Our new STICK OF THE WEEK is Jennifer Star. Jennifer is in the NOW as founder and CEO of The Jennifer Group Inc., an NYC based recruiting agency that specializes in placing high end administrative support staff in New York City and New Jersey. Jennifer's skills as a teacher and a recruiter, coupled with her flair for hosting great parties has also led her to develop SuburbanRut Professional Round Tables, workshops for those looking to get back to work, switch industries, find a first job, or start a business. SuburbanRut Professional Round Tables offers support, guidance, direction and a professional dream team to get women where they want to go.
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
My NOW is always the same; how can I help moms get back to the workforce. Every woman has their own story to tell and hearing about them each day inspires me to make a difference. A mom is the support person for their family and typically, they get very little support themselves. So my job is to do what I can to give them that.
My NOW is always the same; how can I help moms get back to the workforce. Every woman has their own story to tell and hearing about them each day inspires me to make a difference. A mom is the support person for their family and typically, they get very little support themselves. So my job is to do what I can to give them that.
Admin Girl
As a recruiter, I specialize in placing administrative staff, I help clients retain their staff with team building activities and I partner with my clients to help them create productive environments. When the economy turned and companies weren't hiring as much, I had to revamp my noodle recipe. I took my community online at AdminSuperStar.com, so people could find jobs on their own and have resources to help them. This particular turn of events led women to my doors for private coaching and workshops. So that's when SuburbanRut.com was born.
Right NOW I'm also in the midst of brewing a book to help everyone on the journey to their dream job.
Right NOW I'm also in the midst of brewing a book to help everyone on the journey to their dream job.
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
My NOW is always simmering, brewing, baking, cooking and at times a little overdone! My job is to help women discover, create and realize their dream jobs. With so many different parts involved in making that happen, there is always something that gets left behind for the next day. In noodle terms, it gets overcooked.
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
In order to be creative you have to be open to new things. Creative people are not closed minded. They are open minded, appreciate authenticity and they respect all things organic. Being creative is about purposefully looking outside the box and seeing what else is out there. Some people are comfortable in the box, they like the four walls and the stability of it. Other people prefer to see what is happening outside the box, the place without walls where the floor may drop out beneath them at any moment. But if you're lucky, you just may discover you have wings and can fly. So who cares!
I help my clients to think outside the box all the time. When someone hasn't worked in many years, isn't sure what they want to do, what they are capable of doing or how to even get started, they come to me. I help them figure it out and put a game plan in motion. As a recruiter, I know what companies look for in great candidates and helping these women get their dream job is something I love to do. Unfortunately, the world doesn't always welcome back to work moms with open arms. So that's when we have to get creative in our approach. I ask my clients to think about what they have done as a stay at home mom that can help them transition into a new job. For example; maybe they were the mom running the school events, organizing fundraisers, volunteering or coaching a team. Or the mom managing contractors for a home remodel, dealing with vendors, negotiating prices, organizing schedules and maintaining expenses..........I could go on and on. You might think all of these skills are just your normal "domestic" things, but they aren't. They are actually skills found on both executive and personal assistant resumes as well as property manager and office manager resumes.
I think you see where I'm going with this. The more creative and open minded you are about your approach to getting a job, the more opportunities you will have. Most importantly, the better chance you have of not only finding a job but finding a dream job. I like to say that people either find or create jobs. Not every person is going to be happy with every job and some people are just meant to work on their own. Let your creative lead you to your job. You will not only enjoy the process more, but you will be happier and be a more desirable employee.
My NOW is always simmering, brewing, baking, cooking and at times a little overdone! My job is to help women discover, create and realize their dream jobs. With so many different parts involved in making that happen, there is always something that gets left behind for the next day. In noodle terms, it gets overcooked.
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
In order to be creative you have to be open to new things. Creative people are not closed minded. They are open minded, appreciate authenticity and they respect all things organic. Being creative is about purposefully looking outside the box and seeing what else is out there. Some people are comfortable in the box, they like the four walls and the stability of it. Other people prefer to see what is happening outside the box, the place without walls where the floor may drop out beneath them at any moment. But if you're lucky, you just may discover you have wings and can fly. So who cares!
I help my clients to think outside the box all the time. When someone hasn't worked in many years, isn't sure what they want to do, what they are capable of doing or how to even get started, they come to me. I help them figure it out and put a game plan in motion. As a recruiter, I know what companies look for in great candidates and helping these women get their dream job is something I love to do. Unfortunately, the world doesn't always welcome back to work moms with open arms. So that's when we have to get creative in our approach. I ask my clients to think about what they have done as a stay at home mom that can help them transition into a new job. For example; maybe they were the mom running the school events, organizing fundraisers, volunteering or coaching a team. Or the mom managing contractors for a home remodel, dealing with vendors, negotiating prices, organizing schedules and maintaining expenses..........I could go on and on. You might think all of these skills are just your normal "domestic" things, but they aren't. They are actually skills found on both executive and personal assistant resumes as well as property manager and office manager resumes.
