Newsday put together an all-star panel of local job experts to answer LIers job-hunting questions.

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How does one find a job on LI and in NYC? Scroll to the bottom of the page and read one of our live chats with Patricia Kitchen. 
This week, Newsday has put together an all-star panel of local job experts to answer your job-hunting questions. Just send us an e-mail and tell us: 
1) Who are you? Your name, age, years of experience, town, phone number, and a sentence about what you're looking for. (Let us know if you do NOT want us to use your name online or in print.) 
2) What's your question? Please keep your questions short, and focused on one issue. 
Examples: - How do I find training for green marketing jobs? - I've struck out on many job interviews, even though I have 25 years' experience in the field. I believe it's age discrimination. How can I tell? What should I do? 
Here are some examples of areas where we can help: Finding job openings, preparing for an interview, social networking, what am I doing wrong, changing careers, new grads and young professionals, military veterans, seasoned workers, returning moms, survival jobs, money issues. 
3) Advertise yourself! Write a "want ad" for yourself, and we might post it on Newsday.com. Include the job you’re seeking, brief reasons you should be hired, an e-mail and a picture if you like. (If you're worried about spam or privacy, create a new e-mail address for this use only.) 
Example: John Doe from Greenport, want entry-level job in advertising. * Degree in marketing * Taught senior staff how to tweet * Hardworking, with a good sense of humor * Reach me at john.doe@wherever.com, or check out my resume at www.johndoejobsearch.com/mylatestresume 4) E-mail us Click here to send everything to Newsday: <a href="mailto:lijobs@newsday.com?subject=Jobs Week">lijobs@newsday.com</a>. 
Make sure to come back to newsday.com for Jobs Week -- Monday, Feb. 15, to Friday, Feb. 19 -- when we'll post the answers from our experts, host two live chats and provide job resources. 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/resources-for-li-job-seekers-1.1730731">Resources for Long Island job seekers</a> | <a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/jobs-week-experts-1.1736916">Newsday's panel of career experts</a> 
<hr> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs"> &gt;&gt; JOBS DATABASE: Click here to find openings and get help with a job search on LI.</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/the-fastest-growing-occupations-1.229"> &gt;&gt; PHOTOS: Click here to see photos of the fastest-growing jobs</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/green-collar-jobs-1.230"> &gt;&gt; PHOTOS: Click here to see what type of 'green jobs' are now available</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/li-people-on-the-move-promotions-new-jobs-1.216700"> &gt;&gt; PHOTOS: Click here to see the latest photos of new jobs and promotions on LI</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/clock-ticking-on-long-island-1.1715111">&gt;&gt;VIDEO: Click here to watch video break down the facts on LI's job and economic downfall</a>

Business

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Looking for a job? Newsday can help!

Economy Job Openings

"The one constant I have noticed is the majority of my fellow unemployed are middle management above the age of 40," wrote Debra Werbel, an information technology aide and support specialist with 15 years' experience who's been in the job market since July. 
As part of Newsday's Jobs Week, which continues through Friday, she was sharing her story and questions, which are addressed here by members of our job-search panel. Werbel, of <a href="/topics/Old_Bethpage%2C_NY">Old Bethpage</a>, said she's already been following advice of career counselors: attending networking meetings, using her <a href="/topics/LinkedIn_Corp">LinkedIn</a> account and emphasizing her strengths in cover letters. 
Her questions: "What industries, if any, are realizing that 'the baby boomer generation' would be a great asset to a company? How do you convey the message to prospective employers that business experience, especially working with clients, is a crucial part of the job?" 
Advice for her from Kate Wendleton, president and founder of the Five O'Clock Club job-search group based in <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a>. 
Wendleton says for some employers " 'older is better' when selecting talent in areas that require experience, judgment and wisdom. . . . When picking an investment adviser, a business consultant, attorney or career coach, the more experience the better." Look, too, she says, for opportunities in education, and "who better to assist with the unwell elderly? Careers in this area may hold little appeal to many in their 20s and 30s, but there will be high demand in elder health care." That also means there'll be opportunities for support staff in these areas. 
"How do you convey the message to prospective employers? Exploit your age and experience. 'I hope you want a mature person; someone who's been around the block.' Many companies that are overrun with kids want a few gray heads around to call on the big corporate clients and help the company to avoid the big mistakes." 
On another note, mature workers can ask themselves, "Is it age discrimination? Or just a bad job search? If you're just hitting the "send" button answering ads, you won't have any better luck than the younger people who are conducting the same ineffective search. Instead, use those ads as a guide to which companies are hiring and get in to see the right person in the right department - even if they have no openings right now. Then stay in touch." 
Advice for her from Valentina Janek, president and co-founder of the Long Island Breakfast Club, a job-search group that advocates for mature workers. 
She sees opportunities for midlife professionals in areas such as health care, finance and insurance - "midlife people can sell and tell the stories of being older and having a nest egg." 
As for communicating to employers the rationale for why experience matters, you can demonstrate that by emphasizing "actual examples of success." Tell them stories that show how you solved problems by tapping into your maturity and life experience, she says. 
"You're experienced, not old. It is all about what you believe and how you frame yourself." 
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Resources for LI job seekers<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/job-fairs-in-the-ny-li-region-1.1738637"> Job fairs in the NY/LI region</a> <a href="http://www.newsday.com/the-future-of-green-jobs-1.883619">Photos: The future of green jobs</a> <a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/the-fastest-growing-occupations-1.229">Photos: The fatest growing occupations</a>

