JVS of MetroWest

Refugee Parent Workshop: Reflect, Reset, Regain
2024-11-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | East Orange, 7 Glenwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07017, United States
Mid-Year: Reflect, Reset, Regain
The “mid-year slump” is a familiar feeling to all. For school-age children, this may result in a lack of motivation or interest in completing work. Children and parents new to the country may experience further difficulties as they are not completely familiar with the U.S. school system.
JVS’s Refugee department will host a workshop for refugee parents on November 25th, focused on strategies for overcoming the mid-year slump. Topics will include understanding report cards, following up with teachers, re-engaging children in learning, and planning for the rest of the school year.
For more information and to register for the workshop, please contact Carmel Rigueur at crigueur@jvsnj.org or 862-704-2271.

GED Graduation Ceremony
2024-11-21 14:00 - 15:00 | East Orange, 7 Glenwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07017, United States
Celebrating our Graduates
On November 21st, recent graduates of JVS’s Adult Basic Education training program who have passed their GED exams will be celebrated in East Orange. Passing the HSE (High School Equivalency Exam, formerly known as GED) opens doors to career opportunities and independence. For these graduates, it means new horizons.
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This JVS course provides adult participants with 16 hours per week of instructor-led classes in the core skills of reading, writing, and math to prepare for the GED.
Our Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes enable students to strengthen their skills in preparation for the High School Equivalency exam (HSE, formerly GED) and raise their Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System scores to be eligible for training programs and employment opportunities.

ABE classes are in-person at our East Orange, NJ location, and run from January to March 2025.
There is no cost to attend, but registration and placement testing is by appointment only.
To schedule your placement appointment, please register here: Registration for Services – JVS of MetroWest.

Requirements:

17 years or older and out of school

To learn more about the Adult Basic Education program, please visit: Adult Basic Education – JVS of MetroWest.

JobSeekers: How to Turn Interviews Into Job Offers
2024-11-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Do you consistently turn interviews into engaging conversations that get you the offer? Or do you often come close but miss the final prize?
Join us on Thursday, November 21 for an interactive skill-building workshop as Job Search Strategist John Hadley:
Helps you construct effective responses to difficult questions.
Increases your awareness about what to watch for and how to react to it.
Enhances your interview skills, leading to job offers.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speaker
John Hadley
John Hadley helps job seekers who are frustrated with their search.
After graduating from Stanford University, John worked in the financial services industry for 25 years, in roles ranging from Product Manager to Chief Actuary. He then opened a successful consulting practice which generated over $2.5 million in revenues. Two decades ago, he started his Career Search Counseling business and has helped hundreds of professionals land the job and pay they deserve.
John is a popular speaker and author on career and career search topics. In addition to editing and writing for the leadership and development magazine The Stepping Stone, John publishes his own Career Tips Email newsletter, bringing over 9,000 subscribers expert advice on marketing yourself for a career search. Find out more on his website, www.JHACareers.com.

JobSeekers: Managing Your Finances During a Job Transition
2024-11-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Losing a job can be extremely stressful and worrying about money is a big part of this stress.
However, there are ways you can take control of your finances and manage your budget, even during long periods of unemployment.
This webinar with Gerard Raho of Edward Jones Investments is designed to help you make informed financial decisions during a time of a job transition and throughout your lifetime.
The webinar will include:
1. Important financial elements to consider during a job transition.
2. Managing cash and liquidity needs.
3. Establishment of financial goals and priorities.
4. Some typical investing mistakes to avoid.
5. Overlooked job search strategies and ideas to help reduce the stress of the job search.
Note: JVS does not provide legal, tax or financial planning advice. There will be time for your general questions at the end of the program.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speaker
Gerard Raho
Gerard Raho is a financial professional with 20+ years of experience in financial markets. A large focus of his practice is working with people in job transition and finding solutions to the unique challenges they face.
Previous to Edward Jones Investments Gerard ran a trading desk for JP Morgan and had his own NYSE floor brokerage firm with 3 partners. Gerard earned an MBA from Duke University and a BA in economics from Syracuse and he runs a job networking group for Duke University alumni. When not spending time with his family a big passion of Gerard’s is surfing.

