Attendees heard expert advice on resume writing, networking, and interview skills at an Aug. 4 seminar organized by Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest at Temple Emanu-El of West Essex in Livingston.
Photo by Johanna Ginsberg
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August 13, 2009
Resume writing, networking, and interview skills were on the agenda at Temple Emanu-El of West Essex in Livingston on Aug. 4.
Nearly 70 people attended the seminar organized by Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest. A panel of experts offered insight into the current job market and the best way for job-seekers to get noticed. The panelists included Greg Russo, vice president of human resources at Daiichi Sankyo; Mike Ramer of Ramer Search Consultants; Deborah Sek, market manager at Ajilon Professional Staffing; and Rita Silverstein, permanent placement manager at Ajilon.
The evening was part of an ongoing series of job placement seminars that JVS offers at synagogues around the area.
Dr. Meryl Kanner, JVS supervisor of career counseling and placement, whose department organized the event, was surprised by the large turnout, given that it was offered in the summer. Attendance at workshops during the past year has ranged from 75 (in April at the Summit Jewish Community Center) to 125 (in February at Congregation Agudath Israel of West Essex in Caldwell) — a significant increase over previous years. But, Kanner said, “we’ve never even run a program in August before. The need is obviously there now.”
Participants were nearly evenly split between men and women; the bulk of attendees were in their 50s. Panelists offered plenty of insight, but perhaps the most succinct came from Sek. “Tailor your resume for every position, and be patient,” she said. “In this economy, employers are not looking at resumes and saying, ‘This candidate can probably do it.’ They are looking for the exact person and they will wait’” to find him or her.
Job search tips
Panelists at the Aug. 4 JVS seminar offered the following tips to job seekers:
• Keep your resume focused. Extract highlights of your experience to show how you can make an impact on the bottom line of the company and use an introductory paragraph outlining your skills based on the potential employer’s profile.
• Walk into an interview prepared. Research the company and the people you are meeting with. Prepare two meaningful questions to ask that reflect the research you have done and how you are going to relieve the stress of the company. Tell your story in a focused way.
• Don’t expect your resume to talk for you. Quantify the results of your work at previous jobs. Listen to the questions, answer them, and then stop talking.
• Use all networking tools available, from fellow carpool drivers to the LinkedIn website. The people you know the least will have the most new information to offer.
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