BZASK18

Experts outline job prospects for mature workers

Debra Werbel

Three months ago, <a href="/topics/David_Daniels">David Daniels</a>' insurance company job was eliminated. Far from being directionless, <a href="/topics/David_Daniels">Daniels</a>, 38, of Elmont, had already been planning a career change to accounting, for which he already has a degree.
A former senior claims examiner, he's started volunteering as a tax coach with the city. He hears from contacts that, even though he's willing to start at entry level, "those jobs go to kids coming out of college."
Daniels is one of the job hunters who submitted questions to be answered in Newsday and on newsday.com through Friday. Here's what he asked:
"I have retail management and insurance claims processing experience, as well as recent degrees in accounting and business administration. Is it possible to break into the accounting field when you are fast approaching 40?"
 Advice for him from Maggie Mistal, <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a> career coach and radio show host, who made a career change from accounting:
"Based solely on a resume, most employers might opt for the recent college grad. It's whom they are used to hiring. . . . But you have two assets [new grads] don't. Experience and the fact you want to be an accountant. (Most college graduates just look for jobs.) You need to work those to your advantage. Have the confidence to know that you are a valuable contribution to any organization and you won't have any trouble having a productive conversation with the higher-ups. Few college grads are in a position to compete with that."
 Advice for him from Dana Terzian, corporate recruiter with Adecco in <a href="/topics/Melville%2C_NY">Melville</a>:
"A candidate should position their experience as an asset, and show their value as opposed to a recent grad. Work ethic, experience and overall knowledge of the business world should be key points of emphasis. An employer is getting much more than they pay for when they hire a career changer."
 Advice for him from Susan Eckert, former career coach in Brightwaters:
"I don't know that older career transitioners are routinely overlooked. If they are willing to accept the going salary (which may be lower than what they're used to); if they pitch themselves accordingly (showing study/internships, willingness to learn and start from the bottom) then they've got a shot.

BZASK17

Pushing experience is key for career transition

David Daniels

The problem "I have sent out over 80 resumes to date and have not received one response," writes an administrative support professional in Nassau County with 30 years' experience. 
Besides networking, she says, "I get up each morning, get a cup of coffee and scour the job boards," along with employer Web sites. For this 51- year-old who says she's proficient in a slew of office applications, "the current job market was a rude awakening." 
She and others like her have taken Newsday up on an offer to help find answers to their most pressing job-search questions. We've assembled a panel of experts who'll be offering answers through Friday in Newsday and on newsday.com. 
This administrative professional asks: "When it comes to sending resumes to posted jobs, what is the protocol for following up? There seems to be a disagreement among the various boards as to whether following up on a resume is a good idea or not."&nbsp; 
Advice for her from Patty O'Connell, vice president of human resources for the People's Alliance Federal Credit Union and co-chair of the Hauppauge Industrial Association's human resources committee: "Sometimes we're even leery to post an open position, as we do get inundated with a lot of resumes with experience we're not even looking for. 
"I hear my assistant saying over and over, 'Yes, we did receive your resume.' 
In the past, the follow-up call was the thing to do, but now it's driving the human resources person crazy. 
"With that said, if they do call, it's far better to use that opportunity to acknowledge how inundated the office must be, and point out right away that you do meet all the qualifications and here's why 'you should give me a look.' 
Some job hunters get a little creative to stand out. I know of a young girl who sent a resume . . . and a few days later sent a fruit arrangement, saying she would appreciate feedback on the resume. She did get a phone call." 
&nbsp;Advice for her from Allison Hemming, founder and president of The Hired Guns talent agency, <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a>, who suggests how to stand out so a call is more likely to be taken: "You see a job posted on a board. Before you respond, figure out if you know someone at that company. If you do, forward them the job description ASAP and ask if they can back-channel you in. 
Many companies offer referral bounties (aka bonuses) to employees. . . . You want to go this way first because your friend might not get compensated if you go through the online application tracking system. 
Next, head directly to <a href="/topics/LinkedIn_Corp">LinkedIn</a>. And see if any of your <a href="/topics/LinkedIn_Corp">LinkedIn</a> pals are connected to the company. Many times we're two or three degrees of separation from a contact in <a href="/topics/LinkedIn_Corp">LinkedIn</a>."

