CareerMoves@JVS

Take the LEAP

2012-02-06T08:00:00.004-05:00

By Leah Berk, JVS Staff

A few days ago I was on the phone with a soon-to-be college grad talking about job opportunities in Boston. As we neared the end of our conversation she sighed and asked, “Is there any hope for me?”

The media abounds with stories of people in their early twenties who are struggling to land their first professional job and are waiting tables or working retail in the interim. We here at JVS want to ensure that these young people have the confidence and the tools they need to build successful careers. That’s why this spring we are launching LEAP (Linking Employment and Passion), a career development program for Taglit-Birthright alumnae aged 22-26 who want to improve their professional prospects in today's challenging economic climate.

LEAP’s six-week intensive curriculum features workshops led by experienced Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) career coaches. LEAP participants will explore career options, job search tactics, and strategies for success in the 2012 workplace. They will work closely with JVS staff to identify appropriate jobs, internships and networking opportunities with industry leaders in their chosen field.

Currently accepting applications at http://tinyurl.com/LEAPapp2012. Deadline to apply is March 16, 2012

For more information contact Leah at lberk@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3186.

This program is supported in part by a Young Adult Community Grant from Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

Would you like a referral with that?

2012-01-30T08:00:00.005-05:00

By Jenn Glucklich, JVS Client

Waiting tables is a great opportunity to network.

As a server I can show clients my integrity and the level at which I work. At my current job I interact with so many of the same people on a weekly basis, that I’ve formed relationships with my clients and even given my business card to some of the restaurant regulars.

The point here is that networking is happening all the time. If you are on a bus, or standing next to someone at the bank, you have an opportunity to spark up a conversation. If you and the person next to you JUST missed the train then laugh about it, look over, and say something like, “Oh man, now I can’t go to that painting class my girlfriend was taking me to!” I guarantee you the person will laugh with you and you have the option, at that exact moment, to have a conversation. You never know whom you will meet, where you will meet them, and what opportunities you’ll afford each other in the future.

Jenn Glucklich recently graduated from the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management with her degree in Event Management. You can follow her search for a job on her blog.

The Little Job Search Strategy Group that Could

2012-01-23T09:46:00.000-05:00

By Charlene Neu, JVS Client

Participating in a JVS Job Search Strategy Group was one of the best decisions I've made during my job search. The group philosophy is similar to that of my favorite children’s book, The Little Engine that Could. If you think you can then you can find a new job.

Led by JVS career counselor Amy Mazur, four other women and I met once a week to discuss all things career-related, from networking, resumes and cover letters to social media. Amy and my amazing fellow group members provided expert advice, ongoing encouragement, and enhanced resources. We had homework, focus, structure, humor and most importantly, hope. Attending this group was the highlight of my week because I knew I would have a chance to discuss my job search with accomplished people whom I trusted and admired. Plus, we always had chocolate at the meetings.

The job search process is a lot like running a marathon. The easiest part is the beginning of the race, when you are excited and full of energy. Run 26.2 miles? No problem. Send out resumes and sit down to network? Piece of cake. The more challenging part of the race is further along, as you begin to lose steam. That’s why it’s important to have a cheering section to stay focused and keep going. The JVS Job Search Strategy Group was my personal cheering section, encouraging me to continue, take another step and never give up. Participating in this group has taught me that, if I keep at it, I ultimately will finish the race and find the career I want.

My fellow group members and I have become friends, colleagues and resources for one another. Although our formal sessions have ended we continue to meet regularly to continue our discussions, learn new skills and advance our careers.

Amy Mazur facilitates Job Search Strategy Groups on a regular basis at the JVS offices in Newton. For more information contact Amy at amazur@jvs-boston.org or 617-312-9895.

What’s your Money Habitude™?

2012-01-16T08:00:00.004-05:00

By Martha Plotkin, JVS Staff

As a child I liked to play cards. Go Fish, Gin Rummy, Crazy Eights, Slapjack, even a little bit of poker – you name it I played it. But as I grew older, I found I was losing my interest in card games and moving on to other pursuits.

I never imagined that my work as a career counselor would overlap with my childhood love of cards. Then I discovered Money Habitudes™, a card game that helps people discover their underlying feelings and assumptions about money. As a career counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how our attitudes about money impact the choices we make, both personal and professional.

I’ve found Money Habitudes™ to be useful on a personal level as well. I get to enjoy a game of cards AND find out something new about myself. I played Money Habitudes™ today and learned about my current dominant habitudes with regard to money. My top two habitudes are: Targeted Goals, and Selfless. I’m also an ever-so-slight Free Spirit, and I have a moderate focus on Security. I don’t appear to be too concerned with Status, nor am I particularly Spontaneous when it comes to money.

Want to play some cards? Martha Plotkin and Amy Mazur are offering a Money Habitudes™ workshop on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. For more information and to register click here.

What keywords do I use for my LI profile?

2012-01-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

By Leah Berk, JVS Staff

Picking the right keywords for your LinkedIn profile is an art, a science and a pain. What if the words I use to describe my line of work aren't the exact terms the hiring manager has in mind? How am I going to "get found" by the right people?

Fortunately, there's a feature on LinkedIn called "Skills" that helps you determine the approach keywords for your field of expertise. Here's how to use it:

1. Go to the top navigation menu on LinkedIn. Mouse over "More" and a drop-down menu will appear. Click on "Skills" (third down on the drop-down menu).

2. A new page will appear with the words "Skills and Expertise" and a search field. Enter a word or phrase describing one of your job skills, certifications or core competencies in the search field.

3. As you are entering your word or phrase, LinkedIn will offer you several suggested terms. These are potential keywords that you can use in your LinkedIn profile. Write them down.

4. Now click on the blue search button. A new page will appear with a list of related skills (more potential keywords!), people in the field, associated groups and other useful data. Take a look at the profiles that pop up and make a note of any words or phrases that are common among people in your field. Check the suggested groups to see what terms are used in the group description and discussions. Add the most pertinent words and phrases from these profiles and groups to your keyword list.

One final note: keywords are a moving target. The "in" terms today may be out tomorrow. That means you will probably need to update the keywords in your profile periodically to stay current.

Leah Berk specializes in social media for the job search and offers LinkedIn tutorials for individuals and groups. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact Leah at lberk@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3186.

My Brief Spell with JVS: the Recent Graduate Edition

2012-01-02T10:00:00.002-05:00

By Janae Green, JVS Office Assistant

With an extensive interest in social work, I anxiously awaited what came to be a breakthrough opportunity for me to work as a temporary office assistant at Jewish Vocational Service. I completed my bachelor of arts in political science knowing that my passion was in public interest, so I contend that JVS gave me interpersonal experience with the diverse clientele I wished to someday assist. I had the privilege of being a part of a collective of people that were truly unified in a single agenda to uplift the multi-cultural multi-lingual community we have in the Greater Boston Area.

Although my time with JVS was limited, I can definitely say that I have a better understanding of the commitment it takes to support programs, institutions, and organizations that undoubtedly have people in mind. I had previous experience with a number of socially responsible initiatives, and welcomed the opportunity to expand my understanding of careers within the nonprofit sector. It was extremely meaningful to understand that civic service involved so much more than writing policy into law; JVS allowed me the ability to see how policy directly impacts people.

For recent graduates, it can seem tedious to map out the definitive steps of what to do post graduation. Instead, I’ve spent my time considering what I want to be able to say about what is important to me in all facets of my life which will inarguably be reflective of the issues that take precedence. That being said, I enter a new year with unwavering purpose and responsibilities bigger than typing and filing. I leave knowing I assisted a mother, who had entered the country only days earlier, in filling out her first application to further her education. For someone with my personal and career aspirations, it really doesn't get any better than that.

Janae Green is a recent graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. She majored in political science and will be pursuing her J.D. in fall 2012. For information on volunteer opportunities at JVS contact Sharon Zammuto at szammuto@jvs-boston.org.

Happy Holidays from Career Moves @ JVS

2011-12-25T10:00:00.002-05:00

My Four Years with JVS

2011-12-19T12:31:00.005-05:00

By Joe Hamilton, JVS Intern

My freshman year at Emerson College I was offered a work study. Amidst the sea of boring card swiping jobs I found an office assistant position with the Jewish Vocational Service. I decided to give JVS a shot and have been here ever since. But four years goes by fast. Today is my last day.

On my way in this morning I had flashbacks to all the good, bad, and ugly times I had here. And what I realized is that JVS has been an invaluable experience that I wouldn’t trade for a free year of classes at Harvard (don’t quote me).

I’ve never met anyone that did everything right on the first try. We learn by mistakes- and I can’t even begin to count the laundry list of mistakes I’ve made while I worked here. Collating? What is Collating? Wait, the copier can print double sided? Well that was a waste of a hundred pages. Oh, you wanted them in alphabetical order by first name - I’ll be back in another hour. I think I was in the right program in the database … is it bad if I wasn’t? But for each mistake I’ve made at JVS I’ve learned how to do something correctly … eventually.

While I may never end up working with an organization like JVS, basic office skills are the universal language of the working world. Wherever I go from here I can sit down and with a smile on my face and say, “Yes, sir. I’m very fluent with Microsoft programs. Yes, I can handle data entry. Of course I can design that poster. Make semi-solicitation calls to annoyed people? I eat them for breakfast.” Volunteering at JVS has put me three steps ahead of the competition as I head into the free-for-all cage match that is the working world.

If anyone is rusty on their office skills, or doesn’t know what collating means, they should be sitting down on the third floor filling out a volunteer application for JVS. Whether you end up doing data entry, tutoring, social media, or helping people with their taxes, JVS will provide a secure and understanding learning environment. I’ve never met a more patient group of people.

To everyone who has allowed me the honor to have worked with you, I thank you all for taking the time to let me do some of your work … for free. I owe whatever future success I may find to the dedicated employees at JVS Boston.

Joe Hamilton is a senior at Emerson College who is heading off to LA for his last semester. He majors in Writing for Film and Television and will be interning with Carousel Television this spring. For information on volunteer opportunities at JVS contact Sharon Zammuto at szammuto@jvs-boston.org.

The Civil Rights Issue We Need to Talk About

2011-12-15T10:38:00.001-05:00

JVS supporter and funder Jay Ruderman wrote the following op-ed in The Washington Post that calls the public’s attention to the lack of inclusion for people with disabilities and urges Americans to see disability rights as the civil rights that they are. The Ruderman Family Foundation funds the new JVS/CJP Young Adults Transitions to Work Program, which provides employer-based training and promotes competitive employment for young adults with disabilities within the Jewish community. The original article (including the image below) was printed in the Washington Post on December 14, 2011 and is reprinted below with permission from the author.

By Jay Ruderman, Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Jay Ruderman is president of the Ruderman Family Foundation, which focuses on the inclusion of people with disabilities into daily life in the Jewish community in greater Boston and Israel. The foundation also seeks to lead the community through philanthropic partnerships and innovative competitions.

The unemployment rate for people with disabilities is slightly over 44 percent. Compare that with the slightly over 8 percent unemployment rate in the total population. Access to employment for those with disabilities is a civil rights issue, and one that could affect anyone at any time.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, now 20 years old, and a host of state accessibility laws have been instrumental in improving access for those with disabilities to public transportation, office buildings and public bathrooms. But the ability to participate in “normal” life, for most people with disabilities, is not just about accessible transportation and sidewalk ramps. It means finding a job, supporting themselves and their families, paying taxes and contributing to the well-being of their community. It means being a full citizen in every regard.

Approximately one in five individuals in the U.S. — 54 million people — has a disability, and 35 million people have what is defined by the Census Bureau as a “severe disability.” But, to date, it has been easier, as a society, to ignore people with disabilities rather than to spend the time and creative energy to develop innovative solutions to their needs.

This attitude is hurting American business.

The person in a wheelchair, after all, could become a vice president of information technology, if he gets the same opportunities and mentoring that others receive. A little person might become the head of occupational therapy with some minor modifications to the workplace. The person with Down syndrome can help teachers and students as a teacher’s aide. The person with mental illness might be the advertising genius your company needs to take on your competition. The list of possibilities is practically endless.

Our laws are not at the heart of the employment challenge facing those with disabilities. Every person making a recruiting and hiring decision stands to be able to turn the situation around. HR managers in smaller companies need better training. They also need a passion for thinking creatively when it comes to hiring. Experience like this has been gained by hiring managers in larger companies — companies that have instituted formal policies to promote hiring of people with disabilities. But, as the numbers show, actions on the part of larger companies are not enough.

A completely different approach is required for companies that stand between those with disabilities and employment. Our country’s decades-old practice of providing general-skills training to those with disabilities is failing. This approach does not take into account the positions that employers need to fill.

Instead, the nonprofit agencies that train those with disabilities, often with government funding, should go to America’s biggest employers and ask them what positions are short-staffed, and then provide the appropriate training for those with disabilities to take the jobs.

All Americans should ask themselves whether the institutions with which they affiliate are truly open to all people with disabilities. If they are not, then everyday individuals must demand that these institutions be fully accessible.

Until those among us with a disability can have equal access to education, jobs and all of the things that make our nation great and our lives fulfilling, we have a civil rights problem — one that must be addressed in the most direct and open way.

My Recession Response

2011-12-12T09:57:00.000-05:00

by Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

In 2008 my industry, like so many others, imploded. After a series of mergers and acquisitions, I witnessed several rounds of layoffs at my then employer, a large Boston-based educational publisher. It was clear that I would have to leave my job before it left me. I was petrified. I didn’t know what to do, or even what career path to pursue. How on earth would I find a job during a recession?

I called Career Moves @ JVS. They matched me with a mentor, a mid-career businesswoman who agreed to meet with me once a month to discuss all things professional. For the next six months my mentor told me everything I didn’t learn in school, from resume tips to managing office politics. The conversations were not always easy, but they were always very honest. She encouraged me to embrace social media, especially LinkedIn, to expand my network and learn about potential careers. I also discovered the art of the informational interview, asking dozens of people from various industries about their professional trajectories and insights.

My experience showed me that there are many people who want to help, whether it's offering a job lead or a piece of career advice. All I needed to do was ask.

For more information on Career Moves' career service offerings contact jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or call 617-399-3162.

The Dreaded Salary Question

2011-12-05T08:00:00.020-05:00

by Judy Bottkol, JVS Staff

“What kind of salary are you looking for?”

Keep these points in mind so you are prepared to answer the dreaded salary question:

1. Determine how much money you need. If you haven’t made this determination, you may accept a position with a salary that would not cover your basic needs: food, clothing, rent, transportation, etc. There are spreadsheets on the web that can help you make this calculation.

2. Find out what you're worth. If you don’t know the salary that your skills and experience would command by employers, you run the risk of accepting a lower salary or, conversely, pricing yourself out of contention. Asking colleagues, recruiters and consulting websites like salary.com can help you determine your worth in the marketplace.

3. Be upfront when asked for your salary requirements. Employers may ask this question early on because they don’t want to waste their time if your expectations do not meet what they want to pay. If you have done your homework, you should be able to give a salary range based on your research.

4. Think beyond base salary. Employers are often willing to negotiate other aspects of compensation such as additional vacation, signing bonus or early performance review if they are not able to meet your base salary expectations.

With over 25 years of HR experience under her belt, Judy Bottkol knows a thing or two about salary negotiation. To schedule an appointment with Judy contact jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or call 617-399-3162.

What is an Appreciative Inquiry?

2011-11-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

by Martha Plotkin, JVS Staff

What is an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and how can I use it in my career decision making or job search process?

AI was developed for use in organizational development practice in the 1980s. Although it’s still used for that purpose, career counselors and job seekers alike find that it can help them uncover the seeds of excellence and satisfaction to grow their careers.

Many of us who want to consider a new career direction, or to gain more satisfaction in our existing work, focus only on what we perceive as our deficits, i.e., “what’s wrong with me that I can’t find career satisfaction?” AI, through a series of interviews, helps people to recognize the things that energize them, by affirming past and present strengths, successes, assets and potentials.

Take the opportunity to engage in an Appreciative Inquiry process with Martha Plotkin in her upcoming workshop on Friday December 2, 2011 from 12:00-1:30 PM.

Nonprofit Careers and Beers

2011-11-21T16:10:00.009-05:00

Did you know that nonprofit employment has increased 8% in the past 5 years?

Massachusetts is becoming a nonprofit hub, with over 40,000 registered nonprofits in the state and 10,840 organizations located in Boston proper. Many of these organizations are looking for volunteers, interns and employees.

It turns out that Beantown's twenty and thirty-somethings are eager to engage in mission-based work. Over 100 young professionals joined us at Nonprofit Careers and Beers last week.

Representatives from eighteen local nonprofits talked to participants about careers and volunteer opportunities in the nonprofit sector.

To find out about upcoming Careers and Beers events sign up for our e-newsletter or connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Over 50 and Working

2011-11-14T08:00:00.006-05:00

by George Zeller, JVS Staff

Career Moves @ JVS recently hosted Over 50 and Working, a panel discussion on employment strategies for the mature professional. Two of the panelists recently found jobs after searching for over a year. The other two were an HR manager for a non-profit and a senior manager for a large hospital. Here’s what they had to say:

1. Mature workers have a lot to offer. Don’t be shy – tell people why you are a great candidate!

2. Be aware of the stereotypes about older workers and come prepared to tell a different story.

3. Prepare examples of how you have successfully adapted to change in your previous jobs.

4. Show that you are tech savvy. Have a LinkedIn profile. Talk about how you use technology to achieve your goals at work.

5. If an interviewer says you are overqualified, mention how interested and engaged you are in that type of work and what you can do for the employer.

6. Put yourself in the employer’s shoes. Ask yourself what qualities and skills you would want a person in this position to have.

7. Networking is still the number one way to find employment. Be clear about how others can help you.

8. Frequently the reason one is not hired or promoted has nothing to do with age; rather, it is more about personality and attitude.

9. Treat your job search as a full-time job, and reward yourself as you go along instead of waiting until you find a job.

10. Volunteer. You’ll gain valuable experience, learn new skills and feel good about yourself.

Career Moves @ JVS offers one-on-one career counseling for mature workers. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

A Day in the Life of a Movie Extra

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

by Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

Most of the time I work. When my day job ends I turn to other (unpaid) efforts, such as taking care of my family and volunteering for various community organizations. While I really enjoy what I do, both in and outside the office, I rarely take a break.

I decided it was time to shake things up. To gain a new perspective that would take me out of my work mode.

Before I continue there’s something you should know about me: I’ve always wanted to be in a movie. I have no interest in being famous; I just want to see myself on the silver screen.

One day I thought it would be fun to sign up with Boston Casting, a local company that recruits movie extras. I posted my very basic contact information (no, I did not post my bra size, which they do ask for) and waited.

The call came several weeks later. Would I like to be an extra in an upcoming movie? It was Thursday. The shoot was scheduled for next Wednesday. I said yes.

I was looking forward to a break in my routine. For one day I would not have to plan, organize, lead, counsel, listen, administer or coordinate. I would not work. I would play.

For one day, I stepped into a world that was completely unlike my own. There were different rules, expectations and lots of new people. I happily went with the flow, met other extras, laughed, joked, talked, waited and laughed some more.

It was one of the most fun days of my life. And I did a lot of sitting around! I think it was so much fun because it was so out of the ordinary, and it introduced me to a world that I have no intention of inhabiting on a regular basis. I learned so much about myself and about others, about the world I am in every day, and about the world I am never in. I got to see things from a whole new vantage point, and I loved the adventure of it!

I am so happy I did it, and I would prescribe this medication to anyone who needs to shake things up. Not too much of a risk, but what a great return!

And I even made $116.99.

Amy Mazur helps individuals begin, advance and renew their careers. To set up an appointment with Amy contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Minimizing the Terror of Networking

2011-10-31T08:00:00.007-04:00

by Anya Weber, JVS Client

If entering a roomful of strangers fills you with fear, you’re not alone. Many people feel anxious when plunked into a large group. Add the pressure of the job hunt, and it’s no wonder many of us grit our teeth when we drag ourselves to networking events.

Here are a few tricks to take the panic attacks out of networking.

1. Network informally. Having lunch with a former colleague to talk about your job hunt is networking. If you really get stressed out in large groups, you can focus the bulk of your efforts on these one-on-one get-togethers.

2. Choose your events with care. Most networking events are built around a theme, such as a wine tasting at a museum, or a Meetup for entrepreneurs in the technology field. Go on sites such as Meetup.com to find events that fit you. For example, the Downtown Women’s Club invites women in Boston to meet over cocktails and discuss their career goals.

3. Set yourself a specific goal: “I will have a conversation with two new people,” or, “I will ask someone who seems cool to share their career story.” These goals are achievable no matter who turns out for the event. Once you’ve met your goal, you can hightail it out of there with a clear conscience.

4. Cut yourself some slack. If you start feeling panicky during an event, head to the bathroom and splash some water on your face and wrists. Do some breathing exercises outside for a while. Then return, chat with one more person if you’re up for it, and head out.

5. Bring a buddy. This doesn’t mean standing in the corner with them all evening. Your wingman should be a great motivator, maybe someone a bit more extroverted than you. Share your goal for the evening with your bud, and make them hold you to it.

As Halloween approaches, remember: networking doesn’t have to be a horror show!

Anya Weber works for the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. If you liked this post, please follow Anya on Twitter and visit her copywriting portfolio!

Why Resilience Matters More Than Balance

2011-10-24T08:00:00.013-04:00

by Faun Zarge, Professional Speaker and Work-Life Trainer

Faun Zarge

In my career as a Work-Life Consultant, there’s one message I’ve received loud and clear: people don’t respond well to the phrase “work-life balance.” To many people, the word “balance” suggests there should be equal time for the various facets of one’s life (work, friends and family, personal activities), but we all know that having that kind of work-life equality is rare, and if we do experience it, it only lasts for about 30 seconds.

This is why a few years ago I stopped saying “work-life balance” and instead, started talking about “work-life resilience.”

Resilience gives us the ability to adapt and be flexible in the face of change. And isn’t constant change the reality of our lives? Who hasn’t had a week when they didn’t have a flat tire, an unexpected work deadline, a family crisis, or all three? We are regularly confronted with situations which require us to adjust our schedules and our expectations, so doesn’t it make more sense to direct our energy towards building the skills needed to be resilient, rather than reaching for the always elusive balance?

People who are resilient know how to:

Make themselves a priority so they have the energy needed to meet daily challenges
Build support networks, both at work and home, in order to have the help they need when unexpected situations arise
Prioritize their responsibilities so they’re not feeling continuously overwhelmed
Set realistic expectations of themselves and others, to help minimize feelings of guilt and frustration

It is not only possible to become more resilient, it’s critical. It’s a core competency needed to excel in our ever-changing work environment, and in my opinion, it’s the skill most essential to be successful in our day-to-day lives.

Hear Faun Zarge speak at the Jewish Women's Career Networking (JWCN) annual networking event, Redefining Superwoman: Work-Life Resilience and Managing Multiple Demands, on November 1, 2011. For more information and to register click here.

Re-enter the Workforce Using Internships and Strategic Volunteer Opportunities

2011-10-17T08:00:00.028-04:00

By Subhadra England, Founder of ThinkFlex

After a 14 year career in the investment industry, I decided to take a break from corporate America to care for my children. This was a hard decision because being an investment professional was a big part of my identity. As I left my career, I was certain of two things: I wanted to experience being home with my girls and one day I would relaunch my career into a mission-driven organization.

During my time at home, I became interested in work-life issues and the process of relaunching a career. Since then, I founded ThinkFlex, a placement firm that primarily connects professional mothers with employers who provide flexible work options in the Boston area. In my role at ThinkFlex, I regularly come into contact with women who want to return to the workplace. Unfortunately, the longer people stay out of the workforce the more obstacles they encounter when re-starting their careers. But relaunching one’s career can be done and there are many paths that one can take to transition successfully.

Earlier this year, ThinkFlex began a pilot internship program for professionals that have been out of the workforce for five years or more. Internships are just one method to relaunch a career and they can be win-win situations for the intern and the sponsoring organization. For example, interns are able to update their skills and bridge a career gap while employers can improve their bottom line by hiring a experienced professionals at a minimal cost. These opportunities can be found within your community, former employers, idealist.com, indeed.com, internshipfinder.com, irelaunch.com, and of course ThinkFlex.net.

Professionals can also leverage volunteer opportunities as a way to bridge the career gap. It’s important to be strategic and choose volunteer positions, like Board of Directors and PTO positions, that will help maintain specialized skills and expand your network. Local Board positions can be found at United Way’s non-profit Board Bank.

These are just two examples of ways that mid-career professionals can "stay in the game." Although rejoining the workforce after a long break is not easy, the good news is that the number of career re-entry programs is increasing at universities and organizations for both alumni and non alumni. At ThinkFlex, we believe that in time more and more organizations will see the large pool of mid-career professionals as an important source of talent. The key to success is to keep current with skills while maintaining a professional network. Internships and volunteer work are perfect ways to do this.

Want to learn more about strategies to re-enter the workforce? Subhadra England will be leading a JVS/CJP JWCN CareerTalk on October 25, 2011. Click here for more information and to register.
Inter

The Career Clinic

2011-10-10T08:00:00.012-04:00

by George Zeller, JVS Staff

Career Moves @ JVS Boston and Temple Shalom of Newton recently organized a Career Clinic. The event featured a panel discussion with senior level managers from Fidelity, clean tech company Oasys, and real estate firm Fairlane Properties. Panelists shared their networking philosophies which can be summed up as follows:

Referrals Only. I only meet with people that were referred by someone I know or who are affiliated with my schools or former employers. I am approached for networking all the time and I do not have time to meet everyone.
Get to the Point. When I meet with someone, I want them to tell me how I can help them right away. I want to help, but I am not looking to become your new best friend, so do not put off explaining exactly what you need.
On Not Keeping in Touch. I have no problem with being contacted by someone haven't heard from for several years. In fact, I am flattered they reached out to me for help. I do not begrudge the person for not staying in touch. It is as much my fault for not contacting that person.
Join The Club. One way I've built my network (especially when I was new to the profession and geographic area) was to join an association and become active in one or more of their committees.
Update Us. I use the LinkedIn update feature to keep my network abreast of what I am up to.
Break the Ice. I'm an introvert and large networking events are daunting for me. If I am going to network with a large group I come armed with three ice-breaker questions (e.g. what brings you here?)

Need to brush up on your networking skills? Contact jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162 for info on our one-on-one job search assistance services.

Do I have to prove myself all over again?

2011-10-03T08:00:00.001-04:00

by George Zeller, JVS Staff

Many of my clients are over 50 and unemployed, with a solid to stellar job record. After working hard their entire lives, most can’t believe they have to convince prospective employers that they are worth hiring. “I’ve been a professional for over 20 years, isn’t that enough proof that I’m good at what I do?” they ask.

Unfortunately, the answer is “maybe” at best. Employers want to hire the best candidate possible. Period. Someone with 15-20 years experience may not necessarily have the most up-to-date skills. Potential employers want to make sure you can do the job today.

Despite this harsh reality, there is a way to use past work experience to your benefit. Here’s how:

Make every effort to ‘mine’ accomplishments and outcomes from your previous jobs and include them in your resume, cover letter and interview. You are not bragging; rather, you are stating facts. Instead of telling people, “I’m a really good manager,” you can say “I introduced a new process flow that resulted in a 10% increase in production.”

Get other people to sing your praises. Ask them to be your references and encourage the interviewer to contact them. You may want to include a quote from one of them in your resume.

Request recommendations on LinkedIn and include them with your application materials.

Lastly, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, remember that, going forward, you’ll have to sell your abilities and experience to every prospective employer. It takes practice. Be sure to observe successful self-promoters and ask them for advice.

Zen on the Job Hunt

2011-09-26T09:57:00.001-04:00

by Anya Weber, JVS Client

Want a secret weapon for your job search? Try meditation. Everyone from David Lynch to Tina Turner is a fan.

But job hunting is about networking, not sitting silently in your room--right? Well, yes and no. Whether you choose to try out mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, or the relaxation response, all of these techniques can get you into a state of mind that will be conducive to your job hunt.

And no, you don’t have to be a Buddhist to meditate. People of many faiths, as well as agnostics and atheists, find benefit in doing it. For some people, it’s spiritual, and for others, it’s purely a mental health thing.

For those impatient to get straight to the enlightenment, here’s a brief introduction to the practice by cardiologist Dr. Herbert Benson. Still need some convincing? Here are the top five reasons that meditation can fire up your job search.

1. You have time for it now! If you can carve out 15 minutes a day for meditation, that’s all it takes to see a benefit. If 15 minutes seems daunting, you can do it for ten, five, or even two minutes. Whatever you do will have an impact.

2. It can improve your mental health. I started meditating about two years ago—during my own job hunt—and I have never felt saner or stronger. I really needed that while I was unemployed, and I still value it every day.

3. It can improve your physical health. Meditation has been proven to affect not just our minds, but our bodies. In fact, it acts as the opposite of our body’s “flight or fight” response, reducing a panic reaction to stressful events.

4. It can be a social activity. Meditation classes are held at synagogues, adult-ed centers, libraries, and gyms. Google around (or ask your friends on Facebook) and find an option that feels comfortable for you.

5. It helps you let things go. A big part of meditating is being gentle with yourself. If your attention wanders, you can just think, “Oops. Oh well,” and bring your focus back to your breath. This is beneficial during the job hunt too. If you apply for a position and don’t hear back, or have a great interview but don’t get the job, being able to say “Oh well” and move on is solid gold.

Do you meditate? If so, what does it do for you--and has it changed your job search?

Anya Weber works for the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. If you liked this post, please follow Anya on Twitter and visit her copywriting portfolio!

Who's Hiring in MetroWest?

2011-09-19T10:05:00.001-04:00

by George Zeller, JVS Staff

CareerMoves @ JVS hosted a panel discussion on September 14, 2011 called Who's Hiring in MetroWest? Our panelists, four employers from Genzyme, EMC, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network and Philips Lifeline, talked about current trends in recruiting, screening and hiring. Here are the top ten takeaways:

1. Get Social. Employers are using social media more than ever to find and research potential candidates.

2. Think Fast. If a recruiter contacts you there is only one way to respond: IMMEDIATELY. If you hesitate they'll just move on to the next candidate.

3. Ask for a Referral. Hiring managers pay attention to referrals as they continue to be an excellent source for finding candidates.

4. Think Before You Dial. Polish your phone skills to get past the initial phone interview.

5. Keywords, Keywords, Keywords. Pay attention to the keywords in the job description and include them in your resume.

6. Know Thyself. Create an inventory of your professional strengths and achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Be sure to include examples.

7. On Cover Letters. Most of our panelists don't read cover letters during the initial screen, although some will reference them later on in the hiring process.

8. KISS. Even though not everyone reads cover letters you should still write one. Don't stress to much about it and most importantly, keep it SHORT.

9. Say Thank You. Do write thank you notes to recruiters and interviewers. They can be handwritten, typed or emailed.

10. Don't Call. Following up by email is more effective - and less intrusive - than calling on the phone.

Career Moves @ JVS can help you translate these recommendations into reality. Contact jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162 for more info.

The Power of Coffee

2011-09-15T14:16:00.000-04:00

by Anya Weber, JVS Client

One of the most powerful questions you can ask during your job hunt is, “Can I pick your brain?”

Every day, you’re meeting people who can help you further your career goals.

These people might include:

A family friend who works in an interesting industry
A new acquaintance who seems to love their job
A fellow job seeker who has experience in a field that intrigues you

When you meet an interesting person, don’t just get their business card and tell yourself you’ll follow up later. Email them right away and ask if you can buy them coffee and talk about their area of expertise.

Reaching out in this way has several positive impacts on your job hunt:

1. It builds your confidence and gives you practice talking to new acquaintances.

2. It makes the other person’s day. People love to talk about their field--whether it’s detailing cars, designing websites, or teaching cooking classes. Give them a warm glow with your polite request!

