PHILADELPHIA — Networking works, especially in today’s difficult job market, according to a recent survey of members of GPSEG, an association of senior-level executives in Greater Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware committed to professional and leadership education, as well as networking.

 

 

In fact, just 42 percent of the members said they were employed at the time they joined GPSEG, compared to the 73 percent employed today. And even though the economy has struggled, that’s an increase from 2010, when a membership survey counted 59 percent employment. Of course, while networking is vital, so is the chance of finding new business opportunities.

 

 

“Networking is key to finding the next executive position in many cases,” said GPSEG Chairman and CEO Dwayne Patterson. “Our members talk regularly and attend events which give them a better idea of the lay of the land. They hear about potential job openings as well as the chance to land new business.”

 

 

GPSEG member Syd Weinstein credits the organization with him landing his position as executive vice president and chief technology officer at PeopleMetrics, a Philadelphia-based market research company.

 

 

Weinstein was transitioning out of a start-up company, when he was approached by fellow GPSEG member Wayne Lorgus, who serves as the chief financial officer at PeopleMetrics through B2B CFO Partners, about helping with technology-related issues. That led to an interview with PeopleMetrics CEO Sean McDade which, in turn, led to part-time consulting and, eventually, a full-time executive position.

 

 

“ It was because Wayne knew me, knew what I could do, and what my strengths were, my knowledge base, that led him to recommend me to Sean, and to facilitate the connection,” Weinstein said.

 

 

The GPSEG survey comes on the heels of troubling economic news.

 

 

In May, unemployment rates fell in fewer than half of U.S. states, a sign that job growth has slowed in much of the country. Compare that to April, when 39 states reported falling unemployment rates.

 

 

Pennsylvania reported a drop of 14,200 jobs. The commonwealth’s unemployment rate actually declined from 7.5 percent to 7.4 percent, but only the number of people seeking jobs declined.

 

 

Nationally, employers added a net gain of only 54,000 jobs in May – versus a monthly average of 220,000 the previous three months. The U.S. unemployment rate ticked up to 9.1 percent.