BZASK16

How to follow-up after sending a resume

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Question "Do life-career coaches really work? What is it they do you can't do on your own?" -- J. in Manhattan&nbsp; 
Answer From Lindsey Pollak, author of "Getting from College to Career" and campus spokewoman for <a href="/topics/LinkedIn_Corp">LinkedIn</a>.&nbsp; 
"One of the most valuable actions you can take as a job seeker is to honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses. This is often harder than it seems -- we tend not to value our strengths (because they come to us easily) and tend to overplay our weaknesses (because they freak us out). 
One of the major values of working with a career coach is that a coach is an unbiased third party when it comes to assessing you as a job seeker. He or she can give you feedback based on experience with many other job seekers, which is something your friends and family can't always provide. 
Another benefit of working with a career coach is accountability. It can be hard to stay focused and motivated, especially during a long job search, so a career coach can help you devise a timeline and stick to it. 
Just like a personal trainer, a career coach will keep you moving forward on those days when you're feeling down or lazy." 
Answer From Patty O'Connell, vice president human resources People's Alliance Federal Credit Union, Hauppauge, and co-chair of the Hauppauge Industrial Association's human resource committee. 
"Career coaches can guide you based on their experience and firsthand knowledge of being a business professional. The expertise and professionalism they can offer is sometimes something you don't learn in the classroom. They know the quality and type of employee employers are looking for and they know how to get you to present yourself that way. 
There are qualities that you most likely have that you don't express. A job coach helps to drag that information out of you and helps you realize the importance of it."

BZCOACH15

What's so great about a career coach?

