For more than a quarter-century, the
Career Development Center at
Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh has offered workshops and career counseling to people in a wide array of industries.
Some are fresh out of school and seeking advice on launching a career. Others have reached a plateau, and want guidance on pushing further ahead. Still others, especially during times of economic slow-down, seek advice on landing a job after losing one. Workshop leader Joe D'Anna has seen it all.
"We've been around for 25-plus years, and anybody is welcome here," says D'Anna, who recently taught his 500th career counseling
workshop at JFCS. How does D'Anna advise workers coping with the current recession? Preparation is more important
than ever, he says, if applicants want to stand out in a crowd.
Pittsburgh's job market is highly competitive, with top-notch talent
vying for many positions.
Resumes must be polished, and job seekers must be proactive about networking.
"Over the years, it's always proven to be that about 80 percent of jobs found are found through the networking phase," D'Anna says. "The other 20 percent is the posted job market." People are beginning to realize that networking is vital, he says, and are pushing themselves to pursue contacts and publicize their job search even if networking doesn't come naturally to them.
Although Pittsburgh has fared better than many cities during this
current economic downturn, D'Anna's workshops often include participants in their
'50s who have been downsized. Networking is especially vital for these mid- and late-career workers. Many are finding that as the whole nation copes with unemployment, they feel little stigma in spreading the word that they are job-hunting, he says.
The nonprofit Career Development Center, located at the JFCS headquarters in Squirrel Hill, is open to any person at any stage of their career.
Writer: Melissa Rayworth
Source: Joe D'Anna/Kelly O'Brien, Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh
Image of D'Anna teaching courtesy of Jewish Family & Children's Service of Pittsburgh
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