3. You’ll get some interesting thoughts on their field from someone you already like and admire, at very low cost (both financially and time-wise).

So, how can you ask for this without seeming pushy? Here’s one way to craft the email:

“Hi Joan, it was great to meet you at the Career Reboot event last night. I was interested in what you said about how being a veterinarian is different today from five years ago.

If you have time, I’d love to buy you coffee and pick your brain about the vet world. Since I’m looking for work as a vet tech, your ideas would be a huge help. If you might have time for that over the next couple of weeks, please let me know!”

Has picking someone’s brain helped your job hunt? If so, how?

Anya Weber works for the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. If you liked this post, please follow Anya on Twitter and visit her copywriting portfolio!

A Time for Spiritual and Professional Beginnings

2011-09-07T15:16:00.001-04:00

by Judy Sacks, Director of Career Moves @ JVS

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, provide opportunities for reflection, self-evaluation and spiritual stocktaking. The Jewish tradition teaches that in order to move forward into a new year and engage in a vision of the future, one should first look within.

This process of reflection and self evaluation is also central to career counseling. Before one undertakes a career change, it is wise to undergo the process of self-assessment. Job seekers and career changers should ask themselves: What are my values as they pertain to work? What are my skills? My passions? And what are the barriers to achieving my professional goals? These are not easy questions. Often we resist looking deeply into ourselves. That is why it helps to have a skilled guide, i.e., an experienced career counselor, to facilitate the process.

Just a few days after Yom Kippur is the harvest festival of Sukkot or the “Festival of Ingathering”. It is a time to celebrate the bounty that the summer harvest has brought us. On Sukkot we enjoy all the fruits of the season. It is a happy and energizing time, filled with new beginnings.

At Career Moves, our talented and committed professionals work closely with clients to identify the fruits of their capacity and experience. Once each person’s individual bounty is collected the time is right to prepare for a new professional beginning.

Ready for a new professional beginning? Contact jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162. 

My Social Media Summer Internship

2011-08-22T10:00:00.009-04:00

by Jonas Rein, Intern

This summer I thought it would be good idea to explore my passion for marketing. I decided to intern at Career Moves @ JVS with Leah Berk, Social Media Specialist, who maintains the organization’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. Before the internship I was excited to learn about these social media websites, as I understood businesses were spending a lot of time marketing and advertising through them.

I spent a lot of time researching Facebook cause pages, which is a page on Facebook where non-profit organizations can raise awareness and donations. From researching other non- profits’ Facebook cause pages, I developed an in-depth marketing plan to improve Career Moves @ JVS’ fundraising efforts, which is vital for non-profit organizations. Not only did I learn a lot about many of the intricacies of these websites, but I also learned a lot about personal branding and job seeking, which is going to be a valuable skill to have in the future.

I was especially in awe of the effectiveness of the website LinkedIn, as prospective employees could effectively network to find a job. After joining the website I joined my high school’s alumni group and the University of Miami business school group, where like Lebron, I will be taking my talents next year.

But in all seriousness, I could already see how the contacts I could make in these groups could help me land internships in the future and maybe even a job way down the road. I have absolutely no regrets about doing this internship, as I gained valuable knowledge about social media. I would definitely recommend that all high school students do at least one internship before college, as I feel like I now have a leg up on other incoming freshman at my school.

Jonas Rein graduated from Hingham High this past spring and is heading off to U of Miami to study marketing and advertising. For information on volunteer opportunities at JVS contact Sharon Zammuto at szammuto@jvs-boston.org.

It’s Time to ReEmployAmerica

2011-08-08T09:00:00.002-04:00

By Melysha Acharya, Founder of ReEmployAmerica.com

“Unemployed persons will not be considered for the position, no matter the reason for unemployment.”

I know you’ve seen that statement in your job search more than a few times. It’s disheartening, right? I know it is, because I’ve seen it too. And what’s even worse is that this type of language is legal all across the US – except in New Jersey.

So should we all just move to New Jersey, then?

No. You can stay right where you are because I started ReEmployAmerica.com in response to want ads that exclude the unemployed from job opportunities. Here you can job search without boundaries and rest easy knowing that every ad you view is open for anyone to apply – whether you're currently employed, or you’ve been unemployed for one day, or two years!

But, it’s not all fun and games. We do ask that you only apply to positions for which you meet the minimum criteria and that you always include a thoughtful cover letter that shows that you read the ad. We want the hiring managers to receive quality applications – and those little things really matter. Use your application to highlight why you'd be perfect for the job and consider sharing what you've been doing during your unemployment period.

Until Federal Legislation is passed that bans this type of exclusionary advertising, we invite you to exclusively perform your job search at ReEmployAmerica.com, where we believe that “Unemployed Does Not Mean Unqualified.” It’s always free for job-seekers to post their resume, search and apply for jobs here.

Find out which companies care about the unemployed at ReEmployAmerica.com or follow them on Twitter.

Dear Career Counselor

2011-07-25T09:00:00.008-04:00

Dear Martha:

I’ve been working in healthcare IT for the past five years and you know what I’ve realized? I don’t like healthcare or IT. I’ve been looking into other career options and think I’d like to work at a university. I’m not sure exactly what role (anything but IT). What now?

Sincerely,
In a hurry

Dear IAH:

Given that you’re tired of both the industry you’re in and your function within it, I can see why you want a radical change, but I recommend you take a more strategic approach to your situation.

We at Career Moves @ JVS often counsel our clients to take one step at a time. Changing one’s industry or one’s function can present big challenges; to attempt both at the same time just multiplies those challenges.

With this in mind, you might explore how your IT skills could transfer to a higher education setting. Once you’ve moved into higher ed you could start exploring other roles you might play there.

You also might want to do some informational interviews with people in your health care institution who work in roles other than IT. Maybe you’ll discover a job in health care that suits you better. Even if you have to take some classes to gain the necessary skills, it could be worth the time and cost if it’s the ticket to a more satisfying job. Sometimes when people transition to a more satisfying function within the same industry, their perspective on that industry changes for the better.

Best of luck,
Martha Plotkin

Martha Plotkin offers one-on-one counseling for career changers. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162. 

Curb Your Desperation

2011-07-11T10:00:00.004-04:00

by George Zeller, JVS Staff

American job seekers are under an enormous amount of stress. This is entirely justifiable. Competition has never been fiercer, and the economy is not recovering fast enough, leaving many individuals out of work for longer periods of time.

These conditions are ripe for desperation. The tough part for job seekers is that they cannot show any of this unease to an employer. Here's why:

1. Employers are seeking a good fit between the candidate, the job and the organization. Desperate people usually aren't thinking about fit; they'll just take the the first job that comes their way. If employers sense you are not discerning in any way regarding how well you fit, they will pass on you.

2. Who would want to hire someone who seems desperate? Your goal as a job seeker is to make the employer feel as comfortable and ‘safe’ as possible in hiring you. A desperate candidate tends to scare off hiring managers.

If the job does not work out, it is costly for both the job seeker and employer because each will have to start all over again. It is wise to take a holistic approach to the job search and take care that desperation does not show. A more positive person almost always has a better chance than someone who is upset and anxious.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

HELP WANTED: UNEMPLOYED NEED NOT APPLY

2011-06-27T10:00:00.003-04:00

by Judy Bottkol and Leah Berk, JVS Staff

The unemployed are not a protected class. Regardless of the reason for leaving the workforce, a long period of unemployment or underemployment is a serious strike against most jobseekers. A growing number of hiring managers are only hiring people who already have jobs.

Are you trying to re-enter the workforce after an extended period of unemployment? Here are three tips and accompanying success stories:

1. Start Small: A lawyer with a successful law practice left her job to raise a family. After a twenty-year hiatus, she recently re-entered the work force as a paralegal.

2. Be flexible: An out-of-work telephone fundraiser decided to explore new positions and industries. He landed a job as the Director of Development at a non-profit.

3. Be clear and take action: After being laid off from her marketing job, one woman decided to become an executive assistant. She took computer classes, learned a new set of skills and told potential employers about her plans for a career change.

Trying to re-enter the workforce? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Interviewing is like Dating

2011-06-14T11:35:00.003-04:00

by Joanna Rothman, JVS Volunteer

Dating is a process. You meet a guy, you date for a while, and at some point, you decide if he’s worth pursuing. If he isn’t, you break it off. It stings for a while and you give yourself sometime to recover. Then, you meet another guy, begin the dating process again, and eventually it sticks.

Looking for a job is a lot like dating. You find a job you’re interested in, you “date” it by sending in your resume, and then if you get pulled in for an interview, you begin to form an attachment. If you don’t get the job, you feel much like you do when you get dumped – pretty crummy for a little while but then you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start looking for another job to woo. Eventually, you and the right job will get into a relationship. You may choose marriage and stick with the job for a long time, or you might decide to hop around from relationship to relationship until you settle with the right position.

I stumbled across a video that perfectly describes the relationship between job hunting and dating. Hope you enjoy it!

Need help getting past the first date ... or ... interview? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Take Your Career Overseas

2011-05-24T08:00:00.003-04:00

by Leah Berk, JVS Staff

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard
Last Tuesday Career Moves @ JVS hosted a panel discussion on working and volunteering abroad. We quickly learned that our panelists weren’t the only globetrotters in the room. Lillie Marshall, a Boston public school teacher and member of Meet, Plan, Go! told us how working abroad revitalized her career.

Looking to re-energize your career? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Unhappy Hour

2011-05-16T11:34:00.006-04:00

by Saul Good, JVS Client

Does this sound like you? When I score a job interview, especially these days, my mind takes off. I start daydreaming, as if the job is mine already. I start thinking about a new way of life: new commute, new co-workers, new boss, hopefully some rewarding work, a few long days, and many happy hours at the bar down the street. I'd been eyeing this one company since my friend told me that her sister-in-law works there. I contacted this person, and she said it was OK to use her name as a reference if I applied.

Sure enough, a few weeks after applying for a project manager position, I got the call. The interview went well, or so I thought. For two hours, I talked to two people with whom I'd be working directly, and then the department manager. The duo acted as the “bad cop,” with some tricky behavioral interview questions, which I probably botched. The manager, acting as the “good cop,” was very affable (probably lots of fun at a happy hour), but warned that there would often be long hours, and days off were not encouraged. Still, I wanted the job, and I left there feeling good. They told me they'd be deciding within the next couple of weeks, and the start date would be in a month. Cue the daydreaming. But days went by without a peep, then a week, then two. Then a call to HR. A vague update, then more days of silence, during which I figured it wasn’t going to happen. I ultimately got rejected with an email form letter. Cold. Expected, but cold. Well, so much for that happy hour. Which is ironic, because after this little experience, I needed one.

Need help with your job search? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Why applying for a job is not like applying to college

2011-05-09T10:55:00.039-04:00

By Leah Berk, JVS Staff

Colleges across the country are holding their commencement ceremonies this month. Soon-to-be-grads are sprucing up their resumes, joining LinkedIn and applying to jobs online. A note to all the new graduates out there: applying for a job is vastly different from applying to college.

Here are five things to keep in mind when looking for your first job:

When applying to college …
1. It’s all about you. The goal of a college application is to showcase who you are as a person.
2. There’s a beginning, middle and end. College applications are ruled by deadlines. If you apply to a school, you can expect to receive a reply by a certain date.
3. You can show off your many interests and activities. Many colleges like their applicants to be “well-rounded.” This usually includes a variety of extra-curricular activities such as sports, art and music lessons, part-time jobs and internships.
4. Everybody’s doing it. When you’re a senior in high school, all of your friends are also stressing about SATs, recommendations and college applications.
5. It’s about what you know. SATs and GPAs measure knowledge and critical-thinking skills. College admissions officers use these metrics to determine your knowledge and capabilities.

When applying for a job …
1. It’s all about them. Employers are looking for the candidate who best serves their needs.
2. It’s an ongoing process. You apply to a job online. Sometimes you hear back the next day, sometimes six months later, sometimes never. You apply to more jobs. Some places call you in for an interview. Others don’t. You keep on applying.
3. Just show you have what it takes to do the job. While discussing your hobbies may be a good way to break the ice, hiring managers are more interested in whether or not you have the right skills and personality for the job.
4. You’re on your own. Job-searching can be lonely, since you don’t necessarily have a cohort of friends going through the exact same process.
5. It’s about who you know. Two people apply for a job. One applies through the company website while the other is referred to the HR manager through a mutual contact. Can you guess which person is more likely to be called in for an interview?

Career Moves @ JVS offers a variety of career counseling and job search coaching services for recent college graduates. Order a Career Moves @ JVS gift certificate for your new grad today! For more information and to schedule an appointment please contact Judy Bottkol at 617-399-3162 or jbottkol@jvs-boston.org.

Career Exploration Day at Garfield Middle School

2011-05-02T10:07:00.018-04:00

by Leah Berk

Photo courtesy of The Revere Advocate Newspaper/J.D. Mitchell

“Raise your hand if you have a Facebook account,” I said to a class of eighth graders at Garfield Middle School in Revere, MA. All hands went up. “OK, now keep your hand raised if you think you can get paid to be on Facebook.” Only one hand stayed up. A timid 13-year-old gave me a quizzical but hopeful look. “Maybe?” he said. I smiled. “Guess what?” I told the class, “I get paid to go on Facebook.” This past Friday I spoke at the Garfield Middle School’s Career Exploration Day. Local professionals from a variety of industries including media, finance, legal services and public safety talked about their career trajectories with eighth graders from Revere. Preparing for the event forced me to think carefully about what I do for a living. How do I explain social media marketing and job search assistance to middle schoolers? What lessons can I share about how to be successful at work? Speaking to local students gave me an opportunity to hone my presentation skills and practice my elevator speech. I highly recommend volunteering as a guest speaker at career development events. Here's why: 1. Increased visibility: you can market yourself and your skills as well as demonstrate thought leadership 2. Networking opportunities: you may meet a prospective client, employer or business partner 3. Good PR: giving back to the local community always makes you look good

Trying to re-enter the workforce? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Finding Work-Life Balance

2011-04-25T11:15:00.001-04:00

by Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

"I have arrived. I am a 43-year-old woman who is in charge of her career. I am at the top of my game, having achieved the level of respect and autonomy that I have aspired to achieve ever since I was a young girl, dreaming of being the best in my field. I am seen as an expert, and others seek me out for my knowledge and expertise. I am well-paid, work very hard, travel, have the opportunity to work with all types of people, and I am confident that I can get the job done. Other people around me are confident too. Trouble is, I have two young children at home that I never see.

My husband has taken on most of the caretaking responsibilities, and whenever the girls are sick or need some special attention, he is the one they seek out. I can never attend the plays at school; I have to travel. I can never go to PTA events; I have late meetings. A school concert? Not me. A doctor’s appointment? My husband takes off of work to go. I miss seeing my daughters, and everyone tells me that these years will slip by really quickly, so I better make the most of them. I wanted a job that fulfilled me, but is this the price I have to pay to have it? What happened? Things feel a little lopsided here.

" How do we as individuals decide what makes us feel fulfilled? How are important decisions made in the lives of families, no matter what the make-up? What if the genders were reversed in the scenario above? What if they were the same gender? And how do we all counteract the very strong messages that send us down paths that can be a little lopsided? Families understand that there are many different solutions to managing the work-life struggles that we face. And we all make choices in our work and in our personal lives. Where can you make a different choice, and who can help you make it?

Trying to re-enter the workforce? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Beyond Retirement: Careers for Ages 55+

2011-04-18T10:02:00.005-04:00

by Leah Berk, JVS Staff

“Millions of people in their fifties, sixties and seventies are searching for answers to the urgent question: ‘What’s next?’ All too often they are caught between chapters, living out twenty-first century life spans yet stuck with a life course designed for a bygone era. They face not only a void in identity, but a society ill-prepared to make use of their accumulated insights and talents.” --The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife by Marc Freedman

Career Moves Director Judy Sacks and Employment Specialist George Zeller attended the April 8th launch party of Marc Freedman’s new book, The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife. Rather than simply retire, Freedman encourages the over 55 crowd to pursue an “encore career” that combines, as a New York Times article put it, “continued income, new meaning and a significant contribution to the greater good”. The book launch party was hosted by Discovering What’s Next® and co-sponsored by JVS.

