Archive for the ‘PCS’ Category

PCS: The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide (Part 11)

Monday, July 12th, 2010

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide
Classified Information
PART ELEVEN IN A SERIES

In the last installment of this guide, job seekers were advised to devote only a small portion of their job search time to the want-ads listed in the newspaper; the intense competition generated by advertised openings as well as the fact that most jobs are not advertised to the general public make this particular approach to job hunting less effective than other methods.
 
That having been said, it is important to remember that using the help-wanted section of the newspaper does have its place in an overall job-search strategy.
After all, half of all jobseekers do answer job ads, and half of them land jobs in this way. The key to effective job hunting through the classifieds is to respond quickly and fully, showing how you meet the ad’s exact requirements. If your qualifications perfectly match the job description, respond by sending in your resume, with a general cover letter. If they don’t, a more detailed letter should be included.
 
Some other want-ad tips:
 
Be consistent. Check the newspaper every day.
Learn how to read the ads. Jobs are listed alphabetically by title, but job titles can be tricky—especially when a creative hiring manager is making them up.
 
To avoid missing a choice opportunity, be sure to read all the ads.
 
Develop a system for keeping track of the ads you’ve responded to and the date on which you did so.
 
Learn to “read between the lines”. If a job listing sounds to good to be true– offering an unusually large starting salary, for instance– it probably is. The job that is being advertised probably has lots of pressure, little or no room for advancement and a high “burn out” rate. Search instead, for jobs offered by companies that enjoy good names and reputations.
 
Know what to expect. Most advertised jobs generate dozens of responses; choice positions in large companies can generated more than a thousand. Only two out of
every one hundred people who answer an ad will be asked to interview for the position. When applying to large companies, expect a four to six week wait before hearing anything at all. 

Keep in mind that job openings are also advertised on the Internet and through employment agencies. As with the help-wanted section of the newspaper, it is important to regularly monitor these sources, checking the Internet daily and following up with your employment agency or placement office every two weeks.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700orLakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Human Interest, PCS | No Comments »

PCS: Choosing a Career Counselor (Part 10)

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide
Choosing the Resume Style That Fits You Best
PART TEN IN A SERIES

Now that you’ve prepared an impressive and effective resume, it’s time to start looking for a job. The question is where to start.

The most obvious place, of course, is in the advertised job market, which includes jobs found in newspaper listings, at job agencies, and on the Internet. Bear in mind, though, that the most obvious place is also the most popular, and the competition for jobs accessed from the advertised market is fierce. Remember, too, that only 15-25% of the jobs that are available are going to be advertised at all; employers fill the great majority of positions with people they already know, who are referred to them, or who just happen to contact them. So, while you will want to devote some of your job search time to newspaper ads and the like, it is advisable to devote the greater part of the search to tapping into the “hidden market”, where positions are not advertised to the general public in any way.

Says Professional Career Services Director Rabbi Aaron Dovid Schindler, “If you contact a company that has an opening that has not been advertised, you stand a pretty good chance of being one of the very few candidates they interview for the position. The odds of getting the job this way are much better than if you are one of hundreds responding to a help-wanted ad.” So how do you find out about jobs in the hidden market?

One way is by “networking”, enlisting the help of people you know–and through them, people you don’t know– in finding out about job openings and in spreading the
word that you are looking for work. Another approach – - “broadcasting”– is to put together a list of companies that hire people in your occupation and email each of them a copy of your resume. Both these methods are used successfully by job hunters, and more discussions of each will appear in this guide in the weeks to come.

“The best job hunting strategy is to devote about a fourth of your search time to the advertised market and the rest to the hidden job market,” observes Rabbi Schindler. “By organizing your search in this manner, you’ll be greatly increasing your chances of finding a job.”

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700orLakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Human Interest, PCS | No Comments »

PCS: Choosing a Career Counselor (Part 9)

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide
Choosing the Resume Style That Fits You Best
PART NINE IN A SERIES

While there is no “official” format for a resume, there are a number of styles that are most commonly used by job-seekers. The style you choose should reflect your job objective, as well as your education and employment history. If, for example, you have the skills and experience to support your job objective, you will probably want to choose a format quite different from one you would select if you were seeking your first jobor had a spotty work history.

