Working with people about to leave prison or those in reentry who are trying to find jobs? Nonprofit Jails to Jobs, Inc. has a brand new resource to help you do that more effectively.
Its new Jails to Jobs: Job Search Training Toolkit is designed to give people who present job search workshops in jails and prisons, and job developers who work with previously incarcerated individuals the resource they need. And it’s all here and ready to go.
The kit includes 20 copies of an all-inclusive job search handbook, Jails to Jobs: Seven Steps to Becoming Employed, published by the organization. It also includes a 73-slide PowerPoint presentation, which was developed as the result of delivering workshops to more than 3,000 soon-to-be-released men and women and is based on the book. The presentation can be used to conduct a two- to three-hour workshop in one or multiple sittings, making it easier to schedule.
All presenters need to do is familiarize themselves with the material in the book, as well as the PowerPoint slides, and they’re ready to offer the workshop. Corresponding page numbers from the job search handbook are listed on slides making it easier for both presenter and participants to use slides along with the book. Optional slides can be added, or existing slides edited, to include local resources and other unique details furthering the value of the workshop.
Participants will receive a copy of the handbook that they can read and study further and use as a guide through the job search process to find and land a job and stay out of prison.
The PowerPoint presentation and the book offer advice, instructions and exercises to teach participants just about everything they need to do to conduct a job search.
Why order a job search training toolkit? Here are 25 reasons!
Putting the tools together
Workshop participants will learn how to:
- Record an effective voice-mail message, standout and be remembered.
- Create a unique card that may work better than a resume.
- Prepare an elevator pitch, helping to make a very favorable first impression.
- Put together a master application and resume, saving time and increasing productivity in their search.
- Develop a targeted list of potential employers who they can contact and visit.
Once they begin their search
They’ll learn how to:
- Use a proven technique, integrating the telephone and email for the best job search success results.
- Find the person who has the power to extend a job offer.
- Just walk into places of employment and know what to tell the hiring managers that will increase their chances of getting a job offer.
- Create and use a circle of contacts chart to identify people who can help them in their job search including offering job leads.
- Make their parole officer a part of their network.
- Carry out an informational interview and gain inside knowledge.
Dealing effectively with their record
They’ll learn how to:
- Create a convincing argument that hiring previously incarcerated individuals increases an employers’ talent pool and makes economic sense.
- Encourage a job offer by knowing how and when to present hiring incentives that employers can take advantage of to benefit their bottom line.
- Create a turnaround talk and package to convince employers that they have changed.
- Highlight useful work skills developed in prison, helping to make the prison experience a strength rather than a negative.
- Deal with their record on the job application form and increase the likelihood of being hired.
- Understand and utilize two of the most effective job search methods that work for ex-offenders.
Resources and things they may not have thought of
They’ll learn how to:
- Integrate volunteering into their efforts as a method to increase possible job leads and offers.
- Use a temp employment agency as a stepping stone to full time regular work. Includes a list of 12 agencies we’ve heard good things about.
- Employ unorthodox methods to get the attention of hiring managers.
- Find free interview clothing and work attire.
- Find free or low-cost tattoo removal programs to get visible anti-social or gang-related job stopping tattoos taken off.
- Take advantage of job training and apprenticeship programs.
- Implement 10 key tips from surveyed employers that will make ex-offenders more marketable.
The cost of the training toolkit is $240 and includes shipping within the continental United States. Additional copies of the book are available at a discounted rate of $12 each. We invite you to take a look at our book reviews on Amazon and email us with any questions and to place your order.
