by Jake Lynn
Read original published article

July 22, 2009

With the national unemployment rate creeping toward 10 percent, job seekers can use all they help they can get. Some found welcome support at a free networking seminar held Tuesday night at the JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains.

Sponsored by the United Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey, as well as Elizabeth-based Jewish Family Services, the monthly program is held at the JCC as a way to help unemployed workers with their networking and job-searching techniques.

Aaron and Laura Cohen, a married couple who moderate the group, use a 7-step job search methodology created by national career coach Rod Colon and his ETP Network (www.etpnetwork.com). The central tenets of networking emphasize the use of free online tools such as LinkedIn as a means to widen one’s group of friends, colleagues and potential employers all in one central database.

The Cohens also stressed the philosophy of ‘paying it forward’ when it comes to helping others find work even if you don’t have a job yourself.

“Networking is as much about giving as it is getting,” said Aaron Cohen. “Almost always, the most rewarding jobs come by word of mouth rather than on the Internet. But they won’t just fall from the sky. You need to help others in order to help yourself move forward.”

The 25 attendees also learned of additional free resources that the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides, such as the Professional Services Group (PSG). PSG locations, which are scattered throughout the state, provide a comprehensive list of career services to job seekers and also help place workers with potential employers. The closest location to Scotch Plains and Fanwood is in New Brunswick. Call (732) 418-3304 for more information.

The group, which was made up of both first-time job seekers and those with more than 25 years of experience from a variety of industries, learned the fine art of the ‘Elevator Pitch’.

“Being able to succinctly explain your skills and the value one can bring to an organization in 30 seconds or less can make or break your chances of getting the job,” said the Cohens.

For Bob, a project management specialist from Fanwood, this couldn’t hit any closer to home. He explained to the group that he’d secured several interviews over the past year. But since his line of work is specialized and he’d been working for the same company for nearly 30 years, he hasn’t been able to persuade hiring managers that he can convert his skills to a different line of work. In this economy, he expressed deep gratitude for groups like this that will hopefully help him become much more marketable.

For more information on the Central New Jersey Networking Group, e-mail centralnjnetworkinggroup@gmail.com

by Merri Rosenberg
Special To The Jewish Week
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May 27, 2009

Recognizing that the uncertain economic climate has buffeted many of Westchester’s Jewish residents, some local organizations have launched a variety of initiatives — practical, psychological and even spiritual — to address some of these needs.

Through a UJA-Federation of New York grant, the Westchester Jewish Community Services organization recently launched the “Connect to Care Program,” offering a variety of services for those hurt by the economic downturn.

“We’re using all the resources of our network agencies to provide job placement and counseling, financial planning, and legal assistance,” said Sherry Birnbaum, director of Jewish Programming and Pathways to Care at WJCS.

 Jill Schreibman, a WJCS social worker who leads a group at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester in Chappaqua, said, “The issues that have come up are how do you stay motivated, how do you adjust to a new financial reality, how do you talk to your children.”

On June 1, through this initiative, WJCS will open a center at 10 New King St. in White Plains, ([914] 470-5721) to provide computer workstations, counseling, resume-writing assistance, support groups, and career exploration, among other services, for the unemployed and under-employed, said Anita Greenwald, program director at the Center.

Earlier this month, some 50 mostly middle-aged men and women gathered at Congregational Emanu-El of Rye to gain networking expertise from career consultant and networking coach Rod Colon, founder and president of the “Empowering Today’s Professionals ‘ETP’ Network.” This program was co-sponsored by the Westchester Jewish Conference and the UJA-Federation of New York’s Connect to Care Program at WJCS.

“You’re running a business and the business is ‘Me, Inc.,’” said Colon. “If you are not excited about your own business, no one else will be. The key is your friends, your contacts and your relationships. Networking isn’t selling. It’s developing relationships.”

The message resonated with many of those in attendance.

“I’m currently looking for a job,” said Ron Goldberg of Ossining, an attorney. “I’m at a crossroads. I thought he [Colon] had useful things to say. The concept to reach out to people, really reaching out and making good contacts is essential.”

Through a UJA-Federation of New York grant, WJCS Partners in Caring has also sponsored two free Jewish meditation programs this spring.

“People are looking for any way to manage their fears and anxieties, and maintain a sense of their identity, hopefulness and values when they’re not working,” said WJCS’s Ruth Rosenblum, a social worker, psychotherapist and meditation teacher. “That’s so shaken our identities and sense of purpose. There’s such a sense of shame. ‘If I lose my job, did I do something wrong? If I lost money, why didn’t I act?’ Mindfulness meditation and the Jewish meditative tradition offer a sense of community, a greater sense of connection to the divine mystery.”

During a session last month, a small group of women sat in contemplative silence, occasionally chanting, focusing on their breath, and listening attentively to Rosenblum’s soothing words.