The most popular and traditional resume format is arranged in chronological order, beginning with the jobseeker’s most recent position and working back in time. The chronological format works best if your work history has few or no gaps and shows a logical progression toward your current job objective. This format is also recommended if you have worked for a well known company and wish to use the company’s name to enhance your professional image. When using this style, describe each position you’ve held in terms of a title, date of employment, company name and a description of your responsibilities and accomplishments.

The functional resume style highlights your major areas of knowledge or accomplishments, as opposed to your work experience. This style is best if you are making a career change and have little or no direct experience in your newly-chosen field. It is also recommended if you are seeking your first job, if your skills have been acquired primarily through study, or if your work history is inconsistent.

In a functional resume, list your main areas of knowledge and accomplishment. These may be arranged in any order that best supports the position you are after. Include job titles, names of employers, and dates of employment in a short list toward the end of the resume.

The targeted resume is geared to one specific job. This format incorporates elements of the two styles described above—information about your work history and major areas of skills and knowledge. When writing a targeted resume, state the title of the job you are seeking, and then list the skills and experience which are directly related to that job.

No matter the extent of your actual work experience– you are a person with unique skills, abilities, and accomplishments. To accurately reflect that fact, you may have to “customize” your resume by altering, expanding, modifying or simplifying one of the formats described above.

Much like your clothing, your resume says a lot about who you are; to do you justice, it should be a perfect fit.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 orLakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Human Interest, PCS | No Comments »

PCS: Choosing a Career Counselor (Part 8)

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide
Making Your Job Experience Work For You
PART EIGHT IN A SERIES PRESENTED BY PCS

No matter what kind of job you’ve decided to go after, for the duration of the job hunting period consider yourself a salesperson.

Consider the product you’re selling; Yourself.
Consider your sales literature; Your resume.

To get the attention of prospective employers– and never forget that there are a lot of job seekers out there competing for that attention– your resume should be interesting, easy to read and inviting to look at. Most importantly, it should review the skills, abilities and accomplishments that will show an employer that you are the best person for the job.

While there is no single right way to set up a resume, certain information-the nuts and bolts of the resume, so to speak—must be covered. This includes a heading stating who you are and where you can be reached, a brief description of the kind of work you’re looking for, a rundown of your work experience and educational background and a summary of your skills and abilities as they pertain to the job in question.

Personal information such as age, gender, race, marital status, or handicaps is entirely optional and is generally not included. Personal references are generally listed on a job application. Rather than include them on your resume, indicate that they are available upon request.

When developing your resume, consider first, the fact that the average employer will spend less than seven seconds reading it. Keeping it short and simple is a must. If your resume is too long, too wordy or disorganized, it simply won’t get read. Limit your resume to one page, your sentences to less than a dozen words. Don’t write in paragraphs; use bullet dots or asterisks to separate items from each other and to guide the reader’s eye to the sentence. Use simple, everyday language, and always proofread for spelling and grammar. Avoid fancy type and flashy paper. Keep a one-inch margin on all four sides of a standard 8.5” x 11” paper. Always double space between sections and single space within sections.

Remember, your resume is often your first chance to make a good impression. Take it seriously and give it the attention it deserves.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 orLakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Human Interest, PCS | No Comments »

PCS: Choosing a Career Counselor (Part 7)

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide
Making Your Job Experience Work For You
PART SEVEN IN A SERIES PRESENTED BY PCS

There are a number of reasons why someone like you– someone who’s been working at the same job for five, ten, fifteen years or more– would be looking for work.

Perhaps you were the victim of company downsizing. Or perhaps you determined that the gap between your financial needs and your weekly paycheck had simply grown too wide to bridge. Or maybe you were just unhappy with your job, either because of the people you worked with or the nature of the work itself.

Whatever the reason, you now find yourself at a career crossroads, needing to make some new choices.

Starting from scratch– deciding to pursue an entirely new profession that requires years of schooling or training, for example– is a choice more realistic for individuals who can afford to make the sacrifices involved in making a complete career change. Even if an individual chooses a new career that does not necessitate the time and expense of formal training, as a beginner in a new field, he can almost certainly expect to take a considerable cut in pay. For most heads of household, this is simply not a viable option.

At PCS, we advise a client with significant work experience to assess his situation in the context of his career history and the framework of his entire life. By remaining in the same field, he can readily transfer his knowledge and skills to another job and is thus more likely to command a salary commensurate with his financial needs.

