At Hudson Job Search, a non-profit organization that helps unemployed and underemployed individuals to learn the skills they will need to secure their ideal job in today’s job market, our key to success is the army of volunteers we have, called Advisors. These Advisors work one-on-one with the “client,” who is the jobseeker. All the services are offered free of charge. Our Advisors are strictly volunteers in the community with a desire to help individuals gain the employment they deserve. Advisors act as coaches, helping create timelines for job seekers to perfect their resume, work on marketing themselves with the perfect cover letter, interview skills and more.
For over twelve years our organization has benefited from the great job Bob Carleton does in his role as a Hudson Job Search Advisor and that’s why he is our Featured Advisor. Read more about Bob Carleton and his history as a volunteer for Hudson Job Search is this Featured Advisor interview:
Professional Background
Bob Carleton‘s early career was in Account Management with Leo Burnett and Ogilvy & Mather advertising agencies in Chicago. Most recently, he was a partner with a Hudson Search and Recruitment firm placing marketing and advertising executives nationally for both ad agencies and corporations. He retired at the end of 2019.
Q: What inspired you to become an Advisor with Hudson Job Search?
A: I have always enjoyed volunteering and was inspired to join Hudson Job Search by a gentleman named Al Norman, a long-time Advisor and a member of my church. I had recently left Hudson EMS after hip surgery and was looking for a new challenge. In speaking with Al, I learned that HJS had assisted over 2700 job seekers find employment. That was in 2010 and today that number has grown to over 4500. I was very impressed. So It was Al Norman that sparked my interest in HJS and then in becoming an Advisor.
Q: How long have you been an Advisor with Hudson Job Search?
A: I joined in 2010 so 12 years.
Q: What do you enjoy the most about your role as an Advisor with the organization?
A: I get satisfaction helping individuals at a time when their world has turned topsy-turvy. Being unemployed is one of the most stressful times in someone’s life, especially if they have been out of the job market for some time. The role of the Advisor is to help the person through this tough period by developing and polishing his or her job skills. The Advisor is also there to provide encouragement and to be a “cheer-leader” when it is needed. Then when your client has landed the ideal job it is time to celebrate.
Q: What’s your favorite Hudson Job Search story?
One of my clients had a very difficult time figuring out what his next job should be. It was a real challenge getting him to focus on a particular industry and what role he would play. He was all over the map. Through numerous discussions and with results from a job assessment test we narrowed it down and today he is successfully employed in the food industry. Another client came to HJS in 2016 and found a position in the cleaning contractor field. Recently, the company was sold. He returned to HJS and asked if I would help. Of course I said yes and he found a great new job. Sometimes the second time around can be even better.
Q: What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a Hudson Job Search Advisor?
A: Being a HJS Advisor is a very rewarding experience. You get to help the person identify their job objective and, together, go through a proven five step program and, ultimately, realize the fruits of their labor by successfully finding the right job.
Q: How did you learn how to advise Job Seekers?
A: Certainly my previous experience as an executive recruiter helped in my role as an Advisor. It was also helpful to shadow another Advisor for a few weeks. We have monthly Advisor meetings where we share our experience and learn from each other. Often one Advisor will help another identity company leads and networking contacts. It is a time to exchange information. We also have Advisor retreats to keep up to date on the latest training techniques.
Q: If Hudson Job Search could do anything, with limitless donations, what would you like to see the organization accomplish in the next 5 years?
A: I would like to see HJS continue what we are now doing but I think there is room for us to expand our outreach beyond Hudson perhaps not only North Eastern Ohio but to states adjacent to Ohio. This would require a well laid out plan as there is danger in trying to expand too quickly. Also we need to remain on the cutting edge of new ways to communicate our story. Recently we have beefed up our social media presence and we are reaching out to Hudson churches. Just some examples – there are probably others.
See other Featured Advisors below:
