“I hadn’t written a résumé since college!”

After 18 years of work that I loved in the Jewish community, I found myself looking for a job in my late 50s, and suddenly my years of experience and my work ethic didn’t seem to matter. Employers were hiring younger people at lower salaries, and I felt crushed. Like many Baby Boomers, I’d had just four jobs across my entire career, and being unemployed was very unsettling. I hadn’t written a résumé since college!

I went directly to JF&CS Career Services and was referred to a local staffing agency where I found a position at Rollins, Inc., the pest control company. I had a good four-and-a-half-year run there helping to launch a software package, but when the software product launched, my job at Rollins was eliminated. Now I was 62 years old.

Again, I leaned into my Jewish community for help. Through JF&CS I took a series of classes in résumé writing, job search skills and interviewing. Carolyn Coburn-Allen, JF&CS’ Career Specialist, was an incredible coach. She helped me revamp my résumé, and prepared me for the demands of a highly competitive workplace. Even more, Carolyn encouraged me to focus on what I really wanted — a position in the Jewish community. Our mock interviews gave me practice talking about my skills and demonstrating my familiarity with Jewish customs and practices.

Today I am the Executive Director of Chabad of Gwinnett in Norcross, GA. It’s exactly where I wanted to be and I’m tremendously grateful to JF&CS Career Services for helping me get here. Their programs and their professionalism are exactly why I want to continue my career in Jewish Atlanta.