If remaining in the same field is not an option, finding a job in a related field is another alternative. If, for example, an individual was a manager in a manufacturing concern, he may now be able to transfer a good portion of his skill set to a distribution company. Or, if he has spent the better part of his working life involved in chinuch, a position in yeshiva administration might be worthwhile considering.

Finding yourself jobless after years of dedication and hard work is never easy.  Financial needs should not be the only consideration when initiating a job search. Among the other factors that should be taken into account are personality, experience and the necessity of selecting a work environment that is compatible with one’s
religious needs.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 orLakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Human Interest, Interesting News Alerts, PCS | No Comments »

PCS: Choosing a Career Counselor (Part 6)

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide
Are You Qualified to Do the Job?

PART SIX IN A SERIES
 
While the topics covered in this guide will generally apply to all job hunters—from entry-level individuals to seasoned professionals and other experienced workers– this
week’s article is specifically addressed to first-time job seekers and those with only short-term job experience.
 
 For a discussion of job qualifications as they relate to those with years of experience in the job market, be sure to see the next installment of the Job-Seekers’ Guide.
 
Now that you’ve chosen your occupation, you’ll need to show that you’re qualified to do the work.
 
“But I’m just a beginner”, you might say to yourself. Or perhaps you’re concerned that the experience you acquired in your last job will not be of any use in your new occupation. Rest assured, however, that prospective employers often deem more valuable someone who can do the work or who has a positive attitude about learning the work than someone who has done the work. True, experience is nice to have, but experience is not everything. A pleasant personality and a willingness to be flexible can make up for an applicant’s limited experience. Keep in mind, too, that many employers feel that the experience gained elsewhere is at best only partially applicable to their firm. These employers provide training to ensure that their employees provide a uniform product or service. Most important to them is an applicant’s natural ability, outlook and work ethic.
 
Search your background to show that you have the skills or the capability to acquire the skills that the job demands. If you are applying for a managerial position, for example, you will be able to point to the fact that you once headed a group or team involved in a special community project. Your leadership skills also came into play, you might add, during the many summers you worked as a summer camp head counselor or during your stint as president of the PTA in your son’s yeshiva. If it is a position in retail sales you are after, let your A average in high school math and the fact
that you prepare your own tax returns demonstrate that you are the right person for the job.
 
Remember too, that any short-term on-the-job experience that you do have is probably more readily transferable to other industries or job specialties than you think. If, for example, your only previous job was as an assistant manager in a warehouse, don’t think you are limited to exactly that position. Bear in mind that the “people skills” you’ve acquired on that job will prove an asset in other kinds of businesses and positions too.
 
So don’t sell yourself short– at least part of the key to your vocational future may very well be in your past.
 

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 orLakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Human Interest, Interesting News Alerts, PCS | No Comments »

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide; How to Choose an Occupation (Part 5)

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

[PART FIVE IN A SERIES]

It’s a simple, well documented fact: People who are happy in their jobs are eminently more successful over time than those who are not. Yet, because many people fail to plan their careers – - letting circumstances or other people dictate their paths– they often get stuck in jobs they hate, cutting down on their effectiveness and, ultimately, their success.

If you are new to the job market or are seeking a different type of job, begin planning your career by asking yourself the following questions:

What kind of skills and abilities do I have?
What kind of work would bring me a sense of accomplishment and meaning?
What sort of occupation would be compatible with my religious beliefs and practices?

Having the right information about yourself is key to developing good decision making strategies for breaking into the job market. If your strength lies in interpersonal contact, for example, you will not be happy with work that requires endless hours making and analyzing computer data entries. If, on the other hand, you are not a “people person”,
a job in sales is probably not for you.

To assist you in exploring the job options that are accordant with your skills and personality, you might turn to published resources like The Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Once you’ve identified an occupation that might interest you, do a little homework. Start by visiting your local library and checking the card catalogue under “vocations” or “careers”. Evaluating the short and long term pro and cons of each option will help you make a decision. Afterwards, you may want to conduct informational interviews with individuals involved in the kind of work you are thinking about. Find out what they like and don’t like about their occupations. Ask if they have any advice on getting into the
field.

If you are still unsure about the kind of work you’d like to do, consider meeting with a career counselor at a community or private counseling service. While career counselors will not choose a career for you, they can administer tests that will help determine your strengths and weaknesses, as established in last week’s column. Finally, don’t be afraid to make a job decision simply because you’re apprehensive about making a mistake. Look around among your family, friends and associates—most are no longer working for the employer who gave them their first job. People change jobs, industries and careers as their interests, skills and opportunities change.

