When Should You Start Your Job Search Before Moving to Israel

When Should You Start Your Job Search Before Moving to Israel 20 If landing in Israel carrying a job contract is unrealistic, it is still very realistic to arrive in Israel having submitted resumes and conducted telephone/email/chat interviews. How soon should you start that process? In the final months abroad “3-4 months before Aliyah (but not more)” says the Jewish Agency. “2 months before arriving” say most placement companies like Danel or TripleTec, when asked this question directly. As little as 1 month before your flight, but it depends on the job you're aiming for, is my view. Let me explain. Some people say that anticipation is less a part of the Israeli mentality than “everything will be ok” (yihiyeh b'seder) improvisation. What that means is that companies rarely try to hire for 3-6 months in the future. Given that Israeli law allows employees to quit, be laid off or fired without much advance notice (Hebrew), companies then need to scramble quickly to plug their staffing holes.eval When most companies are hiring, it's because they need you yesterday now. As a result, the hiring process can happen very quickly, moving from resume acknowledgment to first interview to contract signing in only 2-3 weeks. The Israeli hitech industry is a good example of this phenomenon.eval If your arrival date in Israel is only a few weeks away and a company is interested, they will probably wait before choosing another candidate. More than a month will seem long to them since they know you will need to get settled into your new home after arriving. For best results Around 6 months before your move, start learning about your target industry in Israel. Try to find out when is most appropriate for you to start the job search while still having enough time to react before the last minute. Conclusion Starting your job hunt before getting to Israel is a good idea. If you choose the right moment to begin, it's possible to arrive with an advanced job search in the hopes of signing a contract within the first weeks after your airplane lands in Tel Aviv. Timing issues?

3 Small Steps to Becoming a More Conscious Consumer

3 Small Steps to Becoming a More Conscious Consumer Would you rather use… A) Plastic straws OR B) Metal/Reusable straws Would you rather purchase… A) $10 “fast-fashion” t-shirt OR B) $50 t-shirt made of sustainable fabrics Would you rather support… A) brand that lacks a social good mission OR B) A brand that instills a social good mission If you answered “B” to most of these questions, you’re already taking steps to becoming a more conscious consumer! What is a “conscious consumer” exactly? According to The New York Times, conscious consumption encompasses sustainability and social responsibility and is defined as “an umbrella term that simply means engaging in the economy with more awareness of how your consumption impacts society at large.” According to a recent study of over 1,000 consumer in the USA and UK, 96% of people feel their own actions, such as donating, recycling or buying ethically, can make a difference. So, how do you become a more conscious consumer? Here are 3 small steps to start: Reduce your use of plastics. Single use plastics are out of favor. Plastics are created for a single use, but never dissolve. Only 9% of all single use plastics created have been recycled. The awareness has given rise to brands such as RePurpose, which is the maker of plant-derived alternative straws, plates and cups. Big brands, as well as emerging brands, are looking for an alternative to single use plastics, such as with Pepsi and Coca Cola, which recently announced a reduction in plastics.  Consume organically. According to a July 2019 UBS report, organic is growing 6.5x faster than overall food sales.  Once Upon a Farm, for instance, is the first fresh, convenient, farm to highchair, HPP baby food made from whole foods (not purees or concentrates) and is certified Organic, Non-GMO, and cold-pressure pasteurized. According to a 2016 survey, eating organically is not only better for the environment, but it is better for you health-wise. One issue that has risen is Glyphosate Residue Free Certification. For those who dont know what Glyphosate is, it is a chemical found in the most commonly used pesticides such as Monsanto’s Round Up. Glyphosate has been linked to cancer and some estimates found that glyphosate residue is present in over 90% of all US food products. Recent legal scrutiny against Monsanto has brought this to the forefront with consumers. Glyphosate Residue Free certification is bringing a new era of transparency to the food and supplement industries. Learn more at The Detox Project.  Make sure the brands you support practice Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR helps build consumers’ trust, raises awareness and encourages social change. How do you know what companies ensure CSR? By doing your research. Look into what companies are doing, what their social missions are and if they align with your beliefs. For example, Cambridge SPG invests in Cora, which donates feminine hygiene and period products to millions of young girls in India and Africa. Not only is Cora helping girls in developing nations, but all its products are certified organic too. Supporting Cora allows consumers to be part of the difference they’re making. Keep a close eye out for companies like this. So the next time you “consume,” ask yourself â€" will this help change the world for the better? One tiny change on your end can lead to a better future for all. This guest post was authored by Polina Chebotareva As Vice President and General Partner at Cambridge SPG, Polina Chebotareva is an innovative pioneer with a comprehensive background in business, economics, strategic opportunity investments and venture capital transactions. Prior to joining co-founding Cambridge Companies SPG, Polina was an  Executive Vice President and Partner at a real estate investment firm with $350M Equity AUM. Polina is passionate about empowering woman in business and female entrepreneurs, and has secured investment opportunities for Cambridge Companies SPG in some of the best preforming women owned businesses in the county. Polina is passionate about charity, art, culture and has a proven track record of commitment to our community. She is an underwriter and major donor at Harvesters Food Bank in Orange County. Through her contribution to working with Oceana she has helped raise awareness and funding for environmental issues. She has devoted her time and resources to The Village of Hope Rescue Mission which helps struggling parents restore stability in their lives and the lives of their children. Best, Sarah

