3 Job Myths for Immigrant Lawyers in Israel

3 Job Myths for Immigrant Lawyers in Israel 43 Guest blogger Yehuda tells you how he quickly found work as a lawyer after making aliya. I Have A Dream Since I was 16 years old, I knew I wanted to make aliya. Of course, at that age I wasn't the most financially independent individual so the dream had to wait. In the meantime, I went to law school in Canada, got called to the Bar in 1999, worked in the private sector and eventually got a job with the Canadian Department of Justice in Ottawa. During those early years in my career, I was insisting to everyone who wanted to hear that yes, I still wanted to move to Israel. My enthusiasm was met with the usual skepticism heard by every lawyer or law student thinking of aliya: “Great, just what Israel needs â€" another Jewish lawyer!” “Israel has 40,000 lawyers already, the highest level per capita. How can you compete?” “Lawyers earn peanuts in Israel” “Your Hebrew will never be as good as that of native Israelis” “The Bar exams are really difficult, even Israelis fail them” “You should have gone into hi-tech instead!” To which I would respond “but I know people in Israel who said they would help me!” Needless to say, this last bit didn't inspire confidence in my detractors. Taking the Plunge Shaken but undeterred, I made aliya at the end of 2006 with Nefesh B'Nefesh â€" G-d bless them â€" along with my wife and 3-month-old baby.eval My credibility was at stake here. If I managed to find a decent job, I'd be vindicated, my integrity maintained, my gutsiness admired! And if I failed, I'd come back one your later humiliated and humbled, forced to concede defeat. Must….find…..job…. How I Did It I contacted every single person I knew who might be able to help me. Protexia is the name of the game, is it not? There were a few leads but nothing amazing. I found that salaries for lawyers in the government start out really low unless you can get a job at one of the para-governmental agencies like the Bank of Israel, the Anti-trust Authority or the Securities Authority. So I decided to focus on the private sector.eval Since I knew nothing about Israeli law firms, I contacted a recruiting firm specializing in law jobs in Israel. The recruiters were extremely helpful in guiding me and advising me about the local market. To my surprise, I managed to get interviews in many large firms â€" mostly in Tel Aviv of course â€" with some pretty decent offers. I decided on a medium-sized firm in Jerusalem, closer to where I'm currently residing. Why was I surprised? I wasn't expecting to have these types of options because I had no experience as a commercial/corporate lawyer. Sure, I had drafted small contracts in the past, and with an LL.M in business law I had a pretty good knowledge of the business world, but I didn't have big-firm corporate experience. That didn't play in my favor, but the fact that I spoke English and had demonstrated a good set of legal skills managed to convince prospective employers that I could do the job. The Myths I Encountered All in all, the job search lasted all of one (1) month and I was duly rewarded, something for which I'm extremely grateful. Of interest to the JobMob community, though, is that many myths about jobs for lawyers in Israel were debunked in the process. Here are the key lessons I've learned so far: Myth #1: there are no good law jobs out there Wrong! If you speak and write English above the grade 6 level, you can do very well â€" Israeli law firms with an international practice badly need native English speakers. In that sense, lawyers making aliyah are not at all competing with native Israelis because our advantages lie in a different market. So all this talk about there being 40,000 lawyers in Israel is, in my humble opinion, nonsense. Myth #2: Lawyers in Israel earn bubkes and change Wrong! Salaries for lawyers are not bad at all! Average salary for the articling period (“hitmachut“) is around NIS 6,000 per month on average. It can hit NIS 7,000-8,000 in the larger firms. Not great money, true, but once you're called to the Bar, it jumps and you'll begin earning very decent money by Israeli standards. Ok, so it's not Bill Gates money. It's not even Donald Trump money. But it's enough to live normally without feeling strapped for cash every month. Myth #3: Without protexia you're nothing Wrong again! Yes, protexia helps, but there's enough demand out there that you don't need to rely on it. In fact, through the legal recruiter I did not use any protexia to land interviews and get offers. Bonus little-known fact The Misrad Haklita (Ministry of Absorption) grants prospective employers a subsidy of approximately NIS 2,500 to hire a mitmacheh (articling student). These grants are meant as an incentive to encourage them to take on a mitmacheh who made aliya. Presumably, that money should be passed down to you as an addition to your salary. This comes in handy if you want to apply, say, at the Ministry of Justice, where budgets are so tightly controlled. Conclusion In short, there is work out there for foreign lawyers in Israel, and the salary is nothing to complain about. The key is to focus on the needs of the Israeli market â€" English speaking lawyers with solid legal skills, primarily in business law. Even if you're not interested in business law, there are other types of opportunities â€" at the Ministry of Justice for instance â€" but they are rare. In any case, with a sufficiently good skill set and a solid CV, the odds are in your favor. With that in mind, good luck to all those thinking about aliya. Remember the words of the great Justice Brandeis when he said “Im tirzu, ein zo agada” â€" “If you will it, it is no dream”. Wait, was that Brandeis or Herzl? Either way, it's not a pipe dream: immigrant lawyers do make it in Israel. If you liked this article, you'll also enjoy Why Immigrant Lawyers in Israel Must Watch TV. This article was the second entry in the 2007 JobMob Guest Blogging Contest. Enjoy this testimony?

