Navigating the Israeli Job Market as Olim: Tips & Advice from a Career Advisor

Orly Militzer helps Olim like me navigate the complexities of the job market and empowers them to embrace their new career paths and find belonging in their new home.

Author: Jessica Scalisi
Photo by Mina Rad on Unsplash

Making Aliyah is a profound and transformative experience filled with hope, challenges, and the promise of a new beginning. For many Olim, navigating the Israeli job market can be one of the most challenging aspects of this transition. It’s also one of the most important. In my recent conversation with Orly, a dedicated and passionate recruiter and career advisor, I discovered the huge impact one person can have in guiding and supporting new Olim through this critical phase of their integration into Israeli society. Orly’s commitment to helping Olim, like myself, find employment is not just about job placement; it’s about building a foundation for a new life filled with purpose and belonging.

"I am an experienced recruiter and recruitment manager,” Orly said. “Throughout my roles, I have been approached by candidates seeking career advice, including Olim."

“As a recruiting director, I hired for various roles that required a high level of English and other foreign languages. We cooperated with different placement agencies, social networks, and even participated in job fairs dedicated to Olim. This exposure to Olim over the last few years made me realize the unique challenges they face.” Curious about what specifically motivated her to continue helping Olim, I asked Orly about her driving force. “Connecting and working with new Olim makes you realize the incredible journey they undertake, often moving alone to a new country,” she said. “They must transition everything they know, from their language and culture to their friends and jobs. Employment is a huge anchor in everyone’s life, and supporting Olim during this journey is hugely satisfying. I see their feedback and reactions, and it makes a huge difference for them.”

Orly now works as a recruiting strategist, career advisor, and placement manager. She explained her process: “The first thing I do is connect with the new Oleh through an introductory meeting. I want to understand their career journey, what they love to do, what they are good at, and where they want to be. Based on this, we build the right path to find their new career step in Israel.” “I offer various consulting packages, from general advice on CVs and LinkedIn profiles to more specific services like interview preparation, industry insights, and networking support” she added. “Most Olim don’t have an established network in Israel, so I provide the infrastructure for networking, which is crucial here.”

Orly emphasized the importance of language proficiency and local experience: “Many Olim face a language barrier. While some companies require a high level of English, internal communication often remains in Hebrew. It’s essential to practice Hebrew daily, find mentors or friends to help, and not be afraid to speak it, even if it’s initially challenging.” Another issue faced by Olim is credential recognition: “Immigrants (Olim) may have educational qualifications and work experience that don’t align with Israeli standards. We help translate and adapt their credentials to meet local expectations, often converting job titles to match the Israeli job market’s terminology.”

To illustrate the impact, Orly shared a story about an American attorney who made Aliyah a few years ago. “He missed his family and returned to the U.S. We were trying to find him a flexible job where he can spend part of his time in Israel and part in the U.S.,” she said. Another story involved an Olah who transitioned from a content role to a business development position during COVID-19. “Despite remote interviews, we identified her business strengths and service-oriented attitude, leading to a new career in business development.”

Photo by Linked in Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Orly's understanding of the unique challenges faced by new Olim and her efforts to provide personalized guidance and support have helped countless individuals find their place in Israel.

As I listened to Orly’s work with new Olim, it became clear that what she does goes beyond recruitment—it is about nurturing dreams, fostering resilience, and building a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone can thrive. Through her professional approach and expert knowledge, Orly not only helps Olim like me navigate the complexities of the job market but also empowers them to embrace their new career paths and find belonging in their new home.