Trying to re-enter the workforce? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

When to Follow Up

2011-04-11T11:12:00.001-04:00

by George Zeller, JVS Staff

Clients often call me to ask if they should follow up with a resume they sent, a network contact they want to meet, after an interview ... (the list goes on). Usually they’ll say, “it’s been two weeks, what should I do?” My response usually has been “what would you do if you were at a job and a prospective customer had not replied to your initial voice mail or email? Or a colleague had not responded to your request/inquiry?” The answer I get 95% of the time is that they would follow up.

Too many times people forget to use their ‘work’ skills and intuition when job hunting. Just because you are out of work does not mean you should abandon your usual approach to problems. Next time you are faced with a dilemma about when or if to follow up, just pretend you are at your (previous) job and imagine what you would do. As long as you are polite and professional (which I assume you would be if you were working) not much can go wrong.

Trying to re-enter the workforce? Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Networking Through Art

2011-03-31T15:46:00.003-04:00

by Kathryn Collins, Painter/Poet

I joined the Artist Support Group offered by Career Moves @ JVS in January with some trepidation. I am not a joiner really. I am more of a hermit and a recluse. Also I am shy. But I am an artist who works alone as most artists do, and I find it a lonesome occupation. I yearned for the company of other artists.

I imagined a dark, smoky bistro atmosphere, with berets and cigarettes, absinthe and wine bottles with candles melting down their sides. Feral black cats slink by sinuously, their shadows dancing on the walls. Well, not exactly.

I arrived at the first meeting of the Artist Support Group fashionably late, beret in hand. I quickly stashed it in my pocket when I saw we were not in a bistro but in a very nicely appointed room on the Leventhal Sidman campus of the JCC. Eight people were seated in a circle. Reasonably dressed. They looked normal. This scared me. Then we started talking.

There were a number of painters. One woman was a voice-over artist (!). Another worked with video and holographs (!!). There was a Batik Artist. Two Photographers. Two writers. Some of us had work to show.
I turned around and the meeting was over. How had an hour and a half gone by so quickly? We talked about the frustrations of working alone, of dealing with galleries, of networking, of despairing over ever selling our work, and for some, the fear of showing our work.

Members in the group were at different stages of their careers. One was a professional photographer, another had taught art in college for many years. Another is a young mother who always wanted to do more with the talent she always knew she had and needed guidance doing that. All of us were different and all of us were the same.

I decided to stay and was glad I did.

Career Moves @ JVS offers a variety of support groups for job seekers. For more information please contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org.

Beer and Speed Networking

2011-03-23T10:39:00.007-04:00

by Leah Rae Berk, JVS Staff

Let's face it. Networking events can be, well, awkward. Especially for the unemployed. What do you say when people ask, "What do you do?" This past St. Patrick's Day Career Moves hosted a speed networking event, complete with free beer (thank you Stella Artois!). Similar to speed dating, the participants were randomly paired up and given three minutes to network. Then they switched to a new person. To help people get talking, and alleviate any potential awkwardness, we provided a list of networking questions. Feel free to use them for your own networking!

Potential Networking Questions

What are your career aspirations?
How can we help one another network and/or achieve our career goals?
Are you working now? If not, what was your last position?
If you are unemployed, why did you leave your last job?
How did you get into your current industry? Do you like it?
What types of skills are needed to work in your industry?
How are the career prospects in your industry?
Are you happy in your current job/industry or are you looking to make a change?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Mentoring and Purim- How Are They Connected You Ask??

2011-03-21T10:00:00.004-04:00

By Julie Unger, JVS Staff

During the Purim season, I’m always reminded of my personal connection with Queen Esther. I'm called "Esther" in Hebrew and my father still calls me his little princess (I’m almost 30). I still remember the days when I and about 200 other little girls at synagogue would dress up as Queen Esther at the Purim carnival.

But in recent years I have looked to Queen Esther as a role model. Apparently, I'm not alone! Connie Glaser and Barbara Smalley wrote a book called, What Queen Esther Knew: Business Strategies from a Biblical Sage, which discusses how the queen was a confident strategist and networker who took “calculated risks” and used the advice of her mentors to help save her people. The authors write engagingly about a number of Esther-related issues such as how to dress in the workplace (dress like a Queen) and how to deal with life’s Hamans, but I want to focus on their chapter on mentoring.

Esther found a mentor in the palace, Hegai, who helped her fit in to the ‘corporate culture’. Glaser and Smalley recommend finding your own “Hegai”, i.e. cultivate alliances with seasoned professionals to give you insight into the values and beliefs of the workplace. I would consider this unspoken business protocol. Hegai coached Esther on how to grab the attention of King Ahasuerus and what was and wasn’t acceptable palace behavior. Another important mentor in Esther’s life was her Uncle Mordecai. Not only was he a father figure to this orphan, but he counseled, advised and guided her until she evolved into a confident and independent woman.

Mentors are important for personal and professional success, especially for women. Truth be told, women still run into that formidable “glass ceiling "in the workplace; we need help breaking through! A mentor for me is like reading the Cliff Notes on succeeding in life. A mentor has already experienced what you are about to face, so why not seek advice from a seasoned professional? I recommend reading What Queen Esther Knew thinking about your personal and professional goals. You can do it, just dig down deep and find that inner Queen Esther, even if it isn’t your Hebrew name. Want a mentor? Or would you like to be a mentor? Contact Julie Unger at junger@jvs-boston.org.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Beware the Ides of March: Take Hold of your Future

2011-03-14T15:14:00.002-04:00

by Barbara Levitov, JVS Job Club Member

Beware the Ides of March. Being unemployed or underemployed may give you an ominous feeling. Although Julius Caesar was actually stabbed 23 times to death, centuries later our situation is not so grim.

The JVS Job Club holds meetings where we are listened to and offered direction without judgment. We are supporters not co-conspirators. The Ides was actually a festive day dedicated to the god Mars. Let’s consider this March festive - a time to play with new websites, new search engines, new support groups, workshops, and networking meetings.

Treat your new networking contact to a festive cup of Starbucks - no toga required! Have two lattes and you will be celebrating anything. But, focus on your goals - securing a new job; finding new leads and new companies to research; use LinkedIn to the max; reading the papers with intention by seeing what companies are succeeding, growing, hiring new staff or developing new products or proposals. Dismiss your co-conspirator (gently) who is likely yourself. Take a break and go for a walk. Make the Ides count this March and show up at a JVS Job Club to get the support and ideas you need and deserve.

Career Moves is holding Job Clubs in different locations across Greater Boston from now until March 31, 2011. For more information contact Debbie at DLipsett@jvs-boston.org.

Be a Power Player

2011-03-07T10:30:00.003-05:00

by Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

It takes time to get up to speed in a new job; usually six months for individual contributors and up to eighteen months for executives. According to strategy consultant Stacy Goodman, new employees should aim to ramp up within 90 days. In her recent JVS CareerTalk, Be a Power Player: How to get up to speed and provide high value in your new job from day one, Stacy offered concrete advice on how to hit the ground running at a new organization:

First Impressions Matter: Be aware of how you present yourself and are perceived by your new colleagues.

Watch and Listen: Observe how people interact with one another and take note of the spoken and un-spoken office rules.

Ask Questions Early: Find out about your manager’s expectations, company politics, key influencers, upcoming projects and how people succeed in the organization. Do this during the first month, while you can still play the “new employee card.” It will become increasingly harder to ask these types of questions later on.

Talk to people: During your first weeks be sure to meet with colleagues, bosses and other key players in the organization. Invite them out for lunch or coffee and ask them about their priorities and vision for the future.

Use the Right Skills at the Right Time: Only advertise the abilities that will help you achieve your goals. For example, if you want to work on a project that requires number crunching, DON’T emphasize your great editorial skills. You may end up editing documents instead of flexing your analytical muscles.

Career Moves at JVS offers CareerTalks on a regular basis. To find out about upcoming events check our online calendar.

Thank You Job Search Strategy Group

2011-02-28T15:19:00.002-05:00

by a Career Moves Job Search Strategy Group Member

The most important thing I’ve learned from my Career Moves Job Search Strategy Group is that it’s best to remain positive and to carry on with my job search, regardless of any personal issues or limitations.

I’ve learned a terrific amount about job searching and networking and often felt supported by my Career Moves facilitator and my fellow group members. In my experience, I’ve noticed that many displaced or unemployed people often drain their family and friends by sharing too many self-doubts and fears about finding a job in a down economy.

Some of the obvious benefits from being part of a Job Search Strategy Group are the social support and camaraderie I’ve gained and the fact that I have a safe place to share my darkest fears without saddling my family or friends with too much. The facilitator and group members encouraged us to be strong despite facing seemingly insurmountable roadblocks that can easily derail a job search. During these times, we helped each other by giving gentle nudges to stay in the game as well as sharing real-life practical advice on how to stay afloat financially. It’s inspiring when someone in our group finally finds a decent job despite the odds and is able to move on with their life.

None of the group members would be classified as natural networkers but we all gained confidence and insight into how to expand our network and follow through with our leads, no matter how scarce they might have seemed at the time. In fact, someone in our group shared a job lead with me and I have since had two interviews for the position. Having the opportunity to be part of a group facing similar age and qualification obstacles has given me a healthy perspective on how to position myself, capitalize on my professional strengths, and transition to the next phase of my career.

Career Moves holds Job Search Strategy Groups in different locations across Greater Boston. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org 617-399-3162.

5 Reasons to Join Groups on LinkedIn

2011-02-22T09:48:00.003-05:00

by George Zeller, JVS Staff

At Career Moves we encourage our clients to become active on LinkedIn. Joining groups is one good strategy is to get more out of this social media tool. The following are five good reasons to join:

1. Many groups have job boards. Currently there is no fee for posting jobs which is one incentive for employers to post. Another is that employers believe (justifiably) that they will find a more suitable candidate when posting in an affinity-type group.

2. You expand your connections by joining a group so when you conduct searches you will find more people.

3. You can send messages to everyone in the group, even if they are not a first degree connection.

4. There is the potential to start and build a relationship which could turn into a network contact.

5. You can ask questions and participate in discussion, thereby establishing your online identity and building your reputation as someone who is knowledgeable in your field.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

A Smooth Transfer of Skills

2011-02-10T11:24:00.003-05:00

by Saul Good, JVS Staff

The transition from my advertising sales job to my new position as a researcher at a website was refreshingly smooth. In fact, the skills I acquired during my life in the sales trenches helped me immensely in my new role, and quite possibly helped me get hired there. Sales brought me a whole new comfort level in communicating, reasoning, and negotiating with potential clients. When I did a cold call, I got my share of chilly reactions. But I taught myself to be calm, warm, and enthusiastic. I explained how I could help them, and tried to convey that ours would be a mutually beneficial relationship. Sometimes I met with success. Sometimes.

My new job does not involve direct sales, which, while a great skill to have in my back pocket, turned out not to be the direction I wanted to go in. But sales strategies and other business skills I had accumulated in past jobs dovetailed in my new job, where I visit small businesses in a community, interview the owner about their products or services, and write about them. My current job, alas, is short term, and I will soon be looking again for a position where I can make a meaningful contribution by using everything I’ve picked up along the way in my rather diverse career.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Snow Flakes and Job-Search Junkies

2011-02-07T09:36:00.003-05:00

By Barbara Levitov, Career Moves Job Club Member

Every snowflake is unique. They shower down gracefully but sometimes they strike as harsh piercing ice. Either way the results are the same: a landscape of white serenity. One snowflake cannot create the blanket of snow. Each one of us is unique. You have a quality that belongs to you and no one else.

When you collaborate with others you become a team. When you attend a Career Moves Job Club you will find the hope and energy you need to move toward being part of a company or organization, like a snowflake joining the blanket of snow.

Career Moves Job Clubs remind you of your uniqueness. Members support your search efforts, your consternation, your ambivalence, your highs and lows. Although you are unique there is no need to do this process alone. You may be digging deeper into the same hole and need some new ideas to pull you out, ideas which then spark a new thought and trajectory that may provide you with more positive results. Members of the Career Moves Job Club listen and provide only constructive feedback. Come out in the snow to the next JVS Career Moves Job Club meeting to give and get support from fellow job-search junkies. It takes a village.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Best and Worst Jobs of 2010-2011

2011-01-30T13:00:00.003-05:00

by Leah Berk, JVS Staff

Planning a career change? Before you start sending out resumes, check out which jobs made the grade this year. The Boston Globe recently published a list of this year’s hot jobs and the fastest growing jobs by 2018. To find out which jobs are going out of style, see careeroverview.com’s 10 Careers That Tanked in 2010.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Looking for a mentor?

2011-01-24T11:10:00.003-05:00

by Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

In the market for a mentor? Have you thought about your reasons for seeking out a mentor? Before you move forward, consider the following questions:

1. What’s in it for me?

What am I looking to gain from this mentoring relationship?
What do I want to learn? What skills do I want to gain or build upon

2. What’s in it for the mentor? (Remember that mentoring, like most effective relationships, is a two-way street. For the mentoring relationship to be successful you have to give back.)

What can I offer my mentor? Is there something I can teach him/her?
How can I help my mentor progress/develop professionally?

3. What are the milestones/benchmarks for our mentoring relationship?

What do we want to accomplish as mentor/mentee in the next 6 months or year?
How will we chart our progress?

Once you’ve identified a mentor, share this information with him/her. Be sure to revisit these questions periodically, both individually and as a mentoring team.

Are you a Jewish woman interested in becoming a mentor or mentee? Sign up for the Jewish Women’s Career Network mentoring program! Applications for mentees and mentors are available online.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Job Seekers and Employers: Beware of the Halo Effect

2011-01-18T13:00:00.003-05:00

By Judy Bottkol, JVS Staff

The halo effect in the job search or hiring process can lead both job seekers and employers to make poor decisions in accepting the wrong position or hiring the wrong candidate. The interview process can be very subjective for both job seeker and employer - not only because so much depends on the rapport or chemistry created in the interview but also because of any biases that may exist in the minds of either party.

The hiring manager may be swayed by many qualities (He’s so handsome! She went to Harvard!) that may have little or no bearing on the qualifications for the position. The job seeker might be swayed by factors (Tom Brady is one of their clients!) that may have nothing to do with whether the position is a good fit.

I once took a position in a very glamorous industry with a cutting edge company. It took little more than a few weeks to realize that I had made a big mistake. Although there were other factors that involved in my decision to accept the position, the prestige of the company was a major factor in my poor choice.

Both job seekers and employers must focus on asking the right questions to ensure they are making informed, objective decisions in hiring or accepting a job offer. The halo effect mistake can be costly for the employer and for the job seeker’s career.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Is Your Networking Effective?

2011-01-10T13:00:00.003-05:00

By George Zeller, JVS Staff

One of the many pitfalls in networking is not meeting your network contact in person. As a career counselor having 28 years of experience working with professional-level job seekers, I am amazed at the number of job seekers who try to do all of their networking by email, social media, or telephone. It may be quicker, but the old adage of "quality, not quantity" comes to mind.

There are several advantages to meeting in person, starting with the ability to make a true human connection. Why is this so important? For one thing, you are more likely to be remembered. After a telephone conversation, your networking contact may well have forgotten about you twenty minutes and 5 additional phone calls later! One of the goals of networking is to be remembered so that, if and when an opportunity arises, your name comes to mind. A job opportunity could emerge 3 months or more from the time you spoke with your network contact. Again, who is more likely to be remembered? The phone caller or the visitor?

