FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DESK

With Thanksgiving just around the corner and Hurricane Sandy a not too distant memory, this issue is dedicated to counting our blessings and giving thanks. In a state where the unemployment rate is the third highest in the nation, it is a continuing challenge to help our clients obtain meaningful employment.  Below, you will read about two clients whose stories we would like to share.  Their success and the success of our other clients is a testament to our skilled and dedicated staff who offer the highest quality employment services each and every day to meet their client's growing needs.     

In this issue, you'll also find an article about the continuing expansion of our Career Center for young adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To expose clients with ASD to a broad range of career options, they are given the opportunity to work with iPads for job search activities, and to visit companies such as Ernst and Young and Merck for on-site mentoring. This unique program has been recognized as a model throughout the state.  

Please mark your calendar for the rescheduled sixth annual JVS Creative Maturity Expo, which will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013. This should be an exciting day, which will feature a special baby boomer boot camp.  

SAVE THE DATE: JVS CREATIVE MATURITY EXPO RESCHEDULED
MARCH 3, 2013    

 
Sunday, March 3, 2013
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Aidekman Family Campus
901 Route 10E, Whippany, NJ

For further information about becoming an Expo sponsor or for further information, contact Jayne Waltzer at jwaltzer@jvsnj.org, 973-674-6330 x311 . 

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JVS CAREER CENTER WELCOMES MENTORS  

Career Center Clients Mentored by Merck Employees

The Career Center for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) recently participated in a field trip to Summit, New Jersey to visit Merck. The 12 clients were divided into groups and paired with mentors to shadow them on their jobs and tour the facility. The mentors changed throughout the day as the clients toured different departments and facilities including marketing, shipping and receiving, medication stabilization, research laboratories, finance, and IT. The participants learned a tremendous amount about the pharmaceutical industry and how medications are created, tested and produced, the various equipment used, medication used for animals, and the importance of the IT department. They used the Dr. Scholl's Custom Orthotic Foot Mapping Machine to help create their own orthotics. They also had the opportunity to observe the role of the administrative assistant and other support positions.

A video-conference presentation by a heart-transplant survivor, who was injured as a teenager and achieved her goal of attending college and finding employment, inspired the clients to achieve their long term goals.

Ernst & Young Community Day at JVS

Giovanna Psolka, an Associate from the Ernst & Young Office of Ethics & Compliance, presented Dr. Leonard Schneider with a check for $1,000 to be used to benefit clients in the JVS Vocational Rehabilitation Department.  

Fourteen Career Center clients went on a field trip to attend the Ernst and Young (E&Y) Career Shadowing Day in Secaucus, New Jersey this past spring. Clients were given the opportunity to put their employment readiness training to good use while shadowing E&Y mentors. That experience led to JVS being chosen as one of ten nonprofit organizations in the Northern New Jersey region to be visited by E&Y employees this September during their Community Service Day

Thirteen eager employees wearing bright yellow E&Y t-shirts met in the Career Center where they were given an orientation that included a brief history about JVS and the day's itinerary. Coffee was served by Career Center clients.  

The E&Y volunteers assisted clients in the JVS computer class by evaluating resumes and cover letters. Later in the day the computer class students listened to a presentation by the E&Y volunteers about working for a large corporation, which included an overview of the interview process and the types of positions available. Other volunteers spent time in the Joseph L. Weinberg Rehabilitation Center overseeing  production work of our clients with disabilities. There also was an opportunity for volunteers to tutor JVS clients who were learning English as a Second Language.

JVS thanks E&Y for selecting our agency, and we look forward to being a part of Community Day next year.

To obtain additional information about the Career Center contact Lauren Klein, Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services, at: LKlein@jvsnj.org or 973-674-6330 x237.   

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SUCCESSFUL ROADS TO EMPLOYMENT

LinkedIn Networking Works

Steve came to JVS after being let go from a start-up company that no longer needed his services. He had been a vice president of marketing and had strong technology skills.

With the guidance of his JVS counselor, Steve started a targeted job search on LinkedIn to find companies that met his criteria. He updated his resume to include more of his accomplishments and technology skills. He attended the JVS placement workshops and networking group where he was encouraged to revisit his LinkedIn profile and add keywords that recruiters use when searching for candidates.  

Two weeks later, while searching LinkedIn, Steve found an interesting position. He filled out an online application, but as he had learned at JVS, he didn't want to apply blindly in this highly competitive environment. He used LinkedIn to secure the cooperation of people whom he knew, or who knew others at his prospective company.

Steve reached out to three of his contacts who worked at the company and asked each of them to walk his resume to the appropriate person. This strategy was successful and after several rounds of interviews, Steve was hired for the job - just three months after his first job search workshop at JVS. Needless to say, Steve is very happy with his new position.  

Landing a Dream Job

Sometimes people who are unemployed continue to try to find work in careers or in industries where they haven't been happy instead of making a career change utilizing transferable skills.

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Expand your network by joining the JVS LinkedIn group at JVS-MetroWest Synagogue Jobs Connection, where you will find a current list of job openings.  JVS will no longer be using MWJobs.org.  If you would like to post a job lead, please contact Marty Katz at mkatz@jvsnj.org, 973-674-6330 x270 or Beverly Feldman at bfeldman@jvsnj.org, 973-674-6330 x308 

JVS Through the Years

JVS is a beneficiary agency of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ

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