Q&A With the SBH Career Team

Sophia Safdieh Waingort

The SBH Albert J. Sutton and Sam N. Sutton Career Division supports all employment needs in our community. Their goal is to assist both employers fill positions and job seekers find the perfect role. The exemplary SBH Career team helps people develop everything from their interview skills to their resumes, offers free computer training, job coaching, internship programs (and much more) and ultimately places seekers into positions that are right for them. The Career Division is determined to help individuals navigate today’s job market.

We asked a few members of the SBH Career Division team to share their tips for helping anyone looking to make a career move.

WHAT ARE 3 THINGS YOU CAN DO IN A NEW JOB TO HELP YOURSELF GROW AND PROGRESS?

Sophia Shamah
Young Professional Program Coordinator

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
2. Listen always
3. Get to know your team and learn from them

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO BOOST YOUR HIREABILITY TO POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS?

Rita Shabot
Director of SBH Career Division

Almost every job today—from teaching to sales—requires really strong computer skills. We hear it over and over again from our employers, “The candidate must know Excel,” or “QuickBooks knowledge is very helpful.” It’s because of this that SBH Career has developed a robust catalogue of free computer courses offered on Zoom. The classes are tailored to meet the needs of today’s competitive work environment.

WHAT ARE 5 QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ASK IN AN INTERVIEW?

Sophia Shamah
Young Professional Program Coordinator

An interview isn’t just a way for the hiring team to learn about you, but for you to learn more about the new role you may take on. Following are a few great questions that can help you learn more.

1. What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
2. Can you describe the working culture of the
   company?
3. What are some challenges I might face in this
   position?
4. How does the company measure success in this role?
5. Do you have any concerns or questions about
   my qualifications?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE ‘FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT’ METHOD WHEN STARTING A NEW JOB?

Sheri Solomon
Employment Coordinator:

To some degree, that can be true, however the best practice is to ask questions and take notes on the job. Questions allow employees to learn about their new role, and become more educated and savvy—which will help them perform well!

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE ABOUT STARTING A NEW JOB?

Sigalit Mizrahy Job Developer

When starting a new job you have to switch gears from what you are used to doing in your old company and learn the ropes in the new company. This can be challenging at times as you need to learn office culture including the work environment policies, leadership, goals, values, and mission. In addition, you also have to be trained and absorb all new information, programs and needs of the company.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME FOR A CAREER CHANGE?

Nathan Rudy NJ Job Developer

Well, sometimes the handwriting is on the wall so that’s when it’s easy, but when it’s not it can be a difficult decision. Markets fluctuate often, businesses are cyclical, so being able to ride those dips is important. Often starting something new “resets the clock” and that can make maintaining a certain lifestyle even more difficult, so the decision to make a career change is a tough one. My father Abe Rudy A”H used to say, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Be happy doing what you do. For those lucky enough to be in a field that they’re passionate about, when that passion is gone, when work “feels like a chore,” maybe then is a good time to consider a career change.

Is it ever too late to make a career change?

I would say, no. You are never too old to learn something new, find passion in something that you’ve never done before, or to finally chase down that role that you always wanted. We should strive to learn something new every day, so exploring a new career can easily be a part of that.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON FROM A JOB?

Celia Shasho-Blecher Job Developer

Generally, I think there are a few ways to tell that you may be in need of some change. Firstly, feeling stagnant in your position, and that there isn’t much room for growth. Next, feeling ready to take on something new in your current area or explore a totally different area than the one you are currently in. Of course, needing more income is a huge factor for many; moving positions can often offer an opportunity to negotiate a higher salary with a potential employer. And finally, working in an environment that you do not enjoy, including feeling like you have a toxic relationship with your co-workers.

The SBH Career Division offers daily computer classes that teach computer skills that help the individual gain more experience to find a job or excel in their current role. They are determined to help members of our community find jobs, whether through resume building, referrals, and even by directly contacting a business. Reach out to the Career Division at www.sbhcareer.org to get help today!

Sophia Safdieh Waingort is the development marketing manager at SBH. She has recently graduated from Sarah Lawrence with a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction.