I haven't held a real job in nearly 20 years, but my assignment as a free-lance writer was to check out the support network for job seekers in my hometown of Portland, Ore. After spending a week attending breakfast meetings, lunch meetings and afternoon support groups, I gained five pounds, plus an understanding of what it takes to be a standout among job seekers.

The first step was to check the "Calendar of Free or Low-Cost Career Events" in the back of this publication. That's how I learned about the Job Finders Support Group, which meets every Friday afternoon at Portland's Capitol Hill Library. With my reporter's notebook in hand, I joined a group of eight who were seated around a long table. There were men and women whose ages ranged from late 20s to late 50s. One young man was a newcomer, but most had been attending the weekly meetings long enough to be on a friendly, first-name basis with the others.

From the name of the group--Job Finders--I already knew these people had a positive outlook. As they went around the table introducing themselves and comparing notes on their job searches, I heard certain upbeat catch phrases: "Leave a people trail, not a paper trail," "Give them your 30-second commercial," "Don't ask for a job, look for an opportunity," "A resume isn't an obituary but a sales document," "What you believe about yourself may be true."

I learned most of these nuggets of wisdom came from Ed Burpee, an 87-year-old who founded this support group in 1991. He had belonged to such a group 30 years earlier and felt it had been more helpful to him and his fellow job seekers than any employment agency. Although Mr. Burpee is no longer able to attend, his positive attitude still pervades this group.

Now the group is led by Cleon Cox, a Burpee acolyte, who for six years has been cheerfully dispensing Burpeeisms and other encouraging words to the changing cast of characters around the table. Above all, he regularly tells them, "Don't stagnate!" Mr. Cox warns them to keep the TV set off and to get out of the house frequently. He continually stresses the importance of coming to the weekly meetings, talking to other people and making connections.

Josette, an unemployed phlebotomist who's been coming to the group for two weeks, agrees. "I find job hunting isolating, and it isn't fun. But coming here is fun," she says.

Then Doris, an unemployed investigator, tells Josette she found some leads for her at a weekend job fair. "The Red Cross had lots of bloody jobs. I thought of you!"

Already, I'd witnessed first-hand the value of a support group. Scott, who's seeking work in international business, reinforced my impressions by telling me, "I read that going to a support group improves your chances of finding a job by 40%."

"Well, you know," scoffed Paul, a member who's seeking a position in computer services, "you can't believe 75% of statistics."

One sight that surprised me, the uninitiated, was two members of the Job Finders group exchanging business cards. To me, it seemed like the blind leading the blind. I was promptly chastised for my ignorance by Burpeeism-quoting members. "You never know," they intoned, "when an opportunity will arise."

Sure enough, when I attended The US Group, another support group in the city, the first thing I saw was two unemployed men eagerly exchanging business cards. As it turned out, one had mentioned to the other he'd applied for work at Company X. The other man said his wife happened to work at that company. She could probably help him make the contacts he needed.

The US Group meets for breakfast and friendly exchanges of information every Tuesday in the back room of a local restaurant. Founder Barbara Theus named the group as a play on her own name. She started it in 1991 after she lost her high-tech job. About a dozen job seekers were there on the day I visited, but attendance generally is higher when a speaker is scheduled. Next week a guest speaker would discuss "The Power of Paying Attention."

As each member of the group made his introduction, I learned more about the "30-second commercial." It's a highly regarded tool that can be used in numerous situations, including as an icebreaker at backyard barbecues. The 30-second commercial is a brief introduction that explains precisely what kind of work you plan to do. It's concise yet intriguing enough to get your listener to ask a few questions. And above all, it's positive. As one person put it, "It's the best thing you could say about yourself."

Conversation among group members was lively and full of anecdotes about successes and disappointments in job hunting. The main topic for the day was interview questions, particularly those that seem to come out of nowhere, knocking the unsuspecting applicant for a loop. The group agreed that at times like that, it's best to say, "Would you please clarify the question?" This at least provides a minute of thinking time before a response is required.

But to keep your cool and be prepared to answer just about any curveball question, members of both support groups advised joining Toastmasters. This is the international organization that trains members to be self-assured public speakers. The group meets weekly, so that Friday morning I got up before dawn to attend a Toastmasters' breakfast meeting.

The group was called Wallmasters Toastmasters. I looked around the restaurant meeting room and recognized members of the Job Finders support group and The US Group. In fact, the first speaker for the day was Mr. Cox, the leader of Job Finders. I joined in the applause when he completed a speech on "Safe Driving Tips."

Other members delivered brief "ice-breaker" speeches. Then, as a game, several were asked to make impromptu remarks that incorporated a particular vocabulary word. I could see that these speaking skills would be useful in a job interview or the delivery of a "30-second commercial."

Some of the Toastmasters told me their employers considered public speaking such a valuable asset they gladly allowed members of Toastmasters to arrive late to work on meeting days. One member said that his current boss wouldn't hire him unless he joined Toastmasters.

I had filled my week with meetings of Toastmasters and support groups. If I'd had more time, I could have attended more meetings, dinners, job fairs and lectures designed to help people find work. I could have logged on to Internet bulletin boards and checked out helpful Web pages. I could have pored over lists of resources posted at the State Employment Office. I could have read books such as "What Color Is Your Parachute?" I could have even taken a free Myers-Briggs personality test to learn what work really suits me.

That Friday afternoon I returned to the Job Finders group at the library. Members seemed glad to see me again and to hear of my experiences from the past week. I recited all I'd learned about local resources and, most important, about positive attitudes and approaches to job hunting. They nodded with approval and then made this prediction: "You're going to get a job!"

Well, maybe not, particularly if the personality test tells me I really am suited for free-lance writing. But I must admit, for once, I actually know how to go about finding a real job.

-- Ms. Hauser is a free-lance writer in Portland, Ore.