Don't waste your time coming here while you can find all the necessary information online. If you are seeking Federal/State Funding, DROP the idea. Besides providing them SS card, Driver's License, and Passport for them to make a copy, those are NOT enough to prove who are are. They requested ridiculous documents, e.g. I-20 that you had some twenty years ago, and give you a number to call for that organization to issue you a certificate...etc. And when you called, that organization's staff was shocked, What the heck... They don't issue such certificate... And when I told them I quit applying and asked to trash my personal data, they said they will keep it in their record for future reference. read more

Nova is a wonderful recruiting agency. They help you at every step of your job search journey. I would highly recommend this as the Nova helped me from resume preparation to getting interview ready. read more

Pros: at least the computers are free to use and printing as well. At least it is a place that has some resources to start with. They are kind and helpful whe it comes to using their computers (which are fast, thank god!). I only put two stars because this federally funded establishment (yes that is OUR money) misses the mark. I was assigned to one of the counselors who is dangerously tone deaf twice. What I mean is she looks at me like Im crazy for wanting the middle class dream (saving to buy a home you know!? Starting a family etc). She even referred me to an overly impacted mental health estaestablishment for therapy (even though the therapist I paid for back im 2012 referred me to this location). I feel like a pawn just being passed around. And I hate to say it but the woman was east indian, I am pretty sure she would of been quick on her feet if the person was her own kind (typical in the "diverse" silicon valley, but if you are born and raised here the hell with you!) I also brought my BF who was injured in a neglectful job. He is very skilled but heavily tattooed and has missing teeth. When I brought him in all the women looked shocked. I promise you that was not the looked received when I attended. Also I believe they intentially lied on the data when I told them about my new job. I make 16.50 an hr in my full time job. One of the women who offered to fill it out put down $50 an hr....um I wish? But after being referred to a therapist instead having tough REAL questions answered I am forced to look somewhere else and sadly have to leave a serious comment. read more

I am transitioning out of my job and needed help to learn how to interview better (I get very nervous and not always show them my best) and brush up on my communication skills. My boyfriend kept pushing me to go to Promatch. I looked them up and found NOVA Workshop. I showed up for orientation and then felt like I hit a goldmine. Our tax dollars are paying for this. So you don't pay a single red cent! All the help, information and resources are FREE. I went to a Career Adviser (Brenda who is awesome, teaches the Ace the Interview class). She listened to me as I shared my struggles being authentic in interviews yet trying not to scare them off with too much of the REAL ME....and trying to give them my best. She took out a calendar and circled all the classes she felt I should take. She let me know that my resume looks fine and assured me that I am fine, I just need to practice interviewing more. I've taken Ace the Interview, Behavior-Based Interviewing, Resume Facts and am taking Communication Essentials. Those classes alone with seeing the Career Adviser is a big help. Some tips: *Show up 30 minutes before any class that you don't register in advance for to check. *Show up 10 minutes early for any class you pre-registered for in advance *Get a NOVA badge to save time giving to the ladies up registration *Network! Talk to your peers! *NOVA is the workshop, Promatch is the networking with peers. Like a meet-up for job-seekers to help each other *There is a practice white-board for geeks to sharpen there white-boarding techie skills *You can practice interviewing with any Career Advisor *I am in sales so the communication courses and knowledge is the best part The people I've been in classes are all professionals. And they are all ages. People are friendly and will give you pointers. I hope to get a new job soon but if I don't by mid-April, I will sign up for Promatch and network as well. read more

