Quick Job Search for ExOffenders

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Quick Job Search for Ex-Offenders

• Seven Steps to
• Finding a Job Fast

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The Seven Steps

• Create a positive image and environment
• Identify your skills
• Identify job targets
• Get your documents in order
• Use the most effective job search methods
• Improve your interviewing skills
• Follow up on all job leads

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Meet Your Basic Needs

• Take advantage of government and community
  programs and resources.
• Make sure you have proper interview attire.
• Learn to manage your money.
• Live with friends or family or consider
  low-income or subsidized housing.

4
Establish a Support Network

• Surround yourself with positive, successful
  people.
• Reestablish relationships with family and
  friends.
• Earn back trust by taking positive action.
• Take advantage of community and government
  assistance programs.

5
A Positive Self-Image

• Earn back trust by taking positive action.
• A positive attitude is key to convincing an
  employer to hire you.
• A positive attitude helps you make a good first
  impression.
• A positive attitude helps you to work even harder
  to meet your goals.

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The Three Types of Skills

• Self-Management
• Transferable
• Job-Related

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Self-Management Skills

• Self-management skills are the skills you use
  every day to survive and function. Some of them
  could even be considered part of your
  personality. Such skills include getting to work
  on time, honesty, enthusiasm, and getting along
  with others.

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Transferable Skills

• Transferable skills are general skills that can
  be useful in a wide variety of jobs, like the
  ability to write clearly or to stay organized.

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Job-Related Skills

• Most job-related skills are specific to an
  occupation, such as knowing how to fly an
  airplane. Job-related skills are most often
  gained through work experience, education and
  training, and hobbies.

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The Skills Employers Want

• 1. Learning to learn
• 2. Basic skills in reading, writing, and
  computation
• 3. Good communication skills
• 4. Creative thinking and problem solving
• 5. Self-esteem, motivation, and goal setting
• 6. Personal and career development skills
• 7. Teamwork skills
• 8. Leadership skills

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Factors to Consider in Identifying Job Targets

• What skills do you want to use?
• What type of special knowledge do you have?
• What industries or employers are more likely to
  hire a person with your record?
• Where do you want your next job to be located?
• What benefits or income do you hope to have?

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The Six Interest Categories

• Realistic
• Investigative
• Artistic
• Social
• Enterprising
• Conventional

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Research the Jobs that Interest You

• What skills does the job require? Do I have those
  skills?
• What education and training do I need to have or
  get?
• Are employers for this kind of job willing to
  hire ex-offenders?
• Are there jobs of this kind available?
• How much does this job pay?

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Application Tips

• Be honest.
• Prepare a Summary Statement.
• Include work experience while incarcerated.
• Include all relevant education.
• Read the application over carefully.
• Make it neat and error-free.
• Make personal contact with the person in charge
  of hiring.

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Resume Tips

• Write it yourself
• Include your formal name, address, phone number,
  and e-mail
• Make it error-free
• Make it look professional
• Keep it brief

• Make it relevant
• Be honest
• Be specific
• Be positive
• Consider using a skills resume
• Use entire years to avoid showing gaps

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Cover Letter Tips

• Always write to someone in particular.
• Personalize your content.
• Mention the name of any mutual contacts.
• Make it professional.
• Proofread carefully.

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Seven Tips for Thank-You Notes

• Decide whether to use e-mail or regular mail.
• Use quality paper and envelopes.
• Decide whether to handwrite it or computer-print
  it.
• Use a formal salutation.
• Keep the note short and friendly.
• Be sure to sign it.
• Send it within 24 hours after the interview.

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Sample JIST Card
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The Two Most Effective Job Search Methods

• Networking with people you know
• Directly contacting employers

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Using the Internet

• Be specific in the job you seek.
• Limit where you want to live and work.
• Get your resume into databases.
• Make direct contacts using the Web.
• Check out career-specific Web sites first.
• Use more than one job search method.

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The New Definition of an Interview

• Any face-to-face contact with someone who has
  the authority to hire or supervise a person with
  your skillseven if no opening exists at the time
  you talk with them.

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Improve Your Interviewing Skills

• Make a good first impression.
• Research the organization beforehand.
• Dress and groom for success.
• Arrive early.
• Be friendly with the receptionist.
• Follow the interviewers lead.
• Be prepared to answer tough interview questions.
• Be prepared to address your incarceration.

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The Most Important Question of All

• Why should I hire you?
• Make sure you have an answer

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The Three-Step Process for Answering Interview
Questions

• Understand what is really being asked.
• Answer the question briefly in a non-damaging
  way.
• Answer the real question by presenting your
  related skills.

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Thank-You Note Tips

• Send one to anyone who helps you in your job
  search.
• Send one within 24 hours after an interview.
• Handwrite or type on quality paper.
• Enclose JIST Cards with thank-you notes.
• Keep the notes neat and error-free.

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Closing Tips

• Make getting a job your full time job.
• Plan ahead.
• Be honest with yourself and with others.
• Surround yourself with successful people.
• Act professional.
• Dont get discouraged.