JobSeekers: How to Fight Ageism in Your Job Search
2024-10-24 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
If you are over fifty you will no doubt experience some ageism during your job search. There are strategies that you can implement to help your candidacy.
Join Executive Coach and Career Transition expert Charlotte Lee as she discusses how to present yourself as current and confident in interviews, networking events, presentations and negotiations.
What you say and how you come across is just as important as the technical skills you bring to the table.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speaker
Charlotte A. Lee
Charlotte A. Lee, an Executive Coach and the Founder of Lee Work Wise, LLC (www.leeworkwise.net) coaches executives regarding branding, career strategy and executive presence. Prior to founding her own firm in 2022, she was the Managing Consultant, SVP and ICEO Advisor with LHH, the world’s largest outplacement firm with more than 500,000 clients each year. Charlotte ran the New York and Connecticut offices.
Prior to LHH, Ms. Lee worked as a management consultant specializing in strategic planning, organizational development and marketing, and as an investment banker.
Ms. Lee is the author of “Bring a Dead Mouse: The Secret to Finding Your Perfect Job,” which has garnered five stars on Amazon as well as a children’s book, “Where Are You Moon?”

JobSeekers: Strengthen Your Story Telling in Interviews
2024-10-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Having a top-notch resume is not the only requirement you’ll need to land THAT interview you’re dying to get.
In today’s evolving marketplace, how you present your career qualifications and brand narrative during an interview is crucial. This session will equip you with the best practices to excel in interviews and position yourself for success.
In this presentation, you’ll learn:

The role of behavioral interviewing: Discover how hiring managers and recruiters use behavioral interviewing, which is based on the concept that past behavior is the best predictor of future performance.
Identifying key soft skills: Learn how to pinpoint the soft skills and experiences essential for the role you’re applying for and how to incorporate them into your responses.

We’ll also cover:

The STAR Technique: Master this four-step method for effectively answering questions about past work experiences.
Crafting better answers: Explore better ways to respond to the most common interview questions.
Asking Questions with Impact: Learn how to make the most of your opportunity to ask questions, with a new, impactful twist.

Remember – Facts Tell but Stories Sell
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speaker
Gail Tilstra
Gail Tilstra enjoyed a career as an accomplished human resources professional in the banking industry. After transitioning from banking, Gail became an instructor for the Financial Leaders Institute, where she shares her extensive expertise with banking professionals. She is responsible for creating and facilitating programs focused on leadership development, performance management, team building, behavioral interviewing, and onboarding.
In addition, Gail volunteers as an instructor for Dress for Success and Renew Life, where she facilitates workshops on resume development, interviewing skills, and change management strategies.
Gail is the President of her own human resources consulting firm, Strategic HR Partners. Her firm specializes in assisting clients with effective hiring, onboarding, performance assessments, retention strategies, and leadership and management development.

Certified Home Health Aide Program
2024-10-07 10:00 - 15:00 | East Orange, 7 Glenwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07017, United States
Start a career as a healthcare provider. This Certified Home Health Aide program prepares you healthcare services and personal care to patients at their homes. This class is free and open to SNAP recipients. Upon completion of the class and approval by the NJ Board of Nursing, you will receive your license and certification after which you can be employed by a home health care provider or private family. This 5-week program takes place in our East Orange location, Mondays through Thursdays, 10 am to 3 pm.
Learn more and apply.

Adult Basic Education
2024-10-07 | East Orange, 7 Glenwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07017, United States
Prepare for the GED exam! JVS provides adults with 16 hours per week of instructor-led free classes in the core skills of Reading, Writing and Math. Our ABE classes enable students to strengthen their skills in preparation for the High School Equivalency exam (HSE, formerly GED) and raise their Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) scores to be eligible for training programs and employment opportunities.
ABE classes are in-person at our East Orange location in the afternoon. There is no cost to attend. Registration and placement testing is by appointment only. To schedule your placement appointment, please email adultschool@jvsnj.org.

Funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

English as a Second Language
2024-10-07 | East Orange, 7 Glenwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07017, United States
Free classes are forming for the upcoming semester of JVS’s English as a Second Language Class. Classes are held during the day in our East Orange location. JVS offers three levels of instruction for English language learners. The highly interactive, practical program provides 12 hours of weekly instruction for a total of 120 class hours. Instructor-led classes are supplemented by individualized tutoring. Please note: This class has a waiting list. Please send a note to adultschool@jvsnj.org if you would like to add your name to the list.
Funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Pharmacy Technician Program
2024-09-30 | East Orange, 7 Glenwood Avenue, East Orange, NJ, 07017, United States
This comprehensive program teaches you what you need to know to begin a career as a pharmacy technician, including the two 200 medications, pharmacy calculations, drug interactions, and customer service. It includes classroom instruction, hands-on externship, assistance with job placement, and career and life skills to help you succeed. This class is free and open to SNAP recipients. The program takes place Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 2:30 pm in our East Orange location.
Learn more and apply.

Take Control of Your Job Search
2024-09-05 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with your job search? Not sure what to do next and having difficulty staying motivated?
One of the most effective methods to overcome these feelings is to get organized, stop over-thinking and procrastinating, and start doing.
In this webinar Paul Cecala will discuss the various strategies to a successful job search with an emphasis on utilizing a series of worksheets to help you take control of your job search.
Paul will discuss a series of milestones to accomplish in a job search and practical worksheets that guide the job seeker through the process of securing a job.
Topics will include:

Work search preparation phase
Branding materials
Active work search and interview phase

There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speakers
Paul Cecala
Paul Cecala is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator, work search author, and founder of Cecala Career Consultants, LLC. Since 1999 he has assisted over 4000 job seekers ranging from C-Suite executives to college students.
He specializes in creating job search project plans and is recognized for his empathetic listening skills. He has been praised for networking skills, interview techniques, and resume writing expertise.
He facilitates several job seeker networking groups and has led career development programs at colleges and government workforce centers.
Paul has his BS in Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology. He is the author of the book “Take Control of Your Job Search: A Workbook of All the Tools Needed for a Successful Job Hunt”, and numerous articles on career coaching in a variety of publications. He lives in Morris County, NJ, with his family.
www.cecalacareer.com

Everything to Know About Job References
2024-09-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
References are an integral part of the job search process. You should always plan ahead of time and not wait to the last minute when you are about to receive a job offer.
In this webinar, guest speaker Ruth Robbins will discuss the following topics:
• How to select your references
• Contacting references (particularly if you haven’t spoken in a while)
• How to maintain connections with references
• LinkedIn recommendations
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speakers
Ruth Robbins
Ruth Robbins, MBA is an experienced Career Coach and Group Facilitator affiliated with two outplacement companies (Positions, Inc. and The White Hawk Group) and her own 20 + year private practice, where she coaches and empowers individuals to make transformative career changes and navigate successful job transitions.
Ruth presents regularly to audiences at industry and professional associations, public venues and other organizations on job search and career management topics. She was a per-diem coach at Columbia University Graduate School of Business in their Core Leadership and Social Intelligence Program for five years. Ruth holds an MBTI Certified Adult Career Planning and Development Certification from NYU and MBA in Marketing from Fordham University.

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Ace the Most Common Interview Questions
2024-08-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Conquer Your Next Interview: Master the Most Common Interview Questions!
Feeling lost in a sea of interview questions? This webinar dives into the most common questions you’ll encounter at every interview stage: introduction, core, and closing.
Learn powerful answering techniques with clear do’s and don’ts, plus sample responses to help you write your own. At the end of this webinar, you’ll be equipped to formulate confident and compelling answers, leaving you feeling prepared and stress-free for your next interview!
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speakers
Kathy Vincelette
Kathy Vincelette has served as the Employment Specialist at The Women’s Center at County College of Morris for the past seven years, helping individuals to successfully transition back into the workforce after an absence. She assists job seekers with acquiring the tools and knowledge they need to obtain employment including: resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, job search strategies and interviewing skills. With a background in Human Resources and Executive Search, Kathy holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and is a Certified Professional Resume Writer.