This facility serves a target demographic that I am not part of it, therefore it was a waste of time for me. Here is a list of services they offer: - Help you write your resume (if you haven't got one) - Help you manage your job search routine (discover opportunities, track, follow up) - How to prepare for an interview - How to use basic productivity software on a computer (Microsoft products) - How to use LinkedIn and other online services to network and look for work NOVA Connect is probably helpful for people who don't have this knowledge, but if you are a typical Silly Valley employee, this place is not going to be for you. They have not yet arrived in the 21st century, as all dealings with them have to be by phone or in person. The 4-hour long indoctrination session consists of them helping you fill in their paperwork and explaining their services. After that, you're supposed to get your first Career Councilor meeting, which you can schedule by phone. Only that the directions they send you in the email (call this number during these hours to leave a message requesting appointment) are wrong and during the said hours the line has an automated response playing "Thanks for calling, this line is now closed." If you get someone on the phone, the appointments are only available for the same day, and if you don't have a whole day everyday available to just be at their beck and call ("I have an appointment in 20 minutes" - "Err, I live 45 minutes away" - "Call again tomorrow?") -- in short, if you don't dedicate yourself completely to working out NOVA Connect system, you will not be able to get anything out of it. My motivation for trying to make it work was to get access to ProMatch service, but I could not even get the first career appointment. I gave up after three or four attempts, and they cashed in from the state of California for "helping" me for 90 days. Whee. My tax money well spent. Without any help from them, I got a new job, and should I ever be unemployed again, I will not repeat the mistake of going to NOVA Connect. read more

To all those unemployed, I feel your pain (well... I FELT it anyway. I JUST got a job a couple weeks ago and starts this month. But I was unemployed for close to 6 months). Being unemployed, I was actually forced to come to this center to get a lecture on the resources available to me in order to qualify for unemployment benefits (thanks, State of California). While I felt like I wasted an hour of my time, this mandatory hour was quite beneficial now that I look back. I learned that everyone's in this together in this really crappy economy. This unemployment trend affects all ages, all races, all markets, and almost ALL families. This place has a lot to offer and although I didn't use it, it was nice to have the option of coming here to get resume help, to make free copies, to practice interviews, to attend interviews, to attend informational career seminars, to send free faxes, and most importantly have a support system during this difficult time. I know I'm lucky to have found a job (and one that hopefully will turn into a career of some sort), but I also know that a part of the reason I got a job is because I had this place to fall back on. You always need a backup in a situation, and this place could be your backup. So if you're unemployed and don't know about this place, stop by and check it out. They're really cool. read more

The NOVA Job Center in Sunnyvale is a gem in Silicon Valley. I have been using their services in my job search efforts and to improve my social skills. A look at their monthly calendar at https://novaworks.org/calendar/nova speaks volumes of their capabilities. They provide training class on how how to develop your Linkedin profile, analyze your marketability, manage change, explore your training options...just to name a few. These programs they offer generate results and have been recognized by the community as beneficial; this is further validated by the fact that they are now running similar programs in San Mateo. My experience with the staff at NOVA Sunnyvale, including the front desk team, the program organizers and career advisors have been extremely positive. For example, my career advisor, Kim Le, is very professional and knowledgeable. You can tell right away she knows her stuff and the way she has assisted me in my career change has been outstanding. She helped me obtain a federal workforce training grant to undergo further professional training such that I am now in the process of getting my Program and Project Management certificate form UCSC Extension. Thank you Kim! I should also mention that NOVA is actively engaged with the employers in the area and the larger Silicon Valley community. For example, they organize informational meetings with staffing agencies including Ryzen Solutions, Modis and West Valley Staffing. Other events I have attended recently include meetings with Encore and just this week, I participated in mock interviews on the Linkedin campus. Finally, I find the staff at NOVA to be very hard working. They are very responsive and responsible.I think it is fair to say they are the reason NOVA is so successful. read more

I decided to pick up a typing certificate today. Not for any reason other than 'just because'. I had found the NOVA Job Center through the Cal jobs website (https://jobs.ca.gov/Job/TypingCertification), which lists NOVA as an acceptable institution for the typing certification. I called in yesterday, but the woman in charge of the typing test wasn't available. She called me today, in response to the message I had left, and I scheduled an appointment to take the test this afternoon. The test is $10 -- exact cash or check. If you come with a $20, like I did, you'll get redirected across the street so you can actually get the $10 bill (or equivalent). You also need to bring a photo ID. The test process is as follows: First, you begin with a practice test. This allows you to get comfortable with the keyboard. Consider it your 'warm-up', and don't invest too much energy into it. You're not graded on this part, obviously. After the practice test, you launch into the actual test itself. The test starts as soon as you begin typing. The test is just typing up a pre-written memo, which is situated on a stand next to the computer monitor. The test utilizes most all the keys on the keyboard, including numbers, punctuation, and letters. It's one space between words, and two 'enter keys' between paragraphs. Standard formatting, basically. You get this information in the 'instructions' bit before the test. After the five-minutes end, you then receive your score, which is based on accuracy and speed. You get to see your score in comparison to the average of most people (45 wpm) on a neat little graph. In addition to the statistical data, you are also granted a few copies of a certificate indicating that you achieved xx word count from NOVA. For $10 and about 15 minutes of your time, you too can receive a typing certification! Just make sure you make an appointment beforehand. read more