I think you see where I'm going with this. The more creative and open minded you are about your approach to getting a job, the more opportunities you will have. Most importantly, the better chance you have of not only finding a job but finding a dream job. I like to say that people either find or create jobs. Not every person is going to be happy with every job and some people are just meant to work on their own. Let your creative lead you to your job. You will not only enjoy the process more, but you will be happier and be a more desirable employee.
The Jennifer Group Inc.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I have been recruiting for seventeen years and know exactly what it takes to get a job and to be happy in a job. When I got married and had my kids, I moved to the suburbs and met all of these wonderful moms who were itching to get back to work but either had fear, lack of motivation or were not sure how to begin. I realized that there was a whole world of women out there being left behind and I had to do something about it. Each woman has a different story for wanting to go back to work. They also have a story about the challenges of getting back to work. I wanted to help them jump the hurdles and boil their noodles. What motivates me each day is seeing that look of "aha" on their faces and knowing I helped them discover where they want to be.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
As a mom, a creative person and a creative mom, I find inspiration in anything that is happy, positive, beautiful and hard working. I find that people who always take short cuts or who go through life without ever seeing the positive are missing out. They are missing moments with their children, missing out on experiencing and enjoying life and depriving themselves of creativity.
I could send my son to school on the bus each morning but instead, I choose to pack him and my two year old up in the car and drive to the school each day. Not only so I can see him safely into school, but so I can see his teacher and hear her tell me things about his days. I want to be involved in what he is experiencing, I want to be able to reinforce whatever they are doing in school at home, and I want to be present in his school life. I also love the opportunity to see the other kids, see what they are wearing, hear what they are saying and start my day with happiness. This inspires me. This opens my door to creativity leaving the rest of the day open to whatever might fly through it.
I have been recruiting for seventeen years and know exactly what it takes to get a job and to be happy in a job. When I got married and had my kids, I moved to the suburbs and met all of these wonderful moms who were itching to get back to work but either had fear, lack of motivation or were not sure how to begin. I realized that there was a whole world of women out there being left behind and I had to do something about it. Each woman has a different story for wanting to go back to work. They also have a story about the challenges of getting back to work. I wanted to help them jump the hurdles and boil their noodles. What motivates me each day is seeing that look of "aha" on their faces and knowing I helped them discover where they want to be.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
As a mom, a creative person and a creative mom, I find inspiration in anything that is happy, positive, beautiful and hard working. I find that people who always take short cuts or who go through life without ever seeing the positive are missing out. They are missing moments with their children, missing out on experiencing and enjoying life and depriving themselves of creativity.
I could send my son to school on the bus each morning but instead, I choose to pack him and my two year old up in the car and drive to the school each day. Not only so I can see him safely into school, but so I can see his teacher and hear her tell me things about his days. I want to be involved in what he is experiencing, I want to be able to reinforce whatever they are doing in school at home, and I want to be present in his school life. I also love the opportunity to see the other kids, see what they are wearing, hear what they are saying and start my day with happiness. This inspires me. This opens my door to creativity leaving the rest of the day open to whatever might fly through it.
Open Your Door
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
One item at a time. One person at a time. One moment at a time. Juggling is just something that you have to do and you will most likely drop a few things along the way. Just pick it up and keep on going. It is nearly impossible to juggle and be sane at the same time without a support system. For me, it is my nanny and my supportive husband. I have an office in the city that I haven't seen in a long time because I want to work from home and be here if the kids need me, but at the same time, it isn't easy to distance myself from what is going on so I can work. It's always a juggle, but if you get a good rhythm, it flows smoothly and it's enjoyable.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Ultimately I would like to have my pasta and eat it too, but then I would have to make more time for the gym. Time is something I can't create so I will have to eat my pasta in moderation.
I am finishing up a book for my agent to present to a publisher and I would love to be able to have a positive impact on as many women as possible. They deserve to have their pasta and eat it too. Raising a family is the hardest job anyone can have and to say to a woman who has raised her kids, run her home and helped her school and community that she is unemployable because she wasn't getting a paycheck is absurd.
My noodles are always simmering and to me, they taste good any way they are served.
Check out Jennifer Star's BLOG and YouTube Video
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