Another big reason you want to meet someone in person is to gain the trust and confidence of your network contact and this is best achieved by your professional presentation and poised personal demeanor. A successful face-to-face encounter may encourage your networking contact to refer you to other contacts, which is one of the prime reasons you are networking in the first place. Think about it. Do you believe that someone is more likely to give you referrals after speaking to you on the phone for only 10- 15 minutes (sometimes even less)? By meeting in person, your network contact will hopefully feel a lot more comfortable referring you to his/her colleagues.

Another advantage is that you will spend more time with your network contacts by meeting them in person. This gives you a better opportunity to establish rapport, ask more questions and make an impression. However, you must be respectful of your contact's time and plan to meet no more than 20-30 minutes, unless your host invites you to stay longer.

Finally, it will be harder to dismiss your requests for advice and feedback when you meet face-to-face. Most managers have developed skills in limiting demands upon their time and energy when they are on the telephone; however, they will often be more patient with someone in front of them, especially when that person has a compelling and strong presentation.

These suggestions are by no means meant to be a panacea and foolproof way to get the most from your network contacts. However, I strongly believe that you maximize the value of your network contacts by meeting them in person.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Sticking to Your 2011 New Years’ Resolution: Get a Job!

2011-01-04T13:00:00.003-05:00

By Barbara Levitov, Career Moves Job Club Member

Whether you are looking for your very first job, switching careers, or re-entering the job market (as a boomer or any age) after an extended absence for any reason, finding a job requires a good support/networking group.

The Job Club offered by Career Moves@JVS is a place “where everybody knows your name” and listens. It is a safe place to bring your questions and concerns, as well as offering your own ideas to others. It is place for all people of any faith and all ages and stages in the job search. We help each other with job-searching tips and insights; the JVS facilitator provides career coaching expertise; and participants offer the needed emotional support during this challenging process.

The Career Moves Job Club has helped me and it can help you in 2011. Link in with real people who care and can help you.
Find a Job Club near you today. Happy New Year!

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…And for the Unemployed/Underemployed, the Most Difficult…

2010-12-29T13:00:00.003-05:00

By Debbie Lipsett, JVS Staff

The holiday season for the unemployed/underemployed can be very difficult. Sure, it’s wonderful to be around family and friends, but it can also be a time of financial strain, family stress and lack of motivation. In order to stay motivated and for better results in your job search in 2011, join a free job club offered by Career Moves @ JVS.

Job clubs are weekly and/or bi-weekly job search support and networking groups open to all professionals who are job seekers and career changers. Participants come to the Job Clubs to share ideas, information, contacts and strategies in a safe, supportive and welcoming environment. Below is a list of job clubs in the South Shore, Metrowest and Needham/Newton areas.

New- Metrowest Job Club
Temple Israel in Natick
Tuesdays (every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month)
January 11, January 25, February 8, February 22, March 8, and March 22
10:00-11:30 a.m.

South Shore Job Club
Temple Sinai in Sharon
Every Thursday from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Needham/Newton Job Club
Temple Beth Shalom in Needham
Every Wednesday from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

To register and for more information, please contact Debbie Lipsett, JVS Job Club Facilitator and Career Coach, at dlipsett@jvs-boston.org or call 617-965-7940. The Job Clubs are free and open to the public.

Demystifying the Federal Employment Process

2010-12-22T13:28:00.003-05:00

By Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

The good news is that jobs openings exist in the federal government, but the trick is navigating the system to find them. Below are a few tips that may help you get started with the federal job search process.

Visit www.usajobs.com to get a sense of the federal job landscape. If you qualify for any of the special class icons (Individuals with Disabilities, Veterans, etc), click on those icons. (Little tip - when you use the Advanced Search option and notice jobs or agencies listed on the right hand side of your screen, those are hard to-fill-jobs or agencies with hard-to-fill jobs, so look further…)

Do you know your KSA’s? KSA stands for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, and you need to be sure you can articulate them when you apply for federal jobs. With about 68 million resumes in the federal jobs database, and about 70% of federal jobs listed on usajobs.com, you increase your chances of finding positions of interest if you go directly to the federal agency’s website and review their mission statement. Incorporate what you learn from the agency mission as verbiage in your written materials.

Other websites that may be of help: Try http://www.opm.gov/ and focus on the Job Seekers section. Or check in http://www.govloop.com/, the premier online social network for public servants and people supporting government to learn about what is going on in the federal government.

Check out The Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) (www.opm.gov/careerintern). FCIP is designed to help agencies recruit and attract exceptional individuals into a variety of occupations. In general, individuals are appointed to a 2-year internship. Upon successful completion of the internships, the interns may be eligible for permanent placement within an agency.

These are just a few of the tips of the federal jobs “iceberg”, and there are many more resources available. For additional information, check out:

http://www.govexec.com/

http://www.federaltimes.com/

federaljobsearch.com

(Thanks to Steve Gallison and Nancy Fink of the Maryland Professional Outplacement Assistance Center.)

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Finding A Job In Today's Competitive Marketplace is all about...

2010-12-14T12:00:00.006-05:00

By Nancy Rabinowitz, Career Moves Client

Finding a job in today’s competitive marketplace is all about selling your skills, and at a Jewish Vocational Service Career Moves event, "Finding Employment in Today’s Job Market: The HR Perspective," human resources specialists talked about everything from resume and cover letter pointers, to interview tips, to dressing for success.

The panelists included Leanne Sparrow, Lead Staffing Consultant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Joe Smith, the Corporate Recruiter at MathWorks, Carolina Figoli, Human Resources Manager, at Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, and Larry Engel, Sourcing Manager, for Starpoint Solutions, a recruiting firm.

So, you’ve polished your resume, been through a phone screening and now you’ve been invited in for an interview. As the conversation flows, how should you respond if the employer poses the question "tell me about yourself?" That’s not the time to talk about your childhood or recap your resume. Rather, Smith said, it’s hoped the candidate will talk about how their skills match the skills in the job description. If the interview is winding down and the interviewer poses the question, "why should we hire you?" that’s an opportunity to give a "summation of skills you possess," Smith said.

There are also some basics everyone should keep in mind, Engel said. Besides being on time and researching the company, "give a passionate answer. Fill the room with some life," Engel said. "Smile." And, "show passion for wanting to do the job."

Figoli said her company uses the behavioral approach in interviews, which involves giving examples of things you’ve worked on in the past. In their search for a medical director, they focused on candidates who talked about how their medical acumen would benefit the company, and weeded out those who seemed more interested in perks.

Even if you’re interviewing for a position that doesn’t have CEO in the title, don’t hesitate to dress like you’re interviewing for the corner office, like a high school student whom Sparrow – who is swamped with resumes - hired to work in the hospital’s food service division. The young candidate impressed Sparrow by wearing a suit and tie to his interview.

The group also discussed the importance of cover letters. Smith said a cover letter should be three paragraphs. The first should address what position is being applied for and where the applicant saw it advertised, the second should summarize skills and the third should provide contact information.

They also touched on the importance of reaching out on LinkedIn and tailoring resumes to specific jobs. And while it may be nice to smell like Chanel No. 5, the panel advised leaving the fragrance at home, especially in a hospital setting.
Finally, when is the interview officially over? When the job seeker emails a "thank-you" note, the panelists said.

For detailed information on companies and positions log onto: http://www.vault.com/

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Tough Interview Question? Make a Sandwich

2010-11-30T10:14:00.003-05:00

By: George Zeller, JVS Staff

I recently came across a really good tip for answering difficult interview questions such as “why did you leave your last job with the job market being so bad?” It came from Anne Folis, (careerhappy.com), a fellow certified professional resume writer. She recommends using the sandwich approach; that is, putting the negative between two positives.

For the above example you could mention what a good experience you had at this job (and list some examples), then mention that you and your boss had philosophical differences and thought it best to part ways and then end with that you had an opportunity to learn and perfect your skills in X, Y and Z … and are ready to tackle new challenges.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Being Laid Off is a Terrible Shock

2010-11-22T13:00:00.003-05:00

By Judy Bottkol, JVS Staff

Being laid off is a terrible shock. However, you need to keep a level head because there are several important things that you need to take care of before your departure. Here is a check list to help you through the process.

1) If you have time before your last official work day, see if you can schedule any medical, dental or other appointments that would be covered under your employer’s benefit plans. Also, if you have outstanding business-related expenses, make sure you file for expense reimbursements.

2) You will probably be given a great deal of paperwork (information on benefits, severance packages, final paycheck, etc..) regarding your termination. Make sure you read and understand all of it. Consider hiring a lawyer to review the paperwork to make sure that you understand your rights.

3) Get a copy of your personnel file; you may have to request it in writing. Make sure you have copies of past performance evaluations. These documents can help you update your resume and remind you of your accomplishments.

4) Ask for references – not just from your supervisors but from other employees with whom you have worked closely and successfully.

5) Don’t burn any bridges. You may be tempted to “unload” at your exit interview about various workplace issues or the unfairness of your layoff. Don’t do it! It is very important that you make a good impression by acting professionally during your exit process.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Values and Career Decision-Making

2010-11-15T13:00:00.003-05:00

By Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

Here I sit, at a very exciting time in my life, about to embark on the next important step in my career. I am 25 years old and I have been able to take advantage of many resources available to me: loving parents who have interesting jobs they enjoy, and an interest in helping me figure out what I want to be doing with my life, a solid secondary and post-secondary education, which included many enrichment activities, travel where I could learn about and immerse myself in different cultural experiences, and a belief that many opportunities are available to me.

So why am I so stuck? Should I pursue what I like, which feels to me like it would mean giving up some of the things that I had growing up? Or should I go for the well paying job, possibly sacrificing work that would feel meaningful? Can I have both of these things? I wonder if my upbringing was more of a curse than a blessing. I saw how I want to live, and am not sure I can ever have that kind of a lifestyle.

Clients often struggle in the career decision-making process, because it seems as if conflicting values cannot be met. And there has been much written about how the current generation will not have the same lifestyle options afforded many of their parents. How do young adults reconcile this? The best solution I know is to take a good hard look at your values, and let them be the guide. They can tell you a great deal about how you want to live your life, and what is important to you. Spend some time clarifying the values you have, and the results may surprise you – and shed some light on a career decision you are trying to make.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

What's Your MBTI?

2010-11-09T10:13:00.003-05:00

By Debbie Lipsett, JVS Staff

Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You through the Secrets of Personality Type, by Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger, is a popular career and job search book which delves into the relationship between career satisfaction and personality Type. The book provides useful information and examples about personality type theory based on the "MBTI." The original pioneers of this personality theory were Isabel Briggs Myers and her mother, Katherine Myers. They developed 4 different aspects of personality (introverted vs. extroverted, sensing vs. perceiving, thinking vs. feeling, judging vs. perceiving) to come up with 8 traits. There are a total of 16 combinations of these traits called "personality types."

Do What You Are offers a rundown of your career-related strengths and weaknesses based on your personality type and describes how to use your unique strengths to customize an effective job search. Do What You Are also offers a short questionnaire to determine your type but cannot include the actual MBTI. FYI, Career Moves @ JVS career counselors and career coaches are certified to administer and interpret the MBTI, along with several other assessments.

Email me at dlipsett@jvs-boston.org if you’re interested in taking an MBTI test.

New Employee Nerves

2010-11-02T10:08:00.003-04:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

Imagine you are playing soccer. A teammate passes you the ball. Without missing a beat, you make a beeline for the goal, carefully dodging players from the other team and never taking your eye off the ball. You are within 20 yards of the goal and are about to take a shot when, out of nowhere, thirty more balls come flying at you from all different directions. You miss the goal and now have to figure out what to do with thirty extra soccer balls.

This is how I feel every day at my new job. Every email (and I get hundreds on a daily basis) feels like another ball flying at me. I’m running as fast as I can but I still don’t feel like I completely understand all the rules of the game.

So I did what I always do in these types of situations: I called my mentor. Rachel told me I was experiencing typical newbie anxiety and that it would take several months before I felt comfortable in my new role. In the meantime, she recommended that I identify one or two coworkers to approach when I had questions. Be patient with yourself, she said. There’s a steep learning curve at most new jobs and you just need to give yourself time to get up to speed.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Misadventures in Job Hunting

2010-10-18T13:00:00.005-04:00

by Saul Good, JVS Client

As a veteran job hunter, I should have known better. It was all just a little too easy.

My rate of return on job inquiries, up until then, was wretched. So maybe I should have raised an eyebrow when, just a couple of days after submitting a resume for a sales job through a popular job board, I got what appeared to be a form letter, peppered with little enthusiastic tidbits about the company. It sounded more like promotional copy than a genuine expression of interest in me, but I was happy to have a bite after all my fishing. I set up a phone interview.

During the interview, the recruiter described the job, and the way the business worked. Her presentation was a bit hurried, and it was hard to make sense of a lot of it. I probably just wasn’t getting it, and anyway, she said there would be training.

She moved on to compensation. She mentioned there would be "potential" to earn $60K my first year, and top performers at the company earn up to $90K. Not bad, I thought. I asked if it was strictly commission, or was there a base salary. It was commission only.

Much of the job involved driving to different businesses and selling the product. Would there be a reimbursement for gas? There would not.

Nonetheless, it still could be a decent job, I hoped, so I agreed to an in-person interview the next day. But then I got to thinking. There were red flags here; probably 7 or 8 from this story alone. Maybe I should Google this company to see if there were any skeletons in their closet.

Well, one Google search later, and ... skeletons? This company was like Halloween in Salem.

Among the feedback on this company, from various sources:

“... my first clue that this agency was bogus should have been the fact that nobody there, count it-NOBODY, not even the OWNER, had ever studied advertising or marketing ...”

“... they are just sales people and they have to lie to you. They will always be hiring because your only way to get promoted to management is through taking people out on interviews and making them join the company...”

“...The rest of us made about $300 on a good week, working 70 hours and 6 days a week. They tell you you're your own boss, yet when you need a day off they hold it against you...”

Lesson learned. Yes, you can't believe everything you read on the internet, but there's such a thing as a preponderance of evidence.
When you get such a quick, enthusiastic, impersonal response from a company you found on a job board, this is likely what you're going to get.

I canceled my interview, and went back to the drawing board.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Ask a Recruiter

2010-10-12T13:00:00.003-04:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

I recently asked Bruce Allen, founder of the talent acquisition firm Point B Search, for his advice to all current and would-be jobseekers. Here are a few tips from a seasoned recruiter:

1. What's the most important thing for jobseekers to keep in mind in this tough economy?

Momentum is key, even if it means making just the smallest progress in a given day. Momentum incorporates perseverance, hope, resourcefulness, and drive. All four components must be continually nourished. On the most discouraging of days, take a moment to look back and see what you did to move that huge jobseeking boulder forward, even if it was moved just an inch. Any progress is progress. That feeds both perseverance and hope. Resourcefulness means pro-actively and creatively identifying and pursuing potential opportunities beyond just responding to job postings. It involves making the most of your network, the many research tools available, and multiple venues. Finally, jobseekers must continue to drive forward, one foot in front of the other, even when there’s no apparent light at the end of the tunnel. Activity begets activity and although it’s all too easy to feel victimized or even hexed in these tumultuous times, ultimately you create your own opportunities. See my blog article from late last year on momentum for further thoughts.

2. What advice do you have for people who are considering changing careers right now?

Why not? After all, life is too short to be on a career path that doesn’t feed your interests and passions. Try to brainstorm on plausible career paths that leverage some of your key skills or experience by dovetailing them with an area of great interest.

3. What are the benefits of working with a recruiter? How can people make the most out of working with a recruiter?

A top tier recruiter can help to function as a career coach, providing you with a realistic synopsis of your marketability. A good recruiter will know their client company exceptionally well, furnishing you with key insight into the people, culture, financials, competitive landscape, and the hiring manager’s hot buttons that may not even be on the job description. Another critical advantage in working through a capable recruiter is having the opportunity to be presented directly to the hiring manager, complete with essential points beyond the resume. Compare this to applying for a position yourself and having your resume flounder in a huge pile of direct submissions. In terms of making the most of working with a recruiter, there are several points to keep in mind. First, a recruiter can only help you if you are fully upfront and honest about your background, accomplishments, and reasons for leaving past employers. Secondly, understand that at any given moment, a recruiter is working on a finite set of specific searches. So, even if that recruiter doesn’t currently have any suitable opportunities for you, that doesn’t mean that you should cross them off your list. The best way to work with a recruiter is to view it as establishing a long-term two-way relationship in which you can both discuss ways to help one another. Who knows? Perhaps you can refer them to a great candidate for one of their searches now and then two months from now, that recruiter may have a great opportunity with you in mind.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Dear Mike

2010-10-04T13:00:00.003-04:00

by Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

Dear Mike:

After working with you for the past ten months, I wanted to summarize where I think we’ve come together in your career planning and management process.