Aligning yourself to an employer in applications and interviews

Aligning yourself to an employer in applications and interviews Why should we hire you? A question asked by a lot of graduate employers in interviews to assess the candidates motivation. Warwick Law Schools Senior Careers Consultant,  Rachel Vacalopoulos, suggests that convincing the employer that you share their values will help you to succeed by demonstrating that you are a good fit.   I once asked a family friend what the secret to her long and happy marriage was. Her answer? “Shared values”. That’s all she said. She made it sound so achievable in its simplicity….is that really the secret to every successful long-term relationship, marriage or otherwise? It certainly seems that most organisations agree that it’s a good place to start, with many firms’ recruitment literature highlighting the importance they place on getting the right people for their workplace. Phrases such as ‘we are looking for someone who matches our values’ and ‘we want people aligned with our core values’ come up a lot. It’s for this reason that I find myself saying the same thing when I’m talking to anyone with an interview coming up try to align yourself with the firm’s values and culture when answering questions.  Most people agree that this sounds like a good thing to do. But they don’t always know how to do it. As with many things, it starts with….. Doing your Research I always suggest starting with the organisations own website. This is a place for company driven information. The firm can say what its values are and market its strengths, in the hope of converting website visitors into clients. Often, in the “About Us” section of a firm’s website, there is some sort of statement as to what the firm is all about. Something like, “We are a forward-thinking global law firm with expertise in MA, Technology and Communication and Private Equity. Our people are driven to be the best in their field, with a real focus on building long-standing client relationships. We recognise the importance of collaboration and we work across offices and borders to ensure that our clients get world-class legal solutions and service.” If you can remember what the firm has said about itself when you are in the interview room, this can show that you have done some research. You’ve at least looked at their website. Check. But this is actually the minimum they would expect of someone wanting a job in their organisation! But if you really want that graduate job or internship then it’s all about making links between you and the firm. Take the example mission statement above. I would suggest reading it again, this time picking out and underlining the key words that tell you something about what could be important to this firm.  Once you have these key words, you can use them to come up with examples from your own experience that match (as closely as possible) those ideas. I often suggest splitting an A4 piece of paper in half with a vertical line down the middle, and writing the key words on one side of the page and giving evidence from your own experience on the other side. For example, Forward-thinking/Duke of Edinburgh Award: expedition and contingency planning due to bad weather. Global/Educated in Dubai for most of secondary school: spent last summer on a 4-week trip to Africa to expand experience and volunteer in a school building project out there. Pro Bono-Death Penalty Project (USA). Driven/Planned and organised a sponsored exercise marathon: Raised over £1,000 in first year so aimed to double that in second year. We actually raised £2,854 so we exceeded our target. Building relationships/Work Experience: return every summer to my part-time job at Co-Op. Always stay in touch with manager. Built up trust and reliability over the years. Recently been promoted to til supervisor during university holidays. Collaboration/Team-work: captained university Rugby Team to semi-finals of Inter-University Competition 2015 and 2016. World-class/Academic achievement: top marks for module in first year. Play trumpet to high level but working towards Grade 8 this summer. Looking beyond the firm’s Website   Other resources you can use to build up a real picture of the firm include the following: Twitter  look at any social media links for the firm. This is a really good way to build up an understanding of what is important to them You Tube  Employers increasingly use their own You Tube channels to raise their profile and awareness of their brand Marketline  Available through Warwicks Careers and Skills website is a database providing up to date information and objective analysis of sectors and industries If you can successfully align yourself with the firm then you could well be lining up that internship, placement or graduate job!

