Summing Up 2021

 As 2021 winds down, I am having some issues trying to write a positive wrap-up. That explains why I have been rather quiet in recent weeks.

Our year started with the Insurrection and all of the fallout from that. As someone who studied Government back in my college days, that was a gut-wrenching time personally.

The ongoing Pandemic has been challenging for so many people and has caused such incredible devastation. The number of lives lost is unconscionable and inexcusable. The toll taken on our workforce at a variety of levels is unprecedented. Too many businesses were forced to close, merge, or sell off leading to job losses and struggles for the local economies they supported.

On the positive side, we have all become much more versatile in using virtual tools to conduct business, take interviews, attend worship services, visit with family, etc.! Doors have opened for many of us to perform remote consulting work which would not have been realistic in the past.

Among the lessons we have learned are to find ways to make workplaces healthier and safer, conduct more of our daily routines virtually, become more open minded, and adapt to our rapidly changing world. Some careers can be maintained virtually while an extremely large number do require onsite work. Hopefully, as 2022 begins, we will find ways to return in greater numbers to our old methods of operation while remaining safe, healthy, and respectful of others! Lynne Williams Ed.D. Candidate Janess Messner Paul Cecala, GCDF - Certified Career Coach Brian Ricci Jim Caporrimo Shel Grossman Bruce Mustacchi Kathilyn Esolda Buryk Paddy Viswanathan Elise Prezant Patty Kremen, Mark Chierici Suzanne (Helmold) Iacono

Tax Accountant Needed

 

My client is an accounting firm in Westfield NJ.  They need an experienced Accountant (5+ years) who has prepared and reviewed federal and state returns for individuals, partnerships and corporations.  Experience with ProSeries, LaCerte, and QuickBooks required. Candidates must be able to provide exemplary customer service.  This position is being offered on a temporary-to-perm basis.  All work must be done onsite, fulltime weekdays. Candidates must be willing and able to provide proof of vaccination against Covid 19.  Send resumes to Harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 104.

 

Contract Work in IT

 Experienced IT Support Specialist needed for 4-6 week project in the New Providence NJ area. Provide on-site support of a client who is recovering from a ransomware attack to include remapping of peripherals, shared drives, and other items as they develop. This has potential to lead to a permanent opportunity. Must be available to work strictly onsite during normal business hours. Contact Harold Levin at SmartStaff Personnel, harold@smartstaff.jobs or call 908-508-0300 ext. 104.

Our Evolving World

Our world today is evolving in many ways and every day certainly seems to be an adventure, albeit an adventure that most likely should not be discussed during a job interview. Once upon a time, I would jokingly advise candidates not to discuss anything more controversial than the weather on an interview. 'How about that storm we just had? Must have been caused by climate change!' Oh well, take weather off the table now!

'How about that football game last week. Gruden really coached well and Rodgers is a sly old player!' Nope, too controversial as well.

The best advice I can give to job seekers and hiring managers is to stick to the task of having a productive interview. Discuss the job opportunity, review the skills of the candidate, talk about the company overall. Steer clear of unrelated topics as our world is overflowing with hot button issues right now. Good luck!

Annoying Trend Returns

Now that companies are starting to post more job orders, a disturbing trend is back. Hiring managers are frequently asking why a) candidates were out of work for the past 12-18 months and b) why they took temporary positions and/or lower level opportunities. Apparently, the pandemic and its impact mean nothing to a lot of organizations. With all the complaints about the smaller than normal talent pool, one would think there would be some degree of flexibility. Sadly, that does not appear to be the case.

Paralegal Needed!!

Paralegal needed w/1-2 years in the Commercial Real Estate field. My client is a well established law firm in the Millburn NJ area. Full time, permanent, 100% onsite work, MUST have proof of Covid-19 vaccine. Resumes to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin at 908-508-0300, ext. 104. Recent grads (AA or BA or paralegal program) also welcome to apply.

Wasting Time!

 I hate to be negative but why would you respond to a job ad which clearly states 'all work must be performed onsite' if the header of your resume says, Looking for Remote Positions Only? You are wasting everyone's time by doing this!! Candidates absolutely have the right to look for whatever type of work they wish but please be mindful of the details of the ad before submitting your resume!

Senior Admin Role in NJ!

 Senior Administrative Assistant w/background in financial services or finance dept. of a company needed on a full time, permanent basis for my client on the Chatham NJ area. Hybrid for now but transitioning to 100% onsite as conditions improve. 4-6 yrs. related experience with proficiency in Excel. This individual will wear many hats. For details, contact Harold Levin at harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold at 908-508-0300, ext. 104. #jobs #finance #financialservices #Permjob #MorrisCountyNJ

Somber Message

 Some people will loudly disagree with me but I am going to say it anyway! If you are out of work, have exhausted your unemployment benefits and any severance pay you were receiving, it is time to go back to work at any capacity available. Regardless of the recent articles floating around saying that folks have applied for 50+ entry level jobs and only received one or two interviews, there are employers who will offer you a job. Will you use all of your past skills? No! Will you come close to what you used to earn before your jobs ended 12-36 months ago? Probably Not! Will it be easy to adjust to being an entry level employee doing all the 'grunt work'? No! Will you start to put some money into your wallet and be able to pay at least some of your bills? Yes! Is there a chance that you might just have opened a door to a totally new field? Yes! Will it be ideal? No! Is it worth a shot? Yes!

Holly Ann Everett Paddy Viswanathan Carmen M. Sapara Paul Cecala Elise Prezant Patty Kremen, Dale Favia Jan Goodman David Schuchman Pinar Hanna Susan Brenner Ed Han @Charles Ahr

Administrative Opportunity!

 Our client, a synagogue in the greater Somerville NJ area, is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented individual to serve as their Administrative Assistant, providing administrative and logistical support for the temple’s clergy and a broad range of congregational activities. Attention to detail, thorough and timely communications, efficient processes, and use of various technologies are critical. The Administrative Assistant reports jointly to the Executive Director and the Clergy.

Skills:

· Strong administrative, clerical, and customer service skills

· Strong verbal and written communication skills, strong problem solving instincts

· Close attention to detail and ability to plan ahead; able to work seamlessly in a team environment

Experience

· Minimum of 2-5 years of commensurate experience in an administrative role

· Experience in a synagogue setting or Jewish organization a plus.

· Proficient in various technology platforms and proven ability to learn new ones.

Work Schedule:

This is a part time, temp-to-perm, role of approximately 30 to 32 hours a week spread over four days including at least two days till 6 PM. ed. PLEASE NOTE: This job requires 100% onsite work and is not a remote opportunity!

Resumes should be submitted to harold@smartstaff.jobs or call Harold Levin, SmartStaff Personnel, at 908-508-0300, ext. 104.

Excellent Opportunity for Job Seekers

 The Greater Raritan One Stop Career Center Training Services is pleased to present this program in collaboration with JFS:

"Align Your Potential by Identifying Your Natural Abilities"

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 7-9 pm via Zoom

Multiple Natures is a career discovery, job transition, 

recruitment and life coaching assessment. Each person has a unique set of traits which provides a predisposition towards different types of work and activities. Multiple Natures assists individuals in their quest for self-improvement and finding the flow to fulfill their true potential.

To help understand yourself and make better decisions for your

life, attend this workshop with Multiple Natures Practitioner

Jan Goodman. Unlock the secret of your unique natures so you

can identify and engage your natural abilities to the highest level!

Space is limited and preregistration is required.

Each workshop participant must take the Multiple Natures

assessment in advance.

To pre-register, please contact Jan Goodman at: (908) 704-6351 or jgoodman@co.somerset.nj.us

Links to the assessment will be provided via email on Monday, September 20th.

Assessments must be completed no later than Tuesday, September 28th. Please bring a smartphone, laptop or tablet with you to the Oct. 6th workshop to review your report results.

Final reports will be sent via email during the session

Salary Concerns

There is a disturbing trend where employers are paying new hires more to do the same work as long time employees. Much of this is caused by the severe shortage of capable job candidates available today. While it is understandable why pay rates are up, shouldn't employers also reward those who have stood by them for many years, especially during the ongoing Pandemic? What incentive is there for those who have not been rewarded to remain at their workplace? I look forward to receive your observations and thoughts on this topic. Paul Cecala, Certified Career Coach (he/him/his) Brian Ricci Carmen Anello Carmen M. Sapara Ed Han Suzanne (Helmold) Iacono Debra Yarnall Bob Goldman Robert Kuller Robin Osman Elise Prezant Patty Kremen, Lynne Williams Ed.D. Candidate Charles Ahr Bruce Mustacchi Kathilyn Esolda Buryk Aaron Bergman Peter Walsh

Changes in the Workplace

 We live in a rapidly evolving work environment. Reactions like this are precisely what I anticipated. Being held accountable virtually needed to be a part of the new equation. Eventually, a revamped normalcy will fall into place. 

Korn Ferry976,135 followers4d • 4 days ago

A surprising 24% of executives say their firms have dismissed staffers for mistakes on virtual meetings, as office professionalism collides with remote work.

https://krnfy.bz/2VwFU7u

#careers #remotework #workfromhome #wfh #virtualmeetings #humanresource #hr

You're Fired--for a Mistake on Zoom

kornferry.com • 3 min read