Recruiters across industries claim that upwards of 500 people will submit resumes for a single entry-level position*. So, how do HR professionals whittle these resumes down to a few good candidates? Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Put simply, ATSs are software programs that enable computerized handling of resumes. They store, organize and sort resumes based on requirements of postings by companies. ATSs are not used across the board, but for some of the most sought-after positions, these systems are becoming an industry standard. While this technology is helpful for recruiters/businesses, it can be a major obstacle for applicants. Recently, recruitment-insiders have been sharing tips to help you break through these system shortfalls:
Tag Archives: CEWD
Restaurant Machine
img via TripAdvisor
To get a glimpse at an extreme example of efficient restaurant management, take a look at Willy Staley’s recent article in NY Times Magazine, “22 Hours in Balthazar.” Balthazar, one of Soho’s hottest spots for fine dining and ultimate star-gazing, churns out high quality meals for 1,500 diners a day, spending close to $90,000 a week on food. To keep patrons fed, the restaurant has become a factory—“raw materials enter through one side early each morning, moving through various stations, where 150 to 200 employees, each playing a narrowly defined role, produce finished, value-added and marked-up goods and serve them directly to end users.” Because of this extreme efficiency, the machine shines. Every role is just as important as the next, from the stewards who bring in and catalog deliveries at 6:00 each morning to head chef Shane McBride who makes important decisions about suppliers, recipes and menus. This New York location has such a well-run system, it recently flew a team of busboys to train staff at their new London location.
Does this spark your interest? If you’re curious to learn more about the New York restaurant industry, the Food and Beverage or Culinary Arts paths in CUNY CareerPATH at Kingsborough might be your first step towards a career in this fast-paced field. Eligibility restrictions apply, so we encourage you to speak with a representative about your options. We have information sessions scheduled through December, so get in touch with us today!
The New GED
January 2014 will bring a new GED®. While receiving a GED® is success in and of itself, The American Council on Education realized the test, as it currently stands, does not go far enough in preparing takers for college admission and/or work requirements that follow. This new test will focus more heavily on the American Common Core Standards, which lay out exactly what students should master as they make their way through primary education. The ultimate goal is to set GED® recipients on a path towards higher education and more advanced employment opportunities.
Women’s Initiative at Kingsborough Community College
Early this summer, Kingsborough Community College was host to California-based Women’s Initiative for one of their first New York classes. Women’s Initiative provides low-income women with the training and resources they need to start their own businesses. Over the years, they have helped hundreds of women turn their personal dreams into a reality while also supporting local economies with jobs and increased incomes, all while creating a deep sense of community.
In October I had the chance to speak with three recent graduates who participated in the Kingsborough group. These women came from very different backgrounds, but all came to Women’s Initiative with a desire to take charge of their futures.
Women’s Initiative
Last summer we had the pleasure to host California-based Women’s Initiative for one of their first New York classes. Women’s Initiative provides low-income women with the training and resources they need to start their own businesses. Over the years, they have helped hundreds of women turn their personal dreams into a reality while also supporting local economies with jobs and money resulting from increased incomes, all while encouraging a deep sense of community. While classes won’t be held at Kingsborough this year, we still want to support this great organization.
Information sessions are scheduled for November 12th and November 19th; click on the flyer below for more information.
In October I had a chance to speak with three recent graduates of the Women’s Initiative, Kingsborough class. Stay tuned for a post about them and their experiences with this great program.