There’s only one thing that doesn’t change– your need to take the first step.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 or Lakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

NOTE: FOR PREVIOUS ARCTICLES CLICK HERE.

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Headlines & Breaking Stories, Human Interest, PCS, US & World News | No Comments »

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide; Choosing a Career Counselor (Part 4)

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

A competent career counselor’s approach is tailored to the needs of the individual job seeker. Generally speaking, however, a career counselor will employ one or more of the following strategies:

1. Conduct counseling sessions to help identify career goals.
2. Administer and interpret tests to assess abilities and interest and to identify career options.
3. Assist in the development of individualized career plans.
4. Teach job-hunting strategies and skills and assist in the development of resumes.
5. Help minimize potential on-the-job personal conflicts through practice in human relations skills.
6. Provide support for individuals experiencing job stress, job loss or career transition.
7. Assist in understanding the integration of work and other life roles.

When selecting a counselor, look for experience and honesty, rather than fancy credentials. Focus on how comfortable you feel with his or her personal manner and
counseling methods. Does he treat you with empathy and consideration? Does he employ an individual approach or try to fit you into a program designed for everyone? A counselor’s experience in helping people advance in particular professions and industries may prove useful but it is not as critical as your comfort level with the way he relates to you and the process he employs.

Don’t be swayed by high pressure sales people who want to sell you job leads, resumes and a “deluxe package” that requires a large up-front fee. Make sure you understand what kinds of services are being offered, as well as the amount and terms of payment. While it’s certainly to your benefit to meet a prospective counselor in person before signing up with him, for many counselors — especially those who operate on an hourly appointment basis — free initial appointments are simply not economically practical. In any event, you can get a “gut feeling” about a counselor simply be spending a few minutes on the phone with him. After briefly explaining why you are seeking his help, ask what methods he would employ and how he would proceed. Find out whether he’s had clients with similar problems in the past. Get references.

While no reputable career counselor will guarantee that you’ll land a job, the objective insight and support he offers can, without question, make the career planning and job hunting process easier and more productive.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 or Lakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Headlines & Breaking Stories, Human Interest, PCS, US & World News | No Comments »

The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide; Career Counseling – Is It Right For You?

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Whether you are making a first time foray into the job market, are contemplating a career change or simply need advice on how to stay employed and get promoted, you might benefit from the assistance of a career counselor.

Career counseling teaches jobseekers a process for determining what they want to do and how to market themselves. A career counselor’s goal is to empower job-seekers to take charge of their own job search. A counselor serves as a coach – helping a client discover what he can do to help himself.

Taking inventory of one’s skills, personal values, interests and challenges is an important initial step for first-time job-seekers. By administering self – assessment tests, a career counselor can give the entry-level job-seeker insight into how his skills and personal qualities correspond with different careers. Among the many benefits to this type of testing is a highly practical one: Targeting the kinds of jobs that suits one best can significantly shorten the duration of the job search. Career counseling can also be of value if you are dissatisfied with your current occupation or are between jobs. Take the test below to determine if a counselor can help you identify your goals and set you on a path towards a truly rewarding career.

1. Do I look forward to work at least 75% of the time?
2. Is my career challenging and conducive to professional and personal growth?
3. Do I believe I am being paid a fair salary?
4. Do my co-workers and employers respect my work and ideas?
5. Am I proud of my job, and do I feel good about myself?
6. Have I been promoted within the last three to five years?
7. Do I feel I am working up to my potential?
8. Do I feel I am making a valuable contribution to my company or society?
9. After three months of unemployment, do I still feel focused and confident about my abilities?
10. Can I list 10 reasons why I’m a good worker and should be promoted or hired for a position?

If you answered “no” to three or more questions, a career counselor’s guidance may be just what you need.

Next installment: how to find the career counselor that’s right for you.
 

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 or Lakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director
 
Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Headlines & Breaking Stories, Human Interest, PCS, US & World News | 1 Comment »

PCS: How to Choose a Career (Part 2)

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

As discussed in the last installment, there are several avenues a career seeker might explore to obtain information about a specific field or industry. One of the most effective is the informational interview.

