Local Job Fair Aids Those In Need In Jewish Community
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A Jewish aid society recently held a job fair as part of a comprehensive initiative to help the local disadvantaged Jewish community. NY1's Employment reporter Asa Aarons filed the following report.Nearly 400 eager job seekers crowded into a recent job fair that turned out to be about a lot more than just employment. United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York's "Connect to Care" initiative has the far-reaching mission to help the Jewish community cope with the enormous challenges and crushing weight of a failed economy.
"From April until today, we have served over 16,000 people," said Alex Roth-Kahn of UJA Federation of New York.
The initiative recognizes that a job is just one part of the healing process.
"It's a comprehensive initiative that involves employment services, legal services, financial counseling and mental health support," said Roth-Kahn.
As the economy has made little progress in the job market, those looking for work have had to change their approach. People who have earned their education in one area and learned a speciality now seem more than willing to branch out and try new things.
"It doesn't have to be a controller's job... [any financial job], it doesn't matter, I'm open, I can do it," said accountant David Arnou.
"My skills, I think, are very transferable, because I'm an information professional," said librarian Lynn Feinman. "And I know how to organize information and get it to people. I love working with people and connecting them that way."
"I'm looking in marketing, communications, public relations. My degree in public administration, but I feel I have to branch out," said job seeker Peter Hoffman.
Many of the employers at the job fair said candidates with people skills will win the day.
"A resume these days, everybody has one. Sometimes they go from one page to 10 pages. The biggest thing is personality when you step across," said Patrick Hardie of AFLAC. "Make an impression on me -- smile, a firm handshake. A lot of times, when people come to a job fair, they say, 'I have no job experience,' but really what you're doing in all these fairs is selling yourself. And you want to make the best impression possible."
The UJA Federation Connect to Care Mission has another job fair scheduled next week in Brooklyn. To find out more, visit www.ujafedny.org.