Working every angle

If you’re among the ranks of unemployed Americans, you can either work hard to carpet bomb every major job site with your résumé, or you can work smart by niche networking, zinging up your résumé for maximum results and learning how to stretch your unemployment checks as far as they can possibly go. Plenty of orgs out there are ready to help, so mark your calendar for these recession-fighting events.

Women’s Resource Fair Evanston
Traditionally, this fair functioned mostly as a showcase for “transformational, holistic and empowering” vendors. That translated into a lot of yoga demos, gemstone therapy and botanical-beauty-product offerings. This year, with the job crunch on, the fair has added a component for women in business: Sign up for workshops such as “The Top 5 Things You Should Know When Starting Your Woman-owned Business,” get expert résumé-writing help or learn more about finding personally satisfying work with author and financial planner Julie Murphy Casserly. Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave, Evanston (847-733-1869, womensresourcefair.org). Fri 20, 11am–6pm; Sat 21, 10am–6pm; two-day pass $10.

Chicago Tribune’s Recession Survival Guide Seminar
We suspect a few of the Trib’s own pink-slip victims may be among the crowd at this downturn-related panel discussion led by the paper’s financial columnist Gail MarksJarvis. She’ll be joined by a group of downtown Highland Park businesspeople for a talk on ways people can maintain financial stability in the unstable economy. A free continental breakfast, courtesy of Once Upon a Bagel, gives you a head start on your penny-pinching at 8am. A Q&A session follows the talk. R.S.V.P. required. Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave (312-751-5531, chicagotribune.com/recessionevent). Mar 26, 8–9:30am; FREE.

Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Summit
The green sector is one of the few areas of the economy still growing. While this conference is geared toward businesses, entrepreneurs and policy makers, job seekers are welcome to network and gather info on new eco-minded developments. The daylong event of speakers, panel presentations and exhibitors features talks with reps from Chicago’s Department of Environment, the LEED Council, Jobs with Justice and more. The LEED Council also hosts events and posts resources for job seekers on its website. Kennedy-King College, 6800 S Wentworth Ave (773-929-5552, ext 226; greencollarchicago.org, then click “job seekers”). Mar 27, 8am–4:30pm; $79–$99, students $39.

The Hard Working Series
If you’re in finance, advertising, journalism or some other profession that’s unlikely to make a full comeback until after the recession, this event’s for you. Presented by WBEZ, the series kicked off its first installment March 11 at the Hull-House Museum. A discussion on the jungle of a job market was followed by appearances from various job experts, who helped career hunters retarget their résumés for the bad economy. In each event, WBEZ reporters will be on hand to interview attendees about pounding the pavement. Programming is TBA. Check chicagopublicradio.org/hardworking for regular updates.

• More Museums & Culture articles