How do I help a non-English speaker apply for a job?

[Stephen James]

I just started volunteer teaching English classes during the spring and fall. One of my students has told me that immigration is requiring him to find employment. He definitely needs further training in English in order to communicate fluently. I have heard of IndyReads and am looking into it. Does anyone know of other programs that are available for non-English speakers?

Also, the majority of positions I have applied for required a resume, a cover letter and a portfolio of past work, so I am not that familiar with applying for a non-professional job. I assume that he wants a minimum wage job to meet the employment requirement. I've been to the Indianapolis Craigslist and looked. Are there places (job boards, centers) that might list jobs that wouldn't require much customer service interaction?

[Lindsey Taylor]

Look at La Voz de Indiana or La Ola, I am assuming this student is a Spanish speaker, and these are two of Indy's bilingual newspapers and they could possibly help. If the student does not speak Spanish then I apologize for the assumption, but libraries and schools will help.

Lindsey

[Amy Magan]

You might also contact La Plaza.

[Linda Wawrzyniak]

There are many great resources that show non-English speakers how to fill out an application. We have many workplace forms we use to teach that. The State of Indiana uses a test called CASAS to help non-English speakers with basic workplace skills. If you want me to send you a copy of an application that you can use (with instructions how to teach it), please send me a note on my email address- [e-mail] I can put one in the mail for you to see. Hope that helps!

[Stephen James]

Thank you for the tips. My student is not however a Latino. His native language is Arabic.

[Nicki Laycoax]

I think the best place to start might be the Department of Workforce Development. http://www.in.gov/dwd/