You initially came in to see me to help you clarify your career direction. You had been working in the technology and software development field for 30 years, and you’d had a good run. You had made a comfortable living, challenged your mind, and had provided well for your family. That last factor was a particularly tricky one for you as you thought about the next steps you wanted to take. While there were aspects of the work you enjoyed over the years, you did not identify yourself wholly as a software engineer. You were actually an artist: a musician, a collage creator, and a man with a curious mind. You had been living what you thought was the right path, and you managed. But something was missing, and when the technology field shifted from engineering to web programming, and the workplace became more isolating and less social for you, you noticed that “just managing” was not enough. The 30 years of “just managing” had in fact taken a toll, diminished you in some way. Now was your chance to reclaim your identity.

Who are you Mike? A funny, smart musician who travels to a different and wonderful place when you are with your music. A caring father, who raised two pretty cool kids, a husband who struggles to communicate like so many others whose marriages have withstood many challenges. A great guy who deserves to say to himself that he is worthy of whatever choice he makes vocationally or avocationally, as long as he continues to trust what he knows about himself, and as long as he continues to communicate with the meaningful people in his life.

As you put music back in your life as a cornerstone and continue to make meaning out of the next phase of your life, I wish you continued satisfaction and success on your own terms.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

From Mentee to Mentor

2010-09-27T13:00:00.003-04:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

New employee orientation didn’t prepare me for the hardest parts of my job. While I quickly learned my way around the company database, when it came to interpreting my manager’s expectations, I was at a complete loss. Like many organizations, my company had a number of unwritten rules that, unfortunately for me, I only discovered by breaking. I made quite a few mistakes as I was learning the ropes and had more than one uncomfortable conversation with my manager.

When a company HR representative asked me to mentor Jane, one of our summer interns, I was determined to teach her everything she needed to know about the job. Our one-on-one sessions, while ostensibly dedicated to tactical areas, such as software training, included tips on navigating company politics, managing expectations and communicating effectively with teammates.

I’d never managed anyone before this summer. At first I worried whether I was explaining myself clearly and if Jane felt comfortable with her assigned tasks. I probably checked in on her more than was necessary. But Jane showed me that she didn’t need constant surveillance. She reached out to me when she needed help and I made time to answer her questions.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Careful who you connect with on LinkedIn

2010-09-20T17:00:00.004-04:00

By George Zeller, JVS Staff

Recently something a recruiter said really made me think how important it is to consider who you are connecting with on LinkedIn. In my opinion, you really do not want to connect with people that you are not sure are going to be supportive toward your career advancement. Many individuals just connect to have more connections. Wrong! Many employers are now using LinkedIn to see if they know anyone connected to you so they can call and do a reference check on you (without your permission, without you knowing about it). If they find someone that will not say good things about you, you may have lost an opportunity at a good job. Make sure all the people in your network have only good things to say about you.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Book Review: Luck is no Accident

2010-08-23T13:00:00.003-04:00

By Debbie Lipsett, JVS Staff

According to John Krumboltz and Al Levin, authors of Luck Is No Accident, “unplanned events and chance occurrences-more often determine life and career choices than all the careful planning we do.” The book, Luck is No Accident offers inspiring stories about successful people who took advantage of unplanned events and chance encounters. Practical strategies on how to take action and overcome barriers to action are discussed, as well how to take advantage of random “happenstances” when they do occur. As a career coach, I highly recommend this book to any job seeker who needs a little encouragement and is interested in creating a satisfying and balanced life.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Lessons Learned from a Not-So-Dream Job

2010-08-19T12:21:00.003-04:00

By Saul Good, JVS Staff

Many of us have experienced this at some point during our careers: our job has little to do with what we learned in school, or even what we thought we were good at.

For me, I got a degree in English, and spent the first part of my career in journalism and publishing. It made sense. Sure, I pondered where else my career might go, though I always kind of assumed it would be in the same general area. Part of me hoped I could discover something completely off-the-wall different that I would become crazy in love with, that would be a perfect fit for my skills and personality.

But I never had such an epiphany. I just liked my work, accepted that where I was was where I'd be for the foreseeable future, and figured I'd worry about the rest later.

Then, "later" came. And I started worrying.

Sales was never on my radar as something that would be a fit for me. I thought I was too shy. When I fell into it, I didn't have much choice but to get to like it. It was grudging, at first. I didn't like the rejection. I didn't like the door-to-door cold calling. I didn't like the infrequent, commission-based pay structure. Further, I wasn't having a lot of early success, nor was I getting much in the way of moral support from my manager.

But there were no other jobs to be had, and I had to make the best of it. As the weeks and months went by ... well, I'm not going to sit here and tell you I grew to love it. I didn't. But it was not a waste of time. Sales is a great thing to have in your experience, and it looks pretty darn good on a resume. People actually admire your gumption, trying to sell something. I've heard many times from people, "oh, I could never do that..."

In sales, you learn to talk to people (quite often, to people who aren't that happy to see you). You learn that most people are willing to give you the time of day, even if they aren't inclined to buy. Then you learn a little bit about negotiation, and that a "no thanks" isn't necessarily a "no." You gain confidence, and a sense of humility. You learn something about how business works.

These are valuable lessons, but that's not to say that I wanted to be selling advertising forever, or even for very long. After a year and a half, I was ready to move on. Would I take my experience and continue on in sales, or apply my lessons learned to another field?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

We can all learn from the Red Sox

2010-08-18T13:00:00.003-04:00

By George Zeller

The Red Sox just lost Kevin Youkilis for the season. They have Pedroia and Varitek on the disabled list. Their starting left fielder just got activated 2 days ago after injuring his ribs and playing only 9 games all season. There have been other injuries to the starting centerfielder and starting pitchers. The starting catcher broke his thumb and is back playing. What does this have to do with job hunting you may ask? Despite all the injuries the Sox have not given up. Their mantra is often heard in the news: “It is what it is…you just have to keep fighting and playing hard.” They believe that sooner or later they will catch the Yankees and Tampa Rays who are ahead of them.

Job seekers can draw inspiration from this team. Despite tens or hundreds of rejections, one must still get up tomorrow and ‘fight another day.’ One cannot get discouraged even if he/she has every reason to do so. One has to put their best foot forward and believe in him/herself at all times. The Red Sox have played 109 games out of a 162-game season, and they are still as committed as ever to make the playoffs. Despite the injuries, the Sox make no excuses and do not feel sorry for themselves. The job seeker needs to have the same determination.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Maternity-Work Dilemma

2010-08-16T11:56:00.003-04:00

By Mazzy, JVS Client

As an expectant mother I am seeing a pattern of reaction among my colleagues and friends who just 'found out'! It's getting hard to hide this peculiar looking bulge. It goes like this, "So you're pregnant! That's so exciting!" What follows is a variation of ,"Are you coming back after your maternity leave?"

This is a difficult question to answer. I feel pulled in several different directions, unclear whether to return full-time, part-time or no-time. What's making this choice difficult for me? Let's start with historical expectations, cultural peer pressure, and financial constraints.

Historically, I feel like my foremothers worked hard to make the glass ceiling a lot thinner for me to break though. I say to myself, "How can I not go back to work?" I've worked so hard to get this promotion, or to earn my place within this organization. Am I going to shame my fellow gender? Is 'shame' even a kosher term to use here?!

If I come back full-time, I will have to deal with childcare. And from my research, it looks like 75% of my salary will go to that. Plus, there is a high probability that the daycare center will be the first to witness my baby take it's first steps. I'm afraid I'll be paying them to 'know' my child more than me, the one who created it!

So far, all of my coworkers have returned to work, mostly part-time. Currently I am leaning towards this option, however, it's the same financial dilemma. I'll be working for half the money and virtually all of that will go toward childcare. But some of the part-time mothers have been saying that they enjoy getting dressed and ready for work those three days a week. So the 3 days a-week of childcare and going to work outweighs the costs.

The best advice I received was from one of my mentors, a mother of two. She said, "don't make any decisions about coming back full-time, part-time and no-time until you have your baby." This is coming from someone who I thought was a die-hard work-a-holic feminist who would never have stayed home to raise her children. I was so surprised to hear this from her. Financially she could afford to stay home and enjoyed raising her babies; when the time was right she began to do some volunteer work and even worked one day a week at a synagogue to stay current with skills. She did mention that her mother was available anytime to watch her children. My in-laws and parents all live within a 3-6 hour plane ride. Once her children were in preschool and kindergarten, she went back to work.

If I follow the same path as my mentor, will I be able to transition back into the workforce as easily? I'm not exactly at a point where I should stop working entirely...professionally, I don't feel like I'm there yet- whatever there is.

Another point to consider are the needs of your employer. What if the position requires full time, not part-time and the employer cannot fill the other several days or is unwilling to. This is a very serious situation that must be agreed upon before you leave on maternity. Luckily, my employer has been very supportive so far, as my position allows for some flexibility and my supervisor is sympathetic to my impending decision.

Every mom and situation is different. What is your story?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Re-tooling in a Down Economy

2010-08-09T13:50:00.003-04:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

A recession is the perfect time to re-tool.

That's why this summer you'll find me in a high school computer lab taking web design classes offered by my local adult education center.

I’m also talking to subject matter experts. Armed with a basic understanding of web design, I’ve worked up the confidence to talk to Joe, my company’s head website developer. What started as informal conversations by the water cooler have turned into a mentoring relationship. I often drop by Joe’s desk to ask about what he’s working on, and we recently went out for coffee to discuss different blogging and web hosting services.

While the economy slowly recovers, I’ll continue building my professional “tool kit” so that, when the next job opportunity comes around, I’ll be ready.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Watch out when you’re ‘dumbing down’ your resume

2010-08-02T11:41:00.003-04:00

By George Zeller, JVS Staff

Recently there have been a lot of articles written and online discussions about downgrading your resume so that you do not appear vastly overqualified and therefore rejected when applying to certain jobs below your skill/degree/experience level.

This strategy has been around for some time. Now, however, with the advent of social media and the practice of googling prospective candidates, this ‘dumbing down’ strategy is not as clear-cut. If, for instance, you decide you want to leave off that you received an MBA from your resume, you run the risk of people seeing it on your LinkedIn profile. You may want to delete it from your LinkedIn profile, but that will defeat the purpose of making more potential networking connections.

The bottom line is that you need to be more careful about what you are going to change in your resume. For example, you could leave off a job you held a long time ago or a more recent short term job if neither adds value to your candidacy --and do the same on your Linked In account. But changing a job title such as Manager to Specialist on your resume but not on LinkedIn may be more problematic. Job searching is just getting more complex every year.
Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Trust Yourself in a Time of Uncertainty

2010-07-26T12:00:00.004-04:00

By Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

Picture this. You are 61, and you have enjoyed the work that you have been doing for 30 years. You have been able to use the skills you most enjoy using for most of your work life, give or take a year or two when you had to focus on some less preferred skill sets. But things have been going along well at work, and you have been able to make a respectable living that made it possible to live the life you wanted.

All of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of an economic downturn. You are laid off. You never finished college, although you took some college courses. You start to look for work in the field that you have enjoyed for many years, and you are getting feedback that says you are not as valuable as you had always thought you were. Friends are saying, “Slow down, come live simply with us as we enjoy our leisurely time together and slow the pace down a bit.”

But you are not interested in that. OK, so maybe not 70 hours per week at work, but you still want to make money, you like the work setting and the work relationships that you have and still hope to cultivate. You still feel you have a lot to offer, and while you can and do enjoy the volunteer work you do, working feels different to you. It makes you feel whole; it makes you feel like you. And you are not ready to give that up.

However, what makes this a bit tricky is that some external forces exist that do tell us it is time to change a course of action that we had no intention of changing. If it were all up to us, we would keep on keeping on, and things would continue as they were. In the world of work that exists today, we have to come to terms with the reality that we are not always able to set the exact course we want, and that some compromises may have to be made.

How we decide to move forward with that information has more to do with who we are and how we react to those messages than the messages themselves. How do we feel about our choices? Do we have regrets about choices we have made? Do we see options and feel like we even have a choice? Do we feel valued and worthy of the choices we want for ourselves? Do we have support from significant people in our lives? What message do we choose to believe are true for us?

Trust plays a critical role in this process. When we trust ourselves, we often see the path ahead with a clarity that can as times feel very unclear. Do you trust yourself to know how to proceed with your career?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

My New Reality Check

2010-07-19T15:00:00.003-04:00

By Saul Good, JVS Client
Oddly enough, I started my new sales position with inflated expectations.

One of my primary concerns before I started had been how I would handle the rejection that was sure to come. No one likes rejection, but a sales person needs a thick skin. Mine was on the thin side.

During training, I asked the sales manager how many sales, out of every 10 cold call visits, I could expect to make.

“I’d say about four.”
“Really? So about half the calls I make I’ll end up selling,” I clarified.
“Yup, in my experience. It’s not hard,” she said confidently.

OK then! This wouldn’t be so hard after all. It sounded to me like there would be so many sales, commissions rolling in, that I could handle the rejections.

It didn’t quite work out that way. Despite my sales manager’s optimism, out of every 10 visits I made, maybe one was interested enough to think about buying advertising. “Can you come back? I’ll think about it,” became a dishearteningly familiar refrain.

This flummoxed me at first. What happened to “four”? Plus, buying advertising only cost a few hundred dollars. The publication went to thousands of homes. Why don’t they want it? Why can’t they afford it?

Turns out that selling is hard work, on many levels. This particular job was tough physically, because all day I was getting in and out of my car and walking from call to call with a full briefcase. I used to have an air-conditioned cubicle with a comfortable chair.

It was tough mentally as well. Most people were polite enough saying “no,” but some were very dismissive, even rude. Not good for the thin-skinned among us. It didn’t help that some people looked at me cross-eyed while I was walking around, as if I were selling religion.

I ended up making about nine sales in the six-week selling period, which wasn’t bad, all things considered. When I did make a sale, it almost made up for all the doors shut in my face.

I learned that selling stuff is a numbers game. If you have even a modicum of ability, you’ll make sales if you go on enough calls. I made enough sales that first quarter to be sort of encouraged for the next. My sales manager asked how much more business I thought I’d do next quarter. I said I thought I could double it.

How do you think that went?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

This Week In Networking: I'm Giving

2010-07-12T15:00:00.002-04:00

Cambridge Wordsmith, JVC Client

6:00 a.m. Thursday

I am up early reviewing a friend’s resume and cover letter. She recently moved to the US from Spain, and is having trouble adapting her job application materials to the American format. Before I leave for work I send
her a detailed email explaining my edits and recommending websites she can reference for additional help.

7:00 p.m. Thursday

My informational interviewee calls right on time. She’s an alumna from my Alma Mater and wants tips on how to enter the online marketing arena. We chat for close to an hour and at the end of our conversation I forward her information to several of my LinkedIn contacts.

9:00 p.m. Friday

I’m at a cocktail reception following an event at a local non-profit. While my friends sip wine and chat about their weekend plans, I’m engrossed in an impromptu “Networking 101” session with a guy I just met. He’s been out of work for a few months and is trying to leverage his networks and volunteer work to find a full-time position. We talk about how to approach potential employers, what kinds of questions to ask (and avoid) and whom to contact next. After about 45 minutes of intense discussion I give him my business card and tell him to keep in touch.

