VALENTINA JANEK
West Hempstead
Job search activist
"I DON'T THINK a resume ever got anybody a job - an HR department either," said Janek, one of five original members of the Long Island Breakfast Club for midlife job-seekers. "You have to network and meet people. I always say, 'You have to get out of your driveway.'"
Founded in a Route 110 diner in 2007, the nonprofit networking group is "all about advocacy, support and laughter. You have to have laughter." Along with all the usual get-togethers, the breakfast club has a March 26 fundraiser at Westbury Manor with the Schneider Children's Hospital's Center for Hope. (Details: libreakfastclub.org.)
"We're mature, professional people who've had terrific careers and have amazing things to offer," said Janek, who has worked in high-tech and publishing and, yes, is very open to new opportunities. "I really love helping other people. I believe in always paying it forward. Now, if only we get the government to focus some attention, too."