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Informational Interviewing — Your Path to Job Search Success
2024-08-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Everyone says I should be doing more informational interviewing, but what exactly is this and how do I get started? And why is it so important?
In this webinar, Deb Krawiec will delve into the art of the informational interview. Deb will share valuable information on how to engage and establish networking connections.
If you have been hesitant in reaching out to individuals you know, or may want to get to know, this is the webinar for you! You will learn how to re-establish former connections and build new connections. This dynamic webinar will also include a wide variety of sample scripts to help build your confidence.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speakers
Deborah (Deb) Krawiec
Deborah (Deb) Krawiec, National Certified Counselor (NCC), is the founder of Arrow Career Consulting, LLC and is an insightful Career Consultant and Counselor. She has worked with all levels of employees and brings to her consulting sessions not only a knowledge of job search strategies, but an understanding of the business world.
Deb has worked in the field of Outplacement for over twenty years, working for two of the top firms, Lee Hecht Harrison (LHH) and Randstad RiseSmart. Deb is skilled at, and passionate about helping clients manage through the experience of job loss, while guiding the job seeker through the journey to find their next career and/or job opportunity.
To connect with Deb, visit www.arrowcareerconsulting.com

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Ask the Expert: The LinkedIn Guru
2024-05-30 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
How do you leverage LinkedIn for maximum results? What are the latest features and how are they used?
In this webinar, LinkedIn expert Jeff Young will answer these questions and many more.
You will have the opportunity to ask “how-to” questions and see behind the scenes of LinkedIn to obtain a better understanding of its functionality.
You will learn how to move beyond just collecting contacts, how to use LinkedIn to build your network and search for a job.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speakers
Jeff Young
Jeff is a former Director and Account Manager with Intellinex, an eLearning venture of Ernst & Young, LLP. He has helped manage and mentor thousands of people in many different organizations. Since his retirement from OCLC, where he worked as an Enterprise Project Manager, Jeff has been volunteering for and helping manage several local non-profit organizations.
Jeff’s focus has been devoting his time to being a Professional Networker/LinkedIn Guru and teaching networking and LinkedIn skills and best practices.

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Building Emotional Resilience and Self-Care
2024-05-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Losing your job and searching for a new opportunity, or working at a job where you are not happy can be stressful.
In this webinar, Kelly Sachter, LCSW, will discuss the emotional toll of searching for a job. She will share skills and resources that can help you cope with job loss.
Building emotional resilience can help you navigate the ups and downs of a transition in your career and cope with the stress.
Kelly will discuss the importance of self-care including creating your own self-care plan and will take us through a mindfulness exercise.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speakers
Kelly Sachter, LCSW
Kelly Sachter is a licensed LCSW, and Director of Learning at Family Connections in East Orange, NJ where she oversees learning growth for the agency, generating new development and business opportunities.
Family Connections is a leading provider of professional counseling and educational services to individuals, children, and families. Established in 1879, they are a private, non-profit agency that is committed to delivering accessible, quality care.