6 Tech Tricks You Need in Your Back Pocket

6 Tech Tricks You Need in Your Back Pocket If you want your business to not only survive but thrive, you must be tech savvy. Technological innovation is inevitableâ€"there is no getting around itâ€"and as time progresses, both our personal and work lives will become even further entangled in the world of technology. For this reason, embracing technological change is a necessity if you wish to stay ahead of the curve. When it comes to computers, very few people realize how many commands and tasks they are capable of performing which will speed up workflow and optimize their work process. If you take the time to familiarize yourself with your computer, you will be amazed by how many things you never knew your machine could do. Below, you will find some of the best tech trips you need to keep in your back pocket. Keyboard Shortcuts While you likely know how to cut and paste, odds are you are unaware of all the keyboard shortcuts that can speed up typing or systems navigation. In Windows, some important shortcuts include: Alt + F â€" File menu options in the current program Alt + F4 â€" Close current program Alt + Tab â€" Switch between open programs Ctrl + A â€" Select all text Ctrl + F â€" Find window for current document or window Ctrl + K â€" Insert a hyperlink into text Ctrl + P â€" Print current page Ctrl + S â€" Save the current document Ctrl + Shift + Esc â€" Open Windows Task Manager Ctrl + Y â€" Redo the last action Ctrl + Z â€" Undo the last action If you are a Mac user, check out this article for some similar keyboard shortcuts. Partition Your Hard Drive Computers typically have one physical hard disk drive known as “C: drive.” Few people are aware of the fact that you can have a partition hard drive, which means simply splitting the hard disk into logical disks that your computer will view as separate drives. Partitions protect your computer and data in the case of a system failure; they allow you to use multiple operating systems on the same computer, they improve performance, and they allow you to organize your data in a clear fashion. While it may take a little time and research to perform this, the benefits to multiple partitions far exceed the time costs required to get them set up and going. IFTTT One of the best tech tools that will upgrade your work life is IFTTT. This abbreviation stands for “If this then that,” and is meant to increase workflow and organization. IFTTT was created because apps, devices, and internet commands often run into conflict with one another, leading to errors and slowdowns. This tool lets you organize your activities, automate tasks, send reminders and notifications, and help you manage and optimize your workflow. Create a Control Panel Shortcut You likely were unaware of the fact that you can enter a command and create an entire list of clickable control panel shortcuts. If you are on a Windows PC, create a new folder wherever you feel like. Once you have created it, name it, “Control Panel Shortcuts.{ed7ba470-8e54-465e-825c-99712043e01c}.” You will gain access to the entire control panel shortcuts from a single place within the folder, which makes operating your computer infinitely easier. Utilize a Paperless File Box One of the most important tools from the 5 must-have tech tools list is Evernote. Evernote is an organizational powerhouse app that lets you capture ideas, order tasks, and manage files and data. This app is meant to be a digital file box, allowing you to scan and keep important papers, notes, contracts, presentations, and just about anything else your business needs to protect. Browser Extensions Browser extensions can exponentially increase workflow and speed up searches. Check out this list of browser extensions with add-ons that can customize and prioritize pages, improve your search history, organize your files, or take notes instantly. Conclusion By familiarizing yourself with your computer and understanding its capabilities, you can open up a whole world of tools that you would never have known were just waiting to be used. Check out these tech tricks, and you will be sure to optimize your workflow and organization.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Focus Creativity to Achieve Results

