Job searching is a complicated effort. It is nearly a full-time job even in this market! But nonprofits are making a difference as job-searching resources. Our guests are experts, and their non-profit agencies know how to support job applicants through to job attainment.
Meet Our Expert Guests
Our guests are Jami Phillips, an Employment Consultant for New Directions Career Center, and Malka Bendor, a Workshop Facilitator for Jewish Family Services, both located in Columbus, OH.
Jamie kicks things off, telling us how she moved from recruiting into the nonprofit world at New Directions. She started out volunteering, then made her way to employment consulting, and you can tell she genuinely loves helping people find their footing in the workforce.
Malka brings a different angle, having worked in the print industry before jumping over to workforce development at Jewish Family Services. She’s done everything from helping college students land their first jobs to connecting seasoned professionals returning from overseas with positions back home. Her business background gives her clients an inside track on what employers are really after.
What Do These Nonprofits Actually Do?
It turns out, central Ohio is packed with nonprofits—like nearly 9,000! But not everyone knows about the career resources tucked inside these organizations. That’s why we want to shine a light on the work being done at New Directions and Jewish Family Services.
Jewish Family Services is all about opening doors for anyone in the community, regardless of background or faith. They support everyone from recent immigrants and refugees to professionals at the top of their game. The staff speaks over a dozen languages, and everything’s built around partnership and a super welcoming vibe.
The best part? Most services are free or very low-cost.
New Directions, meanwhile, focuses mainly on empowering women to become self-sufficient. But the doors are open to adults of all ages and genders. They offer a holistic approach: everything from workshops and small group programs to personalized career counseling. Whether you’re 18 or 80, no degree or a PhD, there’s something there for you if you’re ready for a change.
How the Pandemic Changed Everything
Both Jamie’s and Malka’s organizations had to flip to virtual services basically overnight. Jamie describes the scramble to make sure nobody missed out just because they didn’t have a computer at home. They got creative by loaning out laptops and even Wi-Fi hotspots so clients could stay connected.
With Jewish Family Services, Malka shares how their in-person “job search community” moved to Zoom. There was a little concern at first: would people still feel like a true support group through a screen? But it worked! In fact, small touches like group dance breaks before meetings made sessions feel lively and brought everyone together, even though they were far apart. They saw real friendships form, with folks even starting book clubs together.
Virtual life made networking more accessible, too. Since everyone suddenly had to work with unreliable Wi-Fi and kids or dogs in the background, it actually leveled the playing field. You could be a CEO or just starting, but everyone was learning together.
New Skills for a New World
A big topic was how job seekers now need to be tech-savvy. At least comfortable enough to do video interviews, fill out online applications, and reach out to people digitally. Virtual interviews are here to stay, and they bring a new set of rules: Is your camera on? Is the lighting good? Are you making eye contact (with your webcam!)? Practice helps. Whether it’s with a friend or someone at one of these nonprofits.
Resumes still make everyone anxious, especially with the famous Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that so many big companies use. The advice here: focus on the top third of your resume, use online tools to check for ATS-friendliness, and don’t be afraid you’ll get lost in the shuffle.
Real human beings are still reviewing resumes, especially at small to mid-sized companies. And let’s be honest, if you don’t put yourself out there, you’re guaranteed not to hear back.
What About Employers?
Nonprofits aren’t just helping job seekers. They’re also a goldmine for employers who are having a tough time finding (and keeping) good talent. Jamie explains that employers are reaching out to nonprofits, looking for qualified candidates without having to pay recruiters a small fortune.
Nonprofits know their clients well and only recommend people who are a good match, which saves everyone time and money.
The hiring landscape is changing. Flexible work options, sign-on bonuses for jobs that never offered them before, and creative perks are popping up everywhere. Employers are now more open to older workers with solid experience. This is great news for people who worried they might have aged out of the workforce.
Staying Ahead and Staying Connected
One thing everyone agrees on: job seekers have to keep learning. Whether it’s adding new technical skills or staying on top of the latest trends on LinkedIn or Facebook, upskilling and reskilling are just facts of life now.
And virtual interviews? They’re probably not going anywhere.
The nonprofits are always trying out new things. These include hybrid workshops, flexible coaching sessions, new ways to keep in touch, whatever it takes to meet people where they are.
Final Words About Nonprofit Career Centers
Malka encourages everyone to look forward, not back. Highlight the parts of your experience that fit what employers need right now. Surround yourself with supporters, use the resources out there, and be patient; job searching is frustrating, but patience pays off.
Jamie’s advice? Remember your worth. Everyone has valuable skills and a story to tell, even if you sometimes forget how great you are. Support is out there. You don’t have to do this alone.
In a nutshell, central Ohio’s nonprofits are doing incredible work helping people find their way forward in their careers, no matter their background. They’re adapting quickly, keeping things people-focused, and reminding all of us that with the right support, you can tackle whatever the job market throws your way.
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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants.
Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
