Facing the work week on Monday mornings can be tough. But for the unemployed who will spend their week looking for a job, Mondays can be even more difficult. For the past five years, Job Seekers Network has been meeting on Monday mornings to offer a different outlook for those who are unemployed, underemployed or unhappily employed. The meetings provide practical job search training, encouragement and networking opportunities. "The opportunity to start their week off on a positive note—encouraged—makes all the difference for [job seekers]," said Becky Terry, training and communications manager for JSN and an independent career coach. "People can isolate [themselves] and apply for jobs online all week long, but we also know that only about 15 percent of jobs traditionally are found through online postings." The group began as a ministry of Hill Country Bible Church Austin in January 2009 in response to the recession which began in 2008, said Craig Foster, executive director of JSN and a former corporate finance executive at Dell Inc. Although HCBC still provides the meeting facilities and 15 percent of the group's funding, JSN became an independent nonprofit in September 2012. The change reflected the group's role in serving the community, since about 80 percent of attendees are from outside the church, Foster said. The unemployment rate for Texas, which fell to 5.2 percent in April, is down from 6.4 percent a year ago, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. However, attendance has remained consistent at about 100 job seekers per week, Foster said. "The big story that [the unemployment rate is] not telling is the underemployment," he said. "Underemployed is both working fewer [than full-time] hours and also working in jobs beneath your potential." Foster said he has a passion for helping people find jobs that better fit their abilities and interests. "People come in looking for a paycheck—just looking for a job—and we try to point them to a career and then a calling in their life," he said. "I truly believe that God has meaningful and satisfying work for everybody. We just have to seek what that is." Each week job seekers meet first as a large group to hear advice from a guest speaker, announcements and a devotional. During the second hour, training in small groups is offered by volunteer coaches on topics such as interviewing skills and networking techniques. Personal consultation with a professional resume writer is one of the most popular offerings, Foster said. Doug Mitchell found JSN when he was going through his own job transition in 2011 before he became a financial advisor with SWBC Financial Services. "I began to realize pretty quickly, on the first visit, that it parallels a course that I actually paid [a career services company] $5,000 to take back in 2002. And we do it for free," he said. Mitchell now teaches job seekers through JSN how to use LinkedIn more effectively. "Every Monday I close my financial practice and come coach because I really believe in what we're doing here," he said. Billy Knott had been out of work for six months and tried other job clubs before he found JSN. He attended three meetings and now has a job. "Of all the places, I like this one the most because of the structured workshops and the programming. So much that today I brought my wife, who has been out of the job market for a long time," he said. The group serves professionals of any age, industry or faith background. "We can help anybody who needs a resume to get a job," Foster said. Job Seekers Network, Meetings held in the first floor auditorium at Hill Country Bible Church, 12124 N. RR 620, Austin, 512-914-9844, www.job-seekers-network.org, Hours: Mon. 9-11:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m. for newcomers