Networking is a two-way-street; you have to give to receive. No matter how tired or busy I am I ALWAYS make time to help people with their job searches and overall professional development. There have been many instances where people lent me a hand, offering to speak with me at odd hours, review my resume or refer me to someone. People remember when you help them and, should the opportunity arise, are happy to return the favor.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Your Career and Life Plans

2010-07-06T12:00:00.002-04:00

By Amy Mazur, JVC Staff

What happens when you are in a relationship with someone, and the life you thought you had chosen to live together no longer looks anything like what you had imagined it would? What happens when you met someone when they were doing work that was secure and interesting for that person, and then circumstances change? The position no longer exists, the person no longer likes that type of work, the needs and values of that person are no longer being fulfilled by that vocational choice. You made plans and were counting on that security and stability to keep things moving in the direction of your dreams. That plan was going to make it possible for you to figure out your path, to keep doing what it was you were doing, to live a life the way you wanted it to look. Now what?
What does it mean to be in a relationship with someone, and have the rules change midstream? And what role does career have to play in the game? Did I commit to this individual for who they are or for what they do? For what they can provide, or for what makes them sing and bring their full self to the relationship? For both? What if they are unhappy in their work? What if I am unhappy? What makes each of us happy?

Part of the self-assessment process in career planning involves considering significant relationships in your life and how those relationships influence your career and life plans. Integrative Life Planning, an approach to thinking about career choices developed by Sunny Hansen, considers relationships as a key factor in thinking about career choices. In her work, themes of work, health, gender roles, pluralism and diversity, spirituality and managing transitions, and life purpose are all part of the career planning discussion. Exercises focus on mutuality planning, balance, personal identity and connecting family and work.

When individuals think about career choices, the process would be incomplete if other significant voices were not heard. Can it be any other way?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Linkedin is a Good Tool When Used Right

2010-06-28T14:00:00.002-04:00

One of the popular uses of LinkedIn is finding a ‘contact’ at a company where you recently applied for a job. A key issue that keeps coming up is what to do after you’ve located this so-called contact. Job seekers have lots of questions on what to do: how to introduce yourself, what to you ask for, what tone, what approach and more. These are good questions.

They point to the fact that LinkedIn continues to be a good tool for finding folks, but it still takes good ol’fashioned interpersonal, communication, and networking skills to take the next steps. There are no easy, one size-fits-all answers. Some guidelines, however, can be useful. Try to be clear and specific about what you are asking from the person and make your request as low-risk as possible. If the person doesn’t know you well, it would be a big risk for that person to recommend you for the job you’ve applied for. A less risky request is to ask the person to spend 5-10 minutes on the phone with you to find out more about what it is like to work at their company, what in their opinion are the primary needs/goals of the department you’re interested in, what type of background and personal traits fit best in that department, and what is the management style of the department manager. Answers to these will help you determine if there is a fit between you and the company. Keeping it short also increase the likelihood of a favorable response.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Reluctantly, A New Path

2010-06-21T09:29:00.002-04:00

By Saul Good, JVC Staff

Six months into my unemployment, I was restless. But I was energized. The time off was rejuvenating. It allowed me to investigate some different career fields I'd been thinking about. (Some of them, in retrospect, were kind of out there. Starting a coffee business sounded cool, until I thought about how many Dunkin Donuts there are around here.)

Disappointingly, I didn’t find much to hang my hat on. I wanted to find a calling, thinking it would be the path to blissful career satisfaction. Somewhat desperately, I joined something called the American Medical Writers Association, and even attended one of its conferences in hopes it would lead to an exciting new career. It didn't take.

Since college, my work experience had been in either writing or publishing (was that my calling?). I would have been happy to continue doing that, but at the time, people were losing those kinds of jobs, not getting them. It was time to go a different route. But down which road?

Someone I knew had a connection to a direct-mail advertising publication that was hiring a salesperson. It would take a while to build a client base and make real money, but I would learn a new craft, hone my people skills, and do some good hard work again. I took it. With that, I became a salesman for the first time in my life.

It was a job, and I was happy about that, but I was a little nervous about the sales part of it. I had always played more of a background role during my career. I was not accustomed to being the main event. It was way out of my comfort zone. I had no idea what to expect, other than what I could glean from the war stories of my new colleagues, who were encouraging, if not terribly comforting.

Didn't matter. It was time to get to work. There would be no dilly-dallying. I had one day of training, one pep talk from the boss, then they threw me to the wolves.

And I felt like a raw T-bone steak.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

What's Your Passion?

2010-06-07T15:00:00.002-04:00

By George Zeller, Career Coach

Job hunting in this current job market is becoming more and more daunting. The competition for jobs is very high, and employers are being extremely cautious about who they hire. Increasingly job seekers are being pushed to find ways to differentiate themselves from their competitors. What makes them unique? Why should an employer hire you instead of the other finalists (assuming you made it that far)? Not everyone has outstanding accomplishments or has held jobs that have given them an opportunity to achieve outstanding results. If you have done a good job, but do not have any outstanding achievements, what do you do? One area to explore is your passion. Why do you like the work that you do? Why did you chose this work? What is your underlying philosophy regarding the work that you do? Employers are always looking for individuals with energy and enthusiasm. If you can demonstrate your ‘e & e,’and your passion for your work, you will have a good shot at landing that job.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Outsourced, and Into The Unknown

2010-06-03T09:35:00.003-04:00

By Saul Good, JVC Staff

Almost exactly two years ago, I was informed that the publishing operations job I had for more than eight years was going to be eliminated. In the United States, that is. My job was being turned over to a duo in Bangalore, India, so that our company could save a few bucks. Oh, and by the way, could I help train them?

OK, fine. I had probably overstayed my welcome there anyway. I liked the job, but I was ready to move on, ready for the next challenge in my working life. I was actually lucky that I had the option to stay for three more months after I was notified, and the severance package was decent.

So, at the end of August 2008, I packed up some papers, trinkets, and memories from my cubicle, said some goodbyes, and drove off into the late morning sun (they let me take a half day).

And I have not been fully employed since.

Looking back on it, I may have been in a state of denial about my job situation. I figured things would somehow work out. I did not try particularly hard (or at all?) to find another job once I learned of my impending layoff. The job market was tanking, I had severance until the end of the year, and I was eligible for unemployment benefits for a while after that.

I figured I had the luxury of relaxing a bit, researching some different career options. Maybe starting my own little business? Maybe taking some online classes?

For about six months, I did relax. I found at least 10 different careers I was convinced would be perfect for me. I took one online class. By March 2009, I wasn’t getting anywhere. I wanted to get back to work, not because I necessarily had to, but because I wanted to be a productive person again.

Do you ever get the feeling that everyone else is working but you? When I looked out my window morning after morning during that time, and saw empty driveways up and down the street, it was a blue feeling, to be sure. Does anybody want me? Finally, I stumbled onto a job.

I was about to enter a working world that was completely foreign to me, one that would prove to be scary and exhilarating, exhausting and intimidating. It was not the work I honestly wanted to do, but, hey, it was work.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Assess Yourself

2010-05-31T15:00:00.003-04:00

By Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

The term “assessment” has taken on a particular aura when we think of it in terms of the career counseling process. The marketing gurus have been able to convince us that without that fancy “assessment,” we will be behind the eight ball, and miss out on the crucial information that will tell us everything we did not know about ourselves.

The idea that the career development professional has the answer and is just waiting for you to come into her office to reveal it to you in the form of an assessment is also bunk. No one knows better than you what you should be doing. It may just take some objective encouragement and support to get deep enough to figure it out. The answers are not always easy to uncover, as some fancy assessment marketers might have you believe.

The best assessments tap areas that help you make connections, not confuse and distance you from the truth about your career choices. Having an enlightening conversation with a career development professional who asks probing questions that you may not have considered counts as a valuable assessment intervention. Seeing things in a new way can happen with the most basic questions and with pencil and paper activity, if used with the help of someone with an objective perspective.

There can be a place for the more standardized assessments, if only as a springboard for further exploration and discussion, or to demonstrate that taking a first step can keep you moving forward. But those assessments should not be used as the “Voice of Career Truth.” Find a career development professional to help you uncover what is calling to you. Because you have truly invested in the process and not relied only test results, you can feel more confident in what you’ve learned about yourself.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Resume Tip #1: Have an Interest

2010-05-24T14:59:00.002-04:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVC Client

I used to wonder why people included non-work-related interests at the bottom of their resumes. What does the hiring manager care if I went backpacking in Thailand or that I spend my weekends fixing up antique cars? Rather than use up precious real estate, I omitted the interests section in favor of several bullet points on my work with the Jewish Women’s Career Network and Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP). I figured community outreach and philanthropy would wow potential employers more than, say, scuba diving lessons. I was wrong.

“You really should include an interests section in your resume,” a local entrepreneur and business owner told me during a recent informational interview. He had a copy of my resume in front of him. “Sharing some of your interests can help create a connection with your interviewer,” he explained. “Maybe it turns out you both like to ski, and then you have one more thing to talk about.”

While my involvement in the Jewish community was admirable, not everyone would be able to relate to that experience. People might, however, be interested in my love of travel, French cooking or deep sea diving and give my resume a second look.

Suffice to say, I added a bullet on interests to the bottom of my resume. Hopefully it will make a hiring manager stop and say something like, “How nice to find someone else who likes to knit! We’ll definitely have to chat about that during the interview.”

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Dealing With Anxiety

2010-05-17T15:00:00.003-04:00

By Martha Plotkin, JVS Staff

For job seekers and career changers who are experiencing anxiety, I highly recommend The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook, fourth edition, by Edmund J. Bourne (Oakland, CA: New Harbinger, 2005). Although the book’s primary targets are those who suffer from anxiety disorders, much of its content is applicable to those who are simply trying to cope with the stresses of life in the early 21st century.

As Career Moves staff members discussed in our recession program last year, Weathering the Storm, people in transition need to take care of themselves in all ways---physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Bourne’s comprehensive workbook suggests simple ways to incorporate healthful, stress-reducing practices into our daily routines, including relaxation, meditation, physical exercise, and healthy diets. Also included are chapters on medications, expressing feelings, assertiveness, self-esteem, and finding one’s life purpose.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This

2010-05-10T15:00:00.002-04:00

By Debbie Lipsett, JVC Staff

I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Not This (second edition) by Julie Jansen is an extremely helpful and highly readable resource for any career changer and job seeker. The collection of personality exercises and quizzes identifying favorite skills, values, personality preferences, interests and attitudes provide important clues about yourself to help you find work that is satisfying. The chapter on finding meaning in work is excellent, offering insight into how to overcome the obstacles and roadblocks that can get in your way.

The book also asks key questions and offers valuable suggestions to individuals considering starting their own business, as well as to those midlife professionals who are thinking about retirement. There is also useful refresher on the nuts and bolts of the job search including information about goal setting, networking, and resumes.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Vocation as Voice

2010-05-03T15:00:00.003-04:00

By Amy Mazur, JVS Staff

Vocation comes from the Latin word "voice." I believe the two are inextricably connected.

How does one go about choosing a vocation – the voice of their identity that allows them to be who they are? They start with a strong support system. If you don’t have one, create one. If you don’t know how, find one person who can teach you how.

What else? Take advantage of choices (academic and otherwise) that are presented to you: courses, activities, events, opportunities. Assume that you can try and do anything. When you have had a taste of these experiences, consider the activities that you most enjoyed, felt most successful at, felt most energized by, and liked. Those can give you clues to what is true for you, and can lead to you taking additional steps to find what you might like and be good at.

And pay attention. Create a space where you can take the time to think things through. Stop and think about what is bringing you satisfaction and enjoyment. Stop and think about what you like and are good at. Stop and think about what might be what you want, and not what someone else wants. Find others who believe in you and support you in what you want, and consult with them for support and advice.

The fundamental work in career planning and management is to attend to the inner voice, and not be swayed by all the external messages and sources that bombard us all the time. This can be hard to do. There are many sources of information that try to persuade us about what is right for us. Sometimes they are not wrong. Sometimes we need some space to figure out what we want. The career planning process allows you to take the time to consider how your own personality type, your own gifts and skills, and your own talents can work for you in a career. Start with the idea that it is possible, and even if you have not been going on a path that seems authentic for you, it is never too late for a course correction. You can do it; and it will ensure that your voice is heard.

In addition to your education, your skills, interests, personality and talents propel you forward, and can create a very exciting career landscape. Take the time to assess what you bring. Remember to listen to your own voice. If you do, the vocational translation will be very gratifying.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Book Review on The Successful Introvert

2010-04-26T16:11:00.002-04:00

by Debbie Lipsett, Career Coach

The Successful Introvert: How to Enhance Your Job Search and Advance Your Career by Wendy Gelberg is a wonderful resource for introverted and shy people who are looking for insightful advice and concrete strategies to help them overcome some of the discomfort connected to job hunting in an “extraverted” world. The first section of the book covers the distinctions between shy people and introverted people and includes implications for the job search. The second section focuses on specific strategies (i.e. resumes, interviewing, networking) for shy and introverted people. There are several examples of stories with several suggestions and quotes from professionals and celebrities. The final section summarizes the unique strengths that introverted people share and how to capitalize on them in the job search and your professional life.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Interview Tip #1: Know Your Audience

2010-04-19T14:51:00.002-04:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

With a little help from my friends Google, LinkedIn and Facebook, I can find out quite a bit about potential interviewers. It only takes a few keystrokes to learn where the hiring manager went to college, the HR coordinator’s favorite brand of designer shoes or what the CEO had for breakfast. Interesting? Sure. What you want to chat about during a job interview? Maybe not.

My mentor Rachel and I spoke at length about interview preparation. During one of our conversations she offered new meaning to the old adage, “know your audience.” It’s not enough just to know someone’s title, Rachel explained, you also have to understand that person’s role within the organization and plan your comments and questions accordingly. This means speaking with a senior level person about the organization’s vision and long term strategy and chatting with the HR manager about company culture and work/life balance.

If you have the opportunity, find someone who knows your interviewer and ask what it is like to work with that person, what his/her personality is like, topics of interest as well as taboo areas. If that’s not a possibility, go back to Google and LinkedIn and find out what people are saying about that person. Take notes. This information will come in handy during your interview.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Do Your Own Research for Volunteering

2010-04-12T16:18:00.002-04:00

By George Zeller, JVS Staff

There has been a lot of interest and focus on volunteering as a way to help your job search, especially if you are looking for a job in the nonprofit sector. I want to briefly suggest a strategy for finding a good volunteer situation.

Instead of logging on to volunteer posting/referral sites such as idealist.org and volunteersolutions.org, research what agencies do the type of work you are interested in and approach them directly. Just like most jobs are not posted on the job boards like monster.com, I am suggesting that most volunteer opportunities may also not be listed. In addition, by using the "direct approach," you may be able to have a volunteer position created for you. It is always a good idea to be proactive and be ready to explain why you are interested in their mission/work and articulate what you have to offer or how you may be able to help them.

This process will take more time and work on your part, but chances are, you will have a better volunteer placement. As a result, you will be closer to finding a permanent job, either by the experience and skills you gain, or by the network contacts you add.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

The Job Search: Appearance DOES Count

2010-04-07T12:00:00.003-04:00

By Judy Bottkol, JVS Staff

In my years working in human resources, I have met with many job applicants who are under the mistaken impression that physical appearance and personal presentation takes a back seat to qualifications, knowledge and experience. I have witnessed this belief to be a real barrier for many job seekers. In fact, appearance does count a great deal more than most would realize. Candidates should prepare for an interview by assessing their personal appearance as carefully as they have researched the company and the position for which they are interviewing.

Job seekers should invest in one or two “interview” outfits and spend as much money as their budgets allow on these clothes. The outfits should be classic in style and conservative; they can be accompanied with offbeat accessories for a more stylish look.

Job seekers should consult with a fashionable friend about their personal appearance to determine whether they need to update their look with, for example, a new hairstyle or new glasses. An updated appearance may not only improve your personal presentation but my also give you more self-confidence in the arduous process of finding employment.

