Nefesh BNefesh

Knowledge of Computers
Most employers expect a strong knowledge of Microsoft Office – Word and Excel are essential and Access and PowerPoint may also be important. If you can type in Hebrew and use MS Office in Hebrew you will be more marketable. Email and use of the Internet are also necessary for working as an administrator. Basic bookkeeping knowledge is an advantage.

Familiarity with the use of social media adds value to a candidate's skill set, as well. Being able to communicate on Facebook, Linked In and Twitter may seem to be more social oriented, but an increasing number of companies today need people who can use these tools on a basic level in order to communicate professionally.

Knowledge of Hebrew
A minimum of a good working knowledge of Hebrew is essential for most jobs, and there is a greater demand for someone who is fully bilingual. It is strongly advised to take Ulpan upon arrival and to become proficient at working on the computer in Hebrew. Even in an office environment that deals mainly with English speakers, it is still necessary to deal with Israeli suppliers, service providers, etc.

There is demand for bilingual secretaries; anyone who is fluent in Hebrew and can type well in both languages won't look long for a job. In addition, salaries for bilingual secretaries are generally higher. 

Mercaz Hachvana (The Employment Guidance Center of Misrad Haklita) offers courses in Hebrew typing for new Olim. Once you have invested in Ulpan and improved your spoken Hebrew skills, it is worthwhile to spend a few weeks at Mercaz Hachvana to strengthen your Hebrew computer skills.

Adapting Your Resume
If you are looking for a job in this field but your prior work experience wasn't exclusively or primarily administrative, your resume should highlight the administrative skills that you have and the related responsibilities that you had at previous jobs. Keep in mind that the focus of your resume should be on the value that you are bringing to this type of position.

Finding Work
Generally speaking, the employment prospects for qualified secretaries with at least 2 years of experience are fairly good, particularly if you are bilingual and can type in Hebrew. If you do not yet have solid experience, your options may be more limited, and you may have to devote a more intensive effort to your job search.

There are a number of ways of going about finding an administration job in Israel. As one of your first steps, you should use the government employment services that are available. For a list of these services, please see: Aliyah Organizations and Government Offices Providing Employment Services. In addition, there are many online job search resources that also advertise administrative jobs. For a list of sites, please see: Online Resources for Job Seekers. Of this list, Israemploy, Jobnet, and Janglo are general job search lists that are targeted mainly for English speakiing Olim.

Employment agencies and headhunters are also a source of job opportunities; they do not take money from the job seeker, but rather receive a commission from the company that is seeking to hire employees. For a list of recruitment agencies, please see: Headhunters and Employment Agencies.

Job openings are often advertised in the situations-vacant sections of the major newspapers, particularly on Fridays. While the English language Jerusalem Post carries some ads, the majority are to be found in the Hebrew press. The English-speaking immigrant associations such as the AACI also offer vocational counseling and can furnish immigrants with job leads.

Finally, word of mouth is often one of the best sources of job leads. Don't hesitate to let everyone you can know that you are seeking work, and follow up on any leads they may offer. Many positions are filled without ever being advertised.

Documents to Bring to Israel