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese How to Focus Creativity to Achieve Results Are you an idea monkey? According to G. Michael Maddock, author of Free the Idea Monkeyto Focus on What Matters Most, an idea monkey is someone who can produce lots ofnew thoughts, concepts or ideason demand and is ready to pour his or her abundant creative energies into working with others. But while this may make such a personmore valuable in the workplaceat a time when organizations are craving innovation, it also can make him or her a giant pain in the butt. Thats probably not news to anyone who has to lead or manage such people. While it may seem great when an idea monkey pops up with We could do this, this and this! the manager knows he or she is going to have to figure out a way toharness all that creative energyand mold it into into a workable plan. In an interview with Anita Bruzzese, Maddock explains how a leader can survive working with such energetic, creative types without losing focus and killing the creative spark of the idea monkey. AB: How can a leader benefit from working with an idea monkey? CMM: Research indicates that as much as 54% of a stocks value is based on ideas you havent even thought of yet. Idea monkeys can help your company build a balanced innovation portfolio. New products, services and business models create higher margins and happier and more loyal customers. The greatest leaders play to their strengths. Working with a great idea monkey may liberate you to focus on process, operations or strategy instead of trying to brainstorm whats next for your company. AB: What are some ways to keep an idea monkey on track without killing their creativity? CMM: 1)Celebrate their talent.The ability to create dozens of unique ideas on command is a superhero power. Make sure your creative people know it. Telling them how much you respect their ability to be creative and maybe even admitting you dont share the same gift is a great way to show respect and honor their creative genius. 2)Humbly bring them a SPECIFIC challenge.Too many ideas can be distracting, particularly when they have nothing to do with the challenges that are keeping you (read more here)

Dream Career Guide

Dream Career Guide Todays guest post comes from Logan Strain If you are amongst the people who really know what kind of career you want to be in, count your blessings. Many people struggle to even make it to that point. But now that you have a firm idea of what position would really take advantage of your skills and interests, you’re probably facing the next big challenge: actually getting the job. Making that leap won’t happen overnight, and will probably take a lot of networking, job prospecting, and resume sending before you land that coveted position. However, there is one big thing that you can do today that will make all of that focus and effort a whole lot easier: start. There is a psychological phenomenon called the Zeigarnik Effect which is massively useful to job seekers who know how to use it. It observes that when you start a task, that task firmly sticks your mind until it is completed. Just knowing that there is unfinished business puts your brain to work. Since people think about the incomplete task so often, they become more motivated to see it through and are able to find more creative solutions. So if you wanted to harness the motivation you need to pursue your career change until it happens, it would be a smart idea to take a small â€" but meaningful â€" step towards what you ultimately want to accomplish. Here are four ways you can harness the Zeigarnik Effect to focus your brain towards accomplishing  a successful career jump. Adjust Your Resume to Highlight Your Relevant Skills If the job you want is different than any job you’ve had before (and considering you want to switch, it is), then you need to create a new resume that highlights your potential aptitude. Try and think about what sort of skills a hiring manager wanting to fill your dream job is looking for, and then craft a resume that showcases those skills. Tweaking your resume for your new career will take you less than an hour, but it will be a big and important first step. Buy Business Cards With Your Goal Job Title Carrying around business cards with the job you eventually want to be doing is a potent motivator. All of a sudden your next job, and your new life, isn’t just an idea you have in your head. It is something that is part of the real world and made permanent with ink and paper. Keeping the card in your wallet will remind you of your goal every time you pay for something. Get a Library Book Pursuing a new career means that you have a lot of learning to do. What sorts of decisions will you have to make when you get your new job? What is the industry like? What are the different strategies and tactics people use?  What are the biggest success stories? What are some of the most notorious failures? There is absolutely no reason to wait until you get an offer letter from you dream job until you start educating yourself. Go down to your local library and borrow at least one book that covers the kind of information that a person with your perfect career wants to know. This will put you down the path towards making your career change a reality, plus you will be much better equipped to handle the challenges once you actually get your new job. Subscribe to An Industry MagazineBlog Since every industry is always changing, every career is always changing as well. Make it a point to stay abreast of the newest information coming out of the sector that you want to work in by subscribing to an industry magazine or prominent blog. Every time you read more hot-off-the-press information about your desired career path, you will feel more confident that you can make the leap. Obviously, none of the above actions will help you get into your new job by themselves.  Your personal switch will only happen after you can successfully present your unique experience, skills, and abilities to the right people. But taking these sorts of small steps towards what you want to achieve will give you the mindset you need to take on such a big challenge. Now Your Turn Id love to hear your thoughts, so fire away. Tell me: Whats the single thing youve done thats helped spur you towards your dream career? bolandrotor via Compfight cc