HEALTH CARE 
HOT JOBS 
Home health aide, Physician assistant, Registered nurse, Medical biller 
SALARY 
Home health aide, $24,300; Physician assistant, $93,140 
PROJECTED GROWTH 
2006 to 2016: 14.3 to 42% 
<a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>'s aging population, new treatments and cures as well as the trend toward home care instead of nursing home care are all fueling the rapid growth in the health care job market. 
"It was the only private-sector industry to continue to generate jobs during the recession on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>," said Pearl Kamer, chief economist for the <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> Association. 
Lori Spina, vice president of human resources at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in <a href="/topics/West_Islip%2C_NY">West Islip</a>, says stability, good health benefits, and opportunities for tuition reimbursement and advancement - common at health facilities - all attract people to the health care field. The center, whose network has a county community health center, a nursing home, a home health unit, two dialysis centers and a pediatric specialty care center, hires at the steady pace of about 500 people annually. 
Others in the industry are filling jobs as well. 
Over the past few months, Patrick Stryker, owner of the <a href="/topics/Bellmore%2C_NY">Bellmore</a>-based ABC Employment Agency of <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>, has seen an uptick in jobs, especially in the medical field. Among the most requested placement positions have been physician assistant, medical biller, and registered nurse and certified nursing assistant, both with nursing home experience, as well as administrative jobs, he said. 
Abby Bowen is one of four recent hires at All Island Dermatology, which has offices in <a href="/topics/Garden_City%2C_NY">Garden City</a> and <a href="/topics/Glen_Cove%2C_NY">Glen Cove</a>. She recently graduated from <a href="/topics/Cornell_University">Cornell University</a>'s surgical physician assistant program with a master's in health studies. Bowen, 25, of <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a>, found her job through ABC Employment. 
"Stick with a specialty you really want," Bowen advises. "If no jobs are available at the time, just keep interviewing ." 
In medicine, a passion for the work has to come first, said Vita Rizzo, 54, of <a href="/topics/St._James%2C_NY">St. James</a>, a breast cancer survivor who is a clerk in a mammography unit at Good Samaritan. She will start a nursing program in the fall with financial help from Good Samaritan, she said.- Keiko Morris 
FINANCE 
HOT JOBS 
Personal financial, adviser 
SALARY 
Entry, $48,740; experienced, $146,530 
PROJECTED GROWTH 
2006 to 2016: 26.2% 
About eight months ago, John Witzenbocker, 25, of <a href="/topics/Sag_Harbor%2C_NY">Sag Harbor</a>, was working as a hospital lab technician, but said, "I knew I had a different calling." He thinks he's found it at Quinlan Financial Group in <a href="/topics/Commack%2C_NY">Commack</a>, where he was hired in December as a financial representative. 
As an entry-level adviser, Witzenbocker offers overall guidance to clients and helps them choose insurance and investment products. Actually, he said he sees a parallel between the two professions: "In both you have the ability to help people and make a significant impact in their lives." 
These days plenty of people are looking for financial advice, given recent layoffs, the financial meltdown and looming retirement of a significant number of baby boomers. 
While there's uncertainty over "how the big financial services firms will come back," when it comes to hiring, "within that picture the personal financial adviser is a more clear call," said Gary Huth, the New York State Labor Department's principal economist for <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>. 
Industry insiders agree. 
"More and more people are seeking guidance," said Kimberly Buck, director of selection for Quinlan Financial Group, an affiliate of <a href="/topics/Milwaukee">Milwaukee</a>-based <a href="/topics/Northwestern_Mutual">Northwestern Mutual</a>, which this year plans to recruit more than 2,300 financial representatives and 2,500 interns nationally. 
For its offices in <a href="/topics/Commack%2C_NY">Commack</a>, <a href="/topics/Bohemia%2C_NY">Bohemia</a> and <a href="/topics/Great_Neck%2C_NY">Great Neck</a>, she said she has brought onboard 18 new hires over the past five months, and is expecting to hire another 50 financial representatives and 20 interns in the coming year. - Patricia Kitchen 
GREEN JOBS 
HOT JOBS 
Geothermal-heating installer, Environmental scientist 
SALARY 
Installer, $52,730; scientist, $73,300 
PROJECTED GROWTH 
2006 to 2016: Some areas up to 29% 
Kevin Godfrey entered the nascent green jobs field in 2007. His company, GreenAdam Geothermal in <a href="/topics/Stony_Brook%2C_NY">Stony Brook</a>, installs geothermal heating systems that use ground water to heat and cool homes. The early years were lean: An average of one to two calls a week that resulted in one project every other month, Godfrey said. 
"We . . . paid our dues with very slow growth," he said. 
But today the company, which has seven employees, receives 30 to 50 calls a week, netting about five to 10 projects a month, Godfrey said. 
Three weeks ago, the company hired Edward Batcheller, 55, of <a href="/topics/Westhampton%2C_NY">Westhampton</a> as a system designer and installer. 
For him the green industry melds his passion with a livelihood. "It's something I would promote anyway," Batcheller said. "I believe in it." 
And he thinks the industry has a bright future because of federal and other tax credits for energy efficiency. 
- Carrie Mason-Draffen 
Source for <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> job market 
figures: <a href="/topics/US_State_Department">State Department</a> of Labor

