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I wanted to thank the NBN team for setting me up with my first job in Israel! I couldn't have found this position without you! I am so glad I turned to NBN for help.

--Taire, NBN 2011

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I would like to say that the employment department for Nefesh b'Nefesh has been unflagging in its dedication to finding jobs for new olim - following through and helping at every stage, responsive to all inquiries, and always on the lookout for what is best for the oleh.

-Kim, NBN 2005

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Thank you for your smile! I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the talk we had after the linked-in session. Thank you for listening. I will be in touch. From my heart, thank you for everything!

-Polly, NBN 2008

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To start me off, NBN gave me all the necessary tools and resources to begin the search. And the best part about this all was that they themselves were looking out for me, and sending my resume to any fitting positions they found. With their help, I landed my first job in Israel in a very reasonable about of time. A big thank you to the NBN Employment Department!

-Donna, NBN 2010

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The NBN Employment Department gave us realistic expectations and helped us prepare a game plan - who to meet, which sectors are looking, how to make and approach potential contacts. Throughout the process, it was evident how the NBN staff care and do their utmost to help new Olim transition successfully. I found a wonderful job (that matches 100% what I desired in a position) because the NBN Employment Counselor saw a position and cared enough to send my resume in to the company. I received a phone call not too long after, and a few interviews later I am happily employed!

-Amy, NBN 2010

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I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all of your assistance yesterday. I walked into your office not quite knowing what to expect and was amazed by the type of assistance that you were able to provide.

-Nir

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I made an appointment at the NBN office to review my new resume tailored for the Israeli market.  The advice they give one is advice anyone who is job hunting knows - network, network, network.  What NBN gave me was a built-in network that I could immediately start to connect with.  However the most important thing I received was the belief that I had a great team behind me and that I am not alone!

-Ayala, NBN 2010

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I started looking for a job on my own as soon as I arrived in Israel and after three months without a decent break, I reached out to NBN for help. NBN told me that they would start sending out my resume which I thought would be a nice, extra outlet. I was feeling hopeless, but now I am now very happily employed thanks to NBN who connected me with my current employer! Thank you NBN

-Tamar, NBN 2011

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The NBN Employment Department sent me the links from their job board. I sent my resume to positions that I thought were relevant and gave my specific information to the NBN Employment Department. A month later I get a reply from someone who got my resume from the NBN Employment Department. I was thrilled!

-Amy, NBN 2010

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Tour Guiding in Israel

 

Training Courses | Subsidies for New Olim | Course Curriculum | Licensing Exam | Finding Your First Job | Working as a Freelancer | Working Hours | Developing a Stable Income | Part-Time Work for Students | Other Resources

Special thanks to Shulie Mishkin, professional tour guide, for her assistance in preparing this article.

The age-old adage says to choose a career that you love and make your current hobby into your vocation. For many Olim, this advice clearly refers to the field of tour guiding. Few professions express a love of Israel as much as guiding. Providing an opportunity for enthusiasts to study every inch of the land and delve into Israel's rich history and archeology, the tour guiding field is a natural magnet for people who are seeking employment that expresses their passions and interests.

Training Courses

A variety of training courses are available throughout Israel. The options include:

Course Curriculum

You are likely to gain more from these courses if you have a background in Tanakh, Hebrew and Jewish history. While the required material will all be reviewed during the course itself, a background in these subjects makes it easier to absorb the quantity of texts and variety of subjects that are covered.

The courses usually cover geography, geology, geomorphology, from pre-history through the various bronze ages, iron age, early Israel period through to destruction of 1st Temple (with visits to sites), Judaism, Hellenistic and Roman period, destruction of 2nd Temple, Christianity, Byzantine and Persian period, Islam, Umayyad, Ayubid, Fatimid, Crusader, Mamluke, Ottoman periods, rise of Zionism, British mandate, State of Israel and its wars and current affairs.

Licensing Exam

All Israeli tour guides are required to pass a licensing exam written and approved by Misrad HaTayarut (the Ministry of Tourism). The exam is offered at set times throughout the year and can be taken either in English or in Hebrew.

The Archeological Seminars course requires you to take internal exams after each segment of the course. Final exams, including an oral exam, mirror the Misrad HaTayarut text and must be passed before you are permitted to take the Misrad HaTayarut exam.

Knowledge of Hebrew

Speaking Hebrew is critical to the tour guiding business. As a new guide, you will want to broaden your potential client base as much as possible, and excluding Hebrew speakers from the pool of relevant tourists makes it harder to gain the necessary work experience and build up a solid reputation.

Even if you decide to limit yourself to English language tours, you will need to speak Hebrew to the Israelis that you interact with in the course of most tours, including bus drivers, waiters at restaurants, museum staff and rangers at national parks.

Finding Your First Job

When you first start working as a tour guide, it may be worthwhile looking for a job in one of the big tour companies, or joining an educational tour group (like Ramah). These places provide some on the job training, providing you with an itinerary and giving you an idea of what material to teach.

It is worthwhile advertising your services in your former community or synagogue in North America or the UK, where your name is known and you can attract business from former neighbors who are visiting Israel.

The following website lists jobs available for tour guides: http://tour-guides.co.il. 

Working as a Freelancer

Most experienced tour guides work independently, since the rate of pay is higher. However, when you first start to work independently you will need to drum up your own business. There is a network of tour guides who refer work to each other, which helps newcomers find jobs. In addition, you can market yourself by advertising on local email lists, writing columns in local newspapers and magazines, and by organizing tour groups through your community's social centers. Keep in mind, however, that it usually takes several years to build up your reputation to a point where people have already heard about you, and contact you directly.

Working Hours

Tour guides have a tremendous amount of flexibility and can work part time or full time, depending on their personal financial needs. However, the job does require a total commitment: While you are leading a tour group, you may be sleeping away from home and "on call" for the entire time. This can be very intense, but an advantage of the system is that after a long period of guiding, you have the option of giving yourself some well-deserved time off.

When planning your guiding schedule, keep in mind that the "down time" between guiding jobs is not really free time. In the days or weeks before you meet a group, you will need to prepare the logistics of the tour, make phone calls, make reservations, do "reconnaissance" prior to the actual trip and review the relevant background material.

Developing a Stable Income

The demand for tour guides in Israel varies tremendously, following the dramatic ups and downs of Israel's political situation. In turbulent times, foreign tourists usually cancel their vacations to Israel, and Israeli tourists tend to stay at home. If it is important for you to have a stable income, it is recommended that you combine part time tour guiding with a second, more reliable profession such as tutoring, teaching or working in the business sector.

Part-Time Work for Students
Students who are looking for part-time income and who are not interested in doing the full tour guiding course can become trained at particular museums or sites, such as the Migdal David Museum or Ir David (in Jerusalem).

Other Resources