Patch 100 Employment Workshop Introduces Women to Online Networking

Patch and What's for Work? kicked off their Patch 100 initiative Tuesday with a workshop that emphasized the importance of building an online employment profile and engaging in online career forums and other community websites.

About a dozen women from around the East Bay gathered at the Pleasanton Library for the session, which featured tips about creating a professional image both externally, via the right profile photo, and internally, by being honest about their decision to take a break from the workforce.

In fact, What's for Work CEO Teri Hockett's Danville-based company is founded on the idea that being "employed by life," makes women who are either done raising children or are more mature and out of the workforce for other life reasons, highly desirable employees.

She shared with the group a quote by Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard:

I search out mature women as employees. Ones that have already raised families and are looking for something to do. These people have lived with a budget. They are aggressive. They are honest. You can’t find better employees. They are one of the most underused resources in America.

Hockett is passionate about her company's mission.

"It is a wonderful feeling to positively impact lives, to be able to network with amazing, talented women, and be able to instantly refer people to someone that can help them with their career management and job search,” she said after Tuesday's event.

So far 90 women have signed up for the Patch 100, and we're always accepting new members. (Click here to sign up — it's free.)

 What's for Work is also recruiting employers to join their site as well, for a fee. (Click the link for more info.)

The next workshop is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday April 30 at the Pleasanton Library. The focus will be on how to create a personal brand online via social media.

For more information about What's for Work, email Teri@whatsforwork.com.