From Prison to Paycheck: What Nobody Tells You About Getting a Job, Pam Hogan, 2007, ISBN 9780979429491
Among the many challenges facing those just released from prison is finding a job. Those who have jobs are much more likely to not go to prison than those who do not. This book attempts to make that challenge less challenging.
Think of a resume as the equivalent of a business card. It is necessary; the book exactly how to write it. For those whose work history is patchy or non-existent, sign up with a temp agency. Having a variety of jobs will help you narrow down the kinds of jobs you want (or don’t want), give you experience to put on a resume, and the paycheck doesn’t hurt. Volunteering is another way to gain experience to put on a resume. Orient your resume to different types of positions. A resume that highlights your experience as a landscape gardener will be of little help in applying for a security guard position.
Treat your job search like a full-time job. Carefully read the ads online or in the newspaper. If it says, for example, “no phone calls” or “apply in person,” follow it. If your qualifications don’t exactly match the requirements, ask for an interview anyway. The more job interview experience you can get, the better off you’ll be. You have to be there every day, filling out applications and leaving resumes.
The book walks you through the job interview process, including a list of questions the interviewer will ask. Practice answering these questions ahead of time, so you sound confident and “with it” instead of wavering and unsure of yourself.
At some point, you will ask yourself the question: Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Don’t lie, because the truth will eventually come out, but you don’t need to include all the details. If that part of your life will honestly never come back, find a way to say so. The book gives some suggested answers.
This book does a good job of making the job search process as painless as possible. It’s not only good for those just out of prison, but also for those whose employment history is less than stellar.
