Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: AI for Job Search: Blueprint for Success by Gerry Peyton

Saturday March 14th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation:

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how job seekers create resumes, cover letters, and other application materials. However, many candidates struggle to use AI in a structured, reliable, and professional way. This session introduces a practical workflow designed to help job seekers produce consistent, high-quality job search materials using modern AI tools. Drawing on experience in designing and evaluating technology solutions, the session explains how disciplined inputs, clear structure, and careful review can improve the clarity, accuracy, and credibility of AI-generated content.

Participants will learn foundational concepts, review real examples of AI-supported job search artifacts, and gain insight into the risks and considerations associated with using AI during the job search process. While every job seeker’s experience is unique, this approach aims to help individuals strengthen their professional narrative and present themselves more effectively.

About the Speaker:

Gerry is a technology and risk management professional whose career spans roles as an IT Risk Director, IT Project Manager, and Statistician. He has developed and audited technology solutions and business processes and has created training programs that strengthen skills across technology and risk management teams.

In this presentation, he shares a practical approach he developed for creating job‑seeking artifacts in a consistent and professional manner using structured workflow design and modern AI tools. The approach worked for him, and he offers it with the hope that it may help others depending on their individual circumstances.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: March 14, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
    Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
    There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.
Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

***** VIRTUAL EVENT – This month ONLY *****

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: “AI for Job Search Ideas…Then What?” by Al Smith

Saturday January 10th, at 9:30 AM
Please share this with other groups you may be in. Join us on Meetup.com at: https://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.
Presentation:
AI is a great tool to assist your job search efforts, but what should you do with what you have uncovered?
· Are there risks of using AI results as your finished product?
· Ideas to use AI for more than writing resumes & cover letters


About the Speaker:
Al is author of the Amazon #1 Best Selling job search manual HIRED! Every Employment Method and was the predominant co-author of the #1 Top Rated, HIRED! Paths to Employment in the Social Media Era.
Al has helped in excess of 1,000 people with their job search. His proprietary “Words-to-Work” LinkedIn page-1 keyword methodology is the surest way to exponentially increase profile views for the elusive Hidden Job Market and make it through the “Black Hole” of online resume submissions. “If you don’t have the right words in the right quantity, you won’t get found for work!”
Al’s presentations communicate complex material in readily understandable terms. Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t know it well enough.” If correct, few know how to help candidates secure employment better than Al Smith.
About the Meeting
January 10, 2026, 9:30 – 10:30 AM (America/New York)
Meeting Format
This session will be virtual only.
Registration & Access
To attend, you must register through Meetup by January 8. Once you register, our system administrator will send you the instructions for virtually attending the meeting on 1/9/2026 by 8pm. If you have not received the instructions by 8pm, contact Adrienne Roman via Meetup messaging. Messages will be checked 8-10pm, on 1/9/2026.
How to Access Meetup

  • Visit [Meetup.com](https://www.meetup.com/)
  • Search for “The Breakfast Club NJ”
  • Select the January 10, 2026 meeting and click Attend
  • Ensure your RSVP is confirmed so you receive the connection information
Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: ‘Preparing for an “AI Interview” – Regardless of your AI Expertise’ by George Pace

Saturday February 14th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation:

You have learned how to use AI tools like ChatGPT to refine your resume, craft standout cover letters, and land interviews. But employers are rapidly shifting expectations: they now want candidates who can use AI to solve real business problems, not just boost personal productivity. In this new landscape, interviewers will increasingly ask questions like, “How would you use AI to solve this business problem?” – and without preparation, those questions will be difficult – if not impossible – to answer.

This BRAND NEW 2026 presentation shows you how to get ready for that shift, regardless of your current AI expertise. In this dynamic and actionable session, George will walk you through how to prepare for an AI-focused interview by covering:

  • 2025 AI news stories that are reshaping talent and skills expectations
  • How AI will impact every phase of job search
  • Explore 6 core activities that form the foundation of your AI journey
  • How to set realistic time investments and expectations
  • Techniques to visualize AI solutions specific to your industry
  • How to build a digital footprint that markets your AI skills
  • Key resources for tracking current AI use cases and industry direction
  • How to research a company’s AI ambitions and align your skills
  • How to deconstruct business workflows to identify AI opportunities and risks

You will leave with practical guidance and examples you can immediately use / reference in future interviews.

About the Speaker:

George Pace is an IT technology leader focused on extracting business value from the latest technologies, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence. His work centers on how AI can be trusted in real-world, governed environments, building on the principle that “Trusted AI is Governed AI.”

George holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Seton Hall University and an MBA from Rutgers Business School. He shares his insights on his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/keeppace and in  AI and Intelligent Agents blog at https://keeppace.substack.com.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: February 14, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
    Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
    There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.
Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: “Money Saving Strategies During a Career Transition” by Bill LaChance  Saturday December 13th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation:

This presentation will cover a number of strategies to consider to help with cash flow during a career transition.  The focus will be on those strategies that may not be well known or understood.  Topics will include Medical Insurance through the Affordable Care Act, strategies to take advantage of shifting marginal tax rates during a transition including impact of new tax laws, and advantages/disadvantages of 401k/403b rollovers.