“There’s so much anxiety out there,” she said. “There’s so much loss, whether it’s your 401K or the vacation you can’t afford anymore or worries about jobs. It’s our nature. We worry. Sometimes when we’re feeling depleted, remember the gifts and what life is bringing us. Right now, in this moment. We’re fine. It’s okay. When we bring in gratitude, a sense of abundance, our body, mind and psyche begins to relax.”

For more information about these programs, some of which will be running through June, please contact wjcs.com, (914) 761-0600. WJCS also offers A Resource Guide for Westchester Residents in Economic Transition through the WJCS Web site at www.wjcs.com/pdf/GUIDE.pdf.

by Elaine Durbach
NJJN Bureau Chief/Central
Read original published article

May 21, 2009

ETP Network founder Rod Colon told a meeting of the Central New Jersey Networking Group that he sees membership in such a body as an opportunity for each person to find ways to help others — and to receive the help they need themselves. “There’s no limit to how far this can go,” he said.

At the May 12 meeting, there was more talk about exciting new possibilities than there were complaints about lost jobs, though many of the two dozen people there had felt that pain.

The meeting was held at the YM-YWHA of Union County under the auspices of the ETP Network with support from the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey and the Union Y. It was hosted by Aaron Cohen, the leader of the Central NJ group, and his wife, Laura.

ETP — which stands for “empowering today’s professionals” — is a mutual help organization whose volunteer members teach networking and job search skills.

Janet Fleischer of Elizabeth, who has extensive experience handling medical records and billing in doctors’ offices, when asked if she could train others in medical billing, lit up. “I could go into a doctor’s office, watch what’s going on, and within a day or two I could show them how to get things working far better,” she said.

She, in turn, suggested that meeting participant Andree Laney of West Orange, an attorney who has worked in labor and employment law, could seek work helping doctors with compliance issues. Laney paused at that suggestion. “At first I wasn’t that receptive,” she said later, “but it’s the field my mother worked in. It could be really interesting.”

Together we can

Another meeting participant was Carol Einhorn, the social worker hired by Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, with a grant from the Central federation, to help people deal with the economic crisis through its Together We Can Community Economic Recovery Initiative.

Recognizing the degree of distress in the community — and despite across-the-board funding cutbacks — the federation committed $176,000 to the JFS economic recovery team. It has also promised to continue funding at that level for at least a second year.

Einhorn, together with the agency’s new vocational counselor, is offering — free of charge — vocational counseling, financial advice, and counseling to help people deal with the emotional issues related to financial stress and job loss.

The JFS/federation program is offering counseling at the JFS offices in Elizabeth, but also at synagogues and private venues across the area. Einhorn sent out an invitation to congregations, offering to conduct programs and offer appointments at their buildings and to work with volunteers from the community to counsel job seekers and provide financial advice.

Temple Emanu-El in Westfield was one of the first to respond, and she has been meeting with people there on a weekly basis.

Einhorn is planning to offer talks and workshops on a variety of subjects related to the economic situation. One of the first will be on dealing with the strain that financial stress places on a marriage. Another topic will be talking with children about changes in the family’s finances.

Contact info

For more information about Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey counseling or to make an appointment with social worker Carol Einhorn, contact her at 908-352-8375, ext. 239, or ceinhorn@jfscentralnj.com.

For more information about the Central New Jersey Networking Group, contact Aaron Cohen at centralnjnetworkinggroup@gmail.com or visit www.etpnetwork.com.

Networking maven urges job seekers to link with dozens

Read full article on New Jersey Jewish News
by Elaine Durbach, NJJN Bureau Chief/Central

March 12, 2009

These days, some very gifted and successful people are out of work. That’s both the upside and the downside of the unemployment picture, according to local job hunters.

“You look around and there are such impressive people, it’s obvious that there’s no shame in being laid off,” said a woman attending a March 3 networking event at the Wilf Jewish Community Campus in Scotch Plains. “On the other hand, if people this good can’t find work, what can I do?”

About 55 people turned up for the event, which was hosted by the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey and the JCC of Central New Jersey, both housed on the Wilf campus. The initial gathering of the Central NJ Networking Group was organized by The ETP Network — “ETP” stands for Empowering Today’s Professionals — a mutual help organization whose members teach networking and job search skills.

Aaron Cohen, a computer scientist from Westfield who is on the ETP board, ran the meeting, with assistance from his wife, Laura. Those present — about four-fifths of them men — had high-powered track records in information technology, marketing, law, education, and finance. Even attendees who described themselves as homemakers turned out to have resumes long in community organizing and fund-raising.

Most had lost their jobs within the previous few weeks. Some were working part-time. A handful said they had recently found employment — an acknowledgement that drew applause each time — but were keeping their options open. Read more . . .