BZWORK14Y.WEB

Where to find the jobs in a difficult economy

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Join us at Noon today for a live chat on how to find jobs on LI and in NYC. Scroll to the bottom and enter your-email to get a reminder 
Question A lot of people are making the move - either of their own volition, or because of the current market - to working as freelancers, or even starting their own business. I made the move 7 years ago and after a couple of years, came to realize that it's not for me for a variety of reasons, and I'm positive that I'm not the only one. 
Unfortunately, after having a couple of years of freelance experience on my resume, no one wanted to hire me. A couple of friends of mine who have been in hiring manager positions informed me that it labels me as a "flight risk", or someone who's more likely to be looking for the next big deal. How can I work around this and get back to that stable lifestyle that I've been missing while trying to get a normal job for the last FIVE YEARS? 
Thanks, Bill Burcalow, Astoria 
Answer From Allison Hemming, president and founder of The Hired Guns talent agency based in <a href="/topics/Manhattan">Manhattan</a> 
"This is a great question and a tough one all the same. Before I get to your specific question, I'd like to highlight two words you used as goals for your next job: "stable" and "normal." I have news for you: even if you land that dream job inside a corporate setting you need to brace yourself for anything but "normal." Workers inside companies are struggling to make heads and tails of an evolving workplace - where staffs are leaner and hours are longer and more and more individuals are finding themselves cast out of the corporate mothership. 
If you know you're a company guy through and through - and want back into that mothership - my recommendation is to proactively think ahead and figure out which job functions are sure to remain intact even after all of the jobs that can be outsourced have been. 
I can tell you that Project Management and Sales are likely to stay in the belly of the beast but there are many other functions that will as well (like the entire C-suite). 
Once you've figured out which job you want that's likely to survive a corporate Armageddon, then you need to figure out if you have the skills to do that job. If you don't, then you know you might need to get some additional training. Or, and here's where all your freelancing will pay off - you might be able to score a gig to those missing skills. 
Unfortunately, there is no quick answer here. You need to build a road map starting with the job you most want to get, and the job you need next to land that dream job. 
One more piece of advice. Examine your former clients who you've built a good reputation with and see if they have the job you're hankering for inside their company. Since you're a known entity you might have some additional leverage to score it. Don't be afraid to work a little cheaper than you normally would to gain new skills - because there is value in the new chops you're getting that you'll be able to merchandise later. Good luck and let us know your progress!" 
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Answer From Dana Terzian, corporate recruiter with Adecco in Melville, handling placements in areas including human resources, accounting, finance, administrative, marketing. 
"This is a common situation especially among IT and creative professionals. There are several points that can be used by a job seeker in response to the concerns of being a "flight risk." 
Overall, the main points of emphasis when talking to a hiring manager, or in an interview setting should be the need and desire for stability and a "home base." .... While this may have been a little harder to reinforce in the past, the current economic climate has certainly left many people looking for this, and hiring managers are now much more understanding to stability being a draw to a position. 
Another valuable point to bring up is your desire to find a position that offers advancement opportunities within an organization, as freelancing/consulting jobs may lack these opportunities. A staff position can provide the opportunity to take the next step in one's career and pursue aspirations of management or executive roles freelancing/consulting cannot provide. 
Another suggestion would be for a candidate to tie their "freelance" experience to longevity by emphasizing repeat clients, referrals and long term projects. This can be reinforced by providing clients as professional references or even creating an achievement sheet that can highlight long term projects and repeat business." 
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<a href=" resources-for-li-job-seekers-1.1730731="" classifieds="" http:=""> 
Resources for Long Island job seekers | <a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/jobs-week-experts-1.1736916">Newsday's panel of career experts</a> 
&nbsp; 
<hr> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs"> &gt;&gt; JOBS DATABASE: Click here to find openings and get help with a job search on LI.</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/the-fastest-growing-occupations-1.229"> &gt;&gt; PHOTOS: Click here to see photos of the fastest-growing jobs</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/green-collar-jobs-1.230"> &gt;&gt; PHOTOS: Click here to see what type of 'green jobs' are now available</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/li-people-on-the-move-promotions-new-jobs-1.216700"> &gt;&gt; PHOTOS: Click here to see the latest photos of new jobs and promotions on LI</a> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/news/clock-ticking-on-long-island-1.1715111">&gt;&gt;VIDEO: Click here to watch video break down the facts on LI's job and economic downfall</a>