Leverage unfair advantages in order to get the power to fix them

Leverage unfair advantages in order to get the power to fix them I had a friend in high school whose mom wrote her papers. At the time I thought: messed up family. Then I became a mom who practiced cello three hours a day with my son. And I thought: messed up family. When we added two hours a day of piano practice I thought: I need to own who I really am. Im a person who teaches my kids to cut corners. Here are my six principles of cutting corners: 1. Link your goals to your moral code so you know what rules you can break.   I surprised myself when I was surrounded by music moms, but then I realized its like belonging to a synagogue that also recruits Asians. I surprised myself when I embraced the mantra of music is not about speed, but then I realized we were all racing when no one was watching. I am no longer surprised by my particular brand of tiger mom parenting (with a healthy dose of Jewish-mother martyrdom and  Gen-X reverence for cynicism.) Ill do whatever my kids need as long as Im not doing something they will need to do for themselves in order to be a successful adult. So I write biology flashcards but I wont make beds. Because people who make their bed every morning are happier people. 2. Work backwards to find the fastest way to meet your final goal. My son decided he wants to do research. I started with the gods of high school science,   kids who won the Siemens prize, and I worked backwards what did she do junior year? Sophomore year? Freshman year? How did she get to where she got to? Every kid I investigated was working with a lab. I looked into high schoolers working in labs, and the consensus was that  its a total pain in the butt for the professor.   My scientist professor friend told me it would be a six-month Festschrift to get legal clearance for a kid to work a lab. She said, How about if he just comes in for a tour? 3. Look for patterns among the winners. I started looking more closely at the contest winners. Nearly all science competition winners have a parent who is a scientist. I should have known. This title is entirely representative of all the entries: Developing a computational model of blood platelets with fluid dynamics applications. This is not baking soda and vinegar. This also is not particularly controversial. Even Science Buddies advises, Most kids have a parent helping them, and often its a parent who is a scientist. It hit me: this is the equivalent of moms writing a paper or moms practicing every note alongside the kid. Dads who oversee every tennis practice  or dads who build their kid a lab. 4. Yes, the systems unfair. Lifes unfair. Work with it to get power to change it. Music is the same as science at the top, it attracts kids who are privileged and then kids with musician parents have a big advantage.   String instruments and privilege are so intertwined that Harvard doesnt even make note of an applicant who has been playing cello or violin their whole life because such a huge percentage of accepted candidates are in that category. Overachievements in high school are just another way to separate kids who already have advantages from everyone else. The list of kids who placed in top competitions is also a list of the top twenty high-schools in the US.   Its not just that kids who have parents who went to college are more likely to go to college. Kids who have parents who play an  instrument are more likely to play an instrument. And kids who have a parent whos a scientist are more likely to be a scientist. The lack of class mobility is deep. 5. The rich are different from you and me; they dont seek change or challenge. And we are not even talking here about the kids of the super-rich: there are few kids of super-rich who are committed and driven in a way that dominates life like string instruments and science labs. Intense commitment is boring, high-risk, and all-consuming. Why would anyone do that who is super rich?   The super-rich are so entrenched in their jet-setting, ski-sloping, island-owning lives that they dont even worry about having high achieving kids. 6. Self-knowledge is the scissors of the corner-cutting class. For my kids, their best hope of inherited privilege is cutting corners. So I was researching yesterday, trying again to figure out a way to cut a new path to the Siemens competition. And I discovered that the competition is canceled as of 2018. An announcement on the site explained: Over the last few years we’ve taken a close look at changes in the U.S and the people, programs and expertise we have to address those needs and adjusted our investments accordingly. The growing momentum around our investments in workforce development, including through career and technical education, apprenticeships, and more, has affirmed our belief that moving forward in this direction provides the best opportunity for us to serve those in need. Addressing inequalities in economic opportunity and the vanishing middle-class of America is an area where we believe we can be an important part of the solution. This is one of the most radical, disruptive, and life-affirming statements that Ive read in a long time. Siemens is calling BS on the idea that we need to celebrate privileged kids leveraging their privilege. And Siemens is calling a spade a spade: it was a competition that reinforces a static class system. The whole problem with our education system is that we celebrate achievements in systems that are rigged. Siemens is pulling the rug out from under all the people trying to leverage our lack of class mobility in order to benefit their kids. I am one of those people. And I confess to clicking Siemenss list of alternative competitions.