The premise behind the informational interview is that most people love to discuss their work — particularly with individuals who are considering careers in the same field. Ask the right questions and you can determine not only if you will enjoy a particular occupation but if you have what it takes to be successful at it. Informational interviews have proven extremely useful to people just starting out in the professional world as well as to individuals contemplating a career change.

Typically, an informational interview is requested of the employer by the job seeker. When setting up a meeting, tell the employer that you are considering a job in his profession. Ask if he would be willing to sit down with you for a few moments — at his convenience, of course – to discuss whether this would be an appropriate career choice for you.

While informational interviews lack the formality and pressure of traditional job interviews — after all, you’re the one asking the questions now — a certain level of professional decorum should be maintained. Never show up for an interview unannounced; prearrange a firm date and time. Come prepared with a list of pertinent questions. Dress as you would if you were interviewing for an actual job in the company. Put your best foot forward, if for no other reason than to allow the employer an opportunity to make an accurate assessment of your traits as compared with those of successful people in the field.

And who knows? Should you choose this career path, you may even end up working for the employer with whom you interviewed. Even if there are no job openings at that firm, the employer may be impressed enough to recommend you to a colleague who is looking to fill a position. In any event, informational interviewing is a great opportunity to develop a network that may come in very handy one day, so it’s in your best interests to behave accordingly.

And that includes remembering to send a thank-you note!

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 or Lakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements
Shoshana  Smulowtiz, Director of Placements
Daniel Soloff, Director

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Headlines & Breaking Stories, Human Interest, PCS, US & World News | 1 Comment »

PCS: How to Choose a Career (Part 1)

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

What exactly is the perfect job”?

Is it one that’s so enjoyable, so intellectually challenging you’re eager to get to the office each day?

Is it one that pays so well you can easily afford to buy more than just the basic necessities of life?

Or is it one that offers the kind of personal fulfillment that only comes from helping others?

If you’re choosing a career, these are questions you’re probably giving a lot of thought to right now. And for good reason — so profound a life decision can hardly be made without realistically evaluating your particular interests, needs and desires. The world is full of unhappy people who have come to recognize, — five, ten or even fifteen years down the professional road — that they chose the wrong career path when they were first starting out. If you’re not certain where your interests lie or what kind of work will bring you a high level of job satisfaction, think about consulting a career counselor who can help you with the self-assessment component of career planning. The next step — investigating the world of work — is up to you.

Say for example you’ve determined that you would like a people-centered career as opposed to one that is technology – oriented. Occupations that meet that particular criterion certainly abound: How do you find out what they are? How do you know you’re choosing the right one? How do you learn about the particular skills, duties and responsibilities an occupation requires? How do you find out about its average pay range, working conditions, future job outlook and advancement opportunities?

That’s where research comes in.

Career information surrounds us every day, everywhere. Every magazine and newspaper you read, every person you meet can be a source of information. Just reading the employment want-ads is a great way to learn about occupational options and potential employers. Libraries offer a wealth of career-related material, while the Internet presents up-to-date job information .Volunteering and job “shadowing” enable you to gain hands-on experience in a particular industry as well as valuable contacts that may prove helpful later on.

Perhaps the best way to determine if a certain field or career is right for you is through “informational interviews”.

More on these in the next installment.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700 or Lakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements
Shoshana  Smulowtiz, Director of Placements
Daniel Soloff, Director

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)

Posted in Human Interest, PCS, US & World News | No Comments »

PHOTOS: PCS Accounting Program Holds Networking Dinner For Students & Alumni

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

[PHOTO LINK BELOW] Last Sunday evening at Ateres Yeshaya in Lakewood, Agudah PCS held a dinner for students and alumni of its accounting program. The purpose of the dinner was to pay tribute to the students and faculty of the program, and to encourage networking and interaction between current students and alumni. More than 250 people attended the dinner, which featured a number of informative and motivational speeches by administrators, directors and professors at the program. The overwhelming turnout and palpable enthusiasm of the participants are indicative of how successful the program has been so far.