Absolutely useless. I went and saw 4 different career advisors, and got dramatically different advice from all of them. None of them seemed very interested in spending the time to get to know me or my situation, they just wanted me to go away. ProMatch was an absolute joke and a waste of my time. The one valuable thing NOVA offers is free workshops about job searching and interviewing, and those are actually well put together and give useful advice. As for NOVA generally though, they're worthless and I'm now shopping for a private career counselor to help me. I guess you get what you pay for! read more

Do not come here go to Work2future in San Jose instead. The lack of professionalism I witnessed from management staff was sickening. Since being laid off from my job I came here to register for a workshop. While I waited in the lobby I witnessed a manager named Lisa call another worker an "idiot" under her breath to one of the receptionists. I couldn't believe my ears! Another manager named Cindy came out to diffuse an upset customer and while she apologized she was rolling her eyes at the person. I was so shocked by the insensitivity and lack of compassion for this person who was clearly down on their luck. These managers sit on their high horses collecting their calpers and fat paychecks treating staff and customers like garbage. I came here looking for help and compassion while I try to stay strong during my unemployment. Once I heard the derogatory comments out of Lisa's mouth and Cindy's eye rolling I left and went to work2future where I met the most kind people I'd hope to meet during this time. NOVA gets credit/funding based on how many people register with them. They did not get to use me as a number to help fund their paychecks. Not only that but their computers are old and out dated. Perhaps, less money to managers and more towards customers needs such as updated computer equipment and maintaining the facilities. I also noticed the restrooms are disgusting! Homeless people bathing in the sinks and human fecal matter smeared on the walls. This is the City of Sunnyvale!?? They also have a break room with a vending machine in it. Don't go in there! It smells like BO and the candy in the vending machine is expired. NOVA does not care about their customers. They just sit on their fat butts and collect their fat checks while treating customers like garbage. Why should they care? Jobs for life, no one will penalize them. They should be ashamed of themselves. Where is the city manager?! She should do a walk through and fire these idiot managers! They lack compassion and empathy which I think is the most basic qualification for best in class customer service. They don't have it here. Go to work2future in San Jose if you want to be treated with dignity and respect. read more

Nova provides great services. The opportunity to obtain grants for training is amazing. Most people aren't aware that they qualify. The training advisors walk you through the process and it's a hidden benefit, especially during Covid-19. Their training sessions are very good and they provide much needed support to people in transition. The counselors are also excellent and you can usually get a same day appointment. And Jose is super friendly. Great program and volunteers. read more

I am 58 years old. I was let go of a job I had for 20 years. To say the least I was devastated. I did not have a clue as to how to look for a job. Nova was a beacon of hope. I was able to learn not only how to get a job but how to get a better job! I worked hard attending almost all their classes. I met with career counselors. I learned strategies on how to have that "edge". I showed up,I listened and I did what was suggested. Folks this is the recipe for success. My resume, my LinkedIn profile and my confidence attracted employers. I am now working in a job that I love. It was all my hard work and the support of Nova staff that gave me this chance to succeed. As a result I the quality of my life has changed for the better. I am grateful for the opportunity that Nova has given me. read more

This morning I unexpectedly had to get a typing certification. It was more challenging than expected, and after many phone calls to places all over the Bay Area, I got through to Aracely at Nova. I'm very glad that I did, because she was very helpful, went out of her way to assist me in getting the test at a nonstandard time, and I think she even ate into her own lunch time to help me. Thank you to Aracely for her help today. I recommend this business if you need any employment services. read more

