JVS is a non-profit, non-sectarian agency, fully credentialed, which provides career counseling and job placement to Chicago area clients. The Agency is supported by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and public funds. Click here for a summary of our licenses and professional affiliations. JVS assists clients in evaluating their interests, aptitudes and experiences to clarify career direction. Clients can choose from a range of services which include networking, exploring the job market, learning job search strategies, obtaining job placement assistance and support groups.

• JOB PLACEMENT

JVS' professional staff assists individuals with organizing strategic job searches, developing resumes and cover letters, using the Internet to investigate career possibilities, and sharpening self-marketing skills (interviewing, networking and negotiating.) Resumes of job ready candidates are posted on the JVS website and matched with available positions - from entry to executive levels - connecting recruits with more than 5000 Chicago area employers. There is no fee for this matching service.

For JVS locations and contact information, click here.
To schedule an appointment with JVS click here

• CAREER COUNSELING

JVS' professional staff assists individuals in determining a career direction that will utilize their talents by evaluating their interests, values and achievements to clarify all possible career options. Individual counseling and coaching include test assessments, identifying mentors and evaluating educational options as well as transferable skills. Counseling fees are on a sliding scale.

For JVS locations and contact information, click here.
To schedule an appointment with JVS click here

• GROUP SERVICES



JVS offers a wide array of special programs to assist job seekers and career changers.

Suburban Resource Network (SRN). SRN, sponsored by Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) and Jewish Family and Community Service (JFCS) provides group programs to meet the needs of individuals in various stages of career transition resulting from downsizing, corporate restructuring, life-stage change and obsolete skills.

"Focus Your Career Path," a four week seminar focuses on the assessment of skills, values and accomplishments; goal setting; creation of an action plan; and maintaining marketability in a changing job market."New Directions," a five week series designed for women who are re-entering the job market or changing careers, explores skill interests and career experiences; balancing careers and family demands; and the benefits and costs of career choices. Programs alternate between various locations. For information call or e-mail .

Career Connections For Young Professionals offers young adults who are focused on developing career strategies that work, programs that include career counseling, assessment testing, strategic job searches, videotaped mock interviews, assistance with career transitions, mentoring services and monthly Career Moves seminars. Middle to high-level professionals are connected for networking and the exchange of information. For further information call or e-mail



Jewish Employment Network (JEN). JEN is a cooperative partnership between JVS, more than 60 affiliated congregations, the Chicago Board of Rabbis and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. It serves middle and upper-level managers and professionals whose jobs have been impacted by corporate restructuring as well as career changers, young professionals and college and post-graduate students.

JEN offers a wide array of services to congregation members and their adult children, enabling them to wage a successful job campaign in today's rapidly changing marketplace. These services include: networking events; listing in the Talent List and Executive Edition publications; monthly roundtables featuring volunteer career search experts; support and strategy groups; videotaped mock interviews, job listings; and computer/Internet services. Unemployed senior executives are linked with mentors in the Jewish community and recruiters. For more information call or e-mail .

Work Wise offers twenty hours of instruction in Windows software over a four-week period plus ten additional hours of job campaign and placement services. This program is customized for adults (50+) who need to upgrade their skills in order to increase their employment opportunities. For information call or e-mail .

Resource Centers - JVS locations have computer resources where clients can conduct job seeking research, create resumes and cover letters or work with knowledgeable staff in expediting an individual Internet job search. Publications highlighting the latest labor market trends and effective job campaign techniques are available. This service is by appointment through your JVS counselor.

Special Events/Seminars - Events highlight critical aspects of a job campaign and present cutting-edge techniques to succeed in the rapidly changing marketplace and technological revolution. Check with the JVS Events Calendar for monthly listings.



Refugee Placement Program - Services to refugees from the former Soviet Union feature English-as-a Second Language (ESL), career counseling, Internet job search, resume writing and job seminars in preparation for entering the American job market. JVS offers a number of free short term training classes to upgrade or increase marketable work skills. Assistance with job placement is provided upon successful completion.
Click here for new Americans who are ready to work.

An extensive corps of JVS volunteers provide opportunities for new Americans to acculturate through practicing conversational English, mock interviewing with human resource or other business professionals and participating in seminars relevant to their career areas.

For information on resettlement services, training opportunities and eligibility, call or e-mail .

For volunteer opportunities, click here

English-As-A-Second Language Program (ESL)
The JVS/ESL program was established to help foreign born clients learn conversational English and to communicate in the American world of work.Truman College provides highly qualified adult educators through Chicago City Colleges' Adult Skills Learning Program. The focus of the classes is on vocational communication: oral and listening skills are primary. Classes are non-credit and without charge.

Entering students are tested for their English language level and placed in an appropriate class. Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Students who work during the day are encouraged to attend Monday through Thursday evenings, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A babysitting service is available on site for children ages two to five while their parents attend during the daytime. The JVS Volunteer Program supplements the ESL program, providing students with additional out-of-classroom practice, specialized vocational language courses, and acculturation activities. For further information call or e-mail .