So the next time you have an interview scheduled, visit the library to do your research and then visit your closet for the appropriate outfit.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Job openings in health care, education predicted to increase

2010-03-29T14:13:00.002-04:00

By Martha Plotkin, JVS Staff

Northeastern University labor economist Barry Bluestone, as quoted in the New York Times retirement supplement of Sunday, March 8, predicts that between 2008 and 2018, the number of jobs in health care and social services will have grown by 3.5 million. In addition, the field of education will have added 800,000 jobs. Bluestone also predicts 400,000 additional openings in the performing arts, libraries, and museums, and other nonprofit organizations. Bluestone’s predictions come out of his new study of federal census and labor statistics, which will be released this month, along with reports on promising second careers in health care, education and the green economy.

The economist's predictions are good news indeed. My colleagues and I are seeing more and more baby boomers who have been edged out of the careers they’ve spent much of their work lives in, and it’s not uncommon for them to feel discouraged about finding a second career. Sometimes I find myself feeling discouraged along with them, wondering how and where they’ll attain this goal. Now, with this new report, I can reassure them, and do it with conviction.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Know Thy Manager

2010-03-22T15:16:00.002-04:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

It’s easy to get caught up in office politics, especially when you’re new to the workplace. I quickly found myself enmeshed in turf wars, personality clashes, and general expressions of the lesser side of human nature. Like those drivers who slow down by a gruesome accident, I just couldn’t look away.

My mentor quickly focused my attention in the right direction. “The most important relationship you have at work is with your manager,” she said. “Forget the gossipy girl who sits next to you – she can’t get you a raise. Don’t worry if some of your colleagues seem unprofessional; they won’t be conducting your performance review. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be polite to everyone, on the contrary, you should treat everyone at work with respect, regardless of position.”

Rachel, my mentor, made it clear that my job was to make my boss shine. In doing so, I would open doors for myself, including opportunities for professional development and a good reference for recruiters.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Concerns Over Job Seekers List

2010-03-21T11:48:00.003-04:00

By Amy Mazur, Career Moves @ JVS Career Counselor

The Department of Labor recently created Tools for America’s Job Seekers. In January 2010, over 16,000 people voted for the tools they preferred, the winners of which were posted on the website. The list, which is extensive, includes websites that fall into the following categories: General and Niche Job Boards, Career Planning and Exploration Tools, Social Media Research Tools, and Other Tools.

While I applaud the Department of Labor’s efforts in compiling this information, which can be helpful for career planners and job seekers, I have two concerns:

1) Because I am a career professional, I was approached via e-mail by one career assessment company and encouraged to vote for their product on this survey. Do I use their tool? No. Do I recommend their assessment tool to others? No. Am I in their database, which I imagine is quite large? Yes. I don’t have anything against this particular product, but I certainly wouldn’t have voted for them as one of the top job search tools. I wonder how many others voted for them, and what that might say about the lists’ integrity. I am not convinced that a popular vote is the best way to determine if a job search or career planning tool makes it to the top of a list.

2) In my work with clients on career planning and management, one of the factors I emphasize is the hard work involved in the process: engaging in self-assessment, exploring options, making decisions, and then taking action. One of the concerns I have about a tools list like this is that individuals will be under the false assumption that they can just go to a list, find a tool, click on some icons, and behold – their dream job will be decided (career planning list) and then appear (job board list). They won’t have to think and reflect and work to make this happen.

I am not saying that a list is bad, or that I won’t use it. I already have used it with clients. I hope though, that a list like this will be used to start a process that takes time and effort, and that people will take the time and effort required to engage in a very important, at times trying, and ultimately gratifying process.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

The Art of the Informational Interview

2010-03-02T16:38:00.002-05:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

“Here are my best three contacts in your field. Drop them a line and say Rachel sent you,” my mentor wrote me in an email. Without Rachel’s help, I wouldn’t have had the connections (or the gumption) to request informational interviews with these people.

People love to talk about themselves. Nearly everyone I have approached for an informational interview is thrilled to be viewed as an “expert”. Although I always bring a prepared list of questions, most of my informational interviews are casual conversations where I sit back and absorb my interlocutor’s stories, insights and advice.

Remember that an informational is not a job interview. It is a learning and networking opportunity. Your interviewee may not have any hiring authority but, if the conversation goes well, she could put a good word in for you with company decision-makers and/or other leaders in the field.

With informational interviewing, like karma, you get what you give. When people contact me requesting an informational interview, I always say yes. You never know, one day I might end up calling upon that person for career advice.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

A Job Search is a Full-Time Job

2010-02-18T09:51:00.003-05:00

By Johnas Cukier, Newton/Needham Job Club Participant

Job searching is a job in itself. It requires diligence, regular hours, strategies, research, record keeping, calling, networking, etc. If you are very aggressive, there are no holidays or weekends off. There is no pay except for unemployment and severance, if you are lucky. The reward is a job offer or more. I was lucky, aggressive and kept good records for follow-ups, but that's not enough. The truth is, you're not alone. There are people out there that want to help you.

I have been attending the Career Moves, Newton-Needham Job Club for the last couple of months. I met many people in my situation at the club's wonderful support program. You could ask for advice on anything related to job searching or career-related issues and there was always an answer or advice on where to find answers.

I've read many of the advice columns out there, and spoken to many people as well. A lot of the advice is quite valid while some is useless. Here is my two cents worth:

1) Focus in on what you want to do. What interests you the most?
2) Evaluate what your experience and expertise is.
3) Get the first two points to coincide.
4) Target one or more sectors of the industry. Identify companies and people in that area and go after them. Use any tools that may be available (LinkedIn, check your email log for contacts, go to networking events, go to job fairs/industry shows, look through business cards of people you've met, former colleagues, people you met the last time you interviewed, volunteer, friends, family, etc.) Update your resume on these sites.
5) Use many channels of contacts for a particular position or company. Not all jobs are posted, so find out what the company does and who or what they may be looking for.
6) When you go on an interview, be knowledgeable of the company (history, product lines, people you may know in the organization,) the position itself (be prepared to have a reason why you can do the job, answer the question, "Why should I hire you?") thank the interviewer for his/her time, ask what the next steps are, how long will the decision process take, and always follow up with a thank you e-mail. You'd be surprised at how many people don't do this.
7) If a company calls you for an in-person interview, this means that they are confident that you could do the job. At this point, they want to "feel you out". Are you a good fit for the company and team in this position? Are you easy to get along with? How do you handle difficult situations?
8) It's not what you know but who you know. Your resume will get special attention by HR or the hiring manager if you are recommended by someone they trust as opposed to an anonymous resume in answer to a job posting.
9) The dreaded salary question. What were you making in your last company? What is your desired salary? Never reveal the price in the beginning. The more the customer invests his time with you in the sale of the product (you) the more likely he is willing to stick with you. If a company knows nothing about you and you say you want X dollars as salary, it would be very easy for them to walk away. However, if they have invested a lot of time to get to know you and find that you are well worth trying to get on board, they become much more flexible. Know how much you're worth and try to figure out how much the company is willing to pay for this position.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Today I'm Optimistic

2010-02-10T10:28:00.004-05:00

By David Kagan, JVS Client

I just scored four lecture gigs at a local school, Keefe Tech in Framingham, to teach Macrobiotic theory and Macrobiotic cooking (adult education), and talk about staying more healthy (teachers), as well as at a Chiropractor's office, Wayland Wellness. What I need to keep in mind is that I don't need to be any more than I am. I get stressed when I expect to earn $5,000/month, and reach major corporations, when that's just not going to happen right now. Now is about confidence, experience, and slow growth. A nice relaxing dinner helps.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Have a Plan of Attack: Making the Most of a Mentoring Relationship

2010-02-08T13:41:00.003-05:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith

After our initial meeting my mentor emailed me a 6-month strategic plan that outlined the ground rules and expectations for our mentor-mentee relationship and the main topic areas we would cover. We agreed to meet once a month for lunch and Rachel, my mentor, would share insights and advice on the outlined topics, including networking strategies, managing office politics, creating a rapport with your manager, and preparing the resume for the job you want. Between sessions I would put her advice into practice and report back on my progress. Rachel’s strategic plan also included a three-month opt-out clause: if we weren’t making any headway or felt I no longer needed a mentor, one or both of us could decide to end our engagement. We also planned to revisit the structure and nature of our relationship at the end of our initial six-month plan.

Sounds very formal, doesn’t it? Actually, I found this clearly outlined plan to be reassuring. Like a lot of recent college graduates, I wasn’t sure where my career was headed or how to start my job search, and Rachel’s strategic plan provided a structured approach to what would have otherwise felt completely overwhelming. Without a concrete plan of attack, mentor-mentee relationships run the risk of losing direction and momentum. Rachel’s strategic plan kept us focused and on track.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Staying Positive and Staying Healthy

2010-02-03T15:04:00.003-05:00

By David Kagan, JVS Client

Sometimes it's hard to move forward when you have too many things going on. Right now I'm short on funds and don't have enough progress on my dream to either bring in revenues or raise money. So I need to do whatever I can for money. Lately, I've been bartending, cooking and selling sweet vegetable drinks, and driving people to the airport. Some of this relates to my dream, and it's all about meeting people and serving them, so really no loss at all. But I need to keep moving forward toward my dream. This week I worked on improving a list of companies I want to call on, and I am preparing to approach a restaurant that could use healthier choices. Staying positive and staying healthy is the key!!

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

A Positive Attitude Can Turn a Job Search from Half Empty to Half Full

2010-02-02T09:52:00.003-05:00

By Mark Levitt, JVS Client

Looking for a job can be frustrating especially because of the lack of control and information that we may experience. During a job search, we may read or hear about a job for which we think or even know that we would be a great fit. All excited, we submit a resume and cover letter and wait for a response. Most often we get no response. Sometimes, we get a call back from a recruiter who wants additional information and then….nothing. If we are lucky, we have a phone or in-person interview where we may think we did a good job of demonstrating what we have to offer and then…nothing. No calls. No emails. Not even an acknowledgement from a human being that we are being considered or have been rejected. Nothing.

In the absence of knowing why we aren’t hearing anything, our imaginations may start filling in the blanks by coming up with reasons why the person didn’t like us or is such an awful person that we never want to deal with that individual ever again. As a result of taking everything personally, we may give up on a particular company, position, or recruiter and walk away from the experience feeling dejected, depressed, and hesitant to get burned again even if new opportunities arise.

The reality is that while we cannot control whether a person or company returns our calls or emails, schedules interviews, or offers us jobs, we can control how we think and feel about these things. Instead of assuming the worst, we should try taking a more positive approach. There are many decent reasons why we don’t hear back from a recruiter or organization that have less to do with us or our contact’s interest in helping us find employment and more to do with the environment and the process. First, large volumes of applicants just like us are sending in resumes and emails for the same positions. Second, time is needed to process and discuss multiple applicants with hiring managers and others within the organization. Third, lack of urgency, funding, or clarity of scope relating to the position. It is not within our control to change the way our job search efforts are received by recruiters and potential employers. However, how we think about the process is well within our control.

During my job search last year, I saw a job posted on LinkedIn that looked like a perfect fit. After submitting a resume and cover letter, I alerted my references and spoke with a contact at the company to learn all I could about the position and the company. I waited in anticipation of being contacted for an interview. Then…nothing. Somewhat disappointed, I moved on and continued my job search. Nearly four months later, an email appeared out of blue from the company about my resume. After another three months of phone and inperson interviews, I received a job offer.

For me, taking a positive approach by being optimistic and assuming the best about people when I was sending in resumes and following up with emails and calls, was very helpful in keeping up my spirits during my job search. You should try it too. It can’t hurt and it can definitely help.

Good luck to all!

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

How I Met My Mentor

2010-02-01T10:14:00.003-05:00

By Cambridge Wordsmith, JVS Client

Nearly two years ago, I signed up for the mentoring program offered through the Jewish Vocational Services’ Jewish Women’s Career Network. My assigned mentor and I connected via email and agreed to meet for lunch near my office. We met on a Friday afternoon, at the peak of the lunchtime rush, and, after exchanging a few pleasantries, I launched into a detailed description of my job, company, what I liked (and didn’t), and how I wanted to find a new position ASAP. Rachel, my mentor, looked at me carefully, studying my face, before leaning forward to say, “let me give you a piece of advice: in a situation like this, do not mention the name of your company. You never know who could be sitting next to you at this restaurant. For all you know the CEO could be one table over.”

Up until then, I had sought mentors working within the same organization as me. They had trained me in specific areas and functions specific to the company, and, at times, provided a window into the organization’s inner workings. In retrospect I realize that they also withheld a great deal of information from me for legal, political, and professional reasons. This was not the case with Rachel.

As someone who did not work with me, she could offer a broader perspective and share certain insights my managers and co-workers could or would not. I was just starting my career, while Rachel had been working for close to 20 years, and could share her perspective both as a seasoned professional and fellow female in the workforce.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

What type of mentors do you have in your life?

Put Yourself Out There

2010-01-26T10:26:00.003-05:00

By David Kagan, JVS Client

http://www.davidsorganic.wordpress.com/

I attended a CCP (Commerce & Community Project, nothing to do with the former Soviet Union) event for budding Entrepreneurs at Temple Beth-El in Sudbury. I was quite ambivalent about attending, as some events are underattended, others have the same old people, and still others are just plain boring. This event however, did not disappoint, so I was glad I made it.

What I confirmed for myself--there are many fewer jobs than applicants, so yes, it's a great time to start a new venture.

What I learned--many of my neighbors are also cooking up very interesting ideas, and I can assist them, partner with them, and count on their support.

What I enjoyed--the speakers each had a unique story, but the constant was they did what they knew and enjoyed, and the market begged for more.

Success came after much tweaking, but there was demand without marketing. That is not to say they did not put themselves out there.

Going to that event was the start of me putting myself out there.

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

You Better Be Prepared for a Tough Interview Question

2010-01-05T16:16:00.003-05:00

George Zeller, JVS Staff

I recently read an article in CIO Magazine, Interview Questions to Avoid, by Mark Cummuta. One that he mentioned--"Tell me about a time when you failed miserably." --stopped me in my tracks. I tend to conveniently forget about failures and would have a hard time answering this one without having prepared for it ahead of time. Similar to the name-a-weakness question, you'd want to prepare your response wherever and whenever you do your best thinking. Describe what you learned from your failure and how it taught you to be better at what you do (or to be a better person).

Is anyone willing to share an answer they developed for this type of question?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.

Looking for Jobs in All the Right Places

2009-12-15T10:00:00.004-05:00

by Mark Levitt, JVS Client

What’s the best place to look for jobs? Job searchers get lots of different advice on this topic. Some will swear by job boards such as Monster because of their wide use by organizations for posting jobs and looking for candidates. Others will sing the praises of job aggregator sites such as Indeed.com because they can save us time and effort by pulling postings from many different sites on the Web. Still others will urge us to follow them down to employment and training resource centers to attend workshops and use their onsite and online resources. Proponents of targeting specific companies for which we would like to work will recommend print or online yellow pages such as Switchboard or business networking site such as LinkedIn to find company contact and job information. People who have heard that the vast majority of jobs filled are never posted will emphasize the need to connect with as many people as possible at one-on-one and group networking meetings and industry events, as well as using online tools such as email, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Since we don’t know where our next job is waiting for us, we need to step outside our comfort zones and use all of these techniques and places to look for jobs. At our JVS job club, we learned first-hand how our daily activities and interactions provide opportunities for networking. One of our regulars inspired us with her story of landing a temporary position while shopping at Trader Joes. Waiting on line to pay, she and a pregnant woman started chatting. She mentioned that she was looking for work. It turned out that the woman was about to go out on maternity leave and her company was looking for someone to fill in for her. She applied for and got the job.

This great story teaches us that we should always be looking for ideas and contacts for finding jobs. There is no place where we should feel uncomfortable about bringing up our job searches. We should recognize that the person standing next to us at a store or a social or religious event may be or know someone who is waiting to hire us for our next job.

What do you think?

Career Moves @ JVS offers competitively priced one-on-one career counseling and job search services. For more information contact Judy Bottkol at jbottkol@jvs-boston.org or 617-399-3162.