This review is only on the experience I had taking the typing test to obtain a certificate. I would give it 5 stars but the site offers a lot more than just the test. Anywho, the test takes about 7 minutes overall with the practice and actual test. The administrator Jeanette is a very nice and informative lady. everything you need to know about taking the test is there in the instructions but if you need to ask any questions she is more than willing to help. You will need to make an appointment. At the time of your appointment you will need to bring a photo ID and $10 exact cash. if you dont get the score you want in the first place you can go back another time but you will have to pay again. i recommend reading through what youre typing before beginning the test. Thanks Jeanette! read more

Very nice place to set one up for job search and network Tons of workshop and meet diverse pool of people read more

NOT a job placement agency, but a place to get you to a job. NOVA provides you classes, computers, and counselors that can put you back on the right path. read more

This organization is a fabulous support to the community on job seeking issues and is highly regarded in the workforce development world locally. They have a lot of special employer presentations, hiring events, and a wealth of other resources for job seekers all on a government-based shoestring budget. Huge accolades to them for accomplishing so much. I work in Career Services at a local vocational school and we work closely with NOVA, as they assist in getting unemployed individuals funding for retraining and other things they need in order to be successful in their careers. They have helped to secure countless grants for our IT and healthcare students to obtain education and change their lives. read more

No VA means NOT GOING in Spanish. Coincidence? I think not. They will bail out people making 150k+ from their McMansions but do nothing for people who really need the help. After making me sit at their orientation, never telling me about their criteria for services, taking all of my personal info, I never heard back from them. What a scam! Worried this is just identity theft, disguised as another helpful agency. Stay away. They are funded by the state and federal government. Maybe if they have no clients, they will figure out how to treat people with dignity and respect or will realize they themselves will be looking for jobs and have no resources. I do hope this agency is scrapped. It is a waste of federal resources. Got a reply on Yelp 9/11, 15 days after my review. Their solution? "Call the front desk". Very responsive. NOT! SCAM. STAY AWAY. read more

I'd recommend this office to everyone who is looking for a job. The staff here are very professional and helpful. They will have programs for you to learn new skills to become more marketable. The advisor will also help you with your application, mock interviews and your resume. At first, I was skeptical to use the service. Because I thought I already know how to create a resume, my LinkedIn profile, and how to answer questions for an interview, what is need was just a job. However, I changed my mind after a session with the career and training advisor, KIM PHAM. I purposely request for Kim because I read all the good Yelp reviews about her before I decided to use the office. And yes, the reviews are true and correct. Kim is very nice, fast and knowledgeable. She answers my email in the speed of light. She helps me answers interview questions and make it sound more professional. She also provides insights of what the employers are looking for, so you can prepare for your interviews. To be clear, the office won't directly hand you a job, but they will provide the tools and make suggestions to make you more marketable. You will still need to apply for the job yourself, do the interview, and wait for the results from the employers. If you're lucky, you can land a job after an interview. However, you will also expect that no one will call you back after several interviews. I'm trying to explain this because before I joined, I thought and I expect this office will hand me a job after I fill out my application, it doesn't work that way. However, it's all good now for me now. I learned how to answers questions during interviews to make myself more values and professional. The service here is free for job seekers. I'd recommend this service to everyone and I'd recommend to use Kim Pham as your career and training advisor. Good luck! read more

