What is Job Road?
Job Road offers 1-on-1 job counseling solely for students currently or formerly enrolled in Community Impact's J.E.E.P. Programs (Jobs and Education Empowerment Project), including: TASC (high school equivalency), ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and CAT Prep (CUNY Assessment Test Prep) . At Job Road, we offer assistance with job searching, interviewing skills, resume and cover letter writing, and more!
For further information on current job opportunities, please see the Featured Jobs tab under Student Support Services - Job Resources. If you are a TASC, ESOL, or CAT Prep student and are interested in Job Road services, please contact a Job Road team member at 212-854-4500 or by emailing team.jobroad@gmail.com!
For further information on current job opportunities, please see the Featured Jobs tab under Student Support Services - Job Resources. If you are a TASC, ESOL, or CAT Prep student and are interested in Job Road services, please contact a Job Road team member at 212-854-4500 or by emailing team.jobroad@gmail.com!
Our team consists of Columbia University students from various departments. Each of us brings our unique background and professional experience to the table in order to best assist you on your employment and career journey!
What We Do & Online Resources |
Discovery
Living In New York City
One of the greatest concerns of living in New York City is "cost." The cost of food, housing and transportation can easily drain your pocket. Three great bits of advice: live within your means, find a good job, and don't buy a car. The more you own, the more you spend. But the more you earn, the more you can spend. So, here is where to start:
7 Ways to Get a Job in NYC:
It could all start with a simple conversations! Talk to people who you already know, and reach out to others including the following:
Need a job? Get started with a Job Zone account:
Create Your New Job Zone Account
Job Zone is a New York State website that is a great Career Tool for adults! JobZone is an interactive resource to help adults manage their careers. It is the perfect tool for:
If you need assistance in navigating the website and getting started, please reach out to a Job Road Counselor at Community Impact! We're here to help!
Living In New York City
One of the greatest concerns of living in New York City is "cost." The cost of food, housing and transportation can easily drain your pocket. Three great bits of advice: live within your means, find a good job, and don't buy a car. The more you own, the more you spend. But the more you earn, the more you can spend. So, here is where to start:
7 Ways to Get a Job in NYC:
It could all start with a simple conversations! Talk to people who you already know, and reach out to others including the following:
- Your Personal and Professional Networks
- Alumni Groups
- Sports Leagues, Teams and Social Clubs
- Dog Parks
- Volunteer Work
- Coffee Shops
- Happy Hours
Need a job? Get started with a Job Zone account:
Create Your New Job Zone Account
Job Zone is a New York State website that is a great Career Tool for adults! JobZone is an interactive resource to help adults manage their careers. It is the perfect tool for:
- Planning your future
- Organizing your job search
- Exploring your career interests and skills
- Developing customized resumes
- Taking a career skills assessment
- Exploring more than 800 careers
If you need assistance in navigating the website and getting started, please reach out to a Job Road Counselor at Community Impact! We're here to help!
Two men speak with each other at a job fair
Job Fairs and Networking
Looking for a more professional networking setting? A great benefit of living in New York City is that you find an endless support of people who are ready to help you in your job search. There are many opportunities to sharpen your networking skills and also to meet people from companies that are hiring.
Where to Start?
Looking for a more professional networking setting? A great benefit of living in New York City is that you find an endless support of people who are ready to help you in your job search. There are many opportunities to sharpen your networking skills and also to meet people from companies that are hiring.
Where to Start?
- Job Zone has a feature where it allows you to find information about job fairs happening near you. You will first need to login to your JobZone account in order to access the list of job fairs.
- If you have access to social media, Facebook Meetup allows you to find and join professional meetings.
- To find people in your field or field of interest, go to Job Stars USA. This is a newer platform for individuals looking to build stronger professional relationships with people already in the field!
Where To Start Searching For Jobs
Apart from meeting people face to face, you can also be efficient in your job search by sitting in the comfort of your home and exploring a variety of job opportunities online. We have put together 10 websites that have been very helpful to our students. Meet with us at Job Road to learn more about each website:
Apart from meeting people face to face, you can also be efficient in your job search by sitting in the comfort of your home and exploring a variety of job opportunities online. We have put together 10 websites that have been very helpful to our students. Meet with us at Job Road to learn more about each website:
- Monster
- Craigslist
- Job.com
- Restaurant Work: Poach
- Non-profit Work: idealist.com
- Sports Enthusiasts: jobsinsports
- Construction Gigs: Constructionjobs
- Our Weekly Job Listings (in partnership with WorkForce1): Go to the FeaturedJobs tab @Community Impact
Resume
At Job Road, we will help you to tailor your resume to one that fits your experience and interest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Resume Development
Q. Does my resume need to be one page? How long should it be?
A. It depends on your experience. If you have less than 5 years of experience, it is important to focus the details of your resume on one page. However, if you have more extensive experience, it is ok to go onto a second page. In most cases, the resume should not be longer than two pages.
Q. How far back should I go with my experience?
A. It is appropriate to list experience from the last 10-15 years. Experience prior to that is seen as outdated and should not be listed, unless the experience was all within one company.
Q. Should I include work experience from my home country?
A. YES! Professional experience and education from your home country is extremely relevant to positions here in the U.S. and should be included on your resume. You may be told you are overqualified or that you should take experience off your resume – this is not the case!
Q. How should I list my survival job?
A. We want your resume to reflect you as a professional, so we position your professional experience so it is the first thing employers see. If you have worked in a survival job in the U.S., list it in a secondary section titled, “Additional Work Experience.
