The PCS Job-Seeker’s Guide
Classified Information
PART ELEVEN IN A SERIES

In the last installment of this guide, job seekers were advised to devote only a small portion of their job search time to the want-ads listed in the newspaper; the intense competition generated by advertised openings as well as the fact that most jobs are not advertised to the general public make this particular approach to job hunting less effective than other methods.
 
That having been said, it is important to remember that using the help-wanted section of the newspaper does have its place in an overall job-search strategy.
After all, half of all jobseekers do answer job ads, and half of them land jobs in this way. The key to effective job hunting through the classifieds is to respond quickly and fully, showing how you meet the ad’s exact requirements. If your qualifications perfectly match the job description, respond by sending in your resume, with a general cover letter. If they don’t, a more detailed letter should be included.
 
Some other want-ad tips:
 
Be consistent. Check the newspaper every day.
Learn how to read the ads. Jobs are listed alphabetically by title, but job titles can be tricky—especially when a creative hiring manager is making them up.
 
To avoid missing a choice opportunity, be sure to read all the ads.
 
Develop a system for keeping track of the ads you’ve responded to and the date on which you did so.
 
Learn to “read between the lines”. If a job listing sounds to good to be true– offering an unusually large starting salary, for instance– it probably is. The job that is being advertised probably has lots of pressure, little or no room for advancement and a high “burn out” rate. Search instead, for jobs offered by companies that enjoy good names and reputations.
 
Know what to expect. Most advertised jobs generate dozens of responses; choice positions in large companies can generated more than a thousand. Only two out of
every one hundred people who answer an ad will be asked to interview for the position. When applying to large companies, expect a four to six week wait before hearing anything at all. 

Keep in mind that job openings are also advertised on the Internet and through employment agencies. As with the help-wanted section of the newspaper, it is important to regularly monitor these sources, checking the Internet daily and following up with your employment agency or placement office every two weeks.

If you know of a job opening please contact Professional Career Services at 732.905.9700[email protected]

Agudath Israel of Lakewood, NJ, Community Services, Inc.
Yoel Tolwinski, Director of Placements     
Shoshana  Smulowitz, Director of Placements     
Daniel Soloff, Director

Agudath Isreal of America, Community Services
Moshe Tyberg,
Avraham Kahn
Daniel Soloff

(This article first appeared in the Hamodia)