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: The One-Minute Me
2024-04-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
This is THE question that is often asked first in an interview. It’s also one of the first things people ask when they meet someone new. Every encounter is an opportunity to network. So, crafting your elevator pitch to be succinct, relevant, and interesting takes practice.
In this webinar we will discuss how to structure your “One Minute Me” for various scenarios including interviews, informational interviews, unplanned casual encounters and more.
What do we want others to know about us in 60 seconds? How do we write a follow up email or LinkedIn message after meeting someone for the first time?
Having a well-practiced elevator pitch is a great strategy for preparing for interviews and expanding your network.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speakers
Malka Bendor
Malka Bendor is a Workshop Facilitator/Career Consultant at Jewish Family Services in Columbus, Ohio. Malka brings 10+ years experience enabling Job Seekers to achieve economic self-sufficiency by providing Job Search Strategy tools and infusing positive energy to their job search. In her capacity as a Workshop Facilitator/Career Consultant Malka has worked with multiple generations and ensured their journey would be filled with emotional and professional support. Malka is part of the Project EM Columbus, Ohio team. Prior to JFS, Malka worked for The Printing Network as an Account Executive in a female owned small business. Malka is always practicing, refining, and polishing her Elevator Speech or “One Minute Me” as you never know who you will “bump” into whether you are in Job Search or not.
Elizabeth Enck
Elizabeth Enck is the Manager of Training and Development at Jewish Family Services in Columbus, Ohio, where she oversees workforce training programs. In addition, she develops virtual trainings and services, and oversees the digital equity and inclusion efforts. Prior to this role, she provided career coaching and education as a Career Consultant. Elizabeth has 18 years of career development experience primarily in higher education. Prior to JFS, she was the Director of the Career Development Center at the University of Central Oklahoma and at the University of Tennessee. She has a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology, with an emphasis in Career Counseling from the University of Missouri.

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Ways to Get Unstuck in Your Job Search
2024-04-04 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
If you have been job searching for a few months and getting few results, you may be feeling deflated, discouraged, and just plain stuck.
In this webinar, you will learn some ways to become unstuck including:

Reviewing your personal brand
Rewriting your resume
Practicing your pitch with other job seekers
Creating a job search tracker
Expanding your network
Tapping into the hidden job market
Thinking outside the box for fresh ideas

There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speaker
Amy Geffen, PhD
Amy is a career coach with over thirty years of work experience in various fields including nonprofits, finance, engineering, economics and academia. For the last nine years she has been a career coach for private clients and several outplacement companies including GetFive, The White Hawk Group and Careerminds.
Amy has presented webinars for The New York Public Library, Scarsdale Adult Center, Greater Philadelphia Careers, Middlesex County government and Monmouth County government.

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Job Search Mindset — Staying Positive, Accountable and Productive
2024-03-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
PLEASE NOTE: This event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Whether you’re searching for your next role, debating a career pivot, looking to gain confidence while networking, or engaging in any other career activities, there are often very common hesitations and feelings that arise.
In this webinar, CEO & Career Coach Rachel Serwetz will walk you through how to debunk and reframe common limiting beliefs, as well as how to stay organized, structured, accountable, and productive in your job search efforts.
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speaker
Rachel Serwetz
Throughout her career, Rachel has helped hundreds of professionals with career path exploration. For the past 6 years she has been building her company, WOKEN, which is an online career exploration platform to coach professionals through the process of clarifying and pursuing their ideal job and career path.
Rachel is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Binghamton University and has served as a Career Coach through the Flatiron School/WeWork, Columbia University, Slate, and Project Activate.
Learn more about WOKEN here: iamwoken.com.

JVS JOB-SEEKERS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: Interview Strategies — More Than Words!
2024-03-07 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual, United States
Please note that this event is virtual and advance registration is required.
Selling your value in an interview is not only in what you say – but it’s also in how you say it.
For example, did you know that your facial expressions, gestures and eye gaze can make a significant impact on how you are perceived as a fit for the position and the company?
This webinar will teach you how to:
• Assess your non-verbal cues.
• Adjust and strengthen your communication skills.
• Read the room.
• And interview with confidence!
There will be 20 minutes of open networking with fellow job seekers after the presentation.

Guest Speaker
Deborah (Deb) Krawiec
Deborah (Deb) Krawiec, National Certified Counselor (NCC), is the founder of Arrow Career Consulting, LLC and is an insightful Career Consultant and Counselor. She has worked with all levels of employees and brings to her consulting sessions not only a knowledge of job search strategies, but an understanding of the business world.
With over twenty years of experience Deb continues to remain passionate about helping her clients manage the experience of job loss, while guiding them through their journey to find their next opportunity.
To connect with Deb, visit www.arrowcareerconsulting.com
