A recent study at UC Berkeley by the Berkeley Underground Scholars found that a college degree isn’t as much of a benefit to previously incarcerated job seekers as one might expect. To overcome the hiring bias against those with criminal […]
New California law — Assembly Bill No. 2147 — helps inmate firefighters gain employment once released
California’s inmate firefighters, who have risked their lives for little pay fighting some of the worst fires in the state’s history, will now upon release be able to gain employment in jobs, including firefighting, that require occupational licensing. This comes […]
Developing resilience can help ex-offenders deal with the challenges they face upon leaving prison
Those in reentry need to develop a strong sense of resilience to help them deal with the challenges they will face in the weeks and months ahead. Sometimes referred to as the yo-yo effect, resilience is the ability to bounce […]
For greater success, start your job search with an interest assessment
At Jails to Jobs we often talk to people who are coming out of prison or jail and are not sure what kind of work they’d like to do. Finding a job that matches a person’s interests may also be […]
How to research companies when looking for a job
Looking for work is not just about finding a job. But its about finding a place that will be a good fit and where you’re likely to be happy. The best way to achieve this is to carefully research companies […]
How to start a cell phone repair business
Getting out of prison and not sure what to do for work? Are you a technical oriented person who likes to fix things? If so, you might consider starting a cell phone repair business. According to business industry research […]
Learn how to find and apply for federal jobs
The federal government has thousands of job openings every year. From positions as national park rangers, lawyers and medical professionals to carpenters, electricians, cooks and clerical workers, federal agencies provide an exceptional range of opportunities. They also offer competitive pay […]
The importance of letters of recommendation in a job search and how to request them
Letters of recommendation can be essential items to gather in preparation for a job search, but they’re especially important if you’re coming out of prison and looking for work. Along with a well-prepared resume or JIST card and your turnaround […]
How to create a turnaround talk to convince employers to hire you
Once you have your turnaround packet together for your job interview, it’s time to create a turnaround talk to go along with it. The purpose of this “talk” is to tell the truth about your conviction and to emphasize that […]
Tips on how to succeed in a video job interview
The coronavirus has changed our lives in many ways, including how we interview for jobs. Although unemployment numbers have soared, some companies are still hiring. They are, for the most part however, using a technique not usually employed in the […]