I've been going to NOVA JobCenter since last year in 2012 and I go there about 1-2 times a month. They've helped me get WIA funding to get full coverage for the cost of certification training that I'm currently in to help with employment in an entry level tech job. I have found that highly valuable and I'm glad that I found out about them through visiting some schools to get help on funding for training. I wish they had an office closer to where I live in San Jose, as Sunnyvale is a long drive back and forth with gas prices these days and also trying to avoid traffic hours with commuters going to and from work. After getting to know them for more than a year now, here's what I can say about them as an opinion: Pros: - Friendly staff. This includes the receptionists, the counselors, the training advisers, and the instructors. Very welcoming and courteous. I have yet to find someone that I did not like or get along with who works there. - They offer telephone career advising, for those who cannot physically make the trip to the workshop or to the JobCenter for any questions. This is much different than Work2Future, Focus For Work, or any other employment services agency that I've gotten to know, which do not offer that. It's very convenient if you're busy and need to get something answered sometime in the day which you are flexible. If they don't call you today, they'll call you the next day. Very straight forward instructions on the phone on how to do that. - The workshops are helpful with many materials and resources and instructors who are open to being contacted outside of the workshop for any follow up questions. Anything from resume writing to mock interviewing. They even occasionally have companies like staffing agencies who come in and present some topic that's helpful to job seekers. - They have a computer lab which has several computers and accessible printers, scanners, and I think even fax machines for you to help on your job search or preparation. If those are all filled, there's the Sunnyvale Library which is within walking distance with temporary computers to use as well. - They have good resources on supporting people for high tech jobs. Cons: - There is no advanced registration for workshops the way there is with enrolling for coursework or workshops elsewhere. All workshop signups are done within 30 minutes prior to the start time of the workshop, which can be problematic for some people like me from the unknown estimated time to commute to the JobCenter due to accidents or slow traffic. Also, it sort of forces you to have to come very early and sit and wait around for half an hour to increase the chances of getting into a workshop. For example, I had looked on the workshop calendar for a resume writing workshop a couple of months ago and I drove there an hour before the workshop time. When I got there, it was about 20-25 minutes till the workshop and I had found out that all slots had been filled already. I asked how that could be so fast and they told me that there were a wave of students coming from a previous workshop that finished and rolled over to this workshop that I had wanted to sign up. How unfair or messed up is that? But luckily, someone heard my story sitting in the waiting area and decided that he didn't want to take the workshop anymore so he gave up his spot so that I could get into it, which I thanked him for that. Otherwise, I would've spent 35 minutes going up and 35 minutes going back home all for nothing. They need to improve on how people can sign up. Do it electronically online by having everyone create and account and sign up when the workshop calendar is available and then put people on waiting lists until someone cancels. Very modern way of how education systems do this. - I'm the type of person who asks a lot of questions and people tell me I ask good questions, but the problem is that the way these workshops are designed, they're not a total fit for my type because time is limited to how they calculated discussing the topics, so that all personal questions cannot be answered and require a follow up career counselor meeting. Much of the way the workshop is taught requires group understanding, so if you're one of those types of people who learn slow, then you're likely going to need to plan to meet with a counselor to continue the workshop discussion at a later time. - They are restrictive at releasing contact information in the form of an e-mail address of the advisers or staff there for questioning or help outside of JobCenter. I've had times where I wanted to stay connected and communicate with a particular type of career counselor, and the only way I could do that was by booking onsite appointments to physically meet with the counselors, but they would not allow any minor questions here and there to be e-mailed to them for convenience. Conclusion: I recommend going here for job search. It can be worth the drive. read more

This is my 2nd time come to Nova for the training program, the registration person Kim Lee give me the hard time from the beginning. First she want me to bring the foreign passport and I explain to her that I am already US citizen wny I need to do this, she say because I was born after 01/01/1960 and I need the foreign passport or selective service department to prove I came to US after year 26, I told her my this is my second time to apply for the training, why first time I didn't get this request. She doesn't even answer my question and walk away. Two days later, I came back to Nova and this time I met a nice lady Brenda, she help me to check my history and told me that last time I filled out a form and attest that I came to US after year 26 so this time I could follow the same procedure, I was very happy to follow her suggestion and filled out the form. She told me it will took four days to process it and if there is any question, NOVA will call me. After four days, I never got phone call or email from NOVA so I called NOVA to check the status, this time Kim answer the phone and told me my application is incomplete because I didn't submit the document , I told her that I have filled out a form just like the first time, she immediately told me that only she can approve my registration and my form is not acceptable and still insist on the selective service letter, I told her first I don't have foreign passport because I am already a US citizen more that 20 years so I don't keep my foreign passport for so long, and I came to US after year 26 , the selective service dept might not have my record, secondly why the form I filled out is not acceptable, and why first time is OK, she finally realize my question and want me to talk to her again later. up up that time I still don't get the answer and get more confusing. I strongly feel I am not treated with fair here, first if Kim doesn't accept my attested form, why she never contact me for that, only till I made a phone call four days later to find out and she doesn't even answer my question, if she really want to help me, she should inform me if she doesn't accpept my form earlier and explained to me why first time the attested form was accepted because People come to NOVA because it has reputation to help people , not hard time! I gave one stars because my recent experience with Nova, not first time , it was smooth first time I read more