How to navigate the working world as an introvert

How to navigate the working world as an introvert Many people have highlighted that the world we live in now values a Culture of Personality â€" the more extroverted, gregarious, and social you are, the better you’ll do in your job, right? But this definitely isn’t the case. Navigating the working world as an introvert may be a little more difficult nowadays, but have you ever considered that introversion provides you with a lot of valuable skills? Dealing with open-plan offices Given that introverts tend to become overwhelmed by ‘stimulating’ environments (busy or loud places with many distractions) open-plan offices can be a nightmare. In Susan Cain’s book Quiet, she describes open plan offices as making “people sick, hostile, unmotivated, and insecure”. It would be great if open plan offices could be avoided, but for many introverts they are a necessary evil. Investing in some noise cancelling headphones, however, could help to minimise noise and distractions and allow you to thrive at your desk. Prepare for meetings in advance Meetings can be an area where introverts struggle while extroverts flourish, as it can sometimes be difficult to get your ideas across or even heard at all. Extroverts tend to be better improvisers, and many would be happy turning up to a meeting and coming up with ideas during the discussion. If the idea of this makes you uncomfortable, preparation is key. Ask your boss to notify you in advance about meetings so you have time to prepare. Although it’s nerve-wracking, speaking first in a meeting might benefit you equally â€" that way, you’re guaranteed to get your voice heard. Use your listening skills to the max While many jobs insist on great communication skills, being able to listen is an incredibly valuable and underrated skill that could even make or break certain situations. By taking time to listen to a client, customer, or co-worker, you can ensure you completely understand what they want from you. In a debate situation, attentive and intuitive listening can even help you fight your corner more effectively, as you’re truly taking on board what the other person is saying. Listening is something introverts are naturally good at, so why not use your skills to your advantage? You can lead in your own way Don’t let your introversion hold you back from leadership. A study at Harvard Business School found that introverts actually make better leaders due to their ability to listen to their team â€" another reason to use those listening skills. An ability to make close one-on-one connections also makes a great leader. By building close connections with your co-workers, you can strengthen the team you’re leading. Make sure to take time for yourself Many work places encourage socialising by organising team building days or work dos, and while this may be great for extroverts, it can be extremely taxing for introverts. Spending too much time socialising can result in a burn out, or make you ill, so it’s important to take some time to yourself. So, there’s no need to feel guilty if you’d rather spend the evening binge-watching Netflix than going for drinks with your office pals. Take inspiration from successful introverts If you’re an introvert, there are plenty of successful people you can take inspiration from. Barack Obama, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bill Gates, J.K. Rowling, and Meryl Streep are all introverts who have become successful in their own right. What’s stopping you from doing the same? Connect with Debut on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more careers insights.

5 Job Search Tips for College Grads and Entry Level Job Seekers - CareerAlley

5 Job Search Tips for College Grads and Entry Level Job Seekers - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. I often get asked by recent college grads what they can do to improve their chances of getting a job once they graduate. The answer, of course, depends on when you start the college grad job search process. Ideally, you would have had several internships during your college years and, while you think it might be too late to do that, think again (more on this later). Of course you might think that the most important tip is make sure you have a great resume. And while you wouldnt be entirely wrong, you wouldnt be entirely right either. Theres a long list of things that contribute to your ability to find a job after graduation. My top 5 follow below. Suggested Reading:Go Forth and Get a Job!: A Job Search Guide for College Grads Interview Skills: The company I work for was recently going through a hiring process for entry level grads. I interviewed approximately 5 recent grads and was shocked at their interview skills. There was little or no preparation on the candidates part. Interview preparation is the most important part of the job search process. So where should you focus? 17 Sample Job Interview Questions With Answers Most Asked Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them Research: Why do you want to work at XYZ company? They are going to ask and the expectation is that youve done a bunch of research on the company and know all about it. If you dont, the interviewer will think you are not serious and this will probably cost you the job. There are so many resources available to job searchers today to help with the company research process. Google Search Yes, very obvious, but have you done it? LinkedIn There is a wealth of information on LinkedIn, you just need to know where to find it. Find the company where you will have your interview and read as much as you can about it. Look to see which of your LinkedIn connections work at the company or are linked to someone who works at the company. Leverage this information get the inside scoop. Research Using the Web to Research a Potential Employer Your Resume: Yes, your resume is very important, but since youve not really had many (or possibly any) meaningful jobs there wont be much on your resume. So what to do? Take a look at entry level resume samples to get some ideas on format and content. Talk to the adviser at your College Career Center and ask for some help with creating your resume. Talk with family friends and relatives who are working in your industry/career choice. Entry Level Resume Examples 5 Steps to a Great Resume Internships (its never too late): Never did those internships during college? Or maybe you did do some internships but want more experience. Either way, it is not unusual to do an internship after graduation. If you are having difficulty finding a job in your industry, you should consider an internship as a stepping stone. Should you take an internship after you graduate? Postgraduation Internships The Right One Could Lead to a Full-Time Job Find a Mentor: A mentor can be an enormous help in both, finding a job and helping you advance in your career. While they wont specifically help you find a job (dont expect them to track down leads or write your resume), they can give advice on helping edit your resume, picking the right company and keeping your career on track. How to Find a Mentor to Help You Go Further, Faster How To Find A Mentor Pursue AdditionalEducation Sometimes a Bachelors Degree is not enough to impress a potential employer, yet graduate school seems unrealistic to many recent college students. Online degrees, however, offer a solid middle ground for most recent graduates and they allow you to pursue a number of graduate degrees, such as a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice. Even if you already have a Bachelors degree in this field, a Masters will keep your mind fresh with information about recent cases. And in the end, it will only help put your resume and cover letter closer to the top of the pile. 7 Tips for Landing Your First Job as a College Grad How to Perfect Your Elevator Pitc We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

Resume Services - How to Get Started

Resume Services - How to Get StartedIf you're looking for resume services Columbus Ohio, there are many people in this town that can help you get the job you want. The nice thing about working with these professionals is that they can not only provide a resume for you to get you started, but they can also give you advice on how to effectively make your resume stand out. These are some things that most people have a problem with when it comes to their resumes. Here are some tips to help you get started.Make sure that your resume has an address letter on it. Include any information about yourself and your past employment, including skills that you have and where you worked before. This is something that employers will take into consideration when they are reviewing your resume.Write about yourself. Think about how you would like your resume to look. Some people prefer bullet points and others prefer a more professional look. It's up to you to decide what kind of resume you want to use. If you're not very organized, be sure to use the space that is clearly marked as a page number.Use an Arial font for all of your text. This is considered professional. Also, stick to one company name per page. It's the companies of your past work experience that are most important. The name of the company is what the employer will remember on their first reading of your resume.Try not to use too many numbers or dates. These things aren't used much and they will take away from the professionalism of your resume. They are also easy to change.Employers love background check services and check if you have the right references to prove your credibility. It's important to use those references and use them liberally. Tell them about everything that will help them better understand your abilities.If you have any family members or friends that might be able to vouch for you, put their names on your resume. For this reason, include a phone number, email address, and anything else that can pr ovide evidence to support your claims. Also, give them some personal information that will show how much you care about them and your past.Don't underestimate the power of name recognition that a name is something that a potential employer can see and say 'Hey, this is the guy I want to hire.' A good resume should never be underestimated. If you're looking for resume services Columbus Ohio, you'll find plenty of people who can help you with that.