Help for Inmates 

What about state and federal jobs for ex-offenders?

 

Ex-offenders have no special status when applying for state and federal jobs. The application and selection procedures for state jobs follow state guidelines, and federal jobs follow the rules and guidelines of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) whose Internet address is http://www.opm.gov.

 

State Jobs

To find out about state jobs contact the Department of Human Resources in the state where you plan to release. You can also find out about state jobs at the Internet website for the state which is http://www.state.__.us. Fill in the blank with the two letter postal code for the state. For example, Virginia would be http://www.state.va.us. State jobs may also be posted at the local U.S. Employment service office. Their contact information can be found in the blue pages of the telephone book.

 

Federal Jobs

Most federal jobs are announced by the OPM website at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov.

You can also call the OPM automated telephone system, an interactive voice response telephone system (478) 757-3000 or TDD (478) 744-2299. Job seekers can access current job vacancies, employment information fact sheets, applications, forms, and apply for some jobs. Many federal agencies have job information telephone numbers located in the blue pages of the telephone book. Federal job postings are also available from the nearest One-Stop Career Center.

 

One-Stop Employment and Training Services

 

One-Stop Centers are at the heart of the workforce investment system under legislation called the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). WIA replaces the old Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). One-Stop centers provide an integrated array of high-quality services to help workers, job seekers, and businesses find assistance under one roof in easy-to- reach locations. They are also designed to help businesses find qualified workers and help job-seekers and workers obtain employment and training services to advance their careers. These services include assessment of skills, abilities, aptitudes, and needs; assistance with Unemployment Insurance; access to Wagner-Peyser Act-funded employment services (such as the states’ public labor exchange and labor market information); career counseling; job-search and job-placement assistance; and information on training, education, and related supportive services such as day care and transportation. Eligible individuals also can obtain more intensive services and training.

 

One-Stop Centers are convenient to most communities in the United States and territories. The names of these centers may differ — One-Stop Center, One-Stop Career Centers’ Workforce Development Center, Employment Services, or Job Service, but they all are committed to providing prompt, courteous, and customer-focused service. One-Stop Centers represent a partnership involving federal, state, and local public and private service providers. They are overseen by community-based Workforce Investment Boards, chaired by local businesspeople. These boards focus on strategic planning, policy development, and oversight of the local workforce investment system and its One-Stop Centers. Boards ultimately determine the service priorities for the community. You can locate a One-Stop center anywhere in the United States by calling 1-877-US2-JOBS toll free (For TTY, call 1-877-TTY-JOBS) or via the Internet at http://www.servicelocator.org.

 

 

JOBLINE Toll-Free Number: 1-800-414-5748

 

If you are looking for employment, Jobline® is a free public service provided by state agencies with assistance from the National Federation of the Blind and the United States Department of Labor. This service is available on the telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. New jobs are listed on the system each day, and jobs that are filled are removed. All that is required is a touch-tone telephone to establish your personalized job-search profile. The system is designed for you to use each day during your job search. The system asks you to use your telephone number for a profile number. Or, you may want to make up a profile number using your social security number and an extra digit. For example SSN 111-22-3333 could be profile number 111-223-3333 by adding an extra number such as the 3 in the example. The number that you entered will remain in effect for as long as you are seeking employment and using JOBLINE.

 

Tips for Planning an Effective Job Search:

 

•   Make a "To Do List" every day. Outline daily activities to look for a job.

•   Apply for jobs early in the day. This will make a good impression and give you time to complete applications, have interviews, take tests, etc.

•   Call employers to find out the best times to apply. Some companies take applications only on certain days and times during the week.

•   Write down all employers you contact, the date of your contacts, people you talk to, and special notes about your contacts.

•   Apply at several companies in the same area when possible. This saves time and money.

•   Be prepared. Have a "master application" and resumes, pens, maps and job information with you all the time. Who knows when a "hot lead" will come your way.

•   Follow up leads immediately. If you find out about a job late in the day, call right then! Don't wait until the next day.

•   Network. Tell everyone you know that you are looking for job. Stay in touch with friends and contacts. •Follow up new leads immediately.

•   Read articles and books on how to get a job (see the list of books at the back of this brochure). The time you spend reading these materials will save you a lot of time in your job search.

•   Make automated connections through systems on the Internet, such as America's Job Bank and the Talent Bank

 

Here are a few helpful tools to use when seeking employment.

 

Phone Script

 

FOR CLASSIFIED AD:

Hello, my name is _____________. I’m calling about the (job title) position advertised in (name of newspaper & edition, i.e., Sunday’s, yesterday’s). I’ve had (number of years or use “a lot” instead of a specific number of years) of experience in this field and would like to set up a time for us to get together and discuss this job in more detail.

 

FOR COLD CALL:

Hello, my name is _____________. I’m calling to see if you have any openings for (job your interested in). I’ve had (number of years or use “a lot” instead of a specific number of years) of experience in this field and would like to set up a time for us to get together and discuss this job in more detail.

 

IF THEY DON'T HAVE OPENINGS:

Would it be possible for me to come down and fill out an application in case any positions become available? Do you know of any (job title) openings in the area?

 

REMEMBER:

• Be polite. Whether you get the results you want or not, thank the person for taking the time to speak with you.

• Be prepared to answer questions about your background and/or experience.

• Have a pen and paper handy to take down information or directions.

• Be prepared to set up an interview (a pocket calendar is handy to make sure you don’t make conflicting appointments).

 

These tools will give you an idea of how to talk to an employer on the phone. You should always use your own words and use language with which you are comfortable. AVOID SLANG!