BZFRUS15

Frustrated with freelancing

Is it OK to send resumes to companies that have no job openings posted? If so, to whom should they be addressed? 
Starting Monday, for the five days of Jobs Week, we'll run some of the questions and answers in the paper and online. 
Here's one dilemma from Leslie Seilback, 29, of Commack, who took a year off to stay home with her baby and recently received a master's degree in education. 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/looking-for-a-job-newsday-can-help-1.1736752">Send us your questions </a>and our all-star jobs panel can help. 
Question My name is Leslie Seilback. I am 29 years old. I graduated from SUNY Albany with a degree in psychology and continued on at Hofstra for an M.A. in industrial organizational psychology. After spending four years in the human resources industry, I had a baby and took a year off to raise him. I returned to school (yet again) to change careers (or that was my intent at least- FOR THE LAST TIME) and just received a master's degree in education. 
I live in Commack and have been dropping off resumes to school districts, e-mailing them to friends and trying to network as much as I can. Unfortunately, some of the districts aren't even taking resumes for substitute teachers! 
How can I get a job teaching if I can't even get a foot in the door subbing? 
Answer <a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/jobs-week-experts-1.1736916">Tarek Pertew</a>, marketing director, <a href="http://www.myworkster.com/">MyWorkster.com</a>, an online social recruitment site for college educated professionals, based in Plainview. 
"So, you just got your degree and you need to put it to use. Right? Well, you've chosen an industry that is tough to crack into right now, so strike one! Just kidding. You have options, but in a tough economy, flexibility, proactivity and persistence are very important and characteristics that WILL land you a job. 
You are clearly well educated and qualified for a role in almost any school district. Your background is strong for an entry level teaching position and your confidence should be high. Where do you go from here? Take a minute to <a href="http://www.alleducationschools.com/faqs/teacher-job-market-interview.php">read this article.</a> 
I have chosen 2 pieces of advice that you may initially find unattractive, but that help define what I mean by being flexible, persistent and proactive. Here is the first piece of advice I choose to pull out: 
"If you want to teach and you are passionate about a low-demand subject area, take the time while you are in school to become certified in an additional, high-demand subject area to boost your desirability." 
But you just got out of school for crying out loud! Noted, but don't rule out some additional course work just yet...The second point of interest describes how one job seeker, similar to yourself, landed the job she wanted by taking proactive steps: 
"She flew off to Washington DC for some real world experience. She took an internship with a congresswoman on the Committee on Education and Labor and was able to sit in on meetings and set herself apart from her peers on her resume." 
Yuck! You just had a baby and the thought of leaving is awful. But a stitch in time saves nine! Consider taking on an internship for a few weeks, even if it is outside of the net you cast as possible locations for work. This step will get you the experience you want/need, time will fly by quickly, and before you know it, your options have increased. 
Additionally, if your background in psychology is knocking on the door of your memory, screaming, "Remember Me!" Listen! You should talk up your education in psychology at a level equal to that of your degree in education. Right now companies are snagging highly educated talent for less money. You have a specialized background in psychology, and coupling that with a degree in education makes you one heck of a candidate to not only teach your subjects, but manage them as well. Make sure decision makers know this about you. 
Think of all those steps above and consider those that you have taken to this point. Dropping off resumes is a dying business, and it should be. You need to get in the face of people, shake them up a bit, and say "look what I have to offer!" A resume won't say that without you standing behind it. Be aggressive. Start networking online. Join education groups on Linked-In. Become part of the conversation. You can do this in one night! You may wake up tomorrow with a totally new game plan! 
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Answer Kerry Wilkie, Hampton Bays, former schoolteacher with a master's degree in special education, co-founder of<a href="http://www.untappedability.com/"> UntappedAbility Job Matching Service</a>, which helps former stay-at-home mothers find employment. 
"Sometimes the schools in the top <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> School Districts have an over abundance of substitute teachers because those are the desirable schools, where someone would hope to land a job. My first piece of advice would be to submit your resume to a school where there is more of a need for educational support. Some districts have more teachers' aides and support positions than others. 
If you want to get a foot in the door to one of the schools in Commack, you may have to find a starting position. You can take a job as a substitute student monitor. Also, I suggest volunteering. Become familiar with the district's Web site and contact any committee chairperson on ways you can contribute. Contact the PTA president and by using your background in psychology, come up with a great program to present to the PTA 
Some of these ideas may not be what you have planned, but if you start here, someone will surely recognize your talents and realize what an asset you would be to the district. 
If you have a <a href="/topics/Facebook_Inc.">Facebook</a> page make sure it represents the type of educator the school district is looking for; they do check them! 
You can also visit <a href="http://www.olasjobs.org/longisland/">www.olasjobs.org/longisland</a>, which is an online application for educators. 
<hr width="50%"> 
Answer Thomas J. Ward, Jr., director of the center for <a href="http://students.adelphi.edu/career/">career development, Adelphi University,</a> Adelphi University. 
&nbsp;"The job search is a process, and especially during these times, there are no simple and quick fixes. It can be frustrating, but it is crucial to remain positive and focused on doing something productive each day towards your goal of securing a job. Here are some strategies that can help: 
1. Continue to network with friends and relatives, but target your search by 
expanding your network in your local school district. If you have not already, join the PTA, volunteer at school events, and get to know teachers and administrators. Generally speaking, employers are not willing to take chances. They are only dealing with candidates whom they are familiar with or who have been referred to them. 
2. Utilize your university's career center and connect with your school's alumni relations office. 
3. Check out and upload your resume onto www.olasjobs.org. This is a key online application system for educators. 
4. Use your detective skills and explore educational opportunities in private schools and nonprofit organizations. A helpful resource for researching Long Island public and private schools is <a href="http://www.longislandschools.com/">www.longislandschools.com</a>. 
5. Consider joining professional associations such as the American Association for Employment in Education - <a href="http://www.aaee.org/cwt/external/wcpages/index.aspx">www.aaee.org</a> 
<hr width="75%"> 
<a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/resources-for-li-job-seekers-1.1730731">Resources for LI job seekers</a><a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/job-fairs-in-the-ny-li-region-1.1738637"> Job fairs in the NY/LI region</a> <a href="http://www.newsday.com/the-future-of-green-jobs-1.883619">Photos: The future of green jobs</a> <a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/jobs/the-fastest-growing-occupations-1.229">Photos: The fatest growing occupations</a>