This service rocks - actually better and longer than most outplacement services your beloved former employer will pay thousands of dollars for. They've been around for awhile so have relationships all over with SV employers, services, supports. Workshops on all things career related - way beyond just resumes - are excellent and convenient. They are your connection to possible training, school, whether on site or at area schools. Great support, professional environment. They serve people from all over - Even if you're just thinking of changing jobs, they can help. Check them out 8-5 - Get there before 3 if you want to see a career counselor. read more

I really can't say enough about the excellent experience I've had with NOVA. First, it is a totally FREE SERVICE. Additionally, the classes and services provided are priceless. Last but not least, every NOVA staff member I've interacted with has been amazingly helpful, providing information on interviewing, resumé writing, job searches, wage negotiation, continuing education, communication, current trends in work culture and more. Once I started working with Kim (my training advisor) to outline my career goals, she went to work like Rocky's trainer, Micky. She made sure I understood my responsibilities and put me to work on forms and information gathering. We found out that I qualified for an education grant. It's been less than a month since I started this process and I'm starting my first course in my certification program today, totally free of charge! If not for Kim and the rest of the staff at NOVA, I would be sitting at home and wishing instead of doing. Incredibly, Kim will continue to be my training advisor while I take my classes. What's even more amazing is that once I'm certified she'll be my career advisor and help me in my job search. I have a renewed sense of purpose and drive with Kim and NOVA in my corner. You might not have the same experience with the grant as I did. I was lucky in some ways, but I had no idea how lucky I was until I went to NOVA and spoke with the staff there. Do yourself a favor, find out how NOVA can help you. read more

I had to come here to get my typing test done. It's really hard to find! I was wandering around the area for a while until a City employee pointed me the right way through his window. Once at the NOVA center, all the ladies at the front were really friendly and helpful. The typing test is timed for 5 minutes and you have a practice 3 minute session prior to that. So all in all I was in and out in less than 20 minutes. (You have to wait a bit afterwards to get your certification) read more

Excellent resource for job seekers. Career advisors are very helpful and will work with you to help you move forward in your professional goals. Check them out, you won't regret it! read more

I was enrolled in NOVA / Connect until 2013, and found only a few of their services helpful. Results of free diagnostic exams showed that I'd retained mastery of my field, despite an extended period of unemployment. Also, I enrolled in two classes, which filled in some time during my job search. That said, their big thing is the LinkedIn service -- as if 'networking' is *the* solution to joblessness in Silicon Valley. It's mere spin -- LinkedIn, as 'Messiah': create a public profile and connect with as many decision-makers as possible in an effort to leverage whatever influence they might have. I quickly learned that this was entirely wasted effort, as no useful contacts emerged from the LinkedIn network. Ultimately, I found work in an entirely different field, and it did not emerge from the NOVA / Connect experience. Also, if you're seeking advice about the rampant age discrimination here, go elsewhere; these people are utterly clueless with regard to those issues. In closing, it might be helpful to review recent posts about LinkedIn as an employer, which routinely disregards wage and hour laws. They're not a role model in this economy and accordingly, NOVA / Connect should seriously reconsider its misguided decision to do business with them. http://blog.sfgate.com/pender/2014/08/04/linkedin-ordered-to-pay-6-million-in-unpaid-overtime-wages-and-damages/ read more

Amazing staff, great resources and classes. Promatch is such a great service. It's ironic as the min I signed up for connect and Promatch and had my resume reviewed I received a job offer and only spent 1 day doing all the requirements. It felt like the min I got out of the house and started making goals things started working out for me and I received a job offer! Very nice people and if I need to I will be back! read more