Q. Should I include my English classes?
A. While we encourage you to list professional development that is related to your field, we do not include English classes or other unrelated courses on your resume. In addition to not being relevant, employers may assume it means you do not speak English well enough for the job (which we know is not true!)
Q. Should I put a picture or personal information on the resume?
A. While it is customary in many cultures to include a photograph and personal information (marital status, age, etc), it is inappropriate in the U.S.
Q. How do I indicate promotions in title and/or responsibility?
A. If you had more than one position within a company, it is important to demonstrate that, as it shows employers that you learn quickly and were trusted with additional responsibilities. The best way to demonstrate these promotions is to list the company name first (typically, we list the position title first) and the dates you worked for the company in total. Underneath that, you will list your most recent position, with dates, and the unique responsibilities you had in that position. Continue like that for each position you held at that company, making sure to include only the responsibilities and accomplishments unique to that position (i.e. to eliminate repetitiveness).
Q.Why do you include, Permanent Work Authorization. No Visa Sponsorship Required?
A. When employers see that your work experience has been exclusively out of the country, they may assume that you are seeking visa sponsorship and pass you over based solely on that misperception. This statement lets employers know that you are permanently work authorized and your status is not an issue for consideration.
Schedule an appointment with a Job Counselor & complete your professional resume. Job Road counselors can be contacted at team.jobroad@gmail.com or 212-854-4500!
At Job Road, we will help you to tailor your resume to one that fits your experience and interest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Resume Development
Q. Does my resume need to be one page? How long should it be?
A. It depends on your experience. If you have less than 5 years of experience, it is important to focus the details of your resume on one page. However, if you have more extensive experience, it is ok to go onto a second page. In most cases, the resume should not be longer than two pages.
Q. How far back should I go with my experience?
A. It is appropriate to list experience from the last 10-15 years. Experience prior to that is seen as outdated and should not be listed, unless the experience was all within one company.
Q. Should I include work experience from my home country?
A. YES! Professional experience and education from your home country is extremely relevant to positions here in the U.S. and should be included on your resume. You may be told you are overqualified or that you should take experience off your resume – this is not the case!
Q. How should I list my survival job?
A. We want your resume to reflect you as a professional, so we position your professional experience so it is the first thing employers see. If you have worked in a survival job in the U.S., list it in a secondary section titled, “Additional Work Experience.
Q. Should I include my English classes?
A. While we encourage you to list professional development that is related to your field, we do not include English classes or other unrelated courses on your resume. In addition to not being relevant, employers may assume it means you do not speak English well enough for the job (which we know is not true!)
Q. Should I put a picture or personal information on the resume?
A. While it is customary in many cultures to include a photograph and personal information (marital status, age, etc), it is inappropriate in the U.S.
Q. How do I indicate promotions in title and/or responsibility?
A. If you had more than one position within a company, it is important to demonstrate that, as it shows employers that you learn quickly and were trusted with additional responsibilities. The best way to demonstrate these promotions is to list the company name first (typically, we list the position title first) and the dates you worked for the company in total. Underneath that, you will list your most recent position, with dates, and the unique responsibilities you had in that position. Continue like that for each position you held at that company, making sure to include only the responsibilities and accomplishments unique to that position (i.e. to eliminate repetitiveness).
Q.Why do you include, Permanent Work Authorization. No Visa Sponsorship Required?
A. When employers see that your work experience has been exclusively out of the country, they may assume that you are seeking visa sponsorship and pass you over based solely on that misperception. This statement lets employers know that you are permanently work authorized and your status is not an issue for consideration.
Schedule an appointment with a Job Counselor & complete your professional resume. Job Road counselors can be contacted at team.jobroad@gmail.com or 212-854-4500!
Cover Letter
Along with a resume, a professional cover letter often accompanies your job application.
What is a cover letter?
"A cover letter is a single-page letter written to the person or organisation offering the job you're applying for. A well-written cover letter should introduce you and encourage the person reading it to read your resume."
Ask us at Job Road how to write an effective cover letter that includes your experience and goals but should you get started on your cover letter before we meet, here are a few things to keep in mind:
After reading your letter, someone should be able to answer these questions:
Along with a resume, a professional cover letter often accompanies your job application.
What is a cover letter?
"A cover letter is a single-page letter written to the person or organisation offering the job you're applying for. A well-written cover letter should introduce you and encourage the person reading it to read your resume."
Ask us at Job Road how to write an effective cover letter that includes your experience and goals but should you get started on your cover letter before we meet, here are a few things to keep in mind:
After reading your letter, someone should be able to answer these questions:
- Why do you want the job?
- What experiences have you had in the past that demonstrate you’re qualified for the new job?
- What are you passionate about?
- Why are you different from someone who has the same resume?
- How can they get a hold of you?
Come Talk To Us About Creating a LinkedIn Page
No matter where you are in the job search process, a LinkedIn page is extremely helpful for networking, finding employers, and giving potential employers the opportunity to find you. With a LinkedIn page, you have an opportunity to market yourself, tell your story and become your own brand. Get started at LinkedIn and visit us to update and edit your LinkedIn page.
No matter where you are in the job search process, a LinkedIn page is extremely helpful for networking, finding employers, and giving potential employers the opportunity to find you. With a LinkedIn page, you have an opportunity to market yourself, tell your story and become your own brand. Get started at LinkedIn and visit us to update and edit your LinkedIn page.
LinkedIn logo
DROP US A LINE
Fill out the contact form below for more information or to make an appointment with a Job Road Counselor
(only for enrolled students in Community Impact J.E.E.P. Programs)
(only for enrolled students in Community Impact J.E.E.P. Programs)
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