About the Speaker:

Bill LaChance is an independent financial advisor.  His firm offers a unique flat fee program that combines financial planning, portfolio guidance, tax planning and tax preparation. Prior to launching his financial planning practice, Bill spent twenty-two years in corporate finance in the retail industry and before that was a CPA with a large accounting firm.  Bill has a B.S. in Accounting from Bryant University and an MBA in Finance from Indiana University. Bill is a Certified Financial Planner as well as an Enrolled Agent authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: December 13, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
    Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
    There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.
Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: “Job Search – Meet AI” by Kenneth Lang

Saturday November 8th, at 9:30

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation:

The session will be a hands-on training session on how ChatGPT and other AI tools to help support a job search. I’ll go through different steps on how to use AI to create a LinkedIn profile and help someone network. Volunteers are welcome! The key is ‘help’.

About the Speaker:

Kenneth Lang is the co-founder of My Networking Central, a searchable database for networking events and speakers. He also serves as a brand specialist for Lee Hecht Harrison, an outplacement service, focusing on LinkedIn best practices. As one of Jobscan’s 2025 Top 10 Coaches to follow, he shares best practices on how to use the platform for job search and networking.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: November 8, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
    Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
    There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.
Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: “ChatGPT & AI for the Job Seeker” by Sam Velu

Saturday October 11th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation:

AI isn’t replacing the job search—it’s rewriting the rules. In this session, Sam Velu breaks down how job seekers can use ChatGPT and other AI tools to gain an edge at every stage of their career journey. From crafting resumes that beat applicant tracking systems, to preparing for interviews with personalized coaching, to building a stronger online presence, this talk is about practical, real-world strategies that make you stand out. You’ll walk away with actionable tactics you can start using the same day to find and land the right opportunities faster.

About the Speaker:

Sam Velu is a C-level staffing executive, AI consultant, and keynote speaker with over two decades of experience helping job seekers connect with meaningful work. He has built and led teams across the U.S. and India, with expertise spanning IT staffing, AI-driven recruiting, and business transformation. As founder of Pura Vida, Sam is pioneering the use of AI tools to reshape how candidates and companies connect. He’s passionate about equipping job seekers with practical strategies that combine technology, mindset, and storytelling to unlock career growth. Sam has been featured as a speaker at career fairs, AI workshops, and industry events, where his approach blends deep staffing knowledge with hands-on AI insights.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: October 11, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
    Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: “FLAT TO FLOURISHING” by Janelle Razzino

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation:

The market is shifting, and with that comes new energy, new roles, and new possibilities. But opportunity doesn’t knock unless you’re already in the conversation. Stop “waiting and watching” and let’s “connect and create.” Whether you’re re-entering the job search, or aiming to grow your business, now is the moment to network smarter. Let’s turn flat into flourishing today!

 Points:

  • Why “market movement” – opportunity for the prepared
    Learn how to identify the signs of a turning tide – how to position yourself to benefit from it.
  • The power of the “re-intro”
    Tips on reigniting dormant connections with purpose, clarity, and value.

About the Speaker:

JANELLE RAZZINO, President and CEO of Razzino Associates, Inc., has a proven track record of discovering the right talent for the right companies at the right time. She is passionate about bringing big ideas to life, motivating and empowering candidates, and partnering with companies to make great things happen.

As a boutique firm and premier search organization, Razzino Associates, Inc. brings over 30 years of experience in corporate recruiting and management, specializing in C-level, executive-level, and mid-level placements for the Fortune Global 2000 marketplace. Its core disciplines include Accounting, Finance, and Information Technology. The firm also places candidates in Marketing, Sales, Human Resources, and Business Development.

Clients have described Janelle as energetic, passionate, tireless, refreshingly honest, and deeply committed. She not only closes the deal—she opens the relationship. Janelle has built and strengthened countless connections while promoting a diverse range of top-tier executives to premier positions throughout the tri-state and greater Metro New York areas.

With a thorough understanding of each client’s needs, Janelle personally selects candidates, delivering only the best and most qualified. She expertly assesses non-technical requirements—body language, personality, and cultural fit—leaving no doubt as to the candidate of choice. She has helped numerous companies that demand the very best.

Featured in The New York Times and on CBS World News, Janelle continues to cultivate deep respect and long-lasting relationships in the most dynamic industries. Her upbeat presentations and development programs enhance, inspire, and motivate individuals, teams, and overall organizational performance.

Janelle is a regular speaker at corporate outplacement firms and networking groups. She is the founder of the Hillsdale Network Career Resource Ministry in Hillsdale, New Jersey, which now includes over 2,000 members.

She has also presented programs to students and professors at Mount Saint Vincent College in New York, County College of Morris, and Bergen Community College in New Jersey. She has been a guest on the talk radio show Your Career Is Calling, broadcast live on Sunday mornings from Rider University, and was most recently featured on Job Hunt NYC with Kerry Barrett.

Janelle also shares her expertise through comprehensive six-week, and three-week coaching programs designed to boost self-confidence and sharpen interview skills.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: September 13, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through libraries front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
    Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
    There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through library’s front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.
Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: Let’s Tackle Your Job Search and Interview Fears Together by Alex Freund

Saturday August 9th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: https://www

.meetup.com/the-breakfast-club-nj/307770337/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation:

This presentation is designed for job seekers seeking real-world support and practical skills. We’ll kick things off by addressing your biggest job search concerns, and let’s talk through them.

Then, we’ll switch gears and dive into live interview practice. I’ll guide volunteers through common (and tricky!) interview questions, demonstrating how to craft strong, confident answers that leave a great impression.

If you’re actively interviewing or just getting started, this is your opportunity to refine your approach and gain practical insights in a supportive environment. Hope to see you there.

About the Speaker:

Known as “The Landing Expert,” Alex Freund helps his clients improve their interview

performance by removing their fear so they can feel confident during the process. For the last 18 years, Alex has helped more than 1,600 clients, ranging from managers to CEOs, across various industries.

Alex volunteers and is active in several job-search networking groups, where he occasionally presents

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: August 9, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through libraries front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.
    Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.
    There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through libraries front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.
Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: The Psychology of Transition by Kelly Garvey

Saturday July 12th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation: Transitions and changes in life ask us to let go of what was, step into the unknown, and reshape who we are becoming. This one-hour interactive session explores the psychological and emotional terrain of life transitions, such as  career shifts to personal transformation and healing. Participants will explore: 

• The neuroscience of uncertainty and growth during change

• Identity shifts and the discomfort of the “in-between”

• Mindfulness and self-compassion tools to navigate the unknown

• How to reframe transition as a threshold for transformation

About the Speaker:

Kelly Garvey is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, speaker, and founder of Our Mirrored Minds, a mindfulness-based consultancy supporting emotional resilience, trauma recovery, and conscious leadership. Drawing from 20 years of experience as a therapist, educator, and life in general, Kelly brings a grounded, heart-centered approach to navigating complex transitions. Her work blends psychological insight with somatic awareness, helping individuals and organizations move through uncertainty with greater clarity, compassion, and purpose.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: July 12, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: $10 will be collected at the door to pay for the cost of the room.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through libraries front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

Posted in Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting

The Breakfast Club NJ Presents: How to Work as a Consultant in the Gig Economy by David Schuchman

Saturday June 14th, at 9:30 AM

Please share this with other groups you may be in.  Join us on Meetup.com at: http://www.meetup.com/The-Breakfast-Club-NJ/ to RSVP for the meeting.

Presentation

A consultant is someone who contractually provides skills, a service or expert advice to others. For some professionals, this can be a new way to stay busy and earn income. Especially when full-time employment opportunities are not available. This program highlights the benefits and differences between being employed vs. working on contract engagements. And, it explains the steps you need to follow to pursue a path to “Work as a Consultant”.

About the Speakers:

David Schuchman is an active leader in the job seeker support community. He is the

current Executive Chair of the Professional Service Group of Mercer County in Princeton & Plainsboro, NJ. In addition, David is a co-facilitator for New Jersey Job Seekers in Princeton, NJ. And he is on the leadership committee of The Breakfast Club of New Jersey in East Brunswick, NJ.

David is an Information Technology professional with a true passion for technology implementation, as well as applications design, development and IT operations. Presently, David is an independent Information Technology services, training, and management consultant with his own company, Princeton Technology Advisors, LLC.

Additionally, David is often requested to present topical programs and IT training classes to business groups, adult schools, job seeker support groups and public libraries.

About the Meeting:

  • Meeting Date & Time: June 14, 2025, 9:30 – 11:30 AM (America/New York)

Presentation: 9:30 -10:30am – doors to facility open 9am come early to get settled in

Facilitated Networking: 10:30 – 11:30am

  • Location: Conference Center of the East Brunswick Public Library
  • Address: 2 Jean Walling Civic Center Drive, East Brunswick, NJ
  • Fee: A $10 fee will be collected at the door to cover the room cost. Please bring the exact change if possible.

Note: Time & Location Change – our meetings will now begin promptly at 9:30am (doors open 9am please come early to enjoy some extra networking time and get settled in.

There is ample parking both in primary lot directly in front of library’s main entrance and a second lot to the side of the library facility, but you must enter through libraries front doors to gain access to the conference center which is to the left rear of the facility after entering.

Posted in Monthly Meeting