My experiences at Nova: * I walk in the door for the very first time and I am told by the clerk behind the counter who doesn't know a thing about me, that I won't get a job for minimum three months. I email the supervisor who says something to the clerk and when speaking to the same clerk about something different a week later, she repeats the same comments, stating that she "always tells the truth." No apology from either the clerk or the supervisor. * I am sitting in the front and hear the Career Advisors standing near their cubicles and overhear them talking about a male client and laughing. I tell the front desk supervisor and she merely says that she will look into it, no other response, no apology for their behavior. * I absent mindedly walk out with one of their plastic pens in my hand. One of the front desk clerks notices and implies that I am an intentional thief in front of the entire front office when I come in the next time. I tell her that it was unintentional and that I returned it the next day. A week later the subject comes up again and again I am accused of being an intentional thief. Again, I tell her that it was unintentional and I returned it the next day. * Without knowing the first thing about me. Career Advisor tells me that I should do part time temp jobs for the rest of my life "because other people do it." * Sitting in the Customer Break Room listening to a discussion between a few "clients" on how "pointless" their visits to the Career Advisors have been. * I go to the front desk and ask the clerk to look at what my computer screen is doing. She says that I have to tell the clerk at the computer desk. I SHOW the computer center clerk that the computer is malfunctioning. She tells me that she doesn't know what is wrong with it. I ask if she is going to tell IT. She tells me if other people have a problem she will tell them. Really? Why did I just bother to show you that the computer was malfunctioning if you were going to blow me off? I walk to the front desk which is a few steps away, say nothing, but and wait politely at the counter a couple of steps away for the clerk to finish with another person. I have to lean on a counter to hold myself up which Nova clerks don't understand at all despite the fact that I have told them I need to lean against the counter many, many times. They still act as if they are learning this fact for the first time or that I am trying to cut in front of someone by leaning on the counter. If I don't lean against the counter, I have to sit down and someone else walks up ahead of me in line and I get helped only if there is nobody in line which rarely happens. Their dislike of my leaning against a counter because of my legal disability won't change the fact that I have to lean against a counter when waiting in line. They need disability sensitivity training. I tell the front desk clerk what the computer is doing and sit down. The supervisor of the center comes STOMPING out and tells me that I talked to the computer clerk once and the front desk clerk twice. Yes, I did. For less than fifteen seconds each. Politely. Which is more than I can say for your clerk. She says if I don't get the service that I need to tell her. The same supervisor who "talked" to the woman that told me that I wouldn't get a job who told me the same thing again. The same supervisor who once asked me how long I walked with a cane...Five years and you just notice now? No supervisor, if you are going to be punitive for simply telling a clerk that the computer is malfunctioning, no. I will tell you on Yelp. Hey supervisor - Your computers are malfunctioning. * Sick one day didn't have perfectly coiffed hair. Resume workshop instructor decides she is going to impart her invaluable wisdom and single me out in front of the entire workshop, humiliate, and embarrass me by stopping the class and telling me that I need to comb my hair better for an interview. * Incessantly stating in every workshop and every class that people won't get a job because they are too old. Um, what is the point of the center if you keep telling people that they are too old to get a job? * QuickBooks class is only four days long. QuickBooks instructor talks about himself for half of the first day's class. * Computers in the computer center have many glitches. * One morning after dropping * The employees TELL, they never ASK. There were a few more negative experiences, but I am not going to share them. TL;DR: Unprofessional, Offensive, Oblivious, Self-Centered, Ignorant, Need sensitivity training. read more

I have had a very positive experience at NOVA. The ladies at the front desk are extremely organized, helpful and patient. So are the instructors. Ive found the classes very helpful. For the advisors, my recommendation is to keep trying until you find one that is a good match for you. They are very different, so don't give up if you don't find a good match right away. read more

This place ROCKS. It's funny to read all the reviews similar to mine. Seems like this is one of the few places that is good about issuing typing certificates! My tale: I needed a typing certificate. A typing certificate? What is a typing certificate? Yeah, exactly. I had no idea until today when I had a crash course by first realizing you can't get one online (in 2016!). Well you can, but city governments and other bureaucratic agencies require they be from brick & mortar places. I learned it's mostly employment agencies that offer them. (Oh, right: a typing certificate is what you get after you take a timed typing test to that automatically counts up how fast and how accurately you type.) Anyway, I called a bunch of places all over the Bay Area and half told me they don't offer typing tests/certificates anymore (because hello it's 2016). The other half of places told me "Yes we can schedule you an appointment for a month from now." But I needed it today. So Rhonda at the NOVA front desk was the only one that just kinda made it happen. NOVA is very nice and really big. The room I took the test in was a big computer lab with many computers in it. Totally pleasant atmosphere. Also right next to the Sunnyvale Public Library so that's where I'm (very quickly!) typing this review for you. Once I finished the test and got the certificate, Rhonda even scanned it for me so I had a PDF. Thank you NOVA and Rhonda! read more