NYC Mayoral Elections Tomorrow
NYC Mayoral elections are tomorrow (Tuesday, November 5th, 2013)! Before you head out to the polls, read up on the Mayoral candidates:
Democrat: Public Advocate, Bill de Blasio
Republican: former MTA Chief, Joe Lhota
Independent candidates: Adolfo Carrion, Jack Hidary, Erick Salgado, Randy Credico, Carl Person and Joseph Melaragno
Be sure to verify your polling site as some sites have changed. One important, often overlooked, part of elections are Ballot Measures that require citizen votes. This year in New York, there are six important measures being brought to the populace:
- Authorization of Casino Gambling in New York State
- Additional Civil Service Credits for Disabled Combat Veterans
- Exclusion from Indebtedness Contracted for Sewage Facilities
- Adirondack Land Swap–settling disputed claim of forest preserve in Hamilton County
- Adirondack Land Swap–to allow NYCO Minerals Inc. to continue mining operations in Essex County
- Increasing Age of Supreme Court Justices and Judges of the Court of Appeals
To read up, visit the New York State Board of Elections site for details about each of these measures. WNYC is a great source for simple breakdowns of each of these measures.
What else we you see on your ballot?
Borough President Races: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island
Public Advocate: Irene Estrada, Mollena G. Fabricant, Letitia James, Deborah O Liatos, James Lane, Michael K. Lloyd, Robert Maresca and Alex Merced
Comptroller: Richard Bozulich, John Burnett, Hesham El-Meligy, Scott M. Stringer, John W. Studer and Julia Willebrand
City Council Members: click here to find your district and see who’s running.
Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
We continually try to give our current participants, students, alumni, family and friends any information to help them meet their educational and professional goals. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship program which “honors excellence by supporting outstanding community college students with financial need to transfer to and complete their bachelor’s degrees at the nation’s top four-year colleges and universities.” has a deadline that is fast approaching. To be eligible you must:
• Be a current student at an accredited US community college or 2-year institution with sophomore status or a recent graduate (within the last 5 years)
• Have a cumulative unweighted college GPA 3.5 or above
• Plan to transfer to a 4-year college or university to begin studies in the coming fall
• Demonstrate unmet financial need
If you meet these requirements, visit their online application page for more information. Applications are due Thursday, November 7th. This program is run through the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, so contact them with questions about this scholarship opportunity.
If you aren’t yet enrolled at Kingsborough, or another community college, the Center for Economic and Workforce Development has programs to help start your higher educational journey. If you need to get your GED and would like to develop important work readiness skills, Project Rise can help. If you already have your GED or high school diploma, CUNY CareerPATH can help with career advancement and transitioning into college. Both programs provide the ability to earn college credits while you train. Contact us with any questions about these or other opportunities.
CUNY FoodFEST this Sunday
Want to talk food justice with CUNY students, faculty and other movement organizations/people from around the city? If so, come to CUNY FoodFEST this Sunday, November 3rd at Macaulay Honors College. While there, meet KCC Urban Farm manager, Silvia Torres to talk all things urban farming.
“CUNY FoodFEST is an event for CUNY students and the general public focused on educating and engaging participants in stimulating conversation about various topics in the food justice movements. Students attend workshops and meet with various food justice organizations from around the city. Workshops are led by experienced members of the food community and cover such topics ranging from food policy and hunger to composting and ethical food businesses. There also will be an Indian cooking lesson where Mukti Bannerjee will teach participants healthy and delicious recipes–and we all reap the benefits at the communal, reflective dinner to conclude the event.”
CUNY FoodFEST 2013 will be at :
35 West 67th Street
New York, NY 10023
10:30am-8:00pm
Homecoming at KCC Urban Farm
Last Sunday, KCC Urban Farm continued our tradition of hosting cooking demonstrations and farm tours at KCC’s annual Homecoming. Denia, our cooking demo CLT, showcased farm-fresh salsa with homemade chips and a variety of sauteed greens. Our fall greens include five varieties of Asian greens, turnip and radish greens, collard greens, and kale. In a few weeks, mustard greens will be ready to add to that list!
Denia and her daughter making salsa and greens
Farm-grown salsa with homemade chips
“Food for Thought” networking event
Community Board 7 in Manhattan will be hosting its 4th B2B (Business to Business) program and networking event: “Food For Thought: Jobs and the Hospitality Industry” on Tuesday, October 29th, 6-8pm at Hostelling International New York, 891 Amsterdam Avenue (btw 103rd and 104th Streets).
