Nicole Abrahamson is happy to tell you all the reasons why you should become a member of the Jewish Community Center. As a member of the JCC’s membership team, it’s her job to sell the services of the agency — and she truly believes in what she is doing.
“To work at the JCC was a longtime goal of mine,” said the single mother of two. “It’s been my home away from home for nearly a decade. When I go to the JCC, it’s not like going to work — it’s such a wonderful community service.”
Abrahamson landed at the JCC about eight months ago thanks, in part, to guidance she received through Jewish Employment Services, a joint program of Jewish Family Services and Jewish Vocational Service. “JES helps equip job seekers with the skills needed to successfully compete in today’s tight job market,” said Gayl Reinsch, director of JES. JES also connects members of the Jewish community with employers and jobs.
JES is funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, the Jewish Heritage Foundation, the Lowenstein Brothers Foundation, the Morgan Family Foundation and the Sosland Foundation. The JES team includes two career coaches — Joyce Hill and Cheryl Intrater. Reinsch helps participants make connections in the job market and search for existing positions as well as meet with potential employers and mentors. The career coaches spend a lot of time working one-on-one with job seekers helping them with resumé preparation, interviewing practice and networking skills. JES also offers a Job Club on second and fourth Mondays from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. It presents topics and speakers on various job-search related subjects.
Abrahamson first discovered JES while receiving assistance from JFS for other matters.
“As a job seeker, you can never have too many resources to rely upon,” she said.
Reinsch referred Abrahamson to Joyce Hill for career coaching help. With a background in sales in the advertising, pharmaceutical and real estate industries, Abrahamson knew her strengths, but she needed a boost in self-confidence. Meeting with Hill helped with that task.
“When you have a career coach you have an advocate for you,” Abrahamson said. “Joyce made me feel good about myself. I think everyone should have a job coach as a support and resource — their advice is key.”
Hill worked with Abrahamson to update her resumé and informed her of all the resources available through JES. Abrahamson found the personal attention she received through JES to be “very valuable.” When a part-time position opened at the sports desk to do some administrative work, she went for it, seeing it as a great stepping stone toward a full-time position she ultimately wanted.
Armed with her new resume and interviewing skills, Abrahamson interviewed and got the position. Some months later when the JCC was expanding its membership sales team, Abrahamson went for the full-time position and landed the job. Hill has continued to be an on-going adviser for Abrahamson.
“A big part of Nicole’s success in landing the job she now has was her positive attitude and willingness to take a gamble on a part-time position,” Reinsch said. “That got her foot in the door and a chance to prove herself for when a full-time position came along.”
Job seekers wishing to connect directly with JES should email Reinsch at , attaching a resumé, if they have one. Reinsch may also be reached at 913-327-8278.