6 Ways to Stand Out When Applying for Freelance Writing Jobs CareerMetis.com

6 Ways to Stand Out When Applying for Freelance Writing Jobs Making it in the writing world can be super tough. Market competition is massive and it’s only increasing as more and more people seek to break the status quo and build a second income or launch themselves as a full-time freelancer.So, you need to make sure you’re standing out from the crowd. It doesn’t take much to be able to write a generic piece of content, but you really need to be able to show prospective clients why they should hire you.evalWhat makes you different? With these 6 hacks, you’ll be able to increase your chances of getting hired for that freelance writing job.1) Don’t be BoringIf you use the English language ‘properly,’ it can come across as being plain and simple. Adding a slightly humorous edge and some dialect and slang words can help catch a future client’s eye.If you’re not normally extravagant, this can be even tougher, however. So here’s an example of where you can spice things up a bit.Instead of something generic like this:“Dear John, I am writing to apply for the freelance writing job you’ve recently posted. I believe I am the perfect candidate due to my background and passion for writing. If you like, I can give you my social media links and a sample article. Also, let me know if you’d like to interview me.Regards,Joe Bloggs”evalInstead, be more vibrant, edgy and proactive. Try something like this:“Hey, John, Hope you’re having a great day. I just noticed that you’re hiring a freelance writer; I’m looking to diversify my client portfolio and feel that we could collaborate really well! evalCheck out my social media profiles, where I have some interesting articles and content which you might like:LinkedIn linkFacebook linkInstagram linkTwitter linkMy piece on how to start your own blog for free will probably interest you: As you can probably tell, the latter adds more vibrancy and depth to the application rather than doing something which you’re taught in high schoolâ€"a style that just doesn’t work anymore.With the increase and popularity of freelancers and the seemingly laid-back lifestyle that goes with it, clients are wanting freelance writers to have more of a personality about them.2) Be Social and BlogChances are that a prospective client is going to want to see samples of your work. For the most part, you might not be able to send them examples due to them being be ghostwritten or you’ve signed an NDA.If this is the case, it’s a good idea to get your social media profiles established and connected, and start networking. Have a schedule to regularly update them with content related to your profession and areas of interest.evalThese are excellent platforms to show off your talents, your professionalism, and your personality. LinkedIn is especially fruitfulin that it’s a hotbed for freelancers to link to their articles and blogs and to connect with other freelancers and clients.A second option is to actually build your own website. This may sound intimidating an d expensive, but it really isn’t that difficult to learn, and the prices of domain names and hosting make this an accessible option for most.A couple of the benefits here are that it looks more professional, and you can multiply your voice by having free services such as dlvr.it push your content out to many different platforms in a hands-off manner rather than simply blogging on one.If building your own website sounds like something you would like to do, but you are not yet sold then setting up a WordPress.com blogis a free option which is incredibly similar in functionality, and you have the option to actually upgrade to your own hosting and a private domain name later.Even if now is not the right time for you to take on another client, by connecting and interacting with them, you have a greater chance of them coming back to you for work in the future, or for them to recommend you to their network.Starting your own blogis an excellent way to direct potential clients to your work and can serve as a reference point for them to bookmark and come back to you.Grow your connections and network as much as possible. Engage with them and they’ll remember you.3) Answer the QuestionTime and time again you’ll see freelancers waffling in their applications and not answering specific questions asked by the client. Doing this will immediately put the