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EDENPRAIRIE GRACE CHURCH  |  9301 Eden Prairie Rd  |  Eden Prairie, MN 55347

Our purpose is to help unemployed and misemployed people with effective strategies and resources for a job search, while helping them hear and follow God's calling in their life and their work.
FREE JOB SEARCH SEMINARS AND WEBINARS

1st Thursday MORNING of each month | 7:30 - 9:00 am
(IN-PERSON ONLY at Grace Church in Eden Prairie)
FOLLOWED BY THE IN-PERSON NWG group meeting beginning at 9am
FOLLOWED BY "Financial Considerations in Job Transition" Q&A beginning at 10:45am

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2nd Thursday EVENING of each month  | 7:00 - 8:30 pm
(IN-PERSON ONLY at Woodbury Lutheran Church)

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3rd Thursday MORNING of each month | 7:30 - 9:00 am (Central Time)
(ONLINE Webinar Only)
These FREE Seminars include an introduction to all the additional free but valuable resources  you will find through MN Crossroads Career Network. 
​​At our Monthly Seminars, we feature a guest speaker presenting topics related to job search, networking, and lead generation.

OUR UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKERS AND TOPICS


IN-PERSON ONLY:

at Woodbury Lutheran Church

Getting Your Job Search Un-Stuck!

with: Tom Jacobson

Thursday Evening, July 9th​​​​​​​​

7:00 - 8:30 pm

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No Registration Necessary! Just come and connect with others!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Is My Job Search stuck in slow gear?

 

Transitions can be frustrating when the results you expected are not materializing. 


We will discuss several ways that that can move our job search to the next level.
Energizing your Job Search can be done by retooling your approach and getting on the right track.


Hear what Tom Jacobson has to offer on this topic as he discusses the ways to Kickstart Your Job Search!


Key Areas Include:

  • Involving Your Network

  • Refining Your STAR Stories

  • Synchronizing Your Tools, e.g., Resumes, LinkedIn, and CV’s

  • And additional methods for Refining Your Strategy

 

​Tom Jacobson is a volunteer for the MN Crossroads Career Network and leads the Woodbury Lutheran Church location.

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TOM JACOBSON

 

IN-PERSON ONLY:

at Grace Church - Eden Prairie

Quarterly Full-Day Job Search Workshop

Saturday, July 11th

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

 

 

Pre-Register Here to Participate in This Workshop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our full-day Job Search Workshops are for those who are unemployed or mis-employed. Each quarter we present practical ideas, presentations, and breakout discussions from various experts, interactive Q&A sessions, and opportunities for networking.

Workshop Topics:​

  • The Value and Process of Networking

  • Organizing Your Job Search

  • The Power of LinkedIn

  • Resumes That Work

  • Interview With Confidence

  • Financial Considerations During Job Transition

  • Finding God’s Calling Through Career Transition

  • Q&A panel of Recruiters and HR Professionals

  • Networking Opportunities

  • ...and more!

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Extra Opportunity: A team of seasoned professionals will be available for 1-to-1 coaching for workshop participants. Take the opportunity to ask career questions, gain interview practice, or talk through your individual circumstances.
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Registration: $20 per person; course materials and lunch included
If cost is an issue, please EMAIL us! (info@mncrossroads.com)  

Scholarships are available.

We don't want anyone to miss the opportunity because of cost

Pre-Register Here to Participate in This Workshop

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ONLINE ONLY: 
Pre-Register to Participate

From Networking to Connecting:

How to Build a Network That Works For You

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with: Ben Nicholas

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Thursday Morning, July 16th

7:30 - 9:00 am

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Pre-Register Here to Participate in This Webinar 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In today’s world, most people are taught how to network—but very few are taught how to truly connect.

In this practical and engaging session, Ben Nicholas will challenge the traditional approach to networking and equip attendees with a better way: becoming a high-value connector.

Participants will learn how to:

  • Shift from transactional networking to relationship-driven connecting

  • Build a network that actively opens doors—without relying on job applications

  • Lead more meaningful, memorable conversations that stand out

  • Position themselves as someone others want to help and introduce

  • Turn everyday interactions into long-term opportunities

  • Master the art of thoughtful, consistent follow-up

This session is designed for anyone who wants to grow their career, expand their influence, and create opportunities through relationships, rather than chasing them.

 

Attendees will walk away with practical tools and a clear next step they can implement immediately to start building a network that works for them.

Ben Nicholas is a strategic partnerships and advancement leader, connector, and founder of Servant Leaders in Training (SLIT)—a growing community of leaders committed to living out servant leadership in their careers, relationships, and communities.

With nearly two decades of experience across business development, sales leadership, and nonprofit advancement, Ben has built and stewarded thousands of relationships, from emerging professionals to C-suite executives—generating millions in funding, revenue, and long-term partnerships.

 

What sets Ben apart is his belief that success doesn’t come from networking harder, it comes from connecting better.