BZFIRST

How to find a teaching job

Farm Scene Farm to School

What to do when you grow up on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>, move to <a href="/topics/Chicago">Chicago</a> for grad school and a career start, and now, nine years later, want to return to <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>? 
That's the story from Andrea McCarthy, 32, who grew up in Dix Hills. A graduate of Notre Dame and the Art Institute of <a href="/topics/Chicago">Chicago</a>, she's been working as a manager for a high-end restoration and construction firm. 
She said she and her husband, a cellular biologist, are striking out when it comes to online ads for jobs on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a>. 
Indeed, experts advise people to stop focusing all their attention on finding openings, but to look also for professional contacts to hire or recommend them to hiring managers when jobs open up. 
It's all about connections. Indeed, networking, both online and in person, is the most effective job-search method, according to a survey of human resources managers by <a href="/topics/Chicago">Chicago</a>-based outplacement firm Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas. 
"The majority of my connections in my field are in <a href="/topics/Chicago">Chicago</a>," McCarthy said. With the online job-search approach, "we're spinning our wheels." 
Her question to Newsday experts: "How to strengthen our possibilities of obtaining employment on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> when we are in <a href="/topics/Chicago">Chicago</a>?" 
Advice for her from Thomas J. Ward Jr., director of the center for career development, <a href="/topics/Adelphi_University">Adelphi University</a> in <a href="/topics/Garden_City%2C_NY">Garden City</a>: 
"Mobilize your ambassadors -- make sure that any family and friends living on <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> have a copy of your resume. Make certain that they understand the nature of your past work experience and how it relates to your prospective employment. Get plugged in locally by actively engaging in your university's alumni chapter group. 
"Use technology to build bridges. <a href="/topics/LinkedIn_Corp">LinkedIn</a> is a perfect tool for this situation. Create and update your profile. Research and join related groups. 
"Work with large, well-known third-party recruiters / headhunting agencies. Typically, the larger agencies have offices in both NYC and <a href="/topics/Chicago">Chicago</a>, and they can access your file."&nbsp; 
Advice for her from Kerry Wilkie, Hampton Bays, co-founder of UntappedAbility Job Matching Service. 
"I would . . . plan to visit <a href="/topics/Long_Island%2C_NY">Long Island</a> during periods of time when there are conferences or seminars in your field of interests within our surrounding areas. 
This will give you a chance to network and make contacts that can help keep you connected as you continue your search. Give social networking a try. Connect with old friends on <a href="/topics/Facebook_Inc.">Facebook</a>, let them know what you're trying to do. 
Studies show that it is often peripheral connections (a friend or acquaintances of a friend) not the close ones that actually end up being helpful in job searches."