client off and you’re likely to be blacklisted by them.You have to address their specific needs. You might be in business for yourself but without clients, you have no business as a freelance writer.That isn’t to say that you have to bow down to their every wish, however, you should always address their specific needs and requirements. Skirting around questions will signal to them that you’re either not interested or you’re unable to suit their needs.This is a much easier box to tick if you’re using a freelance platformâ€"such as UpWorkâ€"since you are unable to progress in your application if you haven’t ans wered their specific questions. If you are using this platform, a top tip is to provide as detailed as an answer where possible; this will show them that you are passionate about working with themas well as being passionate about your freelance business.While we’re discussing client specifics, if they specifically ask you to mention a keyword at the beginning of your application, make sure you do this. Don’t try and add it after you’ve done your application. Make it the first thing that you do!The reason for this is that many project owners receive spam applications, especially when they’re posting on freelance platforms. Requesting a keyword at the beginning of applications means that they can easily filter out the spammers and the scammersâ€"trust me, these people do exist.4) Be Led by the ClientIf a job description is short and to the point and is a one-off project, mirror that format in your application. The client most likely doesn’t want a 3-page application for thei r 3-line job description. They’re going to want to hire quickly and efficiently without having to wade through walls of text.On the contrary, if their job description and requirements are elaborate and convoluted then this is a sign that you need to go in-depth with your answers. A good way to approach this situation is to take a pen and piece of paper and write down the key areas of the job description and their requirements.Make sure that in your application you have addressed each and every one of these pointswhere possible.If you don’t meet one of their requirements, still address it in a way that shows them you’re still relevant for the job. For example, if they mention a specific educational requirement, you can mention that you’re looking to start a diploma in the subject in the next few months and are passionate about the subject matter.5) Divorce your Essay EducationWhat I mean by this is: Ensure your paragraphs are not convoluted and complex. Most people enjoy read ing short, punchy sentences with each paragraph only consisting of 2 to 3 sentences.This is a key feature of “web copy” and is commonly used in sales letters, blog posts, and general media content (this article you’re currently reading is a perfect example).Also, don’t use overly complex language, especially if the client isn’t doing the same in the job posting. They’ll be put off by this and might view you as being a poor fit for their requirementsâ€"adapt yourself to their style.6) The Fortune is in the Follow-upThis is becoming a rather cheesy, and overused quote. However, it’s highly relevant here.After you’ve applied for a freelance writing job, don’t just sit back on your laurels and wait for the client to interview you or contact you. There could be any number of reasons why they haven’t contacted you yet, so be proactive.Gently give them a nudge and follow up on your application. A good way to do this is to put the ball in their court and ask them if they have any questions following your application. You could also offer up a couple of dates for when you’re available to Skype to answer any questions they might have.Whatever you do don’t push them. It’s good to show proactivity, however, if you hound and badger them you’ll instantly put them off.Final WordsRemember to always put yourself in the client’s shoes. If you feel awkward during the application process, it’s likely that the job isn’t for you. The client will also pick up on this vibe; after all, words have power and meaning.At all times, be yourselfand don’t promise something you can’t deliver. It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver than to promise the world without ever showing up.Your reputation is on the line. So most of all, enjoy the application process and make sure your passion for freelance writing shines through.Best of luck!

Whats Your Job Board - CareerAlley

Whats Your Job Board - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. So many job boards, so little time! As Ive mentioned in previous posts, the goal is not to sign-up with every job board and every recruiter. Even though I am a fan of a broad based marketing campaign, you should limit the resources used to those job boards which cover your industry/field. Todays post will cover generic job search sites not previously covered on CareerAlley. Juju.com This sites main screen has a simple interface with a basic keyword/location search screen. There is an Advanced Job Search link as well as links by category, location, company and keyword. Juju searchs for job across company career sites and job boards. There is no resume posting, no registration and no ability to add saved search criteria with job alerts. As an example, a basic search of Finance jobs in NY returned over 5,000 jobs which can be sorted by date, relevance or distance. 4jobs.com Get Your Career on the Fast Track is the tag line for this job search board. The site provides for job seeker registration and resume posting. In addition to job search, the site provides career resources, articles and advice. There is a simple job search function on the main page with Advanced Search, Search by Company and Job Search Directory which provides search by industry and state. Using the same search criteria as used for Juju (Finance in NY) returned 454 jobs (only 10% of what came up in the Juju search). Fresho Jobs The main page on this site is similar to many of the newer job boards. It has a clean and simple interface on the first page with the basic keyword/location search bar. You can sign-up/register for the site, although there is no option to upload your resume. Signing up does allow you to save your searches and create alerts. The main page also has links to popular industries. The site is still in beta test and this is a good thing since my initial search on Finance jobs in NY returned 8 (versus over 5,000 for juju.com and indeed.com had over 12,000). Nationjob.com -This is an interesting site with many options. You can click on the Communities tab for a listing of States with additional drill-downs to cities and the featured jobs in that city. Clicking on Industries provides the same functionality with jobs by type. The main page also has the basic search criteria as well as a list of featured employers. Lastly, there is a Personal Job Search Assistant function called PJ Scout which will personalize your search. The site also provides job job alerts. You will find that some job board sites are not worth your time for various reasons. Maybe the site is not robust enough or does not serve your industry/market. Whatever the case, dont waste too much time on the low value sites. more 27 Job Search Boards! Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook

Cover Letter Grab The HR Managers Attention

Cover Letter Grab The HR Managers Attention Who is the first person to see your resume when searching for a new job? It is usually the Human Resources Manager. That person probably will see dozens of resumes for a new job posting. It is imperative that you grab their attention with the cover letter to make them pause and look at your resume. You dont want your resume to be tossed to the side because of a sloppy cover letter or because you left out pertinent details. That is the quickest way to lose the prospect of a top executive position. Or any position for that matter. The cover letter needs to be as well thought out as your resume. It needs to enhance your resume by highlighting the qualifications you have for the job you are applying for. Things to consider are: Research well the position you are applying for. Highlight your qualifications for that position. Make sure you include any achievements in that area of expertise. Introduce yourself in the first paragraph. Tell them about yourself (briefly) and why you would be the perfect person for the job. Keep the cover letter to one page and make sure all spelling, punctuation and grammar are correct. HR managers will quickly toss you aside if the cover letter is illegible. If sending via snail mail, dont forget to sign the cover letter. Make sure your resume and cover letter are on good quality paper. I prefer White. Ivory tends to look dingy or dirty when compared with another candidates white resume. You dont have to list all of your jobs for the past 20 years. But, make sure your qualifications and other skills are included in a positive way. A strong, confident resume will go a long way in getting you in the door. You then have to carry that same confidence with a face-to-face interview. There are still a lot of executive positions in the job market, but qualifications alone wont get you there. Be sure to explain your problem solving skills, how you have helped any previous companies save money, or if you have experience with managing multiple people. Take a second look at your resume. If you think it needs improvement, consider using a resume writing service that will make your resume shine. Let the professionals help you stand out from the rest so you wont get tossed in the corner.