When I told my Rosh Yeshiva that we were making Aliyah his first reaction was "How are you going to pay the bills?" This is probably the #1 concern that people have when deciding to make Aliyah. For many the fear of the unknown is enough to shelve possible plans for the big move.
For us we had approached this problem from a different angle. Rachel's growing jewellery business success was not tied down to geographic location. I was miserable my career was not heading in the direction I wanted. There was some glimmer of hope as I had made it through a bunch of huge hurdles with CBSA. There was still a long way to go with that selection process. Aliyah without a saftey net was scary but not as scary as continuing to spin our wheels in the rut we just couldn't seem to break.
The way I found my job was the perfect foreshadow for how happy I would be. I met the right people at precisely the right time. My last day of Ulplan was on a Thursday and I started work on the Sunday.
My job involves QA software testing on cell phones. AT&T Social Net and Social Beat on the Verizon network are two projects I have been working on. They involve putting Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, RSS Feeds, GTalk and Gmail into one easy to use application. I need to make sure it works properly. Both products are free and already on the market.
The working conditions are great. The company is located in Har Tuv (just outside of Beit Shemesh) There is a Hassa that takes me to and from work everyday. There are snacks in the kitchen. For Rosh Chodesh there is a company lunch where we find out how the business end of the company is doing. Each meeting starts with a Dvar Torah which really throws off some of the visitors from our California office.
My boss is well respected for the work he accomplishes and the quality of the people he hires. When I have to call in sick, I get wishes to feel better and that is it for the day. I also know I will not be called while on vacation. When overtime is needed my home life is taken into consideration. Erev Sukkot, the company paid for a cab so that I could come back to the office after buying my lulav and putting Channah to bed.
Over the last 3 months I have enjoyed the oppurtunity for extra responsibilities. The regulars were broken up onto different projects while temps were hired to help meet some critical deadlines. It was myself with two temps working on the Blackberry project. As a matter of practicality I got to be pretend to be the team leader. I would help direct what tasks were being worked. I was even called in to participate in some of the important development meetings. It was on my recommendation that convinced my boss that they were ready to be allowed to help out with more complicated tasks. I feel that I performed well in the situation and hope that similar (more formal) opportunities will come my way in the future.
Last night was Channah's Chanukah mesibah. We realized in the afternoon that it was called for an hour before I normally get home. Channah had her heart set on being there. It was extra important because the original date was set for when my parents would be there. I sent out a company e-mail looking for a ride. My boss offered if a bunch of other factors worked out. Another co-worker would not let me miss the party. It meant leaving early in order to drive me there which was not even close to being on her route home. This is typical for the type of people I work with.
I can only hope that the business will continue to be successful and I have more oppurtunities to continue to grow with the company. In the mean time, I am loving having a job I enjoy with an employer who values their employees.
6 comments:
Jason - That was an excellent posting. It's really wonderful to find a job you're happy with, especially in Israel. Pleasee give our best to Rachel and Channah.
Can I send you my resume?
I'm looking for a job near Jerusalem and this really sounds good.
If so, please post an email or something.
Thank you, tizke l'mitzvos
Mazal tov! I found your blog from Rafi's "Interesting Posts #110." If my hubby could find a good job in Israel, we'd be there already. Do you have any connections or information, on whom my husband could contact and/or send his CV? Please email me.
Looking for Job;
Sending a resume to me really won't do much for you. It is also a matter of keeping your eyes open and hasgacha pratise.
Tip: It is probably just because you were responding to a blog. In case I am wrong it is much more helpful if you provide more information in terms of why you should be hired as opposed to you just need a job.
Lady Light,
If an employer in the States was considering qualified local candidates or someone from France or Italy, thinking of moving to the United States they would probably hire locally.
The same is true in Israel. Any people I know who had a job when they made Aliyah were either keeping their jobs and working American hours or had some special skill set (usually chinuch) that was desired in Israel. Even in those cases the job doesn't always work out.
Due to a number of factors (including transportation subsidies) many employers give heavy weighting or will only hire local candidates. A potential Oleh would not be considered for such a position unless they have already committed to making the move.
I'm not sure what you mean.
Should I post my qualifications here?
Or do you mean the fact that I am contacting someone online is automaticly discredited?
if you mean that you don't have a say in hiring, you could tell me the comapny name, and I could look up their website, and send in my resume through there.
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