It's taking folks much longer to land jobs. But a local firm is tackling unemployment starting with 100 local women.
Jacquie Kohn is making the most of watching her budget. She is doing more cooking than eating out. The creative communications executive is now living off her savings after a layoff in 2008.
"I never would have believed that I would be out of work for past a year, no less two years," said Kohn.
She is using her professional networks and actively working leads, but a full-time offer hasn't come.
"There are some options that are out there, some freelance opportunities, but how many times can you contact your network and say, 'hi, I'm still out here,'" said Kohn.
One new option for Kohn will come from Business and People Integration - or BPI for short. It's a global job placement firm that's teaming up with Jewish Vocational Services to place 100 local women in the New Year free of charge.
"We were approaching the holidays. We said we have to find a partner where we help people doing what we do best, and that's helping people find jobs who really need them right now in a tough market place," said Angie Auvil, BPI.
"We feel that the relationship with BPI is going to be a terrific enhancement of what we can offer them. They'll get a different type of counseling. They'll have access jobs that are data base that BPI has," said Gail Luxenberg Gruen, Jewish Vocational Services.
Help from BPI is exactly what Kohn hopes lands her that one job.
"To have experts who would normally cost me considerable amount of money offering me this opportunity, I'm thrilled. I'm just thrilled to be a part of it," said Kohn.
Those interested in BPI's "Giving Back" initiative should contact Jewish Vocational Services.
Linda Wolfe
Director, Career Development and Placement
JVS Chicago
5150 West Golf Road
Skokie, Illinois 60077
847-745-5464
lindawolfe@jvschicago.org
jvschicago.org
Patricia Siderius
Managing Director Career Transition Practice US
BPI Group US
18W 160 Butterfield Road, Suite 1160
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
psiderius@bpigroupus.com
www.bpigroupus.com