Rather than teaching transactional networking tactics, Ben equips leaders to become intentional connectors—people who add value, ask meaningful questions, and build trust long before they need something. His approach has helped professionals unlock new career opportunities, expand their influence, and build networks that actively work for them, not the other way around.

Through his work and coaching, Ben helps leaders become prepared, thought-provoking, and consistent in their follow-up—three traits that separate those who are overlooked from those who are sought after.

 

Ben lives in Minnesota with his wife Britt and their son Luca, and is passionate about helping others live lives of impact, generosity, and purpose-driven leadership.

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BEN NICHOLAS

 

IN-PERSON ONLY:

at Grace Church - Eden Prairie

Winning The Executive Interview!

with: Marcia Ballinger

Thursday Morning, August 6th

7:30 am - 9:00 am

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No Registration Necessary! Just come and connect with others!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I’ve never seen anyone “talk their way into a job” but I have seen hundreds of people “talk their way out of a job.”

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When the stakes are high, you want to be sure that you are putting your best foot forward.

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How should I think about interviews in the context of my entire job search? What is the best way to get ready for an interview?  What should I always say?  What should I never say?  And, how should I be prepared for the most common interview questions?

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Marcia Ballinger will lead this session.  She is a longtime Twin Cities executive search leader and is Co-Founder and Principal at Ballinger|Leafblad, St Paul-based search firm focused on serving civic and non-profit sectors. 

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She is also a highly acclaimed author of successful business books including:

  • The 20-Minute Networking Meeting

  • Winning The Executive Interview

  • and... Make the Jump. Reinvent Your Career in the Nonprofit Sector

...Then stay after the presentation, at 9am for the Networking With Grace Meeting and "FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS DURING JOB TRANSITION" Q&A at 10:45!

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MARCIA BALLINGER


IN-PERSON ONLY:

at Woodbury Lutheran Church

ROI in Job Search

The 80/20 Rule (But Not What You Think)

with: David Magy

Thursday Evening, August 13th​​​​​​​​

7:00 - 8:30 pm

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No Registration Necessary! Just come and connect with others!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s be clear . . . . . job search is hard work. 

 

With all of the technology available in every aspect of the marketplace, finding a job should be quick and easy (just like getting an ‘answer’ to any question through Google or ChatGPT).  We feel busy conducting the search, but are we productive?  Are we showing up in the best possible manner? 

 

The focus of the presentation is to talk about the job search techniques that are actually getting results. 

Topics that will be addressed include:

  • How will people find you?  Creating and executing a strategy to be visible. 

  • Networking connection versus referral activities.

  • Job support groups . . . . . not all are created equally.

  • Not everything is available through Google or ChatGPT.

  • ‘Blurred’ is not your best look. 

  • Job search tools and skills that need to be practiced. 

David Magy, over the past 30 years, has earned the reputation as “expert” in the field of retained search, corporate recruitment and workforce consulting.  He has worked extensively with human resource staffing system design from both the corporate and consulting perspectives.

In 1996, David further used his knowledge to help establish Abeln, Magy, Underberg & Associates as a respected partner in recruiting key talent within a large array of business. David is a nationally recognized speaker and blogs on matters related to search, staffing and ethics.

 

David is very active in the community, working as a “friend of the board” within three non-profit organizations. David enjoys many hobbies and pursuits – he is known as a person who ‘collects experiences.’ 

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DAVID MAGY

 

ONLINE ONLY: 
Pre-Register to Participate

After the offer...
Excelling in your next job

with: Steve Moss

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Thursday Morning, August 20th

7:30 - 9:00 am (Central Time)

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Pre-Register Here to Participate in This Webinar 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most people in a career search are laser focused on getting an offer. But that can be a false finish line.

 

Three issues at the end of the search are critical to address:
 

- Have you been a buyer as well as a seller in the search process? Should you say, “Yes?”
 

- Can you get what you deserve in negotiations AND set yourself up for success?
 

- What are the landmines in the way of successful onboarding that extend well beyond the first 90 days?

 

The last thing you want a year from now is to find yourself in another job search, because of an unsuccessful landing. Executive Springboard president and mentor Steve Moss will lead an interactive discussion to help you navigate this mine field and get off to a great start.

  

Steve’ Moss’s career has focused on building brands and developing people’s careers. As Chief Marketing Officer at Gilbey Canada, Pillsbury International, Nestle Ice Cream and Imation, he led global brands such as Smirnoff, Haagen-Dazs and Memorex.

 

Steve’s success in building brands is matched by his passion for developing leaders. Over 50 of his reports have gone on to become VPs or Presidents. He founded Executive Springboard, recruiting a network of 120 mentors in over 20 functions and a dozen countries to help executives develop leadership skills and successfully onboard into new roles. His clients have included Donaldson, Mortenson, Self Esteem Brands, Royal Caribbean and Medica.

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STEVE MOSS

CandC

© 2026

MN Crossroads Career Network

A ministry of Grace Church - Eden Prairie

www.grace.church
 

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