BZASK15

Heading home to LI, she finds job hunt a challenge

It may be hard to believe, but some companies are still hiring on Long Island, even amid the worst job market since the 1990s. 
It is a silver lining in a recessionary cloud that continues to hang over the area's employment market, which lost private-sector jobs at an annual rate of 21,800 in December as unemployment ticked up to 7 percent. 
Though the latest job losses were the lowest in a year, they still reflect an economy in distress. 
"This is a job market we have never seen before in the post-<a href="/topics/World_War_II">World War II</a> era," said Pearl Kamer, chief economist for the Long Island Association. "Never before in a recession have so many types of jobs been permanently lost." 
The brightest sector continues to be health care, which has performed consistently well throughout the recession, which began here in August 2008. But hiring is also going on in some distressed sectors, such as construction and financial services, even though the categories continue to post losses overall. The advice from economists to job seekers has repeatedly been not to rule out distressed sectors in their job search. 
Health care is hands down the leading job generator right now. From 2000 to mid-2009, employment in the health-care sector grew by 25 percent, made up almost 13 percent of Long Island's jobs and represented more than 13 percent of the Island's wages, said Kamer, quoting <a href="/topics/Labor_Department">Labor Department</a> data. 
Though real estate is far less robust because it has been especially hard hit during the recession, there is a growing need for roofers and project managers as a result of demand for repair work and sewer and infrastructure projects, said Gary Huth, the State <a href="/topics/Labor_Department">Labor Department</a>'s principal economist for Long Island. 
James Vilardi, president of Bedford Construction Group Inc., based in <a href="/topics/Valley_Stream%2C_NY">Valley Stream</a>, said he was planning to hire a construction manager and administrative employee in the first half of the year. He said he hopes the market begins "to stabilize through 2010 and maybe show some signs of life in 2011." 
The financial-activities sector has also taken a blow, but companies are hiring financial advisers to meet increased demand from baby boomers and laid-off workers. The subcategory is projected to grow 26 percent from 2006 to 2016, according to the <a href="/topics/Labor_Department">Labor Department</a>. 
The information-technology category, some of whose jobs fall in the higher-paying but job-losing professional and business-services sector, has seen job losses as well, but some companies are still hiring, particularly for project managers, who organize and manage complex projects such as Web development. 
"Nobody is blowing a trumpet, but some companies are experiencing growth and need to hire management people," said Barbara Viola, who owns Viotech Solutions, a <a href="/topics/Farmingdale%2C_NY">Farmingdale</a> high-tech staffing company. 
Green jobs, a budding industry that crosses many sectors, even construction, is a job-growth area, state data shows. Some of the jobs include installing energy-efficient appliances and solar panels, said Kamer. 
"It's going to be a major growth area because the country is simply going to have to become more energy efficient," she added. 
But she cautioned that the industry's job growth is still in its infancy. 
"These are relatively new [jobs] and there aren't many of these," she said. 
Not so with health care. Among the top five companies hiring on Long Island last month were a hospital and a medical-staffing company - Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in <a href="/topics/West_Islip%2C_NY">West Islip</a> and ABC Employment Agency in <a href="/topics/Bellmore%2C_NY">Bellmore</a> - according to the State <a href="/topics/Labor_Department">Labor Department</a>. 
One of the biggest growth areas for health care has been among home health-care aides. And the <a href="/topics/Labor_Department">Labor Department</a> predicts that category of workers will increase 42 percent between 2006 and 2016. 
"That's the aging of the population, and there will be large numbers of jobs for home-health aides," Kamer said. 
In 15 years, All Island Dermatology has grown from three employees and one office to more than 50 staff members and two locations in <a href="/topics/Garden_City%2C_NY">Garden City</a> and <a href="/topics/Glen_Cove%2C_NY">Glen Cove</a>, said Dr. Joseph Onorato, the practice's owner. Within the past several months, he has hired four people. 
"Although we are not recession-proof, we are pretty close," he said. "If people are sick, they need medical treatment." 
With Keiko Morris and Emi Endo

BZJOBS14

Despite slow economy, some LI companies are hiring

All week long, Newsday's panel of experts offers advice to job seekers. Watch for it in the News or Business section.
 
Laura Salerno of Plainview, laid off last month from her job as assistant director of technology for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, is already immersed in a job search. An information technology professional also with experience in retail and aerospace, she's now looking to take her tech talents to sectors with predicted growth, such as education or health care.
An active networker, she said she's been making contacts with IT professionals in both areas. Still, she's looking for further guidance: "How do you break into a new industry when you may have the qualifications, but don't have the experience or contacts in that industry?"
That's the question she's posed for Newsday's panel of job search experts. Sunday through Friday they will be answering job hunters' questions, both in Newsday and at newsday.com. 
Salerno may be a little ahead of the game. Already she has a professional presence on <a href="/topics/LinkedIn_Corp">LinkedIn</a> and just started serving on the computer technology committee of the Hauppauge Industrial Association. Still, she knows she has further footwork. 
"You can network with any number of groups and make any number of connections - it only takes one," she said, to lead to the right job. "I have faith."
Here's what experts say about switching to a new industry:
 
 From Bill Heather, senior vice president in <a href="/topics/Melville%2C_NY">Melville</a> with Right Management, a <a href="/topics/Philadelphia">Philadelphia</a>-based career management firm:
"First . . . identify jobs that are in most demand and the business drivers that are most important to that industry/organization. These can be cost control, technology improvements, outsourcing, acquisitions, restructuring, etc. 
Next identify how you have addressed similar business drivers in your past assignments . . . What was the business issue, what did you do to address it and what was the outcome of your efforts? 
Now . . . make your case to your particular company target. . . . Make sure you try and "wash" your language so you do not use the lexicon or terminology of your previous employer. Instead, demonstrate that you are familiar with the organization/industry by using their language in your conversation. Also demonstrate how you were able to transition from one industry to another and show your familiarity with this new industry."
 
 From Susan Shevlin, assistant vice president of talent acquisition for North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in <a href="/topics/Lake_Success%2C_NY">Lake Success</a>.
"You will need to start becoming an expert in health care IT by researching what is required to do the job . . . I would review the Web sites of various employers to see what the qualifications are for the position they are recruiting. Then you can do a self-assessment of what skills or training you are lacking.
You can then research how you would obtain these skills. Are there courses at local universities or other educational programs . . . 
Lastly, I would focus on industries and companies that support health care institutions. In many organizations the IT resources are outsourced to a third-party vendor. Look to see how these companies hire."

BZASK14

Information technology veteran looks for new job

bzASK

Newsday

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