many in the area pivot industries (e.g., from non-tech into tech), or move into leadership roles; such transitions require more strategy. Coaches in the region highlight helping with “career transitions & making a fresh start”.

In short: a strong Bay Area-focused job search is needed. You can get help by coming to the Job Forum weekly sessions. You may also find career coach will additionally help you to understand and navigate the local market, stand out through brand + networking, and execute a tailored search plan with accountability. If a coach you speak with only offers generic résumé templates without local-market nuance, it may not be enough.

Your career should energize you, not drain you.

If you are Over Worked feel Over Whelmed or Over Looked, you need to STOP doing the same thing over and over again to find your next job.

We look forward to seeing you at The Job Forum….   and The Job Forum has dedicated job search coaches with great track records who volunteer and are eager to meet you

by Cindy Fassler

(cindy@cindyfassler.com)  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyfassler/

Holiday Message of Gratitude and Impact

In this season of gratitude, we want to say thank you for believing in the importance of human connections for job hunters to find their next jobs.  The SF Bay Area needs a vibrant workforce of motivated people to keep our diverse and energized part of the country that the San Francisco Bay Area has always been.
By supporting The Job Forum, this is what you made possible this year: The Job Forum has provided 168 total number of valuables events this year for job hunters to meet more business managers and receive great input, get important job search questions answered, benefit by more ideas on where to focus their job search effort, and meet more caring business leaders with whom to network and connect.
Your support is important. You may not know, that people nowadays looking for jobs, experience massive isolation during the job search process. This is due to interactions with mostly platforms rather than people. Job hunters at The Job Forum do truly benefit from the opportunities we provide for meeting people at job search events, receiving customized suggestions, having the opportunity for follow up informational interviews, professional referrals and the chance to talk with people inside of companies who volunteer and give them their best advice.
The Job Forum’s programs educate motivated job hunters about modern job search strategy and tactics, empower and introduce job hunters to valuable connections and create a ripple effect encouraging and assisting job hunters who are proactively taking steps along their path to their next jobs. This is a benefit for the whole SF Bay Area – employers and job seekers and all of us who live here and want a vibrant and human business climate here in the Bay Area.
If you yourself have been happily employed, you may not have had to think much about the realities that during both 2024 and 2025 things have been fairly brutal for many hoping to work here in the SF Bay Area. This is due to lay offs of thousands of motivated working people and the overall business community embrace and caution re: AI, and a slow down in hiring newcomers and recent graduates from graduate school or college. Your neighbor or nephew or friend may have already shared with you the fact that it certainly is and has been a truly terrible challenge to find a job in the SF Bay Area.
We are so grateful to those of you who have already “paid it forward” by helping those in hard times with your volunteer efforts and your donations to The Job Forum.
If you have been to a Job Forum session but have not donated as yet this year; we definitely need you and your support right now.
Thank you so much.
Janet Beach

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