Click here to read full article on All Spammed Up Blog

I recently joined a few email administrator discussion groups on LinkedIn.  I was surpirsed to see how many administrators are currently in a job search.  Although you may already know how to identify email phishing scams, it’s easy to get so caught up in the pressure which may derail our focus.

With the global economic meltdown, millions of people are out of work.  The stress is enormous. Marriages are dissolving, because  love jumps out the back window when money stops coming through the front door.  CNN even reports that many failed marrages can’t be completely dissolved, because couples can’t even afford to go their separate ways.  Tensions escalate as some couples are forced to stay together because they can’t sell property.  This is very fertile ground for email spam phishing scams to reap huge profits.

The phishing sharks are circling the rough water of a highly competitive job market. This volatile emotional climate sets the  stage for people to make very irrational decisions. People in a job search are vulnerable and easy prey for phishing scams. Bank accounts are being emptied due to people allowing their emotions to override making practical business decisions.    It’s  easy for anyone to get lathered up with email scams promising a job opportunity or making fast cash working at home in, but a cool head and common sense must prevail. I can  personally attest there are legitimate work at home opportunities.  When I’m not providing technology support to email clients, I provide business career coaching services.  My wife also runs a very successful Internet eComerce business.

Job Search Phishing Scam Prevention

• Make appropriate adjustments to your spam phishing filters and make sure the most recent updates are in place.

• Legimate job search sites will never send email that asks for personal information. They will also NEVER ask you to update your account via email with a link requesting you to login.

• Using your computer mouse feather over links in an email. This allows you to verify the actual web site link.

• When posting a resume online, take your time in creating a balance in disclosure vs. security. Use sites, like Careerbuilder and Monster, that allow suppressing personal information.

• Use a complex password that includes letters, numbers and special characters.

• Use multiple passwords on multiple job sites.

• Don’t send your password to anyone in an email.  You are the only person who should know your password.

Don’t send any money for job search services until you perform due diligence.  Many phishing emails present themselves as authentic services that will get you up and running with a new job quickly, but ask for a deposit up front. The Riley Guide provides many job search resources that are thoroughly verified by the owner of the this web site.  Consider using this guide as a reference.  Also consider global organizations, such as Empowering Today’s Professionals Network, that have a successful record in helping people land jobs without any up front fees. Use LinkedIn to verify companies. There is also a career management toolbar you can install to quickly obtain business intelligence on companies.

Email job offers from unknown sources should be viewed as a phishing scam until you confirm its legitimacy.  As the famous Murphy’s Law states “if it looks too good to be true, it usually is”.  Gathering business intelligence heightens our use of common sense. This keeps emotions in check and money in your bank account.

Click here to read full article on Conduit’s Blog

 

Blogging is a great way to interact with your community the features on your toolbar and the benefit of downloading and using it. 

More and more community toolbar publishers are blogging about their toolbars.  This is the first of periodic articles highlighting such publishers and community toolbars.   With each mention we’ve highlighted one great feature of the toolbar and included both the link to the article as well as a link to download the toolbar.

Have you come across other interesting articles? Have you blogged about your own community toolbar? Email us a link to the article [connect[at]conduit.com], we might feature it in a future Publisher Blog Spotlight!


ETP Network: Career Management Swiss Army Knife

Highlight: Using the ETP Network Toolbar Web seminar

ETP Network provides professionals worldwide with an empowered business career management plan that leverages a powerful Trusted Network.  The ETP Network community toolbar was developed by members of Empowering Today's Professionals (ETP) Network as a community service for all Savvy Professionals worldwide.  

The ETP Network community toolbar includes easy access to many job search/career development resources, linkedIn, the community’s yahoo group, and job boards. 

Providing the toolbar to their community allows ETP Network to stay top-of-mind when their members are working at advancing their careers, and to provide their users with direct links and dedicated resources to use to their benefit. 

Bi-monthly, the ETP Network founders offer a free webseminar, training users how to best use the toolbar to their benefit.  They also include participants testimonials on their blog:
"I had it installed for about a week …  THIS EVENT HAD GREAT TIMING; TONIGHT WAS THE 1ST TIME And ITS APPLICATION APPEARS TO BE FANTASTIC. AS I TOLD CARL, I CAN SEE MYSELF USING IT AS MY DASHBOARD TO HELP DRIVE ROI to “ME, Inc,”. Thank you!"

To read more about the toolbar and the web seminar:
http://yourcareerisyourbusiness.blogspot.com/
To Install the toolbar: http://etpnetwork.ourtoolbar.com/

Click here to read posting on flikr

ETP Network provides members an empowered career business plan that leverages a powerful Trusted Network. ETP Network provides connections to over 9 million global LinkedIn professionals, members and strategic partners.