Agudath Israel’s Professional Career Services (PCS) division started its accounting program as an extension of their core mission – to help people obtain successful, sustainable jobs. PCS has been helping members of the Lakewood community find employment for fourteen years. They have had tremendous siyata d’shmaya in their efforts, and the Lakewood office soon expects to cross a historic milestone, placing their 2,000th job, thanks in large part to the efforts of job placement counselors Rabbi Yoel Tolwinski and Mrs. Shoshana Smulowitz. Thirteen years ago PCS announced the formation of a program designed to train individuals in the highly sought-after field of accounting. Working in concert with a local college, the PCS program would award undergraduate degrees in accounting to its participants, allowing them to pursue careers in the field. After a few years, the program sought to heighten the level of education and further distinguish its graduates. They recreated the program, joining with Fairleigh Dickinson University, a highly regarded New Jersey institution, to offer a Masters program in accounting. The program was designed to accommodate the schedules of family men, and to condense the time needed to complete the degree. The appeal of the program was described by a current student, “What takes five years to achieve in another university, you can accomplish here in a year and a half [with a degree from Bais Medrash Govoha or its equivalent]. They are handing it to you on a silver platter.” FDU Professor Robert DeFilippis described the program, “[It] combines excellent students with a solid curriculum, taught by a dedicated, highly effective faculty, which has attained outstanding results.”

Even before joining the program, the knowledge of its availability was an important factor for many. As one attendee remarked, “Just knowing that PCS was there waiting for me when I would have to go make a parnassa reassured me greatly during the important and meaningful years I was sitting and learning in Kollel.”

Since its inception, the program has enjoyed enormous success. The overwhelming majority of the program’s graduates are now employed by businesses in every sector, including some in the leading accounting firms. In Professor DeFilippis’s remarks he reported that the students have performed remarkably well on the CPA exam, with many students receiving some of the highest scores in the United States. Rabbi Gedaliah Weinberger, Chairman of the Board, followed with a status update on the program, describing its phenomenal success. He detailed the high percentage of graduates who have obtained jobs with their degrees, achieving a higher employment rate than most universities. He spoke of employers who were amazed at the level of knowledge of graduates of the program, and illustrated this with a story: “I received an email last week that told me that [a prestigious accounting firm] interviewed 200 people for 12 jobs. Out of the 12 that they hired, three were from PCS. That is truly an amazing statistic.”

PCS Director Daniel Soloff expressed deep pride in the extraordinary success of the program. “If you had told me…when I took on the responsibility of being the Director of PCS that I would be standing here tonight paying tribute to 250 students and alumni…I never would have imagined it in my wildest dreams.”

The main purpose of the dinner was to increase the interaction between current students and employed alumni. Rabbi Weinberger explained the importance of establishing these connections. The efforts of PCS can only go so far, he explained, and at that point the relationships formed between students and alumni can make all the difference. Many of the currently employed graduates of the program owe their jobs to other people who exerted great energy to help them, and they now bear a responsibility to try to do the same for other students. “If you find out about any accounting openings – or any kind of job opening – call PCS. It’s that simple. There is no greater chesed that you can do than helping someone find a parnassa.”

Current student and class president Chaim Cohen described the value of student-alumni networks even for employed graduates: “These days you never know how safe your job is. You need to keep up an active network so you can have somewhere to turn.”

To further this goal of heightened networking, Rabbi Weinberger announced the formation of a mentoring program for students. In his words, “The program is designed to help new students through the education process and help them find a job. Each incoming student will be matched with a mentor, one of our graduates who is already employed. He will act as a ‘big brother’ throughout the student’s career, from when he enters the program, during the education process, through the interview phase, until the student secures his first job, and to guide him adapting to the secular marketplace. This is also part of the edge we need to get everyone employed.”

Rabbi Weinberger also expressed the immense debt of gratitude PCS owed to Executive Board members R’ Shmuel Lefkowitz and R’ Yossi Feldman, whose dedication and involvement are integral to the success of the program, and to Dr. Jonathan Schiff, a professor at FDU , who worked tirelessly and dedicatedly to arrange the program.

The evening was a great success, a fine testament to the enthusiastic students and alumni, the skilled and dedicated faculty, and to the program as a whole, whose extraordinary accomplishments will surely continue for many years to come.

If you know of a quality job please contact:

PCS NY:
718-436-1900 x15
ny@ny.pcsjobs.org

PCS Lakewood:
732-905-9700 x 200
lakewood@nj.pcsjobs.org

YWN PHOTO LINK: Click on the following link to see photos taken at the event http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/photos.php?albumid=5428545674201663745

(YWN Desk – NYC)

Posted in Human Interest, PCS, US & World News | No Comments »