Getting great helps form the NOVA at Sunnyvale, CA office. Their sincere help and services starting from the registration to the end are great! Also special thanks to Sharadon Smith for her very prompt and to the point help goes above and beyond to keep me focused and on track. Big Thanks! read more

Great career advisors and courses. All the resources you need for job search. Make NOVA your first sop on the way to getting that new job.

I have been to all the classes and contacted recruiters and temp agencies and filled out hundreds of forms for the companies I have applied to. AND NOTHING. I have spend my time answering their questions and no calls. I have also been told by recruiters "are you OK with this pay"?? I feel that we are being disrespected and insulted to no end. WHY. I have now bent over backwards and i am not seeking the "type" of job I should have or that I can live with; still No responses from anyone. Are they afraid that I am such a great Admin. that they will not hire me because they are offering 1993 salary????I was laid off after my great pos. for 11 years. Does anyone have an answer for why they are behaving in this manner??? read more

to all those who want to look for a job, this is the right place. If you are looking for help for training, especially in the medical field, they will just turn ur life around. Ive been here everytime trying to complete all the requirements and still no luck. First, do not rely on the etpl website, it is for the whole california and the training it provides and not for NOVA. Nova has contracted schools you can go to ( especially high tech, knowing that high tech has left silicon valley a long time ago and yet they continue funding training) and very minimal for medical field. They will not tell you what schools they have contract with not until you finish all thye requirements. So they will just waste ur time doing everything and will discover they dont have any contract with the program and school u wanted to go to. If u are going to avail the CTB program, ask them first what programs do u offer training. They will give u hard time and will end up nothing. If you want training for high tech, ull be seen in 10 minutes and u will be referred to a career coun selor and u get ur grant.... easy. That is where the government want their money to go to. Hello.. electronics is done in CA. read more

Finding work is never easy, but the folks at NOVA can help you out. I highly recommend NOVA, both for their workshops and for their job counselors. Brenda R. was especially helpful in my case. She kept me on-track and got me motivated to keep looking and keep trying, even after a couple of disappointments. I can't recommend NOVA enough. Great people, and an invaluable aid in my job search. read more

I have always found the people at NOVA to be cheerful, supportive and helpful. I am extremely grateful that NOVA exists and based on their popularity; so are a lot of other people. I cannot thank the people at NOVA enough for all of the encouragement and help that they have given me. Ben S. 9/7/14 read more

I had a 9:15 apt for a REA interview. i brought my one year old son with me because no where on my paper work does it say we can not bring children. i go in and wait with the rest of the people then i get rudely called out of line by a lady to tell me i cant have my son here but if i have all the paper work i can stay. so she makes me get in the back of the line again, then another rude lady comes up and says you need to leave right now. and i told her what the other lady said so she gives me attitude and makes me give her my paper work to see if i was lying or not about having them all done. then she makes me get in the back of the line again. as im almost in front of the line the same lady from the first time starts yelling at me again saying next time you better not bring you kids in here, this is like a job interview and this shows us that you are irresponsible and dont have daycare. and i told her i didnt know its not on the paper anywhere, she proceeded to tell me it was but then i told her to show me where and she couldnt, basically they had me sign in and kicked me out. the whole time my son was sitting in his stroller and sucking his pacifier so its not like he was being disruptive. they were very rude to me more words were exchanged but its too long to type it all, but you get the point. I think that these old hags need to take some customer service classes this was an unintentional mistake and this whole situation could have been avoided if i was treated with courtesy and respect! and if there really is no kids allowed they need to have signs, because to me i feel like i was discriminated against. read more