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Provided at no fee to either job seekers or employers, the services of OPEN are
offered statewide through EDD's Experience Unlimited (EU) program. Hundreds of
workers from a wide range of professional, technical and managerial fields
participate in these voluntary, self-help networking groups to lend one another
job-hunting assistance and direction.
EDD's Job Service offices provide space, equipment, and a staff specialist for each
EU chapter. This important service is a response to the needs of communities faced
with an increase in corporate mergers, relocations, and downsizing, or an increased
number of people forced to change jobs due to technological shifts.
The Experience Unlimited concept started in Berkeley in 1959 and expanded quickly
throughout the state. In the late 1970's the number of chapters began to decline
until only four cities retained chapters. In 1986 the concept was revived, and
there are currently more than 23 chapters, each of which bears an unique name such
as ProSearch, Marin Professionals, and OPEN.
Members work together to network and share job-seeking knowledge and experiences.
Results have shown that these activities reduce the length of unemployment.
Most EU members are mid- to upper-level executives who have lost their jobs due to
downsizing, mergers, acquisitions, or leveraged buy-outs. They have expertise in
administration, management, finance, personnel, education, engineering, marketing,
accounting, computer technology, and various scientific fields. They offer years of
experience and often possess advanced academic degrees.
The emphasis in EU is on self-help. Members engage in job-seeking activities under
the general guidance of an EDD chapter liaison. Members contribute a specified amount
of time to an activity designed to obtain employment for themselves or other active
chapter members.
All members begin by attending an orientation meeting followed by a variety of
workshops. These workshops may include, but are not limited to, job search training,
resume writing, and interviewing techniques.
Members then actively seek job openings and interviews by contacting employers.
During this search for work, members act as a networking and support group,
providing advice and encouragement to each other.
EU members have access to thousands of job openings through CalJOBS, EDD's
Internet-based system. Employers also may view EU member resumes in CalJOBS.
This augments the prospects for interviews that members develop on their own.
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