JFCS’ new building makes Career Services experience stronger for job seekers
By Dianne Bari • JFCS Career Services Director
Everyone loves JFCS’ new building, and the Career Services team is no exception. Our new home provides a professional physical environment that equals the level of professionalism that our staff has always provided. It sets the tone that job seekers will find when applying and interviewing for potential jobs in the “real world,” making the entire JFCS Career Services experience stronger and more effective.
Employment Counselor Marah Johnson
Additionally, our new location has afforded us the opportunity to have the entire department in one area of the building instead of on two floors, as was the case at our previous location. Career Services staff are collaborating with each other, thriving in the bright, upbeat surroundings and loving their ergonomically-designed workstations.
Employment Counselors appreciate the crisp, professional spaces available throughout the building to meet with clients. Individual meeting rooms rival any corporate space, each appointed with conference-style seating and a desktop computer. Having a computer in the meeting room means counselors and clients can work together efficiently on job searches, job applications, cover letters and résumés, and LinkedIn profiles. The room setup lends itself to mock interviewing, and clients appreciate the opportunity to practice their skills in a “real world” environment.
For its group activities, Career Services uses the Event Room and the Tankenoff Families Board Room. In these spaces, we hold our monthly Professional Networking Group and Employer Breakfasts.
The Professional Networking Group features speakers on topics related to the job search process. This group is open to active JFCS clients as well as the general public, and there is no fee to attend. Held bi-monthly, Career Services clients have the opportunity to attend Employer Breakfasts, which feature local employers or a panel of employers from a given industry, who are actively recruiting for their respective companies. Guests have the opportunity to introduce themselves, practice their “elevator speech,” and connect directly with company representatives to share their résumé and pursue the application process for current openings.
The state-of-the-art technology available in each room means presenters no longer have to lug their laptop to our office, and guests enjoy a clear view of the presentation without any obstructions. Tables and chairs are easy to maneuver, allowing us to quickly configure either room to suit our purposes. Additionally, each of these spaces feature ample counter space to accommodate registration, program materials and refreshments. Taken together, these room amenities afford us the ability to provide a high level of hospitality and comfort to our guests during the high-stress period of job searching.
Both JFCS staff and Career Services clients appreciate that our individual and group meeting spaces in our new Golden Valley home mirror the top-quality services provided by JFCS Employment Counselors.